Ballet Help Desk

The Ultimate Packing Guide For Ballet Summer Intensives

Packing for a ballet summer intensive? We’ve done this a few times. These are the products our own dancers relied on when they were heading off for the summer, tested in real studios at real programs. From technique basics to warm-up essentials, here’s everything you actually need.

Studio staples

These essentials keep you prepared and professional in the studio

A pair of ballet shoes in a soft pink color with crisscross straps, accompanied by a promotional text for a discount.

Orza Women’s Flats

Slipper that serious dancers love.

A pair of bright pink booties with black soles, designed for warmth and comfort.

Warm-Up Booties

The booties you will see in every SI hallway!

Pair of tan ballet shoes with elastic straps, promoting a discount code for ballet supplies.

Orza Men’s Flats

Slippers designed with male dancers in mind.

A pair of ballet slippers in a soft nude color, worn by a dancer, showcasing the arch of the foot and elastic straps.

Capezio Hanami Slippers

The go-to split-sole slipper for men and women.

A pair of legs wearing sheer nude tights with a hole at the heel.

Capezio Transition Tights

Stock up now. You will go through them fast.

A colorful crocheted bag hanging on a textured stone wall.

Crochet Studio Bag

Only a dancer could design something this good!

A sleek, modern Owala travel mug in pastel pink with a purple lid and a flip-top spout.

Free Sip H2O Bottle

Stay hydrated in style, tons of colors.

A display of four pairs of women's underwear in different colors: black, brown, tan, and nude, with a text overlay promoting a discount code.

Dance Jox Dance Belts

A favorite brand of male dancers! Keeps it secure!

Some links are affiliate links, which help support our work, at no extra cost to you.

look good, feel ready

Slay your studio style with the cutest ballet must-haves!

A woman posing confidently in athletic wear, featuring a black zip-up jacket and matching black shorts, with a white tank top underneath and sporty sneakers.

Gymshark Cropped Jacket

Because studio AC hits different at an SI!

A young woman wearing a fitted brown crop top and loose brown sweatpants, posing confidently with her hands on her hips.

iets frans… Harri Wide Leg Jogger Pant

The wide-leg sweats having a major moment.

A model wearing a maroon long-sleeve leotard with a square neckline, posed confidently.

Mesh Raglan Sleeve Leotard

All the luxe vibes without the luxe price tag.

A woman wearing a sleeveless black jumpsuit, showing the back design with a keyhole opening. She is standing in a pose with one leg slightly bent and her hand raised.

Warm-Up/Cover-Up

One piece that works for every class you take.

A young dancer posing in a black leotard with ruffled straps.

Ruffled Pinch-Front Leo

One adorable leotard, so many colors to love

Model wearing a dark green swimsuit with a V-neck and wide straps, standing against a white background.

Elevé Fabiola Leo

The pinch front leotard that flatters every body.

Black one-piece swimsuit showcasing a halter neck design with a wrap front and an open back.

Bullet Pointe X-Front Leo

Strappy back, stunning front, yes please

Five ballet dancers posing in a dance studio, wearing blue leotards and colorful leg warmers, with ballet shoes on.

Custom Knit Legwarmers

You pick the colors, they do the knitting

your feet called. they need these

We all know that dancers need their feet to be in great shape. Keep them healthy and pain-free with these great products.

O'Keeffe's Healthy Feet cream tube, labeled 'Intense Renewal', designed to soften extremely dry, callused feet. Contains Alpha Hydroxy Acid for hydration, smoothing, and shedding dry skin.

Foot Cream

Intensive hydration for hardworking feet.

A bottle of Sweet Feet Spray designed to eliminate shoe odor, featuring a spray nozzle and a label with a foot graphic.

Foot Spray

Freshen up those feet with Sweet Feet Foot Spray

Dancers' Dots protective gel cushions displayed on a wooden ballet barre with a long-lasting support message.

Gaynor Minden Blister Dots

Cushioning gel pads for instant relief from blisters.

A green manicure set containing nail clippers, scissors, cuticle pushers, and various grooming tools, all neatly organized in a compact case.

Toenail Kit

Keep your toes happy and ingrown-free!

dorm life must-haves

Small spaces, big suitcases. We’ve got a few things that help keep you organized.

A woman wearing a pink floral robe with white daisies and a tie belt, smiling and holding the belt in her hand.

Comfy Bathrobe

Wrap up in comfort—perfect for post-class relaxation!

A purple mesh tote bag filled with various personal care items, including creams, a toothbrush, a comb, and a portable fan.

Shower Caddy

Dorm showers are notoriously rough. This makes them better.

A pair of gray slide sandals with a perforated design and open toe.

Shower Shoes

Because we all know how dorm showers look three weeks in!

Black cosmetic bag with multiple compartments, showcasing makeup products, brushes, and lipsticks organized inside.

Makeup Organizer

Tidy up your makeup essentials, no mess, no stress!

An elegant bed with white bedding and pillows, featuring a tufted headboard, alongside a bouquet of red roses and a display of various colored sheets at the bottom.

Twin XL Sheets

Dorm beds are a little weird. These are not.

Quick Dry Towels

Soft, absorbent, and packs to almost nothing.

A hand holding a light blue compact umbrella, with several cases of different colors displayed below, showcasing various umbrella options.

Mini Umbrella

Because the weather never waits for anyone.

A compact, portable fan with a black design, featuring a distinctive spiral blade pattern and a digital display showing battery level, labeled 'warmco'.

Portable Fan

An absolute lifesaver in dorms without AC!

laundry lifesavers

Keep your dancewear fresh and funk-free!

Two laundry baskets with handles, one in light pink and the other in light gray, both featuring a striped design.

Collapsible Laundry Bag

Packs small, holds big, tames the mess!

Box of Arm & Hammer Power Sheets laundry detergent, featuring '5 in 1' stain-fighting technology and a fresh linen scent, capable of handling up to 100 loads.

Laundry Sheets

Tough on sweat, gentle on your favorite tights.

Packaging for Shout ColorCatcher dye-trapping sheets featuring a colorful design and the text '24 SHEETS'.

Color Catchers

Because unplanned tie-dye isn’t the look you want!

Three mesh laundry bags with zippers, filled with items, showcasing a breathable design.

Mesh Laundry Bags

Keep your tights safe from snags and mishaps

beauty & Self-Care

Because feeling good out of the studio is just as important as feeling good in it.

Make Up Eraser Pro packaging featuring a soft blue makeup removal cloth with a pink ribbon, promoting the ability to erase all makeup with just water.

The MakeUp Eraser

Ditch the makeup wipes. This towel does it all.

Monogrammed Clip

Because your bun should be as unique as you

A set of hair care tools including a black comb, a hair wax stick labeled 'SPRINGSUGAR HAIR WAX STICK', and a black mascara-like tube labeled 'FLASH MIST'.

Hair Wax Stick

No flyaways allowed. This kit means business.

Face Mask

K-Beauty self-care that goes a long way

recovery mode: activated

Bounce back fast with essentials for post-class recovery!

A fitness set featuring a pink foam roller, massage stick, a massage ball, resistance bands, and a carrying bag. A woman is using the foam roller on her back.

Foam Roller Set

Roll away the tension, anywhere you go!

A teal and light blue foot soak tub with a textured bottom, designed for comfortable foot baths. The image shows the tub in multiple views, including a person soaking their feet.

Portable Ice Bucket

Chill out and relax your feet after a tough class.

A travel medication pack labeled 'MEDIFAK' with various individual medication packets including pain relievers, cold, and allergy medications, along with adhesive bandages.

First Aid Kit

Emergencies happen. Be ready for anything.

A jar of Penetrex Intensive Concentrate Cream for daily joint and muscle care, featuring ingredients like arnica, vitamin B6, and boswellia serrata. The jar is white with bold lettering.

Recovery Cream

The go-to cream dancers reach for after class.

ballet brain breaks

Take a break from the barre with some fun games. Because every dancer deserves some playtime!

Clue card game box featuring Miss Scarlett character and images of a billiard table and a revolver.

Clue Card Game

Classic card fun that seriously never gets old!

Fujifilm QuickSnap one-time use camera pack containing two cameras, each with 27 exposures.

Disposable Camera

The most film-worthy way to remember summer!

Atari Pocket Player Pro packaging featuring a handheld gaming device, showcasing classic games like Asteroids, Pong, and Centipede. Includes '50th Anniversary' label and '100 Games' feature.

My Pocket Atari

Classic arcade fun, right in your dance bag!

Two decks of Bicycle Rider Back playing cards, one in red and one in blue, displayed side by side.

Deck of Cards

Evening hang just got a whole lot more fun!

reading corner

Long days in the studio can be exhausting. What better way to unwind than with a good book! Check out a few of our favorites!

Book cover of 'A Body of Work' by David Hallberg, featuring a shirtless male figure and the subtitle 'Dancing to the Edge and Back'.

A Body of Work

David Hallberg’s journey: Ballet, injury, and a bold comeback.

Book cover of 'The Ballerina Mindset' by Megan Fairchild, featuring a dancer in mid-leap wearing a black top and white skirt, with a motivational subtitle about mental health.

The Ballerina Mindset

Real talk on mental health and ballet from Megan Fairchild.

Book cover featuring a ballet dancer in a leotard, titled 'Girl in Motion,' authored by Miriam Landis.

Girl in Motion

A must-read novel for aspiring artists and dreamers!

Book cover of 'Infinite Steps' featuring a ballet dancer in mid-leap wearing a flowing pink dress.

Infinite Steps

33 dancers, 33 journeys, one book that will stay with you.

Heads up! Some links in this guide are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. It helps support our work, and every item is something we or our panel of dancers have personally used or bought.