JournalInTime
Forum Master
Exactly.
Part of my job as barman at a milonga for years included helping people deal with injuries to themselves and their outfits. Also as part of that job, I had a prime view of all the snags on the dancefloor. And after 10 years as a leader, I've been the emergency support for followers with caught heels.
Based on that, I'd have to say that while skirts and dresses can catch heels, women's tango trousers of all kinds – even those that gather at the ankle ostensibly to prevent it – catch heels two or three times as often. The worst offenders are so-called "harem pants" and trousers with cutouts . . . those are almost guaranteed to catch the heel of the most expert dancer at some point. I saw the follower half of a high-profile performing couple do exactly that during a show.
For my feet, I wear soft, purpose-made tango shoes. I don't like the hard-toed types that could hurt my partner if I make a mistake. I really don't like the hard-soled types that keep me from feeling the floor. Shiny, patent-leather ones tend to be the worst for both problems, and also scuff easily, so I wear matte, very flexible shoes (split-sole shoes in all but name).
On my lower body, I've settled on purpose-made tango trousers with lots of fabric but a basically straight leg that doesn't flare out and catch things. These leave me room to perform all lower-body movements unrestricted and without catching a partner's heel. They also give me nicer leg lines, hiding many sins.
Up top, I go with a fitted shirt. That doesn't impede movement if it's left untucked. Tucked into a belt, it's very restrictive. So, I leave it untucked. If it's a tight shirt, I also unbutton it one extra button from the top.
On my head, I wear hair.
Being colorblind, I care that it's black, grey, or white, unless I can get my partner to color-check it for me. I'm also a clean freak, so my trousers go to the cleaner's regularly, and my shirts get washed after a single wear (and I often go through two or three per milonga). That's the extent of my concerns about how my outfit looks, beyond it being comfortable and unrestrictive.
I've tried dancing in a tucked-in shirt, tie, jacket, and sometimes vest, with standard formal trousers rather than tango trousers. Even well-made, that feels restrictive next to the above. So, when an organizer gets it into their head that we all have to dress like penguins, I just opt out of the event. I'm into tango for the pleasure of shared movement, creativity on the floor, and music, not for the charade of being "classy" or whatever.
