At Total Dance, Australia's home of premium dancewear, we know that choosing the right activewear for your young dancer is about more than just looks. It's about comfort during long rehearsals, freedom of movement across different dance styles, and making choices that feel good for the planet too. That's exactly why the Scout Active Eco Edit has become such a popular choice among dance families across Australia.
This buying guide is designed to help you navigate the collection with confidence, comparing the key pieces, colourways, and combinations so you can find exactly what your dancer needs, whether she's heading to a jazz class, a lyrical workshop, or an afternoon of casual practice.
What Makes the Scout Active Eco Edit Different?
The Scout Active Eco Edit is built around a simple idea: high-performance dancewear that treads a little more lightly on the earth. The fabrics used in this collection are crafted from recycled materials, which means your dancer gets all the stretch, support and breathability she needs without the environmental footprint of conventional activewear.
The two hero pieces in this collection are the Mila Eco Friendly Racer Back Crop Girls and the Lyla Eco Friendly Wide Waist Band 7/8 Legging Girls. Together, they form a versatile co-ord system available across a range of coordinating colourways, making it easy to mix, match and build a dancewear wardrobe that genuinely works.
Fabric Benefits Worth Knowing
The eco-friendly fabric blend used across this range is soft, moisture-wicking and breathable, drawing sweat away from the skin during active movement. This is particularly important for younger dancers who may be moving through multiple styles in a single class session. The material also has a gentle four-way stretch that supports flexibility without pulling or restricting, and it retains its shape wash after wash, which is always a bonus for busy dance families.
Meet the Mila Eco Friendly Racer Back Crop
The Mila crop top is the foundation of this collection. With a classic racer back silhouette, it's designed to stay in place through turns, extensions and floorwork without riding up or shifting. The wide underband provides support without the need for a separate crop underneath, making it a practical, all-in-one solution for girls who prefer a streamlined look in class.
The Mila is available in four colourways, each with its own personality:
Florida Floral
The Mila Eco Friendly Racer Back Crop Girls, Florida Floral features a vibrant botanical print that feels fresh and energetic. It's a great choice for jazz, contemporary or lyrical classes where personality and expression are part of the art form. Pair it with a plain legging to let the print take centre stage.
Coral Coast
The Mila Eco Friendly Racer Back Crop Girls, Coral Coast brings a warm, sun-kissed palette to rehearsal. This colourway pairs beautifully with the Lyla Eco Friendly Wide Waist Band 7/8 Legging Girls, Coral Coast for a polished, put-together co-ord. It's equally at home in a contemporary class or a casual practice session.
Luna
The Mila Eco Friendly Racer Back Crop Girls, Luna offers a cooler, more neutral tone that works across multiple styles. For dancers who prefer an understated look or who want a piece that transitions easily between different class environments, the Luna colourway is an excellent anchor piece. It coordinates with the Lyla Eco Friendly Wide Waist Band 7/8 Legging Girls, Luna for a seamless head-to-toe look.
Sprinkle Paint
The Mila Eco Friendly Racer Back Crop Girls, Sprinkle Paint is a playful, artistic print that younger dancers tend to adore. With a creative, paint-splash-inspired design, it adds a sense of fun and originality to any class outfit. Pair it with a neutral legging to balance the boldness of the print, or add the Sprinkle Paint Scrunchie for a coordinated finishing touch.
Meet the Lyla Eco Friendly Wide Waist Band 7/8 Legging
The Lyla legging is the perfect partner to the Mila crop. The wide waistband is one of its standout features, sitting smoothly against the torso without rolling or digging in during movement. For active young dancers, this makes a significant practical difference, particularly during floor sequences and extensions.
The 7/8 length is a thoughtful design choice. Hitting just above the ankle, it provides full coverage through the leg while still giving teachers and choreographers a clear view of footwork and ankle articulation. It also makes the legging suitable for wearing with dance shoes, half-shoes or bare feet without bunching at the hem.
Choosing Between Coral Coast and Luna
The Lyla legging is currently available in two colourways: Coral Coast and Luna. Here's how to decide between them:
- Choose Coral Coast if your dancer gravitates toward warm, vibrant tones. This colourway is particularly striking paired with the matching Mila Coral Coast crop for a co-ordinated look, and it works equally well with the Florida Floral top for a complementary, mixed-print outfit.
- Choose Luna if your dancer prefers a cooler, more versatile palette. The Luna legging is easy to style with multiple tops across the collection, making it a smart investment piece if you're building a broader dancewear wardrobe. The matching Mila Luna crop creates a sophisticated, tonal outfit that looks polished in class photos and recitals.
How to Choose the Right Combination for Your Dancer
With four crop top options and two legging colourways, there are more combinations available than might be immediately obvious. Here's a practical breakdown to help you choose based on your dancer's needs.
By Dance Style
- Ballet and lyrical: Opt for the Luna or Coral Coast combinations for a clean, elegant line. The wide waistband on the Lyla legging helps maintain a smooth silhouette, which is especially valued in classical and lyrical settings. Consider adding the Mastery Dance Skirt over the Lyla legging for a graceful layered look.
- Jazz and contemporary: The Florida Floral or Sprinkle Paint Mila crops bring energy and personality to more expressive styles. Pair with either legging colourway depending on your dancer's preference.
- General practice and casual: Any combination works beautifully for general practice. Focus on your dancer's favourite colours and what makes her feel confident and comfortable.
By Body Type and Fit Preference
- For longer torsos: The Mila's racer back design and underband sit well on longer-torsoed girls, providing coverage without the crop sitting too high. The 7/8 Lyla legging also works well for taller dancers, hitting at a flattering point on the leg.
- For petite frames: The cropped length of the Mila and the 7/8 cut of the Lyla are both proportioned to suit petite and younger dancers without overwhelming the frame. Choosing a tonal colourway like Luna or Coral Coast can create a long, unbroken line.
- For dancers who dislike waistband discomfort: The wide waistband on the Lyla is specifically designed to distribute pressure evenly and avoid the digging or rolling that narrower waistbands can cause. This makes it an excellent choice for dancers with sensory sensitivities or those who simply find standard waistbands uncomfortable during extended movement sessions.
Completing the Look
Once you've chosen your crop and legging combination, the finishing touches make all the difference. The Coral Coast Scrunchie, Florida Floral Scrunchie, Luna Scrunchie and Sprinkle Paint Scrunchie are each designed to coordinate with their matching colourways, making it easy to pull together a cohesive outfit from head to toe. For a little extra sparkle, the Flat Diamante Headpiece or Flower Diamante Headpiece add a touch of performance-ready glamour without overwhelming a practice look.
If your dancer carries her gear to and from the studio, the Legacy Tote Bag or Pretty Tote Bag are both practical and stylish options to complete the ensemble.
You can browse all the pieces mentioned here in our eco-conscious activewear range and see the full colourway lineup in one place.
Caring for Eco-Friendly Dancewear
To get the most out of your Scout Active pieces, a few simple care habits make a big difference. Wash in cold water on a gentle cycle and avoid tumble drying where possible. Eco-friendly fabrics tend to respond best to air drying, which also helps the fibres maintain their stretch and shape over time. Avoid fabric softeners, which can break down the moisture-wicking properties of the fabric. With the right care, these pieces will hold up beautifully through season after season of classes and rehearsals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Mila and Lyla pieces sold as a set or separately?
The Mila Eco Friendly Racer Back Crop Girls and the Lyla Eco Friendly Wide Waist Band 7/8 Legging Girls are each sold separately, which gives you full flexibility to mix colourways or purchase additional pieces as your dancer's wardrobe grows.
What size should I choose for my dancer?
We recommend referring to the size guide available on each product page, as sizing can vary slightly between styles. For growing dancers, it's worth checking measurements rather than relying on age guides alone. If your dancer is between sizes, consider the fit preference: a closer fit for performance settings and a slightly roomier fit for practice comfort.
Can these pieces be worn for ballet classes specifically?
Yes. While the Scout Active Eco Edit is a versatile activewear collection rather than a strictly classical ballet range, both the Mila crop and Lyla legging are suitable for recreational ballet classes and general dance training. For exam or performance settings where specific uniform requirements apply, always check with your dance school first.
How does eco-friendly fabric compare in durability to standard dancewear?
Eco-friendly recycled fabrics have come a long way in terms of performance and durability. The Scout Active pieces are engineered to meet the demands of active dance training, offering four-way stretch, shape retention and moisture management comparable to conventional dancewear. With proper care, including cold washing and air drying, they are designed to last through regular weekly use.
