Hey there, fellow dance moms, young performers, and practice wear shoppers! I’m Sarah, and I’ve been running this little practice wear brand (you know, the one that shows up at every regional recital with those cute pastel leotards?) for over 7 years. One question I get at least 10 times a week—from girls starting ballet at 5 to teens prepping for competitive jazz—is, “How do I actually pick the right size practice wear? It’s not like jeans, right? I don’t want something too tight that restricts my pirouette or too baggy that they trip over it.” Women’s & Girls’ Practice Wear
Let’s cut to the chase: wrong-sized practice wear kills performance, creates discomfort, and even leads to unnecessary returns (and no one likes shipping stuff back, am I right?). I’ve seen it all—leotards that slide down mid-plie, leggings with bunched crotches that make turns awkward, and even a girl who wore a practice skirt 2 sizes too big and wiped out during a jazz combo last year. So today, I’m breaking down the exact, science-backed steps I use to recommend sizes for every customer, whether you’re shopping for a 4-year-old tiny ballerina or a 16-year-old competitive dancer. No confusing size charts that make you squint, no fancy jargon—just real talk from someone who’s fitting practice wear every single day.
First, let’s get one thing straight: practice wear size is NOT the same as your kid’s regular clothing size. I repeat—DO NOT grab the next size up “so they can grow into it” for dance. Wait, hold on—before you yell at me, let me explain. A few extra inches in a t-shirt is fine, but practice wear (especially leotards, which are basically the uniform) is designed to hug your body just enough to keep lines clean, without cutting off circulation. If you buy a leotard 2 sizes big, it’s going to bunch at the waist, ride up when you stretch, and ruin your port de bras. That said, “growing into it” doesn’t mean buying too big—it means accounting for growth that’s coming soon. Let’s talk measurements, because that’s the only non-negotiable part here.
I know, measurements sound boring, but trust me—this is where 90% of size mistakes happen. You can’t just guess based on age. A 7-year-old is 4’2” today, and her friend is 4’5”—their regular clothes sizes are different, and practice wear sizes will be too. Here’s what you need to measure, and how to do it without making it feel like a doctor’s visit (especially for wiggly little girls):
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Bust (for girls 8+ and kids who’ve developed): For little ones, this is the fullest part of their chest. For teens, measure across the bust, not too tight—you want it to be snug enough that the tape doesn’t slide, but so tight it indents their skin. If you’re using a soft measuring tape (duh, don’t use a yardstick), stand them up straight, arms relaxed at their sides. No hunching—dance is all about posture, so practice measuring with good posture!
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Waist: This is NOT where their pants sit—this is the narrowest part of their torso, usually about an inch above their belly button. For leggings or high-waisted practice pants, this is key. If it’s low-rise (we rarely do low-rise for practice, but some brands do), adjust, but stick to the narrow waist for most pieces.
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Hips: For any bottoms—leggings, shorts, jazz pants—measure the fullest part of their hips, usually around the seat area. Don’t pull the tape too tight here either; you want room to kick, jump, and do the splits without restriction.
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Torso length (THIS IS THE BIG ONE FOR LEOTARDS): Oh my gosh, I can’t tell you how many people skip this and end up with a leotard that rides up to their ribs. Torso length is from the top of the shoulder (where the neck meets the shoulder, not the tip of the shoulder) down to the crotch of the leotard. For little kids, hold the measuring tape straight from their shoulder to their hand (wait, no—wait, let’s do it right: stand them up, put one end at the center back of their neck, and run it down to where the leotard’s crotch would sit. That’s the torso length. This is way more important than height for leotards—two girls same height, different torso lengths, totally different leotard sizes.
Pro tip from Sarah: Write these numbers down! No guessing. If you’re shopping for a kid who’s still growing, measure them once a month for the last month before you buy—growth happens fast, and a leotard that fit last month might be too tight now.
Now, let’s split this into two groups: girls/kids (ages 3-12) and teen/adult women (13+). Their size needs are totally different, and I see so many people mixing them up.
For Girls (Ages 3-12): These are the wiggle worms, the ones who spend half practice running to the barre and the other half turning into little pretzels. Their practice wear needs to be stretchy, but not so stretchy that it loses shape, and it needs to grow with them—but in the right way. For little kids, I always recommend size ranges that are labeled for their measurements, not their age. For example, our size 4 practice leotard fits kids with a 21-22 inch chest, 19-20 inch waist, 21 inch torso length. If your 5-year-old is in kindergarten and has those measurements, that’s her size, even if her friend’s 5-year-old is a size 3. Also, for girls who are really active and growing fast, look for pieces with a little extra spandex (we use 80% nylon/20% spandex for most of our girl leotards—super stretchy, holds up through splits and cartwheels). Avoid anything with a lot of bulky embellishments—rhinestones or ruffles might look cute, but they can chafe when they’re running around. I once had a mom tell me her daughter refused to wear a practice skirt with big ruffles because it got stuck between her legs during frog stretches—word of mouth is huge in this community, so we stopped making those.
For Teens and Women (13+): This is where size gets tricky, because everyone’s body is so different. A 14-year-old might still have a kid’s torso but a teen’s bust, or a 19-year-old might be into both ballet and hip-hop, so they need different fit for different pieces. For leotards, we stick to the same measurement rule—torso length is key. If you’re a teen doing competitive dance, you might want a leotard that’s perfect for lines, so you don’t want it too baggy, but if you’re just taking once-a-week jazz, maybe a little extra room is fine. For leggings, this is where waistband fit matters most—no rolling down during jumps, no digging in during crunches. We use high-waisted leggings for most of our adult practice wear because they stay in place, but we make them with a wide, soft waistband so it doesn’t dig into your hips when you’re doing backbends. Also, for plus-size dancers, I can’t stress this enough—do not size down to “look skinnier.” Practice wear is for comfort and performance, not fashion. We have a size 2XL leotard that’s the same quality as our size XS, and the girls who wear it tell me it’s the only piece they can do floor work in without feeling self-conscious.
Now, what about when you’re shopping online? Most brands have size charts, but a lot of them are garbage—they just say “small: 4-6” without measurements. Here’s how to use a size chart correctly: Match your measurements to the size chart, not your regular clothing size. For example, if your regular jean size is 8, but your waist is 28 inches and hips are 38 inches, look for a practice pant size that fits those numbers, not the “size 8” label. Also, check the brand’s return policy. We offer free returns for practice wear because I know even with measurements, sometimes you get a size that’s off. But don’t abuse that—we’re a small brand, and we can’t afford to process 20 returns a day for one customer.
Wait, I also get asked a lot: “What if I’m between sizes?” Like, my torso is exactly between a size small and medium. Here’s my rule: If you’re buying a leotard (which is tight by design), size up. If you’re buying leggings or loose pants, size down. Because leotards need that snug fit to keep lines, and if you’re between, a little extra room is better than something too tight that restricts your arms or legs. For bottoms, if you’re between, a little snug is fine, because they stretch a little with wear.
Also, let’s talk about common mistakes I see all the time, that even I made when I first started this brand. 1) Buying for “future growth” with practice wear. I once had a customer buy a leotard for her 8-year-old that was 2 sizes too big, because her sister was the same age and it fit her. The mom ended up returning it because the leotard kept slipping down, and the girl didn’t want to wear it because she felt like she was swimming in it. 2) Measuring wrong. A lot of people measure their waist at their belly button, not the narrowest part—so they end up with pants that are too loose at the top and tight at the hips. 3) Ignoring fabric. We use different fabrics for different pieces—our leotards are 4-way stretch, our leggings are moisture-wicking (super important for when you’re sweating through practice), and our skirts are lightweight so they don’t add bulk. If you buy a practice wear piece with a super thick, non-stretchy fabric, you’ll size way too tight and be miserable.
Another thing: For girls who are in competitive dance, most studios have uniform rules. A lot of times, they require a specific leotard color or style, so make sure you check that before buying. But even then, the size is still up to you—don’t buy the studio’s required size if it doesn’t fit right. We often get requests from studio teams to make custom sizes for their dancers, because the standard sizes don’t work for their specific body types.
Wait, let’s get personal here. My niece started ballet when she was 4, and her first leotard was a size 5, which was way too big. She cried during her first class because it kept sliding down, and her teacher had to pin it to her tights. I felt terrible, because I should have told her mom to measure her torso, not just her age. So ever since that day, I’ve had a little rule for all my customers: If you’re not sure, send me your measurements, and I’ll tell you exactly what size to get. No automated chat bot, just me (or my team, since we’re a small crew) answering questions. We even add notes to each order: “Make sure your daughter’s torso is 21 inches, that’s the right size for her.”
At the end of the day, practice wear is about one thing: letting you focus on dancing, not adjusting your clothes. Whether you’re a little girl doing her first plié or a teen perfecting a jazz turn, the right size means you can move freely, feel confident, and actually enjoy practice. If you’re shopping around, and you’re not sure what size to pick, reach out—we don’t do fancy sales pitches, we just want to make sure you have the right fit. We’re always here to help, no matter where you are.
Wait, quick shoutout: For plus-size dancers, I know it’s hard to find practice wear that fits. We launched our extended size line last year, and it’s been life-changing for so many girls and women. The feedback I get is that they finally feel like practice wear is made for them, not just the default size 2-12. That’s why we do this—because dance is for everyone, and no one should have to settle for clothes that don’t fit.
So to wrap this up, here’s the cheat sheet I give to every customer: 1. Don’t rely on age/clothing size. 2. Measure bust, waist, hips, and torso length (write ’em down!). 3. Match your measurements to the brand’s size chart, not the labels. 4. Between sizes: Size up for leotards, size down for bottoms. 5. Don’t buy way too big for future growth—practice wear is for now. 6. If you’re stuck, hit us up for help.
If you’re looking for high-quality, stretchy, well-fitting practice wear for girls and women, we’d love to connect with you. Whether you’re a parent shopping for your kid’s first leotard, a teen needing new leggings for competition, or a studio manager ordering for a whole team, we can help you find the right sizes and styles. Just reach out to start a purchasing conversation—we’re here to make this easy, no hassle, no stress.
At the end of the day, choosing the right practice wear size isn’t rocket science. It’s about paying attention to your body (or your kid’s body), measuring properly, and not overcomplicating it. I’ve been doing this for years, and I can tell you: The right size makes a world of difference. You’ll dance better, feel better, and actually look forward to practice (well, most of the time). Now go get those measurements, and let’s get you fitted!
Cheerleading Uniforms References: Dancewear Fit Guide, International Society for Dance Medicine & Science, 2022; 4-Way Stretch Fabric Performance for Athletic Apparel, Textile Research Journal, 2021; Youth Dance Body Measurement Trends, Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, 2020.
AcEiffel Art Culture Co., Ltd.
AcEiffel Art Culture Co., Ltd. is one of the most professional women’s & girls’ practice wear manufacturers and suppliers in China, supplying the best customized service. Feel free to wholesale bulk women’s & girls’ practice wear at competitive price from our factory.
Address: 9#, Renxian Street, High-tech Zone, Dalian, China
E-mail: info@aceiffel.com
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