written by Dr. Dancebelt  on 03.01. at 19:30:50

DRESS CODE for men and boys: black tights, white T-shirt, white socks, white ballet slippers, dance belt. That’s how the new student guide for most ballet schools reads, introducing new male dancers to the great adventure. By the time a guy decides to actually start taking ballet class, he’s probably already made his peace with wearing tights. Socks, shoes, T-shirt - no problem. But what’s a “dance belt”?

Dance belts are specialized athletic supporters designed specifically for dance. Tights create the quandary. The gods of ballet have decreed that male dancers wear them for class and performances, but somehow without little Johnny’s johnny providing a graphic male anatomy lesson for the other students or audience. Also in ballet, mid-class “readjustments” are considered bad form. Genital protection and support are needed. And because tights are form-fitting, any conventional underwear or jockstrap shows right through them.  Dance belts avoid these lines by eliminating the jockstrap’s rear straps and replacing them with a thin thong that goes between the buttocks.

Dance belts were created to form a smooth bulge under tights with no visible lines, while keeping the male genitals up and away from the danger of being crushed or bruised between your legs.  A secondary benefit is their ability to hide any visible evidence of an erection, which could be extremely embarrassing in class or performance.  Although you’ve probably never worn anything else even half as tight as a dance belt, a well fitting one is actually quite comfortable and secure once you get used to the unusual feel.  Dancers like the security of knowing their privates aren’t going to get trapped and crushed between their legs.