What to wear to dance parties

[J.Risa]

Hi ! Sorry to be starting a new thread about what to wear to dance parties, but this is a question I couldn't really find an answer to in the previous threads I looked up.

My question:

Do you just wear your dancing shoes to the party or do you arrive in street/non-dancing shoes then swap for dancing heels once you've arrived?

There's an early Christmas party this weekend -something organised annually, I'm told- and I'm new so I have no idea what to do about the shoes. I wouldn't want to muck up my new Latin heels getting to the party because I use them for class. I also wouldn't want to be there in shoes unsuitable for dancing in case it leads to a sprain or other injuries. (Which is liable to happen especially since I'm new as well as very clumsy.)

It's a dinner and dance party. Dance as in social, Latin and ballroom. It's also 4 hours long, and although the chances of me getting asked to dance is very very slim, let's say I'm being very optimistic. :D

[elisedance]

If you have real dance shoes you shouldn't wear them on the street as you will ruin the suede (and not to mention the dance floor). I always take a change of shoes and I'm never embarassed to use real dance shoes - its often a pain to use regular ones and there is the real danger of hurting your feet.

[J.Risa]

My next questions would be: How do you carry/bring along your change of shoes? And where/when do you make the swap?

I mean, the obvious answer would be in a bag. But what kind of bag would you use? Wouldn't it be weird turning up at a party with a shoebag in hand? I also kind of wonder if people will think me strange for wearing a pair of shoes on my feet and carrying another pair around.

I'm also wondering if people at the party will be surprised to find me trying to inconspicuously change shoes under the table and whether there's a more suitable time/place to change shoes. (In the Ladies after the dinner part, maybe?)

As you can see, I really am clueless as to what to do and would appreciate whatever advice more experienced DFers have !

[Joe]

If you can swing a short walk from your car to the venue, you can just change shoes in your car. If you do not take a car, you must obviously bring your dance shoes to the venue and change there (unless you just go to the venue barefoot)--you could wear light slippers to minimize bulk. Or you wear street shoes you can dance in.

[fascination]

at a ballroom studio party or any party like it, folks will be bringing their shoes in a soft drawstring bag or more substantial shoe bag...generally speaking, those shoes go on right after the coats come off and far enough away from wet street shoes so as to avoid getting them wet...no if you have a jazz sneaker, you could wear those and not change and a pair of black slacks and be perfectly fine with a nice top

[soshedances]

I think you'll find a few people changing their shoes under the table after dinner when the dancing begins. In the non-dancing community this would be weird, but at an event meant for dancing, no one's going to give it a second thought.

Or you can always wear jazz sneakers as fasc said, those are comfortable and don't look bad with black slacks. While I love my dance shoes, this is sometimes more comfortable. I wouldn't dance in your street shoes, that's just not comfortable and not good for your feet.

Whatever you do, have fun and enjoy it!!! :D

[etp777]

Heh, you'll see me and my family/friends changing shoes under table at various weddings, events, etc throughout the yera. I have a larger shoe bag i keep at studio (as keep smooth and rhythm shoes there), but for most events, I have a FADS logo bag that FP and NP gave me as a gift that I use as my shoe bag. About same size as the drawstring bag that the shoes came in in the first place.

[suburbaknght]

Wherever you leave your coat, that's where you leave your street shoes (along with keys, cell phones, and anything else sharp and/or pokey in your pockets).

[J.Risa]

at a ballroom studio party or any party like it, folks will be bringing their shoes in a soft drawstring bag or more substantial shoe bag...generally speaking, those shoes go on right after the coats come off and far enough away from wet street shoes so as to avoid getting them wet...no if you have a jazz sneaker, you could wear those and not change and a pair of black slacks and be perfectly fine with a nice top

I was toying with the idea of showing up in the aforementioned outfit because it's incredibly comfortable but it's what I wear to class, so would it seem too casual to wear this ensemble to a party?




Wherever you leave your coat, that's where you leave your street shoes (along with keys, cell phones, and anything else sharp and/or pokey in your pockets).

I probably should mention that it's a tropical climate all year round in Singapore, so we don't wear coats out much here (if ever) because heat stroke is a probable consequence. :D I guess we'd all leave our stuff in our dinner table seats when the dancing starts. Then again, I'll probably be sitting out and watching all night long so it's not a big worry but I appreciate the mention. :)

[elisedance]

I am not averse to changing into a dance skirt from slacks at the table - its a thing we learn at the beach in England... does pop a few eyeballs though but what the h...

[emeralddancer]

also to ... you might be surprised with the changing of said shoes that you mostly likely WILL be asked to dance! :)

[kayak]

Also, sit up near the dance floor. If there are tables with chairs too far back, it is hard to a guy to easily ask you to dance. Being easily accessible helps us guys.

Don't worry about having just started. I was amazed at how many exceptional dancers would come down to my level and flounder around the floor when I was getting started.

[chachachacat]

If the tablecloth is floor length, you can stash your shoebag under there, and also discreetly change your shoes.

[Standarddancer]

I always bring my dance shoes and change at venue. And found many people do the same. some people change to dance shoes as soon as they arrive and sit down and some wait until after dinner.

[Standarddancer]

I probably should mention that it's a tropical climate all year round in Singapore, so we don't wear coats out much here (if ever) because heat stroke is a probable consequence. :D I guess we'd all leave our stuff in our dinner table seats when the dancing starts. Then again, I'll probably be sitting out and watching all night long so it's not a big worry but I appreciate the mention. :)

wow!!! lovely tropical climate even in Christmas in singapore? here it's freezing:( I really need to think what to wear for party - easily catching cold from wearing bare arm evening dress:( maybe I'll wear long sleeve practice wear + practice skirt or dressy pants plus wrap myslef in a long warm coat.

[J.Risa]

Wow. Thank you all for the unexpected bits of advice ! :)
I was thinking I'd be quite happy to sit and observe my night away but I'm slightly more hopeful now, thanks to the replies here.

The reason I don't think I'll get asked is because this dinner is organized by my dance school. Read: Many experienced dancers around who'll probably attend with their partners. And seeing as out of the 10 Int'l dances I know only the most basic of the Cha Cha, the unfortunate soul who ventures to ask me will probably be bored to death. So i was kind of resigned to sitting out.



wow!!! lovely tropical climate even in Christmas in singapore? here it's freezing:sad: I really need to think what to wear for party - easily catching cold from wearing bare arm evening dress:sad: maybe I'll wear long sleeve practice wear + practice skirt or dressy pants plus wrap myslef in a long warm coat.

Yes, it's still warm here even though it's nearing christmas. The most we'll get is slightly more rain during the Northeast and Southeast monsoons, but it doesn't get much colder. It's like spring or summer all year round with healthy doses of rain at the beginning and end of each year. No pretty snow though... :(

You could wear a top with a fitted cardigan. That way you wouldn't be restricted to long sleeves? Dance tights/pantyhose under your skirt/pants would probably help keep your legs warm too. I think? Haha. I'm not sure exactly how cold it gets in winter.

[Standarddancer]

I have long sleeve dressy jacket as well. wow, need to buy a dressy cardigan, the ones with rhinestones maybe:) I certainly have pantyhose prepared. Could be very cold here, below zero C" sometimes, possibly snow.

[emeralddancer]

Wow. Thank you all for the unexpected bits of advice ! :)
I was thinking I'd be quite happy to sit and observe my night away but I'm slightly more hopeful now, thanks to the replies here.

The reason I don't think I'll get asked is because this dinner is organized by my dance school. Read: Many experienced dancers around who'll probably attend with their partners. And seeing as out of the 10 Int'l dances I know only the most basic of the Cha Cha, the unfortunate soul who ventures to ask me will probably be bored to death. So i was kind of resigned to sitting out.



When I first started my lessons I had only taken 1. That same week was a dance. I went expecting not to dance at all. But surprisingly ... not only was I asked to dance, People were willing to "walk" me thru the basics so I could dance. Just simple box steps etc. Also surprisingly ... they asked to dance with me more than just one time. Never did any of them appear to be bored or anything.

You will have a great time ... and you can also ask people to dance to (though that is a bit intimidating) just explain what you know ... I am sure people at this dance will be wonderful!

[BM]

When I first started my lessons I had only taken 1. That same week was a dance. I went expecting not to dance at all. But surprisingly ... not only was I asked to dance, People were willing to "walk" me thru the basics so I could dance. Just simple box steps etc. Also surprisingly ... they asked to dance with me more than just one time. Never did any of them appear to be bored or anything.

You will have a great time ... and you can also ask people to dance to (though that is a bit intimidating) just explain what you know ... I am sure people at this dance will be wonderful!

Can't agree more. Most dancers who are willing to ask are more than willing to offer the Reader's Digest version of some dances to help you through. And if you're a willing student, I would not count on sitting down all night! :)

[jennyisdancing]

Wow. Thank you all for the unexpected bits of advice ! :)
I was thinking I'd be quite happy to sit and observe my night away but I'm slightly more hopeful now, thanks to the replies here.

The reason I don't think I'll get asked is because this dinner is organized by my dance school. Read: Many experienced dancers around who'll probably attend with their partners. And seeing as out of the 10 Int'l dances I know only the most basic of the Cha Cha, the unfortunate soul who ventures to ask me will probably be bored to death. So i was kind of resigned to sitting out.


Hi J, if the event is organized by your dance school, then hopefully you should know some people there? Also, if your teachers are there, perhaps they could introduce you to people you can dance with? Best of luck to you.

[RickRS]

Seeing it's a dance school organized dance, you will likely find most will arrive in street shoes and then change to dance shoes as soon as they are in the ballroom.

Wish you luck and hope you have an enjoyable time!

[J.Risa]

When I first started my lessons I had only taken 1. That same week was a dance. I went expecting not to dance at all.

I guess I'm slightly luckier. I've had ... 2 lessons! :smile: But yup, that's about how I feel although the encouragement here is doing wonderful things for my optimism.



Hi J, if the event is organized by your dance school, then hopefully you should know some people there? Also, if your teachers are there, perhaps they could introduce you to people you can dance with? Best of luck to you.

Seeing it's a dance school organized dance, you will likely find most will arrive in street shoes and then change to dance shoes as soon as they are in the ballroom.

Wish you luck and hope you have an enjoyable time!

Thank you all for the luck and advice ! I'll be sure to post here after the party as an update. (Pray I don't injure anyone.) ;)

[J.Risa]

Update! :)

Generally the party was alright.

Thanks to the advice I received here, I neither felt too weird nor out of place. And it seemed a foreign concept at first, but I found many turned up with shoe bags.

I had this horrific experience though. I'm still quite traumatised. I'll have to look up relevant threads on what happened.

But yes, thanks again for the wonderful advice! :D

[elisedance]

Glad it went well - but <<hugs>> on the horrific one....