Neverdancedjustamum

I think it’s the lovely fit and high leg line. I personally think though that it can sometimes look not age appropriate for very young children (my personal opinion) due to the aforementioned leg line and how the top section often sits quite low on the chest - especially the 9502. Very nice and flattering for older children and teens but because younger ones are often in socks, it doesn’t look quite the same as when wearing tights. About 5 years ago, they were very unique and I rarely saw anyone else in my DD’s class in them but its popularity seemed to have exploded in the last 2-3 years hence everyone seems to be in them these days especially in photos. Other alternatives we found that have amazing fit too are Wear Moi and Grishko (especially the Classic Excellence and Academy collections) for good classical leotards. Do also look at the Degas styles that aren’t easily found here. My DD’s favourite Degas were two styles that aren’t stocked here in the UK. They fit more comfortable and didn’t look as “revealing”. Attitude Diffusion leotards are also great (I believe they make the WL uniform, and are the sister company of Freed which is why Freed stocks a limited quantity in their shop). Based in France but they ship to the UK very quickly if the item is in stock. Last time I purchased some leotards from them, they literally arrived in less than 24 hours. I suspect their leotards are made in the same factory as Degas (you’ll see what I mean when you check out their leotards). If time permits and you’re willing to invest in a special piece, you can also order custom ones from brands like Luckyleo (although they now have a minimum order amount before they’ll ship orders to the UK), Elevé and Yumiko. You can pick the style and colour etc. However, for the first two beware of customs charges as they come from the US.

Can’t help with sizing either but I can help with the comparison I guess? They do fit quite small. When my daughter was 7, she was in size 10A and it was snug. She’s now a few years older, 5’2”, slim build but not teeny tiny and wears the following sizes in as many brands as I can think of for comparison: Degas: she can fit into both T0 and T1 Wear Moi: she can fit into both child 14 and XS Luckyleo: XS Yumiko: XS Grishko: usually XXS (I think this is 34?)but can wear certain styles in age 12-13 Bloch: Petite Capezio: XS Ainsliewear: Petite Elevè: XS Bodile: XS/S Meryl has a slightly fuzzy feel to it (hard to describe). Very soft. Neither Lycra or meryl we found showed sweat stains but my DD doesn’t really sweat much. In my experience however, meryl shows signs of wear much earlier than lycra. Hope this helps x

Love your post! I can see a lot of similarities although I very much doubt my DC will end up full time but who knows. I’ve seen crazier things happen. When asked, my DC always says they want to be a busker/artist/author/uni student …in that order so far over the years. Even when they had spells of saying they’d like to be a dancer, they’d always told me they’d rather be in the corps! Apparently it looks more fun. And apparently DC can then be a dance teacher which should also be fun. It’s funny you mentioned about the changing system because that’s part of the reason my DC firmly decided it was not something they are willing to do, is not committed enough to do. It was heightened during lockdown when DC saw the extraordinary lengths some of their peers could afford/do. Everything suddenly became more public and while I always warn her that social media doesn’t give the full or even actual picture, what DC and I saw was more than enough. DC was not willing to give up hours of her “normal life” as DC calls it - didn’t want to give up weekends or school holidays. Didn’t want to train at home after a hard day of school work. DC hated having photos and videos taken. That’s why the whole family found it quite ironic and slightly funny when DC got finals to auditions. I vividly remember dropping DC off to one, and my husband commented how everything looked amazing in this school (even from the outside and surrounds) and everyone looked very excited yet nervous - and yet there our DC was casually shuffling to the entrance, not a care in the world and quite possibly the only kid there who wasn’t really interested in a place (DC did grudgingly let me take a sneaky photo for memory’s sake). I have to admit I told DC to just go for the experience of it as it will probably be the only time they’ll ever see the place from the inside. When DC came out I asked how it went and they told me “the room they made us wait in was nice, like a hotel”. And that was it. In a way, I think DC knew in themselves that they shouldn’t have been there, DC wasn’t as committed as the others and DC didn’t want it like the others. I often wonder how DC presented themself that day and whether it was obvious. We remain firmly on the “other side” at the moment, and I know full well that with each year that passes, DC will probably be even more rooted on this side. Perhaps it will come to a point when it won’t be by choice. I stand by what I think about the changing system (which you noticed as well) and it’s easy to see this just by quickly looking at those who gained places in the top upper school/s, here and abroad. It requires so much time and commitment and finance, especially when I have more than one DC. I just know that at the moment, my DC won’t budge from their comfortable “other side” seat. DC already commented on how the overall feeling of audition stress is palpable in some classes - and DC’s not even part of it. Apparently DC is not “getting involved in that again”… Maybe someday I’ll have the chance to remind DC of this comment and laugh at how one can change their mind. Then again, more likely not.

Good luck to those going through the whole audition rounds this year. I’m sure you’ve all read the good and bad sides of going full time, especially at age 11, on this forum but I just wanted to come on here to provide the “other side” as such. We have no experience of full time vocational school because we didn’t. That there is my first disclaimer: everything that follows in this post are from my point of view as someone whose DC doesn’t go to full time vocational school, but went through auditions etc and was in the middle of it all amongst other DCs who were fervently preparing for auditions in the last few years. I therefore cannot talk about how brilliant it is for DCs to be in full time voc school as I don’t have any in one. I am sure there are lots more on this forum who can do that as they have DCs who are full time. This is simply a light read for those who, in a few months, might open emails or letters that don’t contain the outcome they wanted from the school they wanted. I am not, in any way, placing judgement on those who went full time. Nor is this a bitter or defensive post of someone whose DC didn’t end up going full time. I begin with saying that I’m sure everyone here knows the odds of getting in to the big name schools. What I wanted to add is that if your DC doesn’t end up getting into one, or even if they don’t get into their top choice, it’s really not the end of the world. I probably come from the minority of parents on here who didn’t really enjoy the whole audition process, even with all the inspiring talks and messages of “just enjoy the experience”. In a way I think it’s because I knew in my heart that I didn’t want my DC to go full time at 11 but I didn’t want this to be obvious and so I dutifully and happily still took DC to all classes etc. To cut the long story short, my DC loves dancing but I didn’t think wanted to go full time either and was just going with the flow last year. Because, really, does an 11 year old know what they want at that age? Maybe some do, my DC I definitely know, doesn’t. They can claim something is their dream but god knows I didn’t even know what I wanted to do/be in the first two years I was at university. At the moment, these auditions no doubt seem to be the biggest focus in your lives but know that when you come out the other end, regardless of the outcome, you will be fine. From our humble experience (which isn’t much), and from those I’ve witnessed first hand (a lot), what I would say is that if your DC ends up not going full time or if they end up in their second choice vocational school, let them enjoy that first year wherever they are. Let them enjoy it and let them flourish, let them grab every opportunity they can, don’t let them focus or obsess and spend those first few months thinking of what they’ve missed out on not going full time (or going to their first choice school), don’t let them spend all their time planning and preparing to re-apply to their dream school again or talking about their friends who are now in so and so ballet school. In a way we were lucky because our DC, even with offers of full time places off the back of summer intensive applications overseas, didn’t want to go full time by the end of it all. DC saw how intensely peers prepared for auditions, hours & hours of training etc and decided then and there it wasn’t for DC. DC started at the academic school they always wanted to go to and I’ve never seen them happier and more confident than I have these past few months - absolutely loves school and friends, settled in smoothly and seamlessly, loves the academic challenge and loves dancing purely for the fun of it, and only secondary to academics. Focus on the things you are lucky to have given your situation. For me, it’s the fact that I see DC every day, I get to wave DC off as DC walks to the bus stop to meet friends on their way to school, I get the lowdown on DC’s day, I get to watch DC dance not just ballet but all sorts of dancing she didn’t have time for before, see DC play and represent their school in sports for the very first time, expertly use public buses, go out with friends after school, have our laughs and chats in the car/train as I take them to dance and sports and various school activities and play dates, get excited for them to come home every day to ask how school was as we walk to the shops to get snacks, banter with siblings - I get to watch DC grow up every single day. DC is gaining life skills early in life, confidence in going places on their own, cooking for themselves, knowing what’s on the news and what’s happening in the world out there every day and are not insulated in any way. And DC still dances as DC does love it. A lot. With no pressure, with no specific goals, not as a means of preparing for anything - just for fun. I actually think DC is loving and enjoying dancing more these days than when the thought of auditions was looming over like some cloud. Ironically, DC even got a place in a highly sought after associates scheme off the back of last year, without purposely meaning to and despite not really enjoying the whole audition experience. Sometimes I ask DC if they might want to go full time someday and DC gives a noncommittal “maybe”. But the important thing for me is that even if DC doesn’t change their mind is that DC would have spent their time in “normal school” loving every minute of it despite the usual challenges (for us, this is managing the heavy academic timetable and work and squeezing in all other activities) but not having to stress about stretching & conditioning every day, eating within recommended nutritional requirements every meal, or being on top form every day/getting noticed in class lest get assessed out a few years/months down the line. What counts for me is that DC doesn’t feel any less than their friends who go to full time school (luckily DC doesn’t, as DC never had the same focus and determination anyway). DC just has a different focus which may or may not change in the future in which case DC will be auditioning with them all with a fresh pair of eyes at age 15/16, perhaps not as trained and amazing as those who went to lower school but definitely not at all pressured and hopefully mature enough to know it’s what they actually want at that stage in life. I know I’ve written too much now (this is what happens when my DCs are still asleep and in a sports match) but I just wanted to provide some reassure to those who might open those emails a few months from now getting a “no” from their DC’s dream school. I know they always say “it’s not a no, it’s a not yet” but I honestly believe that for some, it’s really a no. But know that a “no” can be the best thing that can happen to your DC. Again, this is just my point of view and I am in no way saying that not going full time is better than going full time. I know a lot of full time DCs who are very happy and thriving in their vocational schools. I do personally think that it takes a special kind of personality and constitution (focus, grit, determination) to flourish in vocational school especially at such a young age and so I have the utmost respect and admiration for those kids and their parents. PS: As my last disclaimer, I am well aware of the fact that it won’t be an easy endeavour if someone who isn’t full time suddenly decides to audition in later years of lower school or upper school. Given the calibre and amount of training full time students get, I personally think that for someone to even be competitive enough to go for a place in years 10/11 or upper schools, someone would need to have the time and money to prepare for this. I noticed that those with a good chance are those who can afford multiple classes and associates, lots of privates with (sometimes, multiple) teachers, travel to various summer intensives here and overseas, compete in things like the Prix de Lausanne and YAGP, and preferably be home schooled to have the time to squeeze everything in! This is obviously not the case for everyone but this is just my opinion of how someone can actually get a place in the top schools here and overseas if coming from a non-full time background….

I have 4 Bullet Pointe skirts in the colours Violet, Blue, Mint Green and like a deep wine colour (sorry, I can’t remember the actual colour names). All in pristine excellent condition, all size XXS. £22 each including first class postage or £80 for all 4 including postage already.

My DD started wearing them about 5 years ago when she was 7 and I liked them for their high cut leg line and general fit. Having said that, at the time, one of its unique selling points to me was that they were quite rare and not easily available here in the UK and were sold in limited quantities with the one stockist here. They are also made I believe by the same company that does the Paris Opera Ballet School uniform (for example, you can find one of the Degas styles in the exact style minus the Degas branding for almost £20 less online last time I checked) . Its popularity seemed to have exploded in the last 2-3 years and when I saw them on tiny kids (I’d say age 6/7) they actually looked a tad not age appropriate because the chest area of the two most popular styles sit quite low and coupled with the high leg line and bare legs with socks, on some it looked more “grown up”. Although no one can dispute how it can make legs look longer! My DD was always a bit tall for her age and preferred tights so perhaps I didn’t notice it back then. Back when the lined version wasn’t easily available, my DD also found the stitching slightly itchy on her sensitive skin. So when she outgrew all her Degas a couple of years ago, I had a grand time selling them because as you said , they hold their value well. Having said all that, she absolutely loved them years ago and they were always noticed by teachers for their lovely fit and cut and the uniqueness of the style. I’d still rate the 2 most popular Degas styles as some of the best audition leotards on the market - in my opinion although I’m no expert -(appearance wise and also for the sheer amount of colour choices) but my DD personally finds for example, Grishko leotards much more comfortable.

Great condition. From smoke and pet-free home. £25 including postage

Number 4 now sold

YUMIKO FOR SALE - all size adult XS, all excellent, near brand new condition. From smoke and pet free home. Please read descriptions carefully because I don’t do returns or exchanges. Prices quoted include first class postage already (with proof of postage). Additional £1.50 if you want item sent with a tracking number (first class, signed for). Can do lower combined postage price for multiple purchases. For purchases over £100 I will send the parcel via special delivery. Happy to send further info and photos. 1. YUMIKO Style: Larissa Techni fabric Size: XS Not lined £49 including postage 2. YUMIKO Style: Charlotte Techni fabric Size: XS Not lined £49 including postage 3. YUMIKO Style: Sasha Mesh Size: XS Not lined £65 including postage 4. YUMIKO Style: Alex Techni fabric Size: XS Not lined £48 including postage

I may have to resort to this if I can’t handle her second pair 🙂. I think there’s a dry cleaner in our town who does similar but perhaps not specifically pointe shoes.

I strongly second this. Photography by Ash (Amber) are amazing and very reasonably priced. My DD hates having her photo taken and her nightmare would be photo shoots of any sort (probably best as it saves me money). And yet last year as a birthday treat she agreed to have a shoot with Ash and absolutely loved it because they are lovely and put her at ease. I was very pleased with the photos (Amber will send LOTS for you to choose from and is happy to suggest the ones she thinks are best). For someone who hates photos and shoots, my DD received a lot of offers from summer intensives overseas partly because of them. Ash’s headshots are also divine.

That would be amazing, thank you x

I could barely go through the satin, on her pair the material in general seemed very stiff, managed to a few times (accidentally admittedly), and had a hard time poking it back in. I’m a very inexperienced sewer though so I bet it’s easier than I found it. I’m just pretty useless at sewing and so when I was faced with these Gaynors I was quite shocked. Although this did remind me - what kind of thread do you use? I’m guessing it’s quite close in colour to the satin? The thread I had in my Bunheads Stitch kit is darker and more salmon-y. Thankfully I also have a Russian Pointe kit and the thread in that was much closer in colour.

Thanks so so much for the detailed info above! I really appreciate it. I’ve literally copied and pasted it to my phone notes for me to refer to when the time comes for us to get her second pair (although I’m hoping this won’t be too soon! My fingers are still getting over the trauma of sewing the first pair 🤣)

Alas I don’t have a sewing machine but know people who do so I may have to ask very nicely should it come to that x

Wow! That’s amazing about the free pointe shoes! Especially given the price of Gaynors. Fingers crossed my DD gets on well with them. I think it’s a good sign that she said they’re the ones that felt the best out of all the pointe shoes she’s ever tried (of which there have been MANY).

I’ll try with a thimble again. My sewing kit did come with one so I thought I’d give it a go but since it was the first time I’ve ever used one, I was very clumsy and couldn’t quite get into grips with it. I also think I tried too late, I was already about half way through my sewing rage at that stage 😂

I know this is an old post but was the one most related to my question when I did a search. DD is a nightmare to buy pointe shoes for and whenever she goes to get fitted, the most suitable pair is always different! She’s tried Bloch, Grishko, Freeds (which looked horrific on her) and Capezio. During our most recent visit to Dancia and after trying on what seem to be dozens of pairs, the one that suited her the most were, surprisingly, Gaynor Mindens which we’ve never ever considered before. Anyway, my question is: has anyone found an easier way of sewing ribbons and elastics on to these? They’re unlike any of the shoes DD has had before, majority of which have some almost loose thin canvas-y fabric inside to sew on to. The Gaynors she has now has no such fabric, only like a thin fuzzy/felt layer and then the actual material which is very stiff. I’m not good at sewing at the best of times but the whole endeavour took me about double the amount of time to sew Blochs for example. A bigger needle was very hard to push through. I just about managed it with a smaller needle but I always felt like it was about to snap. Felt like giving up many times during the process until I remembered how much the pair cost. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Yes, it got me curious too as I don’t recall any candidates from RBS in recent memory. Can’t really just be their schedules as that’s like assuming other schools don’t have as busy a timetable. And perhaps they aren’t looking to lose students but if I’m remembering correctly, prizes sometime come with job contracts/offers and not just scholarships to schools. The age is also from 15 which means it’s a good way to be seen by upper schools of partner schools especially if not all from WL get RBS US.

Does RBS permit their students to compete in PDL or YAGP? It seems to recruit quite heavily from these competitions but I don’t seem to have seen any of their students participate unless they have a rule not allowing them to do so. I’ve seen candidates from Elmhurst and ENBS in the past, as well as from VBA, APG, TAZ etc.

Looks like 2 of the 3 are privately trained and not in full time vocational school here, and the other based in the US. Some candidates from Elmhurst and ENBS, although not British. Always love watching the candidates from APG. I just did a quick scan but can’t seem to find anyone from Conservatorio Annarella this time around. Two of their recent graduates did brilliantly well and went straight to soloist rank at Bayerisches Staatsballett.

Thanks so much! I will do. Very excited about it all. First time I’m actually on leave from work for WBD.

Probably a silly question but where can I access the livestream? Is there a dedicated World Ballet Day YouTube channel or is it a matter of going to each company’s YouTube channels on their designated time according to the timetable?

I have quite a lot of Yumiko leotards I am selling, mostly size XS, mostly not lined, but all of them in excellent condition, worn once or are brand new before daughter outgrew/didn't suit them anymore. I have included the names of the styles, and you can easily check on the Yumiko website the usual prices for these leotards and realise the prices quoted below are absolute bargains. Size chart also available on the Yumiko website. I have also tried to attach some group photos to give an idea of what they look like (there are too many to do individually but happy to send further details and photos directly). All came from a pet and smoke-free home. I usually post Royal Mail first class with proof of postage (additional £1.50 to quoted price below if you want it sent signed for/trackable). Please read descriptions carefully as I don't do swaps, refunds or exchanges, nor do I take responsibility for late or lost parcels once I have posted it and I have proof of postage/tracking number. Please note I am not a shop, leotards purchased and collected over the last few years, Christmases, birthdays, treats, exam result bonuses, good marks in school bonuses or just surprises from a proud mum 😊 YUMIKO, Style: Larissa, Size: XS, Not lined, £45 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Sofiane, Size: XS, Not lined, £38 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Becky, Size: XS, Not lined, £42 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Sofiane (half sleeve), Size: XS, Not lined, £40 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Becky, Size: XS, Not lined, £43 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Becky, Size: XS, Not lined, £42 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Alex Mesh, Size: XS, Not lined , £42 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Marieke (half sleeve), Size: XS, Not lined, £39 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Masha Mesh (half sleeve), Size: XS, Not lined, £69 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Anna Duo, Size: child 14, Front lined, £39 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Erica, Size: XS, Not lined, £45 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Meagan Mesh, Size: XS, Not lined, £55 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Cora, Size: XS, Not lined, £49 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Anna (3/4 sleeve), Size: XS, Not lined, £45 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Alicia , Size: XS, Not lined, £49 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Masha, Size: XS, Not lined, £65 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Zoe, Size: XS, Not lined, £50 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Kiki, Size: XS, Not lined, £40 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Kiki , Size: XS, Not lined, £40 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Heather , Size: XS, Not lined, £45 including postage YUMIKO, Style: Gina Mesh (3/4 sleeve), Size: XS, £65 including postage

She’s on it, although purely by chance because of school! Two languages that might potentially help 🙂 Luckily she’s keen on learning languages so likes doing it for fun too x