'neccesary' fashion items (warning kinda gross ;0)

[africana]

So until lastnight I had no idea that wearing an arm band (like a tennis band) actually served a functional purpose, i.e. has nothing to do with fashion heeeh

well a salsera clued me in as we were discussing our occassional snot-nosed spinning problem (ewww, i know), prompted by my mad dash off the dance floor to wipe my umm yeah. turns out those arm bands come in handy for averting mid-dance sprays that may occur in the middle of spins :lol:

Also did anyone know that those fingerless gloves you seem some men wearing is meant to shield their partners from their sweaty/clammy hands?? LOL I had no clue!! I thought it was just pretentious fashion
I am thinking about purchasing a few just to hand out :raisebro:

are there any other useful and semi-useful fashion items we should know about?

[alemana]

ppl are wearing GLOVES while dancing?

i would probably refuse to dance with someone wearing those. those are basically germ rags, guaranteed to convey nasty stuff to me since they cannot be washed (unlike hands.)

it's also bad for connection with your partner. my first competition costume had built-in half gloves and i ****ed up a routine i could've danced in my sleep because of them. let ALONE spontaneous social dancing. ugh.

[alemana]

i mean what's next, face masks?

[africana]

:lol: you need to pay a little visit to LA LA land, they seem to have all manner of interesting fashion. Of course now I'm willing to enterain the idea that even those skirts some men wear over their pants serve a useful purpose other than drawing attention to themselves LOL

what about the sunglasses at night, in clubs?? saw that a lot at LA congress, still dont get it

[pygmalion]

The snot-catching wristband idea is a classic! Eww! :lol:

[thespina13]

Gloves? Yeesh. Am i the only one who LIKES sweat? Snot, ok. I can do without. But sweat... MAN. Is there anything more sexy than sliding your hot hand along his sweaty arm and connecting hooked fingertips while your hair is dripping wet and the breeze from a spin cools you down a little when you realize just how hard and how long you've been dancing? Is there anything nicer than feeling like an organic mess of bodies on the floor in a steamy club? Don't you love to see people come in all powdered and fresh and gradually turn all shiny and flushed and wet as their bodies lose stiffness and thought, and give way to something more spontaneous, more natural, more rhythmical... more...

How can you acheive that if you're not sweating? When the guys keep apologizing about their sweat, I just have to keep telling them that I'm glad it's there.. it means they've been dancing enough. I chastize the ones that aren't sweating at all. Shame on them.

As long as it smells good... mind you.

Speaking of useful fashion accessories, I'm thinkiing of getting one of those arm-band wallets. Although right now I don't need to bring anything... somehow drinks keep getting purchased FOR me. Although I can't assume that's going to happen when I move.

LoL... interesting thread, africana.

[Shooshoo]

As long as it smells good... mind you.



Not all smell good :rolleyes: .

[sweavo]

Gloves? Yeesh. Am i the only one who LIKES sweat? ... MAN. Is there anything more sexy than sliding your hot hand along his sweaty arm and connecting hooked fingertips while your hair is dripping wet and the breeze from a spin cools you down a little when you realize just how hard and how long you've been dancing?

Consensus 'round here is that fresh sweat = fine, stale sweat = bad! As long as you start the night clean and towel off anything that's gonna flick in people's eyes, you're in the comfort zone!

O and not forgetting the towel-in-the-back-pocket "fashion" item, which makes new dancers thing that experienced dancers are posers, but which in fact are a very necessary item for anyone who dances more than 2 songs in a row.

[DensterNY]

Well, people should overall be aware of their hygeine and occasionally take a pit-stop to clean up if necessary. Here's one other problem which a guy I know has who is totally oblivious to it - he has very hairy knuckles and it totally turns women off. Two women I know commented on it after dancing with him and refused to do so again because they were grossed out.

[amo_dile_que_no]

I like sweaty women. It's only a problem when you have trouble holding on to them.

Some lady friends of mine around here have commented on particular guys who sweat a lot. One young guy mentioned to me that he was taking an extra shirt. I said I didn't like carrying extra stuff like that and that I just towel of when I need it. Later, one of those lady friends said to me "don't discourage him from changing shirts." I did as I was told. (I'll sure be glad when I can put in some smileys)

I sweat plenty myself and I try to towel down when it gets going good. I found some small microfiber kitchen dish clothes they are really absorbent and dry very quickly. It fits in my back pocket like a handerkerchief. But when I start using it I leave it on my table or chair. I do think the towel hanging out of your back pocket looks a little pretentious. I used to see the same thing in country dancing and felt the same way about it. It's probably just me.

[amo_dile_que_no]

Here's one other problem which a guy I know has who is totally oblivious to it - he has very hairy knuckles and it totally turns women off. Two women I know commented on it after dancing with him and refused to do so again because they were grossed out.

Geez, there's another thing I have to worry about, hairy knuckles. So is the poor guy supposed to shave them?

[BugBear]

I've seen a lot of guys around here do the towel-in-backpocket thing. I've never tought about it as a "fashion" trend. And I've only seen two guys with a wrist band. I think they picked up the idea from watching tennis :)

[africana]

No no no for sweaty bodies, the dance quality will suffer as a result if people are too sweaty. and it actually causes a lot more clawing and people try to maintain better holds, nasty. I take my towel and change of shirts/blouses, my partners appreciate it :)

O and not forgetting the towel-in-the-back-pocket "fashion" item, which makes new dancers thing that experienced dancers are posers, but which in fact are a very necessary item for anyone who dances more than 2 songs in a row. oh yeah!! some guys seem to brandish it as an accessory now heh

Now can someone tell me why they wear those very pointy toed shoes? it's mostly men, but some "divas" also wear the stiletto versions as a status thing too (at least they pay for that vanity with great pain :twisted:)

he has very hairy knuckles and it totally turns women off. might I suggest those electric trimmers as an accessory for the ladies :raisebro: can see using during a shines segment heh

[hello]

Has anyone experienced partners who don't sweat at all, no matter how crowded or hot it is? I'm amazed at how dry some of my partners are. I wonder what their secret is...Any non-sweaters out there? I'm an intermediate sweater, not too much, not too little. This is weird, what other forum would be talking about sweat so nonchalantly?heehee

[Josh]

Gloves? Yeesh. Am i the only one who LIKES sweat? Snot, ok. I can do without. But sweat... MAN. Is there anything more sexy ...[snip] ...

thes, you and I agree on far too many things. :raisebro:
http://www.dance-forums.com/showpost.php?p=174879&postcount=24

[thespina13]

LOL.. it's uncanny, I tells ya. ;)

[nikita]

Around 2 weeks ago I definately had my last Salsa class. One of the guys´sweat stank so much, that I run out of the room because I just couldn't stand it. I put over a shirt what completely covered me, just not get in contact with his sweat anymore.
No- I just can't do that anymore:D .

[sweavo]

I do think the towel hanging out of your back pocket looks a little pretentious. I used to see the same thing in country dancing and felt the same way about it. It's probably just me.

It isn't just you :-)

[pygmalion]

I like sweaty women. It's only a problem when you have trouble holding on to them.

ROTFL!

[PasoDancer]

I'm the only dork in my studio who A- sweats (I think, at least), and B- actually carries a folding "Masquerade! Paper faces on parade!" black fan (you just have to see the movie, I guess.) and those "Dove Deodorizing Body Wipes".

In fact, here's the pharmacopoeia in my dance bag (when I'm going to a familiar place, and can do away with travelling "light":

Small Degree deodorant,
Folding fan,
Cheap "smelly spray", for the feet,
Breathmints/gum/breathstrips,
Powder (for my hands),
Small make-up kit,
Hand/face towel,
Change of knee-highs or pantyhose,
Shoes, of course.

My goal is to be as hygeinic and user-friendly as possible, because, although I've shrunk considerably, I still sweat, and nobody likes sweaty big girls.

If I'm in "Travel Light to Limited Space Area" mode, it's:
Shoes, Gum, Fan, Handwipes.

[thespina13]

Here's where I get to brag a bit. Two of the little courtesies I initiated at my friend's and my new salsa night are 1) a wicker basket full of rolled up little white terry cloth towels, at the bar, and 2) opened paper hand fans; the kind that have the plastic handles that fold up and clasp shut. Five per table and a cup of closed ones at the bar by the towels. These have come in VERY handy. Many of the guys use the towels now (we ARE burning calories, here...), and all the ladies appreciate the fans. I've even had one ballroomer ask me if she could steal the idea for her upcoming dance social. I got five dozen of them for 17 bucks on Ebay. Easy.

I think the thing about sweat is that we have to acknowlege it, whatever our feelings about it, and find whatever way to be comfortable that we can. I wish more places would accomodate dancers like us in little ways. Latin dancing isn't just bopping around. It's athletic. You wouldn't go to the Olympics and not see towels, chalk, gym bags, windbreakers, waterbottles, etc...

[Yliander]

Here's where I get to brag a bit. Two of the little courtesies I initiated at my friend's and my new salsa night are 1) a wicker basket full of rolled up little white terry cloth towels, at the bar, and 2) opened paper hand fans; the kind that have the plastic handles that fold up and clasp shut. Five per table and a cup of closed ones at the bar by the towels. These have come in VERY handy. Many of the guys use the towels now (we ARE burning calories, here...), and all the ladies appreciate the fans. I've even had one ballroomer ask me if she could steal the idea for her upcoming dance social. I got five dozen of them for 17 bucks on Ebay. Easy. great idea - but how do you stop people stealing them?

[PasoDancer]

Hand fans like these?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6618242598&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

I have the other kind, but these look cheap enough to get for starters....

[africana]

aha!! thanks for the tip, I've been wanting to purchase those fans but haven't thought to buy them online

[Shooshoo]

- he has very hairy knuckles .

how did they notice that?

[DensterNY]

how did they notice that?

Well, one very comedic person put it this way... doing a spin with this guy felt like pulling on her cat's tail.

[thespina13]

Yes! Fans just like that. And I get them expecting people to take them. They're like 50 cents each or just a little more, depending on how good of a deal you can find. I consider them party favours. Some of them break, some go home in purses. Yay! I think when I move, if I do another salsa night at some point, I'll buy a rubber stamp or something and get my e-mail address and dance night info on them, too.

As for the towels, people don't steal them, they seem to regard them as part of the establishment we're dancing in. If they do, who cares. I got an excellent deal at WalMart (I know, evil...), and if I have to buy another dozen sometime in the future, so be it. 5 or 10 bucks won't kill me.

[thespina13]

Well, one very comedic person put it this way... doing a spin with this guy felt like pulling on her cat's tail.


What's she doing holding onto the tops of his hands/fingers during a spin anyhow? The only thing that should be touching is the underside of the fingers and hands. Jeepers. Leave the poor guy's knuckles alone.

[Shooshoo]

Well, one very comedic person put it this way... doing a spin with this guy felt like pulling on her cat's tail.

:shock: so long??? then MAYBE it's an idea that he shaves it.

[alemana]

even with superadvanced leads, i am frequently in contact all areas of their hands as we twist around doing complicated patterns... the idea that only the undersides should touch is a useful concept for beginners, but it doesn't hold up in practice.

but that doesn't mean i am grossed out by their HandHair. so far, i've never noticed it.

[thespina13]

Thanks for clarifying that for me, alemana.

[PasoDancer]

You can also find them at the Oriental Trading Company online (orientaltradingcompany.com) for about 43 cents each- but you have to buy 120 of them. Actually, considering the lifespan of the fans sometimes, that isn't such a bad idea- and they have woo-woo METALLIC ones.

The one I use for myself is the silk folding fan, just because it's pretty, and if it comes apart, I can stick it back together. If it breaks, I can crazy-glue it back together... and, of course... I may not have mentioned it's pretty :D

[PasoDancer]

What's she doing holding onto the tops of his hands/fingers during a spin anyhow?

One guy, a very capable lead, at our studio, can I add just one more incorrect usage of the comma, spins the lady in a similar fashion, if it's to be a repeated or traveling spin. That's how I'm familiar with it. Some guys do palms-up, too, though.

[DensterNY]

Well, I hate to classify it as a style but in Razzmtazz the leader's left hand consists of the index and middle pressed together and the other fingers "out."
He holds the middle and index within a cup formed by the follower's hand. Its very convenient for turns because the woman essentially pivots around your hand without anyone having to change holds.

Not everyone does this though but its not that big of an adjustment but I mentioned it to demonstrate how uhm the knuckle thing comes into play.

[alemana]

good point.

[alemana]

btw did you say earlier that they do p2 at Empire? uniformly?

[africana]

You can also find them at the Oriental Trading Company online (orientaltradingcompany.com) for about 43 cents each- but you have to buy 120 of them. Actually, considering the lifespan of the fans sometimes, that isn't such a bad idea- and they have woo-woo METALLIC ones.

The one I use for myself is the silk folding fan, just because it's pretty, and if it comes apart, I can stick it back together. If it breaks, I can crazy-glue it back together... and, of course... I may not have mentioned it's pretty :D
hi I found them at www.OrientalTrading.com
ordered several :)

[AzureDreamer]

Gloves? Yeesh. Am i the only one who LIKES sweat? Snot, ok. I can do without. But sweat... MAN. Is there anything more sexy

mmm.... yeah, a bit of sweat is good. Its weird though, with some people they sweat and it smells a little intoxicating... exciting. and that hint of salt as you kiss their neck in passing... wow, that gets me every time. I love that.

(I usually bring 2 changes of shirts, deoderant, a towel, breath mints, and a bit of aftershave in -my- dance bag.)

[sweavo]

One guy, a very capable lead, at our studio, can I add just one more incorrect usage of the comma, spins the lady in a similar fashion, if it's to be a repeated or traveling spin. That's how I'm familiar with it. Some guys do palms-up, too, though.

Nothing wrong with parenthetical commas!

[sweavo]

mmm.... yeah, a bit of sweat is good. Its weird though, with some people they sweat and it smells a little intoxicating... exciting. and that hint of salt as you kiss their neck in passing...

What? In a CBL? probably easier in a copa :-)

[DensterNY]

btw did you say earlier that they do p2 at Empire? uniformly?

Well, the woman instructor (forgot her name) that I had there was teaching P2 as well as another instructor Frankie who I had as a sub, but I couldn't speak for anyone else.

Have you had any experience with Sandra Cameron studios?

[thespina13]

LOL.. the way you guys hijack here just kills me.