Subtle Ballroom Identification

[Chris Stratton]

I'm curious if anyone has idea for subtle ways - I'm thinking clothing accessories primarily - to mention that one is into dancing. It's not like tie-tacks are exactly in anymore, but that would be about the right level. A tie itself might work, but I think it would be hard to find one that doesn't look overdone - it's okay to be obsessive about ballroom, but probably best not to project that image to the exclusion of everything else.

So any ideas for something tastefull, just obvious enough to start the occasional conversation, but also easily ignorable when other subjects are more important?

[tasche]

Hmmm intresting thought. I've found it very hard to find tasteful ballet related things that aren't pink and cutesy or overly "dancy"

I did manage to find a very low key dance bag but thats about it.

For females its easy to dress in dance styled street clothes that hint at the hobby.

I know you make your own shirt you could possible find a way to add subtle details like cuffs and collars but still have a street wearable garment

Accessories are hard as most of the stuff out there is soo cutesy.

[Adwiz]

I'm curious if anyone has idea for subtle ways - I'm thinking clothing accessories primarily - to mention that one is into dancing.

Diamant has a lovely and very tiny pin of a ballroom dance couple that is suitable for men as well as women, the kind of thing you can wear on the lapel of a suit without raising eyebrows. You'll have to look for it at your favorite online dancewear retailer.

One of the things that I find helpful is the use of our competitor jacket. My wife, daughter and I have them and most ballroom dance associations and many larger studios make them available. They are lightweight nylon fabric jackets just like team jackets and they usually have the name of the studio or some dance-related term on them, along with your name on the sleeve. Not subtle, but very acceptable for casual wearing.

[Chris Stratton]

One of the things that I find helpful is the use of our competitor jacket. My wife, daughter and I have them and most ballroom dance associations and many larger studios make them available. They are lightweight nylon fabric jackets just like team jackets and they usually have the name of the studio or some dance-related term on them, along with your name on the sleeve. Not subtle, but very acceptable for casual wearing.

Yes, when I wear mine around town, every two weeks or so I have to explain to someone that no, "MIT Ballroom Dance Team" is not only not a joke, it's a leader in the field.

[dancin_feet]

I have a polo shirt that is basically plain black with red and white bands around the sleeves and a small studio logo on the front left hand side. Subtle but effective.

I have to actually be very careful because my work company polo shirts are the exact same colour. I have been known to wear my dancing one by mistake from time to time! :oops: Fortunately my boss just has a laugh about it.

[Genesius Redux]

Tattoo on your chest or arm--"I dance ballroom. Wanna fight about it?"

For ladies--white nail polish with little black silhouettes of a dancing couple on each digit.

Bright pink pants that say "Bolero Baby!" on the butt.

Gold teeth with the studio logo on them.

On the fingers of one hand--"D...A...N...C...E" and on the other "S...P...O...R...T." Burned on with a cigarette.

A series of custom ties with all your best competition pictures on them.

[dancin_feet]

On the fingers of one hand--"D...A...N...C...E" and on the other "S...P...O...R...T." Burned on with a cigarette.

Ooooowwwwww!!!!!

[pygmalion]

I think this thread is making a good point. Any of you dance or dance wannabe entrepreneurs take note. There is a market out there for tastefully done dance merchandise for men or women.

This reminds me of my high school marching band days. For about six months, it was all the rage to go around wearing,"I'm a fermata; hold me," or ,"I'm an accent; attack me!" buttons. I wonder if they still make them? :roll: :lol: Okay. So it wasn't subtle. :oops: :lol: We were fifteen. What do you expect? :lol:

[Chris Stratton]

Hmm... if I were feeling really energetic I'd head down to the basement and figure out where my box of silversmithing stuff got too... I think there's still some scrap about the size for a lapel pin - problem is while I could probably accomplish something in profile with piercing & filing, trying to get any textured relief into it would be beyond me. So I may just have to browse commercial offerings in chromed plastic or pot metal along with everyone else...

[Sakura]

Tattoo on your chest or arm--"I dance ballroom. Wanna fight about it?"

For ladies--white nail polish with little black silhouettes of a dancing couple on each digit.

Bright pink pants that say "Bolero Baby!" on the butt.

Gold teeth with the studio logo on them.

On the fingers of one hand--"D...A...N...C...E" and on the other "S...P...O...R...T." Burned on with a cigarette.

A series of custom ties with all your best competition pictures on them.

You. Are. My. Hero!!!! *hugs* :lol: :lol: I couldn't stop laughing! (Of course, maybe it's the fact that I could *see* you getting the tattoo, *and* wearing those Bright Pink Pants! *giggles* But I think you could pull it off. =^__^= But... Do the pants *have* to pink!?!? There are those of us whom the color pink and its related offshoots and pastels happen to hate... :oops: Like yours truly... :evil: :x
Of course, in a different color; I'd have one for every dance I do!! :twisted: If guys (sterotypially!) are going to watch women using their hips and other related attributes, then at least we're giving them something else to feast their eyes on! :wink: :twisted: )

Of course, if we want to 21st century-ize the "On the fingers of one hand--"D...A...N...C...E" and on the other "S...P...O...R...T." Burned on with a cigarette." bit, then you could transform it into "bling-bling" and make them into "brass knuckles!" (Think "LOVE" and "HATE" bit...) :D Perfect thing to put on if someone wants to take you up on your "...Wanna fight about it?" tattoo!

Also, those gold teeth: perfect for Pirates of the Carribean fans! You get to impersonate *Captain* Jack Sparrow *and* show that you're a dance afficianado!

Once again, Genesius, during a long, tiring week; where we're getting ready for Finals here, you come to my rescue providing a good laugh! It's no wonder why everyone here on DF has gotta love you! =^_~=

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[Sakura]

PS-- Of course, Genesius... Those ways aren't really *all* that subtle, are they?! :wink: But I think we love 'em anyway!

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[pygmalion]

I was thinking dance-related artwork on a belt buckle or shoe ornament (a la penny loafers) would be nice. I wonder how much it would cost to commission something from an artist? I have an jewelery designer artist friend who lives half a mile away. Maybe I should ask him. He only does one-of-a-kind stuff, but it's beautiful. There's certainly a market for it.

Or you could always go with the Tommy Hilfiger concept. Get a small and inconspicuous dance logo and imprint it on everything. Eventually, it would become an identifier to people in the know without being obvious to outsiders. Hmm. Still thinking.

[tasche]

There a few places that will custom make silver or pewter charms to your specs

Chris have you tried using pmc its a fimo like caly but its actually silver and once you burn off the binder ( a gas stove will work) you have a piece of fine silver. That stuffs amazing I wish I had more time to play with it

[Chris Stratton]

I agree PMC might be the way to go and actually had it in the back of my mind when I was writing my post. But I don't have any sitting around - I was never really into silversmithing itself, rather I made musical instruments out of brass so had a lot of silversmithing tools for that, and a few scraps of silver from a class I took once.

[tasche]

I'll check the back of my fridge I think I have some that hasn't dried out that I can send you to play with. The equipment neededis practically nill unless you dont have a gas stove ( like me )

[Kitty]

My boyfriend has a black tie with colorful dancing couples on it. Very pretty, very tasteful, acceptable for any occasion.

[Spitfire]

How about a t shirt or golf type shirt from a dance club, studio or event. Not necessarily with a name or writing on it, but with figures in dance position?

[looyenyeo]

How about a charm bracelet for the wrist or ankle, with a choice of symbols/items e.g.:

Fox's head for foxtrot
Bandoneon for tango
the number 3 for waltz (beats per bar)
two crossed sticks (clave) for salsa

Any ideas for more symbols?

And matching cufflinks or pendants too.

Loo