A 'dance belt' is a functional name for a
thong jock, an undergarment which is often worn by male
ballet dancers because various choreographic moves would otherwise produce unfortunate visual distractions, discomfort or even injury.
The dance belt is worn to lift the genitalia away from potentially damaging or undesirable movement of the legs. It resembles a
thong and is usually worn in a color similar to that of the dancer's skin. This makes it nearly invisible under
tights and a
leotard. It is also designed so that the elastic rests in depressed areas of the body, so that it does not show up as raised lines.
Some
figure skaters and equestrians also wear dance belts, for reasons that, similarly, include both safety and aesthetics.