Best Ballet Leotards for Every Level: From Beginner to Professional

Choosing the right leotard is one of the most important decisions a dancer can make, whether you're a beginner learning the steps or gearing up for convention workshops and performances. 

If you're looking for dance leotards that are stylish, functional, and suitable for ballet, lyrical, contemporary, or jazz, Prima Dancewear has costumes that perfectly balance freedom of movement with elegance and comfort. 

Here’s what makes a leotard truly exceptional, what dancers at different levels should be looking for, and what to pack for some of the most exciting upcoming UK dance conventions.

Choosing A Dance Leotard That Matches Your Experience 

When choosing ballet leotards, you must remember that your needs will evolve as you become more experienced. 

As a beginner, you’ll benefit from soft, simple designs that are easy to move in and are durable and comfortable for learning the basics. The Empire Leotard is an excellent choice.  

When you move up to a more intermediate level, you can start exploring dancewear with more stylish elements. The keyhole Sylvie Longsleeve Leotard or the mesh top and long-sleeved Jolie Leotard are fantastic options, as they reflect your growing technique and confidence.

If you’re at an advanced level, you should look for leotards that balance artistry with functionality. You’ll be spending more hours in the studio, attending more conventions, and often performing throughout the year, so investing in high-quality, long-lasting pieces is essential. Stretchy but supportive fabrics and flattering silhouettes like the Aurora Lace Leotard will highlight your technique while allowing you absolute freedom of movement. 

What to Wear to UK Dance Conventions 

Dance convention season is one of the most exciting parts of the year. With a packed calendar expected for early 2026, you’ll need dance leotards that offer comfort, style, and suitability and can keep up with full-day schedules, quick style changes, and high-energy workshops. 

Move It Dance Convention — March 2026

Move It is the biggest dance event of the year in the UK and a must-attend for dancers of all ages and styles. Bringing together world-class teachers, professional performers, brands, and training opportunities, this convention is the perfect blend of industry showcases and learning experiences.

With a full schedule of classes, workshops, and live performances, dancers should opt for versatile and comfortable leotards that transition easily between styles. Our classic ballet leotards work well for technique classes, while leotards with mesh panels, interesting backs, or long sleeves add personality for jazz and contemporary sessions.

U.Dance Regional Platforms — February to April 2026

The U.Dance regional platforms combine rehearsal, technique, and performance for a broad mix of styles, so dancers often choose more elevated leotards. This means you’ll need to choose something elegant, structured, and stage-appropriate. 

A leotard with mesh sleeves, a subtle back design, or rich colouring works beautifully here. Since you may rehearse and perform on the same day, comfort is just as important as stage presence.

Our classic scoop-back or camisole ballet leotards are simple and stylish and move with you, making them ideal for both ballet technique and lyrical stretches. You can also consider a performance-ready leotard with mesh panels or subtle cut-outs that are elegant enough for a showcase class but still practical for rehearsals.

Super Weekender — November 2026

Super Weekender is a high-energy, condensed convention experience designed to deliver intensive training across multiple styles in a short timeframe. Hosted at the NEC Birmingham, the convention brings together over 15,000 dancers, performers, and spectators.

Because Super Weekender focuses on fast-paced classes, strong technique, and performance quality, streamlined, comfortable leotards that allow for ease of movement and quick outfit changes are ideal. A secure-fitting ballet leotard is perfect for technique-based classes, while subtle mesh details add interest without distracting from movement.

Can You Dance? Liverpool Super Convention —October 2026

The Liverpool Super Convention of Can You Dance? (CYD?) brings together dancers and leading choreographers for an intensive weekend of classes and performance opportunities. As one of Can You Dance’s flagship conventions, it attracts dancers from across the UK seeking high-level training, exposure, and professional development. Can You Dance? also hosts regional events throughout the year, giving dancers multiple opportunities to train, perform, and prepare for larger conventions like Liverpool. 

Many attendees opt for sleek, simple outfits that allow teachers to clearly assess technique, alignment, and movement quality throughout the weekend. A well-fitted black ballet leotard is a convention staple, and more dramatic styles with mesh backs or ¾ sleeves can work perfectly for performance-style sessions or showcases. Longer sleeves can also help to keep you warm while you wait.

South East Dance – Dance Days 2026 — March 2026

This multi-day intensive at Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham brings together jazz, ballet, lyrical, and commercial styles. 

For a long weekend convention like this, you should bring at least two leotards. One should be a simple, breathable practice piece, and one slightly more decorative. Our ¾-sleeve dance leotards give you a little extra warmth and structure for long ballet classes, while a mesh-back or keyhole leotard works beautifully for jazz and lyrical sessions. 

World Dance Convention — July 2026

Hosted by the IDTA, the World Dance Convention is a major event for young dancers, teachers, and professionals. Because it’s slightly more formal than other conventions, many dancers opt for clean lines and classic ballet silhouettes rather than more contemporary styles. 

You should choose a ballet leotard that feels sophisticated and professional, and that suits the convention’s theme. Solid colours, structured fits, and classic cuts are all recommended and ensure that your ballet leotard is made from high-quality fabric that holds its shape for a full day of classes.

The UK Dance Class Championship — Various Dates 2026

The UK Dance Class Championships bring together dancers from across the country to compete in class-based performance categories that emphasise technique, musicality, and stage presence. These events are more performance-led than training-focused, so dancers should plan outfits that balance polish with practicality.

A clean, well-structured leotard in a solid or rich colour is ideal for UKDCC, as it ensures that judges can clearly see lines and placement. Styles with elegant backs, mesh panels, or refined cut-outs can elevate your look while remaining competition-appropriate. Comfort is also essential, as you may perform multiple times throughout the day. 

Preparing for Dance Convention Days

A convention day is long, sweaty, and exciting! Even if you’re only attending a day event, it’s best to always have a backup leotard so you can change midday if needed. If you’re staying overnight, a small bottle of gentle detergent makes it easy to wash your leotards if needed.

It’s also important to consider the weather, the environment you’ll be in, and whether you’ll be moving from studio to theatre. Large spaces can get chilly, so it’s a good idea to pack a cover-up or sweatshirt that you can put on and take off easily. If it's going to be warm, airy mesh designs will help to keep you cool. 

Get Convention Ready With Prima Dancewear 

At Prima Dancewear, our leotards are designed for dancers of all experience levels who want beauty, comfort, and performance all in one. Our high-quality dance leotards stretch with you while keeping their shape, making them ideal for conventions that involve hours of movement. 

Whether you're attending U.Dance, the World Dance Convention, or any other convention in the UK (and beyond!), our dance leotards will help you show up ready to learn and perform at your best.