Tutu Shopping 108

Rochester Ballet Outfit Shopping Guide Alright, darling, let's get you looking fabulous in your ballet attire! Rochester is bursting with charming boutiques and dance shops, perfect for finding everything you need for the barre and beyond. Here’s my guide to a glamorous shopping spree: • Dancewear Dreams: Start at Dancewear Dreams on East Avenue. This local treasure is a dancer's haven with a fantastic range of leotards, tights, and tutus. They even carry some fabulous fashion brands like Capezio and Bloch, ensuring you're both stylish and technically sound. They have an incredibly helpful and knowledgeable team, so feel free to ask for advice! They often have student discounts too, so always ask if you're under 21. • Rochester Ballet Centre: If you need expert advice, head to Rochester Ballet Centre on Alexander Street. The friendly staff are experienced dancers and can help you choose the right shoes, pointe shoes if needed, and apparel. It’s great for ballet beginners as the experts will really explain the benefits of different fabrics and shoes. • The Clothes Horse: Looking for something extra special? Don't overlook The Clothes Horse on East Avenue. They carry stylish and elegant designer pieces, perfect for pre- or post-ballet outfits. Look out for those beautiful silk scarves and accessories - they always elevate an outfit! • Vintage Flair: For a unique and vintage vibe, pop into Rochester's hidden gem, Revival Vintage on Park Avenue. This is where you can unearth extraordinary pre-loved clothing, often finding fabulous ballet-inspired pieces or beautiful separates you can mix and match for class and beyond. • Let’s talk shoes: The type of shoe depends entirely on what class you are taking, whether it be ballet, modern, contemporary or jazz. For a classic ballet class, you can go for satin or canvas ballet slippers. Some ballerinas opt for canvas because they have better grip. Don’t forget your ballet shoes need to be properly fitted, especially pointe shoes, and that is often a specialized process with an appointment to properly assess the dancer’s foot shape and strength. I would always recommend doing this with a trained expert. You can purchase pointe shoes at either Dancewear Dreams, Rochester Ballet Centre, or even on the online shops of Capezio, Bloch or Grishko if you can’t find the right fit locally. Once you’ve got your fabulous gear, make sure you pop into one of the lovely cafés or restaurants on Park Avenue, or even in the historic city centre and soak up the Rochester atmosphere - it's such a fun city! Now, get out there and channel your inner ballerina!