Ballet dancers have a very classic and iconic hairstyle when they perform on stage – the ballet bun. The classic ballet bun is made of the dancer’s own hair, but often supplemented with hairpieces that help to create the desired look. But why do ballet dancers wear buns?
Functionality – The main reason why ballet dancers wear their hair in a bun is for functionality. Ballet requires a great deal of movement, and long hair can easily get in the way or become a distraction.
A neat and secure bun keeps all of the dancer’s hair out of their face, so they can concentrate on their performance without worrying about it. This also allows them to perform more elaborate moves without worrying about their hair obstructing them.
Elegance – Ballet is an elegant art form, and the bun adds to that elegance. A tight and well-styled bun creates an aura of sophistication around it, which helps to draw the audience into the performance.
It also allows the audience to clearly see the dancer’s face, which can be important for conveying emotion in dance pieces. As ballet is such a visually stunning art form, it makes sense that appearance is important for creating an overall sense of beauty.
Tradition – Ballet has been around for centuries, and many traditions remain intact today. This includes wearing a bun when performing on stage; it is seen as part of being a “true” ballet dancer. To modern eyes this may seem outdated or even sexist, but these roots run deep within the ballet community and are unlikely to change anytime soon.
Conclusion: Ballet dancers wear buns for functionality, elegance and tradition; keeping their hair out of their face during performances, creating an aura of sophistication and upholding traditions within the art form respectively.