Dressing up for Dance Class

[danceguy]

Hi Everyone,

For those of you who take (or have taken) formal dance classes, how do you dress for class? I'm curious to know as I usually dress up a bit myself, mainly since in my line of work I wear very casual clothes as I don't want anything nice ruined. Being able to dress up a bit for class is something special, so I have a few sets of clothes for class and dances that I usually wear when I go out.

Whenever I go to class, I always take a shower, shave if I need to and put on a bit of cologne and wear nice dress slacks and a short sleeve dress shirt. Nothing too fancy, normal wear for some people, but I want to look nice and feel good about it.

Sometimes I'm not able to find the time to do this, but usually I set the extra time aside. A lot of other people in my classes do this...heck I've seen some ladies decked out in really beautiful dresses and even have their hair done on occasion. Other classes I've been to nobody wears dance shoes and its VERY casual...but I find I prefer dressing up a bit.

How about the rest of the DF folks? Do you ever dress up or not?

Best,

SG

[peachexploration]

Yes, I like to take that extra time to get ready also and love dancing with the guys who do. When you're dancing with someone, there is nothing more inviting that someone who is well groomed. I think classes go so much better thay way.

[youngsta]

It really depends. If I'm going to a club immediately afterwards I'm usually dressed up. If it's a workshop in the middle of the afternoon I dress casual/comfortable with my dance sneakers. In either case I always cleanup before hand.

[Sarah]

I don't much like dancing in jeans - they get hot, feel heavy and don't move well - so I usually wear either dress pants or a skirt. Because I like to look more or less coordinated this dictates that I wear a reasonably nice top. So I'm usually dressed for dancing in something that could go clubwards afterwards.

Cheers
Sarah

[Sagitta]

I don't usually dress up for my swing class, but do wear nicer clothes (slacks, T-shirt/shirt) for my other classes. A little cologne, brushing of teeth, or the requiste bubble gum! :)

[Swing Kitten]

comfortable and clean

[SDsalsaguy]

I mostly wear the same stuff day in and day out – black slacks and a short sleeve button down shirt, always with jazz sneakers of course. This serves me for campus attire, dance classes, salsa clubs, etc.…sometimes I’ll upgrade the shirt a little for a special salsa night but, by and large this serves me for everything except visits to the gym. For some dance classes, however, I make a point of wearing a tighter pare of slack or even jeans and a t-shirt to better display my leg and body actions.

[pygmalion]

Uniform for private lesson: snug T-shirt or leotard with jazz pants or practice skirt

Uniform for dance class: Nice dress with skirt that moves

What can I say. :oops: I like dressing up! :lol:

[Adwiz]

When I go to dance classes I like to dress for dancing. I think it's appropriate, both to get you in the right frame of mind and for movement. I think guys have less of a challenge here than women do because even our "dress up" outfit is less dramatic than a woman's dancing dress would look.

When ballet dancers or jazz dancers or hip hop dancers go to dance class, they are expected to wear something suitable for dancing. I feel that DanceSport should have the same characteristics. If I had my way I would wear one of my lycra practice shirts and practice pants for Latin classes and a dress shirt with vest for Standard. These would help me take the lesson more seriously and focus better on the movements. Unfortunately, because most participants dress much more "street" it would look like I'm trying to show off or something, so I dress it down quite a bit. Usually a slim-fitting black shirt for Latin classes, or a dress shirt (no vest) for Standard.

Our studio also has party nights after certain classes. On those days people dress up a little more which is really nice. My wife wears a much more "party-like" dress or skirt for those classes and I might put on a BoysCo shirt.

[Sagitta]

When I go to dance classes I like to dress for dancing. I think it's appropriate, both to get you in the right frame of mind and for movement.

Unfortunately, because most participants dress much more "street" it would look like I'm trying to show off or something, so I dress it down quite a bit.

True, true, all too true!!! I would love to dress up as that helps me dance the dance. Since I always try and match the standard of atire people wear I do dress down quite a bit. Visualization of the dance being danced in competition helps compensate for this. :)

[youngsta]

Why worry about what other people think/do?? Wear whatever makes YOU feel and dance the best!

[Adwiz]

Why worry about what other people think/do?? Wear whatever makes YOU feel and dance the best!

You make a good point, younsta. But I have to interact with these people several times a week and it just doesn't make sense to push their buttons too much.

[d nice]

I wear my everyday clothes... minus inappropriate footwear, for regular classes. For workshops or camps... well I take my dancing seriousely, I wear things I can sweat in, that breathe well, and with no restriction. T-shirts and khakis for the most part. I am coming to work and that is exactly what I do... fashion isn't a blip on the menu.

Then again this is the only time fashion isn't a consideration. Metrosexuals... I am your king.

[Vince A]

I wear a suit all day, so the last thing I want to dance in is dress clothes!

I only take two group classes (Salsa and AT) and I wear jeans or very light jogging pants with the zipper or snaps at the bottom . . . and a dance T shirt . . .

For workshops or camps, like d nice, as comfortable as I can get - something I can sweat in and breathe in - maybe the thin jogging pants and a tank top.

But I always wear my dance sneakers . . . I just dance better in them. Wish I could wear them in competition!

[samba ajr]

I'm with Pygmalion--I'll wear my jazz pants whenever I can. I do try and wear a smooth style skirt, particularly when I know that's what I'll be working on. And for practice parties or socials--I love wearing colorful dresses that move!

I basically wear jeans to work and will only dance in them if I'm running very late or am dancing in a parking lot! (We have a few dances each year in the parking lot--they are the greatest fun! :D )

[redhead]

For lessons - stretchy pants, preferably black. I believe instructors can see better what you're doing and correct you. Dresses - for clubs.

[bouncybouncyweee]

I wear what I wear. I don't own any skirts, but I despise tight pants, so I tend to wear the most comfortable jeans I own... they are enough. But I do wish I had more flexible clothing.... In classes or at practice I tend to just wear gym pants.

[SDsalsaguy]

Yeah, but you have the coolest set of jeans Lily! :D

[bouncybouncyweee]

Many thank you's to you! :D

[MNswing]

comfort is key. Fortunately, dressy clothing is much more comfortable these days than in the past. My main concerns when deciding on what to wear and how to dress are:

1) How can I wear my hair so it will last and stay out of my face?

2)What can I wear so I won't have wet-sweat stains (lady's don't sweat... we glow and some shirts absorb the moisture more readily than others)

Skirts always make me feel more like a swing dancer and I believe they really help my swivels... but that could be all in my head.

And... ya gotta have your dance shoes!!