Heading off to ballroom dance class for the first time? Its fun and exciting to start a new hobby such as ballroom dancing – but there is always a slight nervousness too – you don’t want to look out of place – so what are the dos and don’ts of dressing for a ballroom dance class?
The Right Shoes for a Ballroom Dance Class
Shoes are the most important thing to get right. In ballroom ladies general dance backward – you need to wear a shoe that allows you to do that – avoid slip-ons and sling backs in general. A proper ballroom dance shoe is a court shoe with usually a 2″ or 3″ heel – but wearing any low healed shoe that will stay on your foot is a good start. Do not wear sports shoes – they make it too hard to turn and you may hurt your ankle or knee. A leather shoe is the ideal – but many “dress shoe” artificial soles will work just fine. Bare feet are unacceptable (and extremely difficult to dance in).
The Right Clothes for Ballroom Dance Class
Most serious ballroom dance students will wear a practice skirt – general a below the knee skirt cut on the cross often of lycra or chiffon. The top may be fairly close fitting – but must allow you to raise you arms easily – so generally is made of stretch fabric. You don’t have to wear “proper” practice wear as often you will have some clothing which will fit this description in your wardrobe already. A leotard with a skirt will work as well. Avoid strapless tops – you’ll be surprised what they do once you start holding your arms up properly.
The teacher needs to see how you are dancing which is why most serious students will wear black or darker colours and have clothing which fits fairly closely – too many ruffles and frills just get in the way.
The dress has to be wide enough for the man to easily swing his leg between yours, this doesn’t have to be a full circle – pleated skirts or skirts with gorgets from the knee work as well.
If you are doing American style smooth or Australian New Vogue or English Old Time you may want a full-circle skirt so that you can hold your skirt out with your free hand.
