Miami City Ballet's Ella Titus Talks Studio Style
With her long limbs and delicate features, Ella Titus could pass as a model—and she has actually posed for fashion photographers on her days off from Miami City Ballet, where she’s in the corps. But Titus also sets fashion trends: For several years now, she has designed and hand-knit her own line of legwarmers, Ella Warmers. Read on for her tips on achieving that pastel-pretty ballerina look.
How would you describe your personal style?
The beachy Miami lifestyle and all the celebrities who live here have definitely influenced my style. I like to change up
my studio look a lot, mixing in shorts, skirts, and leotards. I also love dressing up in cocktail dresses and high
heels for Miami City Ballet’s galas and dinner events.
What are some of your favorite looks for class and rehearsal?
I try to wear mostly light colors, because I feel like they help me see my lines better. I’ll also wear tights that are kind of see-through, just so I can see more of my muscle definition. If we’re rehearsing more contemporary or fun ballets, I’ll go for shorts and a leotard. But if we’re doing a more classical ballet like Giselle, I’ll go with a skirt and tights. I own around 50 or 60 leotards, but I need to go through and get rid of some because
I wear my favorites over and over!
Why is your studio style important to you?
I love to feel comfortable in the studio. If there’s a leotard that I can’t dance in, it just ruins my day! Also, whenever I go into rehearsals in a cute matching outfit, for some reason I dance a million times better. If I feel good about how I’m dressed
to dance, it’s probably going to be a good rehearsal day.
A version of this story appeared in the September 2017 issue of
Dance Spirit with the title “Ger Her Look: Ella Titus.”