The reason I suggested to Balletbeautiful that you wear what you want from Day 1 is that it worked so well for me. Sure, having my girlfriend with me gave me support and my attire would be fine with them if it was fine with her, and I would not have to prove I wasn't gay though, alone, I would be more than happy to do so with anyone willing and desireable. And there were definitely some other lovely leotarded ladies who might have been interested had I not been spoken for. I think it best because easing into it later might make it look like you came to push boundaries and push a little forward toward crossdressing in steps, and with that maybe you did come more for the clothing than the dance. Like Jamie is pretty much locked into dancing in male dance clothes. But I was always able to attend as simply a guy in leotards and tights because that was what I had to start out in, even if they thought they were borrowed from my girlfriend. It was their domain that I entered and what I wore was never an issue going forward. When other men visited the class, they were encouraged to come back, but after they left, a couple of them would say for me to hear, "if he comes back, he'd better be in some leotards!" I don't know if they told the guys, but I don't recall any coming a second time.
I did call around like Linda suggested asking other studios what everyone wore to class and if the leotards and tights I already had would be OK. Every one I called said enthusiastically that "that'll be fine." They sounded more like they did not want to discourage men from attending class by making them think they were required to be in tights and leotards like the ladies, but happy to have them. It was a dream come true, one night a week for two years with my girlfriend and her lovely leotarded classmates making me feel like one of the troupe. I am glad that I didn't lose time trying to ease into wearing what I wanted so I could just dance and enjoy. Hope you have as much pleasure yourself.
Jamie, do you think now that if you wanted to start wearing leotards to class over your tights that you could just step out in them without it becoming a scene, or would it just be taken as a change in personal preference? Not talking makeup or fake tits, just the clothing. Probably nerve wracking the first time, but even then, ultimately acceptable.