People say that dance is a way of life, and it really can take over once you find a passion for it. Whether you’re a beginner, your child is getting into dancing, or you’ve been dancing for a while, you will probably have spent at least some time trying to make sure that you have dance accessories for both practice and examinations/competitions. Or just for fun! We’ve put a handy guide to dance accessories together for you so that you can find everything you need, all in one place.

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Dance hair accessories for women and girls

Hair is an important component of dancing. For practice, it is important to keep your hair out of your face so that it doesn’t get in the way. For competitions or performances, your hair is a key part of your costume that can really make you shine. And there are strict rules about hairstyles for grading. So wherever you or your child are in your dance journey, you will probably need to pick up some hair accessories for dance.

Hair elastics for dancing

Dancing often involves a lot of jumping and twirling and running around. And, anyone with long hair knows that if your hair elastic isn’t strong enough it will end up flying out all over the place in no time. These hair elastics are strong enough to keep your hair in place for as long as you need them to. Plus they have no metal parts, which means that your hair won’t get torn or damaged. Perfect!

Hair ribbons for dancing

If scrunchies aren’t your thing (and that’s ok!), you can add a pop of color to your hair so that it matches with your outfit using a good old-fashioned ribbon instead. This is a pack of 100 ribbons with a frankly incredible range of patterns and colors. We all know that the color has to look just right and with a range this large, this really is your best option to have one to hand every time!

Hair clips for dancing

Hair clips are another vital piece of your dancing hair accessory arsenal. They are important for keeping your hair firmly in place and preventing any flyaway hairs from getting loose. But they can also be used to complete your outfit if you go for a hair clip with an attached bow, flower, etc.

Bobby pins

If you want your hair to look effortlessly in place, a bobby pin is the go-to. These are brunette but you can get them in a range of hair colors so that you can find the perfect match for you. And, better yet, they are flexible but have enough of a grip to stay in place all day. So you will never have to worry about your hair suddenly falling out.

Hair clips with bows

Bows can look so beautiful on the dancefloor but if you worry that a tied ribbon bow could come undone at any moment then opting for a clip-in hair bow can seriously put your mind at ease. Just like the other options, this pack comes with a range of colors that you can match to whatever you are wearing on the day.

Hair clips with flowers

Sometimes all you really need is a flower in your hair. This pack of 10 has a variety of beautiful flower designs that are so versatile. They are made of satin and have a combination brooch pin and hair clip backing, so they can be clipped into your hair or fastened to a hairpiece or part of your clothing.

Bun nets for dance

You really can’t take a chance with your ballet bun. It needs to look absolutely perfect for the entire time that you’re dancing. That’s why these bun nets are such a lifesaver. They are invisible from a distance so it won’t look like you’re wearing anything over your bun but they help to stop any stray hairs from escaping and making your bun look messy. These are are brunette but you can get them in any matching hair color. And you will never have to worry that your bun is looking messy again!

Headbands for dancing

Just the same as many other items we have discussed, headbands serve a dual purpose when it comes to dancing: the practical and the decorative. A headband can do wonders for adding shape and decoration to your hairstyle, but it can also help to keep your hair out of your face and it can even help to keep the sweat from dripping into your eyes.

Decorative headbands

There is a huge amount of choice out there for decorative headbands, depending on the look you want to go for. These are a set of five luxurious-looking rhinestone headbands that will take your sparkle all the way across the dancefloor.

Or there’s this belly dance-inspired coin headband that will be a real showstopper!

This headband is the perfect addition to any 1920s flapper outfit and will stay put all night.

Or, for a little girl who loves to dance, these headbands with attached bows will look beautiful and will stay firmly in place. They come in 12 different colors and designs and they really do sparkle!

Sports headbands for dance

For dance practice, you don’t really need to wear a decorative headband. Although you can, if that’s what makes you happy! But a headband that can help to keep your hair under control can be an absolute godsend.

Large sports headbands

These Maven headbands are really highly rated, in all their different color combinations. They come in a two-pack and they are lightweight, soft, stretchy, and sweat-wicking. Plus they look so stylish that lots of people wear them in or out of dance practice. You can wear them in a variety of different ways because the fabric is so thin so you can make them fit your style and your mood, whatever that is.

Mini sports headbands

Sometimes you just want a no-nonsense headband that does the job. In that case, look no further than these Under Armour mini elastic headbands. They are designed to keep your hair in place using a silicone base that grips onto your hair and they are super soft and stretchy. Plus they come in a pack of six so you have plenty of spares if you happen to misplace one!

Feet and leg accessories for dancing

For the vast majority of dance styles, you will be doing by far the most work with your legs and your feet. The movements of your upper body are, of course, important but the linchpin of most dances is the moves you make with your lower body. And this is why there are so many accessories available for your legs and feet. Some of them are designed to help you along with your training, others are designed to prevent injury, and some are designed to relieve pain. All of them are very, very useful!

Gel knee pads

Your knees can take some real strain when you are dancing simply because of the number of times they will experience impact. And knees are notoriously prone to injuries and pain. Gel knee pads can help to provide some extra padding and protection to your knees to help prevent impact-related injuries. But, when you are dancing, the last thing you need is to have bulky and obvious gel knee pads taking away from your overall look.

These knee pads are absolutely perfect for dancing. They are nude in color and are made in a low profile so they aren’t obvious at all from a distance. They can even sit under leggings, tights, and fishnets so that they can barely be seen at all.

Hot and cold gel pack for legs

No matter how careful you are when dancing, you will probably injure one of your legs at some point. And even if you don’t suffer an injury, your legs can really ache after a long practice. These hot and cold gel packs are amazing at relieving aches and pains. The general rule of thumb is that if you have injured yourself, you should use a cold pack to reduce swelling and inflammation by reducing blood flow. If your muscles are aching then you should use a hot pack to promote blood flow and help your muscles to relax.

These gel packs can be either hot or cold, depending on what you need them for. Plus they come with a useful strap so that you can keep them secured to the area where you need them completely hands-free.

Foot massage roller

And if you think your legs ache, then your feet can often feel even worse. Nothing in the world feels better after a long day dancing than a massage with a foot massage roller. It gets right into the deep tissue to really help to reduce any soreness or aching and to help your feet to relax. You can use it elsewhere in your body as well if you need to. And it comes with a reflexology card to help you target specific areas of your body.

Resistance/flexibility bands

Standard flexibility bands

Flexibility is so important when it comes to dancing and it can be quite scary how quickly our flexibility can drop just from a few days off training or during injury recovery. These resistance bands can help you to keep your flexibility up when you’re at home, or you can use them as an add-on after practice. You can also use them during resistance training to improve your strength. They are so handy you’ll wonder how you ever managed without them!

Overdoor flexibility straps

And if you want to take your leg flexibility to the next level, these overdoor flexibility straps will definitely do the trick. You don’t need to drill any holes. You just swing the door anchor over any doorpost, close the door tightly, feed the strap back through the ring, and your flexibility strap is ready to use. It weight-bears up to 150kg so you really don’t need to worry about falling over.

Toe tape

Toe tape is an absolute must if you want to prevent blisters and injuries, especially when you are doing ballet. This tape is flesh-colored, stretchy, and soft and it adheres really well. And with a pack of 24, you won’t run out of it for a very long time!

Lambswool for dancing

Toe tape and foot gloves definitely work but that doesn’t mean they’re your only option for preventing blisters and protecting your feet. So many dancers swear by using lambswool. And it is exactly what it says it is: wool that has come from lambs. You simply pack some of this into your dance shoe, around the toe area, and your feet will be protected. And why is wool so good? A few different reasons:

  • it provides cushioning to areas that are prone to soreness
  • it prevents the friction that can lead to blisters
  • it keeps your feet dry by naturally absorbing moisture
  • it regulates the temperature in your feet, stopping them from getting too hot or too cold

Sometimes nature just knows exactly what it’s doing!

Toe spacer

Not every ballet dancer needs a toe spacer but for those that do, they can make the world of difference. Just because of differences in anatomy, for some people, their toes are not aligned when they are dancing en pointe. Over time, this can lead to inflammation of the big toe joint and even bunions. Using a toe spacer can help to reduce this inflammation and prevent bunions, or to treat them if they have already appeared.

Dance shoe accessories

If your feet and legs are vital to dancing, then shoes are the most important tool you can own. The type of shoe that you will need will vary depending on the type of dance that you do. They are often technical pieces of equipment that have been refined over the years to enable you to perform in exactly the way that you need to. Many dancers take shoe maintenance quite seriously, and it can even be pretty therapeutic (in much the same way that people who love cars enjoy tinkering). In any case, getting the right accessories for your dance shoes can really help.

Ballet shoe elastic

When you imagine pointe ballet shoes, you probably picture the ribbons that attach them so beautifully. And the ribbons do serve that purpose. But many ballet dancers like to give themselves a little bit of extra protection in ensuring that their shoe stays securely fitted. This isn’t just for aesthetic purposes. A pointe shoe that moves around can cause all sorts of problems with your feet and leave you in a lot of pain.

These pointe shoe elastics are designed to be as invisible as possible. They are the same color as the shoe and the ribbon and are lacy so they won’t show from a distance at all.

Pointe shoe stretch ribbon

Another trick for keeping your ballet pointe shoes secure is to use a stretch ribbon. A lot of pointe shoe ribbon is made of satin which doesn’t have any stretch and is quite slippery so can come undone fairly easily. This ribbon is elasticated so it can give you a much tighter and firmer fit.

Replacement taps for tap shoes

Tap shoes are pretty hardwearing but it is so important that their sound stays as strong and as pure as it can. At this point, you could buy yourself a new pair of tap shoes or you could go ahead and replace the taps. Some people even prefer buying their shoes without taps and attaching them themselves because this way you have much greater control of the sound that they make.

Pointe shoe bag

And keeping your pointe shoes in their best condition is so important. This mesh pointe shoe bag will keep your shoes protected while you carry them to and from practice and will also help to air them out. It’s sturdy and compact and it looks really chic!

Warm-up booties

These warm-up booties are a must-have! They help to keep your feet nice and warm on your way to dance practice or between rehearsals or competition shows to help you be ready to dance whenever you need to be! And you can even keep your ballet or jazz shoes on when you wear them. They have a non-slip sole so you can feel secure wherever you are. And they look good, too!

Rock rosin

You won’t see many dancers who haven’t used rock rosin. It is a resin made from pine and it is amazing at reducing slipperiness. When you apply the rock rosin to your shoes, it leaves them slightly tacky. This allows for greater friction and grip on the floor, which means you are much less likely to slip. Dance floors, and especially ballroom floors, can be notoriously slippery so having some rock rosin to hand can help to keep you on your feet.

This rock rosin comes in a handy travel packet so that you can easily transport it with you wherever you are going to be dancing.

Dance costume accessories

The costume that you wear for a dance recital, show, or competition can make or break your routine. But dance costume accessories can also be so much fun, especially for younger dancers. When you’re getting into character during a dance, these little touches can make all the difference.

Sequin wand for dancing

How adorable is this sequin wand? It is just crying out for someone to pick it up and start dancing around making magic. It is sparkly and pretty durable so the best of both worlds. And it will add that little touch of wonder to any dance performance.

Fairy wings for dancing

Fairy wings are an absolute mainstay of dance class for younger children. And it is easy to see why. Getting the chance to actually become a little fairy (potentially with the sparkly wand we already mentioned) just makes the whole experience that much more magical. And these wings actually light up, which will look amazing for a performance. They are secured using a backpack fit with elastic ribbon so they will stay in place no matter how much dancing around is done while wearing them.

Feather boa

It is impossible to not feel elegant, opulent, and gorgeous while wearing a feather boa. And this particular feather boa is super luxurious. The feathers are thickly spaced and they really fluff out. And it comes in a variety of colors so will match whatever costume theme you need.

Fishnet gloves

A pair of fishnet gloves can add even more elegance to your dance costume. They’re a simple addition that won’t affect how well you can move in the slightest but they have a big impact on your overall look. These gloves are super-stretchy so will fit just about any arm and hand size and they come in a variety of colors.

Top hat

A top hat is a versatile dance costume accessory that just adds that little element of sophistication and style to any costume. This top hat is in a classic design made of felt with a satin hat band and it is “once size fits most” so it is a good idea to take measurements if you have a particularly large or small head. You can customize the top hat with flowers, feathers, or other decorations or you can just keep it classic. The choice is yours!

Dance cane

Canes are a popular prop that is used in several different types of dance. It can be used as an extension for movements and it can also be used to add extra percussion by banging it down on the floor.

White-tipped dance cane

This is the type of dance cane that you might associate with Fred Astaire, quite possibly the greatest dancer in history. His dance style was an amalgamation of ballet, tap, and ballroom with his own personal spin. If you want to channel a little Fred Astaire magic, this dancing cane will help do the job. It comes in four pieces so is adjustable for height and it really does look the part!

Hooked dance cane

You can use this dancing cane for quite a few different dance styles. It is often used in belly dancing to emulate some of the traditional tahtib fighting/dancing moves. You can also use it for flamenco dancing or tap dancing where it can add some extra percussion to the routine. This cane is a sparkly one that would look amazing at a dance show or competition!

Tutus

Tutus are quite possibly the prettiest dance accessory you can find. There are few greater feelings than twirling around in a real tutu. It will make you feel like a princess, whether the tutu is for a child or an adult!

Children’s tutu

This tutu is for children aged 0-8 and it is just so beautiful. It comes in rainbow colors with 12 bunches of multicolored tulle fitted to a rainbow skirt. The underlying skirt means that the whole tutu won’t lift when your child is dancing around. It has a lovely lining around the bottom and a bow at the waist that you can tie into whatever style you like. To see more dance attire options for toddler girls check out our recent article!

Adult’s tutu

If you’re looking for a more grown-up version of a tutu that still looks beautiful, you really can’t go wrong with this one. It is knee-length and in seven layers of tulle with a gorgeous bow at the waist. And the colors are understated, classy, and elegant.

Belly dance hip scarf

A belly dance hip scarf won’t just make your belly dance costume look great, but it will also help you learn how to get your moves just right. The coins that are sewn into the scarf make a noise every time you move your hips and can help you to get a real feel for the movements that you are making. And they can really help to accentuate and highlight those movements to your audience.

This belly dance hip scarf comes in two different sizes and its coins make a really pleasant sound, and it will look gorgeous with any belly dance costume! To see more belly dance hip scarf options and to learn more about them check out our article.

Garment bag for dance costumes

Transporting your dance costumes and accessories safely is always a priority. The last thing anyone wants to happen is to turn up at a show or competition and their costume is damaged. This costume garment bag is perfect for dance. It is made of clear PVC so you can see everything that’s in there. It has a main compartment for the costume itself and several pockets to put all of the accessories in. There is a hole at the top for you to pass the hook of your clothes hanger through so that the entire bag can be hung with the costume inside. No more last-minute ironing or steaming for your dance costumes!

Laundry bag

It’s also a good idea to make sure that you have some laundry bags with you. This will help you keep your dirty dance clothes separate from your clean ones. This pack of two is a great option because it can also allow you to separate your laundry by color or washing instructions. You can never be too careful when it comes to dance costumes!

Dance makeup

You might think that you have your makeup skills down. They may, in fact, be “en pointe”. But everyday makeup and even evening makeup is a whole different ballgame from dance makeup. Subtly is not the order of the day in any way, shape, or form. The goal of dance makeup is that it can be seen, all the way from the very back of the room. So it is going to be exaggerated and very bold and, usually, really quite sparkly. And it needs to stay put. Really stay put. Dancing will make anybody sweat so the makeup needs to hold.

Dance makeup set

This dance makeup set from Mehron Makeup has everything you need to achieve a full dance makeup look. It was co-created with makeup artists from the American Ballet Theatre who designed the step-by-step pictorial dance makeup instructions that come with it. It also gives you advice about what products you can use to complement the looks you create.

Altogether, it contains:

  • a makeup palette with five colors
  • a barrier spray
  • glitter dust
  • shimmer powder
  • pencil liner (full size)
  • water-resistant mascara
  • non-latex foam wedge
  • double-point cotton swabs
  • colourset setting powder
  • a powder puff
  • a makeup remover cloth
  • step-by-step instructions with pictures

Eyelashes for dance

When it comes to eyelashes, the same ideas apply as with the rest of the makeup. Think much bigger and much bolder than you would ever be comfortable wearing in “real life”. The lashes by Elegant Lashes are specifically designed for dancers and drag queens and they will be dramatic! They are made with real human hair and complete any dance makeup look.

Body and face glitter

Seriously, don’t hold back. Add some more glitter to your look. You don’t even need to stop at the face. Adding glitter to your body, and especially your collarbone, shoulder, and arms will really make you pop when you’re dancing. This set comes with eight jars of glitter in a variety of colors and shapes and gel to help it to stick. It’s also quick-drying which can be really useful if you’re in a rush to get ready.

Makeup brushes

With all that makeup, having the right tools to apply it properly can be super important. This pack of makeup brushes includes everything you need to do your face and eyes to perfection.

Makeup bag

And you are going to need something to store and transport all of your dance makeup and tools. This dance organizer bag has a ton of storage space and is also separated out into several compartments, which will make life a lot easier when it comes to finding what you need. The compartments are even adjustable so you can be sure that you’ll be able to fit everything in perfectly.

Miscellaneous dance accessories

Dance ribbons

Most often associated with rhythmic gymnastics, dance ribbons are a great way of adding some fun to your dance routine. For younger dancers, they can also help with learning to coordinate their movements in order to control the ribbon. These ribbons come in a pack of 12 in a variety of rainbow colors and using them can get weirdly addictive!

Water bottle

Staying hydrated is just so important when you are taking part in any physical activity, and especially one as vigorous as dancing. These CamelBak water bottles have a handy bite valve that gives you 25% more water per sip and is completely leak-free. So you can grab a drink quickly and without spilling any water on yourself. They are lightweight and hard-wearing and are BPA, BPS, and BPF-free.

Dance bags

So now we’ve convinced you of the need for all of these dance accessories, you are going to need a bag to carry them all in. A dance bag can be really useful to have to hand. They tend to be quite similar to gym bags and in a duffel bag style so they can carry a lot of bits and pieces to and from your dance practice or shows.

The bottom line

Entering the world of dance can be daunting and knowing where to even begin when it comes to dance accessories even more so. You don’t need to get everything all in one go, but knowing the sorts of things that you will need to add ahead of time can definitely help with planning. Because having the right dance accessories won’t just make you look good, it can also help to make your dancing better and stop you from getting injured.