Can I wear a fashion bodysuit to dance class?

For the past few years, fashion bodysuits have been making a comeback.  They bear a striking resemblance to leotards, and those from stores like Forever21 are often much cheaper than leos from dance brands like Bloch and Capezio.  Teen and adult beginning dancers sometimes ask if these are appropriate for ballet class.  The answer is largely no, but it's a little more complicated.  Let's break it down.

The bodysuits sold at fashion stores are meant to be streetwear, meaning they are not specifically made to perform well during exercise.  Think about it like this:  what pants or trousers would you wear to the gym?  Probably not jeans or dress pants.  The best choice would be a stretchy legging or athletic sweatpant from a performance brand like Nike.  Cotton leggings from a fashion store could work, but the fabric and stitching strength is unknown, so it could be a disaster.  It's the same way with leos and bodysuits.

Bodysuits are often made to either be your underwear or be worn over your underwear.  Because of this, they may be see-through or cut in a way that's inappropriate without additional clothing over or under them.  Never wear a bodysuit to dance class if it's transparent, shows more than a little cleavage or hip, or has to be constantly readjusted for modesty.  Thong bodysuits are never appropriate for the dance studio unless you are wearing opaque and tight fitting leggings or shorts over top.  Additionally, bodysuits with snaps at the crotch should never be worn for dance (or any exercise) because they can come unfastened with vigorous movement.

If you find a bodysuit at a fashion store that is a subdued color or pattern, is good quality with strong seams, is not see-through, and is a snug and modest fit for you, you can wear it to dance class.  However, finds like this are pretty rare.  When in doubt, choose leotards from dance brands over bodysuits for your ballet wardrobe.