I always wanted to go to ballet classes. I mean really what little girls didn’t want to do be a ballerina? The fact I was quite shy, was terrible at creative dance (and all sports for that matter) and a little on the curvy side was probably why I never did attend a class.
I was so envious of the girls in my school dressed in their tutus and wrap cardigans (in fact my mum brought me a wrap cardigan just so I could team with my high waisted jeans. Hell, it was the eighties and clearly I was destined for a career in fashion!) Also, I really wasn’t at all competitive enough for this ‘prestigious’ sport.
What I don’t want to do though is make Miss Marnie feel like she is not the right shape/good enough to at least try some form of dance. That’s why I would like her to try Baby Ballet. This brilliant pre-school ballet class is for boys and girls aged from 6 months – 6 years. The idea is to ensure learning to dance is fun, relaxed and more importantly in a no-pressure atmosphere.
The classes are ran by fully trained teachers with the help of babyballet bears Twinkle & Teddy to encourage tots to interact – therefore building their confidence and proving that any child can learn to dance – no matter their size, ability or skill.
Baby Ballet was founded in 1999 by Claire O’Conner (who struggled with ballet classes herself) who can be seen tonight on Channel 4’s new reality show Big Ballet. I will definitely be watching this 3-part series that follows a troupe of plus-size amateurs as they attempt to perform a shortened version of Swan Lake.
So, with that in mind today’s fashion round-up features ballerina inspired pieces for every little girl to either wear to class or just for some dressing up fun.
I especially like the Marks & Spencer collection in association with The Royal Ballet. This pretty little range includes ballerina style dresses, net skirts and printed t-shirts making it perfect for special occasions too.
1. Beauty Case £19.99 Trotters
2. Cardigan £16-£18 Royal Ballet Collection at Marks & Spencer
3. Legwarmers £1.79 TinyNippers
4. Dress £28- £30 Royal Ballet Collection at Marks & Spencer
5. Gymnastics bodysuit £5.99 H&M
6. ‘Swan Lake’ pink baby ballerinas £44.50 Dolly by Le Petit Tom
7. Ballerina hairset £5 Cath Kidston
8. Flora and the Flamingo by Mollie Idle £8.80 Amazon
9. Ballet shoes £5.99 H&M
10. Darcy Ballerina Ragdoll £40 Silver Cross at John Lewis
11. Hairbands £2.50 for 2 H&M
12. Ballet Music Box £12.99 Trotters
13. Tights £5.99a pair Trotters
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| £16-£18 Marks & Spencer |
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| £16-£18 Marks & Spencer |
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| £24-£26 Marks & Spencer |
Big Ballet is on Channel 4 tonight at 9pm
Find a Baby Ballet class near you here
