The effect of ballet dance attire on body and self-perceptions of female dancers

Body and self-perceptions of female ballet dancers (N = 38) were assessed in a repeated measures design experiment investigating the effects of dance attire. Participants were randomly assigned to complete a ballet class dressed in a black leotard with pink tights or dressed in their choice of loose-fitting clothing referred to by dancers as "junk." The next day, participants completed a ballet class in the other clothing condition. After completing the ballet class each day, dancers completed surveys regarding self-perceived body image and performance level. Results revealed that participants reported significantly lower self- and body-perception ratings in the leotard with tights attire condition compared to the loose-fitting clothing condition. These results have implications for the effects of required dance attire on female dancer perceptions.