what to wear for mambo?

[liz]

I am considering dancing in the pro/am mambo championship at Hotlanta. I was wondering if anyone knew what kind of costume I should wear. Would I wear my other rhythm dresses or something that is just for mambo? If I need something for mambo, were do I look? Thanks for the help.

[thespina13]

Skip the costume... go for body paint!

Kidding. I'm not sure where to go for costumes since I'm only a teensy weensy amateur, but mambo should be sexy and have a lot of motion, free to be athletic and show a lot of leg and back and arm. Classy or racy works, sparkles always... I'm sure there'll be lots of suggestions forthcoming.

[and123]

Ruffles!

[Larinda McRaven]

Yes, the costumes that are traditionally worn at a Ballroom competition - for a Mambo Championship - are full of ruffles, often tropical day-glo colors, sometimes with a wide headband. I will see if I can dig up a stereotypical picture.

[Larinda McRaven]

Mambo (http://www.designstoshine.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=designstoshine&Product_Code=L6324&Category_Code=Latin)
very typical mambo style skirt

Not Mambo (http://www.designstoshine.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=designstoshine&Product_Code=L6019s&Category_Code=Latin)

But honestly, you should wear what makes you feel good. Unless you want to have an excuse to buy a new costume!

[SalsaTO]

Go to some of the big websites that cover competitions in the United States and look at the costumes. Even to to youtube and look as some of the competition videos - especially the ones with close-ups.

Backless is good, low cut in front is good too... Hem cut on the bias or raggedy hem on the skirt portion is very very good as it exaggerates the motion on spins.Flippy material is a must, you must look moving even when you are standing still. And competition and show is about motion and the dynamic aspect of the dance. Same for floppy sleeves - they exaggerate motion on spins too. Just ensure they do not interfere with your wrists and hands - for lead and follow and grip during lifts, drips and tricks.

If you are doing spins, neck drops, aerials, tricks, lifts and dips, make sure that you will not fall out of whatever you are wearing. Strings along the back are hazardous. I caught my pinkie on a string of my partner's top during a rehearsal for a show. Voila - top dangling from my pinkie and one partner commando from the waist up. Definitely a Kodak moment of a different sort - fortunately there were no cameras during rehearsal.

Wear opaque nude colored pantyhose so you won't flash the crowd on spins, dips or aerials. They will see lots of leg, but nothing else.

If you top is a little loose and is very low cut, use two sided tape to tie it down. It works on the 'Red Carpet' it works on the stage too.

All that said, run through your routine with your partner wearing your competition outfit. Pay attention to anything that gets in the way of executing your routine and turn patterns. If a simple adjustment of the outfit or a hand does not fix it, find another outfit. Your outfit must not distract you or bind you or interfere with the routine. You will have enough to worry about with the routine without the clothing getting in the way. Have someone video you in the outfit doing the routine with your partner. See what works and does not work visually. Adjust or replace as needed.

Make-up - do your face so it is seen in the back of the room. Street make-up is blown out by the lights on stage, even if they are only 'wash lights.' Very very strong eye brows, eye shadow, rouge on the cheeks and strong lipstick... It may look garish in the mirror at one foot, but at 40 feet, it looks balanced. Dust your partner's face and neck - and head if he is bald or has a shaven head - with powder to avoid glow or a sweaty look for him.

Headbands may look like a bandage at 40 feet. Try one one, have someone take a picture 40 feet away and see how it looks. If it looks like a bandage, ditch it. If you are doing neck drops or neck cradles and are going with a headband, ensure it is well away from the nape of your neck. If you decide to go without a head band and have long hair, tie your hair off of or away from your face. Otherwise you will look like the Addams Family's Cousin Itt - I've got barrels of photos to prove it.

Have fun!!

[liz]

thanks for the help. Has anyone seen the dresses at dress4dance.com? I like how they have two looks . There are several that have a mambo bottom that can be worn. What do you guys think? I don't really want to buy a costume just for mambo that cost as much as the other latin dresses. Not sure what to do. I understand about costuming and make-up. I just haven't competed in mambo as its one event.