options for standard/smoothwear?

F

famfam

Member
I'm just a lowly silver dancer, and my current s/s clothing is:

Black slacks
black shirt
black tie
black striped vest

so, pretty straightforward I think....all black.

I was wondering, for the future, what are different options for smooth and/or standard looks?

I'm not looking into a tailsuit at this point, as I totally don't think I deserve to have one and also could not nearly afford it....but could you also add this and tell me what things go along with it (what kinds of shirts/accessories), thanks. I was also interested in those jackets people wear in smooth, but wasn't sure what they were / where to get them /what they cost
 
Easy
Switch to a color tie that compliments (but does not directly match) your partner's dress
Use a shirt made for dancing

Medium
Switch to a French cuff shirt. Use cuff links that compliment your dress
Use a jacket made for dancing

Advanced
Add a pocket square that compliments (but does not directly match) your tie. Practice different folds

Men's dancewear is available from many different companies. I'm a big fan of Dore.
 
I would definitely switch the tie out for a colored one, if only to avoid monotony. Other things you could do are wear a white shirt (in which case you could keep the black tie), switch to a bow tie, or get a shirt with French cuffs and wear cool looking cuff links.
 
famfam said:
I'm just a lowly silver dancer, and my current s/s clothing is:

Black slacks
black shirt
black tie
black striped vest

so, pretty straightforward I think....all black.

I was wondering, for the future, what are different options for smooth and/or standard looks?

I'm not looking into a tailsuit at this point, as I totally don't think I deserve to have one and also could not nearly afford it....but could you also add this and tell me what things go along with it (what kinds of shirts/accessories), thanks. I was also interested in those jackets people wear in smooth, but wasn't sure what they were / where to get them /what they cost
Click to expand...

Your selection of all black for your costuming is about the best you can do. If someone invents a darker color, you can then wear that. ;)
 
suburbaknght said:
Easy
Switch to a color tie that compliments (but does not directly match) your partner's dress
Use a shirt made for dancing
Click to expand...

For simplicity's sake, white and silver match pretty much everything. If your partner is wearing white, silver, or gold you'll obviously have to go for something else (find yourself a color, make sure it works for both of your skin tones).
 
You didn't mention what types of competitions you dance in... keep in mind that different organizers/governing bodies have different rules about what you can and can't wear.
 
Leon Theou said:
I would definitely switch the tie out for a colored one, if only to avoid monotony. Other things you could do are wear a white shirt (in which case you could keep the black tie), switch to a bow tie, or get a shirt with French cuffs and wear cool looking cuff links.
Click to expand...

I don't like the look of white shirt + vest on a guy. A white shirt looks better with a suit, imv.
 
I like a black vest/white shirt *on certain body types*. (If you are short and stocky, it is probably not the look for you. If you are longer and thinner in the upper body, it adds some shape.)

And while it's self-serving as vintage cufflinks are one thing I sell on etsy, I second the suggestion of French cuffs and interesting cufflinks.
 
tanya_the_dancer said:
I don't like the look of white shirt + vest on a guy. A white shirt looks better with a suit, imv.
Click to expand...

I know that a lot of people like the unbroken line that a black shirt gives, and I could see doing it in Smooth, but I like the more traditional look of a white shirt, especially for Standard. Actually, on the pro scene, I am noticing a lot more white shirts in Latin too.
 
I dance amateur in the collegiate scene, so less restrictions for clothes. Nothing mentioned here should be against the rules.

I do feel that white is more appropriate for standard kind of, and I used to wear white shirt with plain black vest, but I did like the "uninterrupted line" of the black on black that I have seen on others.

Maybe get a french cuff white shirt (with pleats?) and no vest for standard? possibly bow tie?
 
Leon Theou said:
I know that a lot of people like the unbroken line that a black shirt gives, and I could see doing it in Smooth, but I like the more traditional look of a white shirt, especially for Standard. Actually, on the pro scene, I am noticing a lot more white shirts in Latin too.
Click to expand...

White shirt by itself is fine for latin, but white shirt + vest just doesn't look very nice. It makes a guy look like a waiter. White shirt with a jacket is great for either smooth or standard, but not with a vest.
 
For Latin, now, unless they have a LONG upper body, black/black. White shirt/no vest/black trousers makes the upper body look squat. Unless you're tall and slim you can't really pull off a tucked-in white shirt (and those tunics some men insist on wearing for Latin these days are an offense against God and fashion. If you look like you just mugged Nehru for his jacket, get a new shirt.)

Of course, there's the matter of finding the right cut of waistcoat to flatter. Heck, same goes for jackets (tailcoats aside.) Just because a cut of coat may be in does not mean it's the right one for you.

And please, no sweater vests with ties. THAT just looks like the geekiest nerd in school on class picture day.
 
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