Dressed to swing

[MadamSamba]

I'm a big fan of swing, but unfortunately my other dancing addictions don't afford me time to indulge in swing as well (dammit), but one thing I noticed from the classes I've done is that I've felt seriously out of place at times. Why? Because at most of the swing gigs I've been to people "look" like swing people, they dress like swing people, right down to their shoes, moreso, I feel, than most other styles. Many have old-style hairdos (permanently) and lot do the skirt, bobby sock, suspenders and sneakers thing as well.

Just wondering what the scene is like in places other than Australia or even other parts of Australia.

[jdavidb]

For swing, I usually wear a glitter wig, solid white contact lenses, candy cane stripe thigh high clown shoes and smear lipstick all over me. That's about it for me. Too hott for pants and a shirt. If I was any hotter, I'd catch on fire.

[LindyQuest]

For swing, I usually wear a glitter wig, solid white contact lenses, candy cane stripe thigh high clown shoes and smear lipstick all over me.

Now there's an interesting image! :D

Around here, things are pretty casual, not grungy or anything, just relaxed. But people do get dressed up for the bigger events. I usually just wear black pants or a black skirt and a solid-colored shirt.

[Spitfire]

The swing dances here have a very casual atmosphere. I usually dress in a t-shirt, work pants and plain shoes.

[pygmalion]

Super casual here too. Not sloppy, just casual.

[TemptressToo]

For my regular swing venues...some people dress casual (jeans and t-shirt) but for the most part the girls really dress up...swingy little skirts, crinolin, dresses, hair-do's...the works. And then there are a group of guys that wear the pin-stripe high-waisted pants, suspenders, black and white shoes, short ties, derby caps, etc.

It is a lot of fun all the way around. ;)

[LindyQuest]

For my regular swing venues...some people dress casual (jeans and t-shirt) but for the most part the girls really dress up...swingy little skirts, crinolin, dresses, hair-do's...the works. And then there are a group of guys that wear the pin-stripe high-waisted pants, suspenders, black and white shoes, short ties, derby caps, etc.

It is a lot of fun all the way around. ;)

That does sound like fun! I wish I could get dressed up more often, but I don't want to be the only one who's not casual. That's why I really look forward to the big events! :D

[Swing Kitten]

as fun as it may be to dress the part every now and again I'm really gald that I wouldn't stand out if I didn't... often times I go directly from work or a class to a dance and I'd much rather spend that extra time it would take to get ready on the floor dancing. I just aim for clothes that are comfortabale, look nice, and (most importantly) I can move in and sweat in! If you're not sweating chances are you're not really dancing.

The majority of the dances I've been to are relaxed. I've also found that someone "sporting the gear" isn't nessesarily the better dancer.

[DWise1]

If you're not sweating chances are you're not really dancing.
Looks like that has the makings of a great slogan there.

Besides some open dancing in the first five dances listed, I've done classes in Lindy, WCS, Country 2-Step, Nightclub 2-Step, Hustle, Salsa, Balboa, Shag, Tango, and various ballroom dances. Only in Lindy, Salsa, and Shag would I regularly break into a sweat. I've yet to find an air conditioner that can keep up with Lindy hoppers! I've had partners right before a Lindy dance or class complain about how cold the room is, but I always assure them that we'll warm it up in no time at all -- and my prediction always comes to pass.


Oh, my input on the thread topic:
I'm your typical grey engineer type, so I don't have much of a wardrobe anyway. I go comfortable and casual. Dockers, polo shirt. For Lindy class, I go with a Hawaiian shirt over a t-shirt to try to control the sweat, or at least to not feel quite as soggy to my partners -- yes, I do bring a fresh change, especially for the Balboa class.

[Sagitta]

Pretty casual over in Ithaca, NY for the weekly Tuesday lindy night sessions.

[Genesius Redux]

Shoot, I wish I could afford the wardrobe. I'm spending all my money on the lessons!

As for breaking sweats--I've done that in Cha Cha, Mambo, and Quickstep but the Quickstep was in a gorilla suit, so I don't know if that counts. :wink:

[Swing Kitten]

I'd say money is better spent on lessons than spiffy duds ;)

[pygmalion]

Oh, my input on the thread topic:
I'm your typical grey engineer type, so I don't have much of a wardrobe anyway.

I resemble that! :wink: :lol: :lol:

[swinginstyle]

Very few people here dress vintage. Some do on occasion, but not many. Dancers tend to choose what is comfortable, shoes, pants, shirts, etc.

[bgirlswinger]

i know around here and at exchanges people ususally dress casul. especially at workshops and classes- no one dresses up for those.

some dancers will dress up and fell more into the groove if they are dressed up even a little bit. If there is a band playign somewhere or a performance that we are all going to then yeah we wil ldress up but overall most of us are pretty casual at dances.

i am pretty casual but i dressup every now and again.
this past weekend i was at atlx- atlanta lindy exchange and i dressed up more than ususal there,.. wearing skirts,..stil lcasual- i only really dressed up once when i wore my jessica rabbit dress to a dance where a band was performing.

to each their own... do what you fell comfortable
amber d.

[Sarah]

For swing, I usually wear a glitter wig, .... Too hott for pants and a shirt. If I was any hotter, I'd catch on fire.

One wonders where the wig is worn...[1]

Cheers
Sarah

[1]:D

[johnnywalker]

I know what you mean MadamSamba. I'm not sure what part of Oz your from but in Sydney the Swing/Rock and Roll crowd get so into it. I think it's great although I probably wouldn't do it myself on a regular basis. When some of the clubs I go to have a R&R band playing the place fills up with the R&R crowd replete in bowling shirts, big chains hanging down the sides of trousers, the hair-do (guys and girls), bobby socks etc.
I had my first introduction to Lindy Hop at one of these venues. Wish I could learn more of it but I too have other passions

[cocodrilo]

That is SOOOOOOO cool, that vintage style swing look! I used to wear that stuff in college, when it was hip then(a la Elvis Costello My Aim is True)
. When I have the time & learn how to swing, I will DEFINITELY look the part! You guys & gals who spend time on yourselves getting spiffed up, you look gorgeous and you should know it!

[Jivin' Ivan]

The Swing scene here in the S.J. is pretty mixed, but for the most part people do dress up. Some people go all out. Occasionally - no I take that back - A lot of times people show up in the strangest getups. I once saw a guy wearing some black body-builder style pants with a word (can't remember what it was) printed in different colors on them and a matching hat. Didn't look at all to me like a swing dancer. Also, I often see people in sweats and converse tennies. It's cool though, as long as you're comfortable. Personally, I wish I could dress more vintage - like a pair of wide legged, pin-striped slacks and suspenders and a short, fat tie would be nice - ,but the vintage reproductions are way too expensive for my budget (Especially spectator shoes). And who has time to dig through the vintage racks at second-hand stores? I just wear comfortable clothes and try not to clash with the vintage "feel" of the place. To me, it doesn't really matter, as long as you're dancing and having fun. :D

[pygmalion]

Hi, Jivin' Ivan. Welcome. :D


I know what you mean about the weird clothes. Some guy here wears American flag clothes everywhere he goes. Ties, shirts, pants, you name it. :shock: Very strange. :?

As for the clothes budget, check out dancestore.com. The prices for vintage clothes are comparatively low. I hope you find something you like. 8)

[Sakura]

but the Quickstep was in a gorilla suit, so I don't know if that counts. :wink:

=O_o=... And the Gorilla suit came about how exactly?? 8) :wink: Sounds like the makings of an interesting story to me Genesius! Care to share?

I haven't gotten to do much swing, only one or two lessons on it (it's a real shame!!), and because I don't get out (at all! :evil: ), I can't tell you the Swing scene here in Indiana. Sorry guys! *waves*

Sakura Kitty :kitty: