How to Size Dance Clothing for Kids — Pivot Dancewear Size Guide

Why Sizing Dancewear Is Different Dance clothing is not sized like school clothes or everyday activewear. It's designed to fit close to the body so instructors can see alignment, so it stays put during jumps and turns, and so it moves with your dancer rather than bunching or shifting. That means sizing can feel tighter than what your daughter normally wears — and that's by design. The good news: once you know how dancewear sizing works, getting the right fit is straightforward. Here's everything you need. Pivot Dancewear Size Chart Our sizing is based on age ranges, but fit depends on your daughter's build. Use the chart below as a starting point, then read the fit tips underneath to fine-tune. SizeAge RangeApproximate HeightS4–5 years40–44 inchesM6–7 years45–49 inchesL8–10 years50–55 inchesXL12 years56–60 inches All Pivot Dancewear styles are made from 80% Nylon, 20% Elastane with 4-way super stretch. They are designed to fit true to size. How to Measure Your Daughter at Home You'll need a soft measuring tape. Have your daughter stand straight in her underwear or a fitted top. Take three measurements: Waist — measure around the narrowest part of her torso, usually just above the belly button. This is most important for shorts and bottoms. Chest — measure around the fullest part of her chest, under the arms. This determines top sizing. Height — measure from the top of her head to the floor. When in doubt between two sizes, height is the tiebreaker. What to Do When She's Between Sizes This is the most common question we get. Here's the rule: always size up for bottoms, size based on chest for tops. For shorts and bottoms — a waistband that's too tight is uncomfortable and distracting during class. If she's between an M and L, go L. The 4-way stretch will keep everything fitted without feeling restrictive. For dance tops — tops should be snug across the chest and shoulders. If she has a narrow torso but broader shoulders, go by her shoulder/chest measurement rather than her waist. For tall or lean dancers — if your daughter is tall for her age but slim, size up for length and rely on the stretch to handle the fit. How Dancewear Should Feel A properly fitting dance outfit should feel snug but never restrictive. Here's a quick fit test you can do at home before the first class: She should be able to reach both arms straight overhead without the top riding up She should be able to do a squat without the waistband digging in or rolling down She should be able to kick one leg high without the shorts shifting or twisting Nothing should feel like it needs constant readjusting If any of these movements cause pulling, bunching, or discomfort — size up. Sizing for Growing Dancers Kids grow fast, especially between ages 6 and 10. A few things to keep in mind: Don't size up too far — a dance top that's two sizes too big won't stay in place during class Buy for now, not for later — dancewear that fits properly performs better and lasts longer Measure at the start of each season — a quick measurement before back-to-dance shopping will save you the hassle of returns Frequently Asked Questions Does Pivot Dancewear run true to size? Yes — our styles fit true to size. We've designed them with enough stretch that true-to-size feels comfortable and unrestricted, not tight. If your daughter is right on the border between two sizes, we recommend sizing up. My daughter wears a size 8 in regular clothes. What size should I order? A size 8 in everyday clothes typically corresponds to our Large (ages 8–10). However, dance sizing runs closer to the body than regular clothing, so check her measurements against our size chart above to confirm. Can my daughter wear the same size in tops and bottoms? Usually yes, since our tops and bottoms are designed as a matching system. However, if she has a longer torso or broader shoulders, she may need a size up in tops while staying true to size in bottoms. What if the dancewear doesn't fit when it arrives? We want your dancer to feel great in her Pivot Dancewear. If the fit isn't right, reach out to us at support@pivotdancewear.com and we'll help you find the right size. Unworn items with tags can be returned within 14 days of delivery. Return shipping is the customer’s responsibility, and the cost of the prepaid return label is deducted from your refund — see our refund policy for details. Do your sizes go above XL? Our current range goes up to XL (approximately age 12). We're working on expanding our size range — stay tuned. The Bottom Line Getting the right size dancewear means your daughter can focus on dancing instead of adjusting her outfit. When in doubt, size up — the 4-way stretch in all our styles will take care of the rest. Ready to shop? Browse the full Pivot Dancewear collection here — tops and bottoms in sizes S–XL for girls ages 4–12.