What to wear to practices?

[emily13]

Maybe an overgeneral question, but I am a beginner at Latin and Ballroom dancing. I was wondering what to wear to practices? I take private lesson. I normally wear my ballet clothing (leo, tights, skirt) or a tank top and a skirt.

Suggestions?

-Emily

[RIdancer82]

I usually wear a top that's fairly form-fitting so movement isn't hidden, and practice skirts (long for smooth/standard short for latin/rhythm) I think that's fairly common practice/lesson attire.

[meow]

I ditto RIdancer82. That is what most people wear. Be comfortable. IMO, do not wear pants or jeans. It doesn't look good and it is hard to move properly. Some girls when they become or are very confident will wear some very revealing practice wear - try to avoid doing that as again IMO, it tends to make you look a certain way, which may be far from the truth.

[tanya_the_dancer]

My preference is a form-fitting top and a short skirt (even though I do smooth and standard) or pants when it is too cold to wear a skirt.

[danceronice]

I usually wear a leotard and a practice skirt with either tights or fishnets (yes, I HATE dancing bare-legged to the point where, if I don't have a pair of tights that aren't shot, I'll wear fishnets). I need the leotard partially because ride-up drives me crazy (in skating I only wear shirts without bodysuits if I'm teaching, as then I don't have to move as much) and partially because a couple of the skirts are either short, slit up the side, or ride up pretty high on spins.

[waltzgirl]

Mostly, I wear slinky, jersey-type pants, since they conform to the leg and don't restrict movement (very pale legs and I prefer not to wear hose or tan all the time) and a close-fitting, but not revealing top. I prefer sleeves (in general) but especially to avoid skin-to-skin contact if I'm sweating. When I get close to a performance or comp, I wear long and short practice skirts to help get me in the mood.

[meow]

Hope I didn't upset anyone by saying not to wear pants - over here the teachers get quite stroppy about females in pants. They will emphasise skirts strongly so that you do go in next time and wear one.

[waltzgirl]

Here, a lot of female coaches wear pants.

[MissBallroomBear]

My female coach always wears pants.

When I first started, I wore pants all the time. Pants are fine as long as they don't restrict movement. When I began to get more confident I started wearing the skirts.

[Nik]

Something you feel sexy in.

[MissBallroomBear]

Bingo. ;)

[danceronice]

Personally I just can't dance in pants. Or skate, for that matter--I wear them for teaching skating and it drives me crazy because I have to grab the material and pull it tight so they can see my leg. I've also run into the issue of my warm coat (needed for coaching because my warm-ups aren't warm enough if I'm not moving a lot myself) being just-past-hip length, so ever time I try to show hip position I have to bunch it up around my waist. I will never laugh at my dance instructors having to roll up their trouser legs or pull their shirts and sweaters up to make their hips and legs more visible again. For dance, pants drive me nuts because I can't see my leg lines and if I'm practicing stuff with the mirrors I can't see if it's right or wrong. YMMV.

As for people who dance or skate in jeans.... :eek: More power to them, I couldn't do it!

[Cal]

Mostly, I wear slinky, jersey-type pants, since they conform to the leg and don't restrict movement . . . and a close-fitting, but not revealing top.

I wear the lycra-kind of jazz pants that you can find in ballet supply stores, and a close-fitting top. And then I have a thin sweater to lay over it until I get too warm. Like you, I find that those kind of slinky jazz pants don't restrict movement at all, and everyone can see my leg lines.

Actually, I think that some skirts can obscure leg lines just as much as regular trousers can.

Also, is there some magical way that trousers don't obscure men's leg lines when they wear them for lessons? Trousers only obscure women's leg lines?

Meow, I'd certainly be a rebel in your parts - I can't remember the last time I wore any kind of skirt during a lesson. Any pressure to get me into one would certainly fall on deaf ears!

[cornutt]

Also, is there some magical way that trousers don't obscure men's leg lines when they wear them for lessons? Trousers only obscure women's leg lines?


That's funny; my instructor tells her students not to practice in shorts. She says that your leg lines won't look right with bare legs.

[kathyt cupcake]

I wear the lycra-kind of jazz pants that you can find in ballet supply stores, and a close-fitting top. And then I have a thin sweater to lay over it until I get too warm. Like you, I find that those kind of slinky jazz pants don't restrict movement at all, and everyone can see my leg lines.

Actually, I think that some skirts can obscure leg lines just as much as regular trousers can.

Also, is there some magical way that trousers don't obscure men's leg lines when they wear them for lessons? Trousers only obscure women's leg lines?

Me three, I alternate between jazz pants and skirts- I tend to hike the skirts up over my knees for latin. I have to say that this is something that we don't emphasize in our group team lessons; we have the less serious ppl coming in wearing jeans, sweaters, nice dresses not meant for sweating in. It reflects a lack of seriousness, and our team spans the range of casual to serious about competing. Maybe we should do something about that.

Emily, it sounds like what you're wearing is fine.

[meow]

I guess it comes down to the individual studios and their instructors. Some are very strict, others are more laid back. Where we are now, at one time they were so strict they starting to have a mutiny and had to fold on some issues. But, I think some studios want to give out certain impressions to potential newbies who may call in to look.
And my kitten, being a male, has to wear pants or I'm sure something would be said :roll::rolleyes: and he must teach in latin pants (jeans not allowed).

[etp777]

Our studio has no rules for students, though do for teachers, like meow mentioned. Basic rule, men or women, is something where your coach/pro/whomever can see lines (arms, legs and body), and thus be able to give you all the necessary and appropriate feedback.

That being said, I'm bad about wearing jeans/khakis that dont' show lines well, and pro always complained. Which is why an extra pair of latin pants for lessons is on my shopping list. :)

[Cal]

And my kitten, being a male, has to wear pants or I'm sure something would be said :roll::rolleyes: and he must teach in latin pants (jeans not allowed).

Oooh - an image of "Dance Kilts For Men" just flashed through my mind!

[fascination]

summer=skort and scoop T-shirt...winter= black yoga pants and layers of stuff on top

[danceronice]

Also, is there some magical way that trousers don't obscure men's leg lines when they wear them for lessons? Trousers only obscure women's leg lines?



Quote from my post above:


I will never laugh at my dance instructors having to roll up their trouser legs or pull their shirts and sweaters up to make their hips and legs more visible again.

All my pros are males, so there it is. Particularly irking is when the pro teaching group is wearing a sweater (which I understand completely because it is almost always cold in the studio--at least I think so) and he constantly has to hike it up when he's trying to show us where our hips are supposed to be. With him and my Rhythm pro, another problem can be trying to see whether the heel is up or down--black pants/black socks/black shoes. So we get the knee-britches treatment where they roll up their trousers so we can see. I understand why, though, not just as a student--I find when I wear loose-fitting trousers to teach skating, I have to pull the material tight or they can't tell whether my knee is straight, etc.

[RIdancer82]

I admit that I do wear pants to practice once in a while, but that is not very often at all. I used to wear pants to practice more often a few years ago. I have discovered though, that I have to be very careful when wearing pants to practice in. I have gotten my heel caught in my pants hem on numerous occasions..... almost every time resulting in my almost falling if it wasn't for my partner catching me.

[Ithink]

Once I wore a skirt to take a private lesson in and my coach commented that she prefers it when I wear pants so she can see what I am doing with my legs better. She said the skirt was obscuring my leg lines and for a lesson it wasn't good.

I predominantly wear pants to practice in as well. Just more comfortable that way. I put on a skirt for practices immediately preceeding a comp.

[mamboqueen]

Once I wore a skirt to take a private lesson in and my coach commented that she prefers it when I wear pants so she can see what I am doing with my legs better. She said the skirt was obscuring my leg lines and for a lesson it wasn't good.

I predominantly wear pants to practice in as well. Just more comfortable that way. I put on a skirt for practices immediately preceeding a comp.

I prefer pants, but almost once every lesson one of my heels gets stuck and I'm just waiting to go down one of these days. I hate wearing skirts in the winter for obvious reasons...but since I compete in a dress, it probably is wiser to dance in one -- this way you'll know what you look like. I think I look better in pants...and wish I could compete in them. Much more comfortable for me.

I had a coach once tell me (after I got my heel stuck in the pants) that he tells his students they have to wear skirts or dance naked. I wore a dress the next time.

[fascination]

lol...pro does not comment on my attire anymore ...under any circumstance ;)

[mamboqueen]

lol...pro does not comment on my attire anymore ...under any circumstance ;)

I think he figured out that whole "pick your battles" thing ;)

[Cal]

I've never got my heel caught in my snug-fitting jazz pants. Long ago, however, when I used to wear practice skirts, my heel would catch the hem sometimes. (Why is my experience always so contrary to that of others??)

[mamboqueen]

Because if we were all the same, it would be boring ;).

[standardgirl]

always a long ballroom skirt (either Chrisanne or Espen) for lesson and practice. Either a form-fitting top, a t-shirt or a practice shirt from Espen.

When I first started taking ballroom lesson, I was wearing my skating pants that I owned for my figure skating. There are some other ladies at the studio that I was dancing at and they all wear ballroom skirts (either with a tight fitting shirt or a leotard). I believe it was about 5-6 months after I started dancing, I figured that I will also start wearing skirts. I do admit that I like wearing skirts in the first place anyways. I also love those practice shirts from Espen (oh yeah, they are so cute with the cuts, but sometimes hard to figure out how to put on - once my female friend and I spent 2+ hours trying to figure out how I was supposed to wear one of my Espen tops...). My teacher was really pleased to see me in ballroom skirt which kind of encouraged me to wear them on a regular basis. And I look better in skirts anyways~ and yes, I have had my heels caught in pants, not only my pants, but once in a quickstep, my heel got caught on someone else's (not even my partner's) pants....that was a horrible experience and I almost landed on the floor...

In skating though, I either wear those skating practice pants, or a leotard with an attached skirt and footless tights. Same goes for dancing, I can't stand having any sort of stockings on my feet, so I just go bare legs/feet (no tights or anything at all).

[standardgirl]

I've never got my heel caught in my snug-fitting jazz pants. Long ago, however, when I used to wear practice skirts, my heel would catch the hem sometimes. (Why is my experience always so contrary to that of others??)

yeah, I found my heels caught in my chrisanne angelskin skirt a lot...especially after a rounde......and with the particular fabric being so stretchy, it's pretty hard to get the heel out. We often have to stop the lesson so that I can fix it.

[mamboqueen]

Well, since we're on the subject....

I won a few of the auction items for Take the Lead Dancewear which is located in Brockton, MA. They carry some Randall items and are hoping to expand into some other (perhaps more moderate) practicewear. It would be helpful for the vendor to know what people are looking for with resepct to practicewear, and what your priorities are (financial, etc.). What brands do you think are better than others?

[Ithink]

Well, I think it's utterly ridiclulous how much practice skirts are (or other practice wear for that matter). It is a piece of lycra! Over $200 for a piece of lycra? My priority is to have more skirt options for under $50. It cannot be that difficult to make a practice skirt... Maybe I would actually practice in skirts more if they cost me $25 like my Forever 21 pants.

[mamboqueen]

I agree. It's because it's a specialized item. Like buying a maternity top...you can get a big loose (and stylish) top at the Gap for 1/2 the price...but because it's sold at Pea in the Pod and it's "maternity", its twice the price. I agree -- I cannot afford to spend $100 on a skirt for "practice".

[standardgirl]

the dancesport uk website often has clearance item on practice wears from Espen, Chrisanne and other big brands. I just bought a practice skirt yesterday for 50 British Pounds which is about 100 USD. No tax, and I believe shipping was about 7 pounds or so.

[Ithink]

$100 is also way too much money for a piece of lycra, IMO.

[standardgirl]

$100 is also way too much money for a piece of lycra, IMO.

that's true, I agree. But $100 is much better than $250 ;) [not sure if the latin skirts are any cheaper, since they are shorter and just smaller compared with the ballroom skirts...]

[LucyDiamond]

I'd rather spend $100 or $250 on dance lessons.

[tanya_the_dancer]

I've never got my heel caught in my snug-fitting jazz pants. Long ago, however, when I used to wear practice skirts, my heel would catch the hem sometimes. (Why is my experience always so contrary to that of others??)

I got my heel caught in a skirt hem once and almost pulled the skirt off.

[danceronice]

I'd rather spend $100 or $250 on dance lessons.

Word. I have looked at some of what Take the Lead carries (full disclosure: I worked for dancerman, TTL's owner, at Commonwealth and I buy all my shoes from him--love the shoes, Brian!) and while Randall's practice skirts are nice, I did think they were a little pricey. For practice stuff, I would really like to find skirts that are less than $100--I bought a vintage folk skirt for less than that on eBay and it's a lot harder to find than a lycra practice skirt! Also, I would love to see some tops that have form-fitting sleeves. Part of the reason I wear my 3/4 or full-sleeve leotards to practice in is, besides having the bodysuit, it means my arms are covered and not with something floppy or worse, nothing at all! I can't stand wing sleeves and I hate sleeveless even more. Both of my competition dresses, the Smooth and the one that's being made for Rhythm, have long sleeves (mesh for smooth with a point over the hand, black lace for Rhythm with full "cat-gloves".) I can do weight work 'til my arms cramp and they're still never going to be my best feature. And droopy stuff just looks annoying to me.

[Cal]

Good heavens! Ladies (and gents): Danskin, Leo's dancewear, Dance Distributors!
Jazz pants around $45; wrap-front practices dresses around $60, etc.

I grant you - they aren't quite as stylish as Espen or Chrisanne, but I don't give a hoot and a holler about stylish stuff when I'm at lessons - I just want something that let's me move.

[Ithink]

I'd rather spend $100 or $250 on dance lessons.

Yup. Met too:)

[fascination]

Good heavens! Ladies (and gents): Danskin, Leo's dancewear, Dance Distributors!
Jazz pants around $45; wrap-front practices dresses around $60, etc.

I grant you - they aren't quite as stylish as Espen or Chrisanne, but I don't give a hoot and a holler about stylish stuff when I'm at lessons - I just want something that let's me move.
uh...target yoga pants 19.99...scoop T 9.99...and amen, money goes to lessons

[Purr]

Well, I think it's utterly ridiclulous how much practice skirts are (or other practice wear for that matter). It is a piece of lycra! Over $200 for a piece of lycra? My priority is to have more skirt options for under $50. It cannot be that difficult to make a practice skirt... Maybe I would actually practice in skirts more if they cost me $25 like my Forever 21 pants.

I bought 3 practice skirts, two latin and one ballroom, made by Capezio from one of the local dance shops. The most expensive, the ballroom one, was a little over $50. They are good quality and I get a lot of compliments when I remember and make the effort to wear them.

[Purr]

I generally wear pants, in case anyone hasn't figured that out from the above post already.

[standardgirl]

What I found is that there are often good latin skirts at the junior section in Walmart. Those run <$10 or at most $15 to $20 a piece. I love them for parties!

[Indiana_Jay]

I have purchased items for my LW from the Discount Dance Supply Web site (providing the URL would be against DF policy, so you'll have to Google them). They appear to have several reasonably priced skirts that would probably be appropriate for lessons or practice.

-IJ

[Indiana_Jay]

And I look better in skirts anyways~

(She looks good in anything I've ever seen her in)

[mamboqueen]

I have purchased items for my LW from the Discount Dance Supply Web site (providing the URL would be against DF policy, so you'll have to Google them). They appear to have several reasonably priced skirts that would probably be appropriate for lessons or practice.

-IJ

you just can't post an active link....you can post the web address, tho.

[Indiana_Jay]

you just can't post an active link....you can post the web address, tho.

I believe if I type the URL, DF will convert it to an active link automatically. No wait, I see there's a check box below that might allow me to turn off that function. Let me give it a try:

www.discountdance.com

[MissBallroomBear]

They look like they've got some good stuff. I wonder if they ship to Australia..

[dancerman]

Word. I have looked at some of what Take the Lead carries (full disclosure: I worked for dancerman, TTL's owner, at Commonwealth and I buy all my shoes from him--love the shoes, Brian!) and while Randall's practice skirts are nice, I did think they were a little pricey. For practice stuff, I would really like to find skirts that are less than $100--I bought a vintage folk skirt for less than that on eBay and it's a lot harder to find than a lycra practice skirt! Also, I would love to see some tops that have form-fitting sleeves. Part of the reason I wear my 3/4 or full-sleeve leotards to practice in is, besides having the bodysuit, it means my arms are covered and not with something floppy or worse, nothing at all! I can't stand wing sleeves and I hate sleeveless even more. Both of my competition dresses, the Smooth and the one that's being made for Rhythm, have long sleeves (mesh for smooth with a point over the hand, black lace for Rhythm with full "cat-gloves".) I can do weight work 'til my arms cramp and they're still never going to be my best feature. And droopy stuff just looks annoying to me.

My goodness what a hot topic. I love to see this information. It is very important to me as a vendor who also dances, to understand what people are looking for and what the conerns are. I also understand that paying $200+ for a skirt is a huge chunk of change. Which is one reason why none of our skirts run that high.
However, at "Take the Lead" we do in fact have a number skirts in the $100 and under range. In fact, I think there are at least 5 or 6 that we post on our web site that meet that criteria. As we move forward and develop, we want to bring in more brands and styles that will better allow us to suit the needs of all dancers. I would also, as a dancer, much rather spend my hard earned dollars dancing as well.
I agree when you get into Randall's gowns they do get expensive. They still compare with many of the most popular designs out there. A lot of that as to do with the stoning involved.
By the way, Dancer on Ice, I am glad you like your shoes. You seems so much taller now!! I even think my lead improved when you started wearing them.

[standardgirl]

They look like they've got some good stuff. I wonder if they ship to Australia..

yeah, they do have a nice selection and good quality as well. I have been ordering stuff from them (discount dance supply, that is) for about 3 years now...always nice. :)

The 30in elastic waist character skirt by natalie was actually my first practice skirt for standard and I bought it from the website. Looks like they have got some more collections now and the capezio swril skirt looks particularly nice.

[Indiana_Jay]

They look like they've got some good stuff. I wonder if they ship to Australia..

It appears that they do. See http://www.discountdance.com/int_shipping.php

[danceronice]

By the way, Dancer on Ice, I am glad you like your shoes. You seems so much taller now!! I even think my lead improved when you started wearing them.

Thanks! I wish I'd been able to go tonight and see what Charlie thought (very tall guy in our classes, for the general audience--great lead but I always feel like a midget! Of course I feel that way frequently in street shoes, too...)