Swing Apparel

B

Brooklyn33392

New Member
Hey everyone,
So I've been Swing dancing for over a year now, and Lindy Hop is by far my favorite style. I'm trying to find some information on suit coat/sport jackets. I like wearing my formal suit coat and dancing in it, but the one I have seems too formal, stiff, and constricting, especially for fast Lindy. Any ideas on a type of jacket (preferably pretty cheap) that allows you more freedom to move on the dance floor? This would really help me for when I attend dances which require formal attire, like my college Homecoming this fall. Thanks!

~John-Mark
 
If you want to save money, maybe check out a thrift shop for a vintage jacket? It'll be cheap and give you that retro look for swing. If you want something non-constricting, look for a "sack" style jacket, which is a less fitted style than the kind that are cut tighter. Brooks Brothers is known for sack suits, so you could look for that label in the thrift shop.

Also, for easier movement, probably a lighter weight fabric would be best. I know that you said it's a fall event, but maybe a cotton or linen jacket would work, if it's in a darker color.

I'm offering the above based on a little knowledge of fashion and tailoring, but hopefully some guys on this forum will be able to speak from some experience.
 
Have you looked at dancestore dot com? I haven't in a long time. Decided swing wasn't my thing. But they (used to) have lots of cute swing dance clothes and shoes for guys and girls. They had Aris Allen shoes, for example -- that I haven't seen most other places.

I've bought dance skirts from them and found the quality good and the prices fair. They're focused on swing. No idea if they have men's jackets, though. Might be wqorth a look.
 
Okay. I checked it out. No jackets for guys. *sigh*

It's still probably worth a look at their other stuff, if you, like me, are into coveting dance shoes. :wink:

I did find this interesting link re: what to wear for lindy hop. It doesn't give many retail links (other than dancestore) but it does give some suggestions. Sounds like jenny is onto something with the ideas about retro.

http://www.lindyhopper. com/ whattowear.html (Take out the spaces.)
 
I've been to a couple formal ballroom/swing events and what I see the guys usually do is come in a suit w/ vest and then the take off their jackets and just dance in their vests. It still looks nice and put together but offers you a lot more movement.
 
Thanks everyone! This definitely helps a lot!

Pygmalion, I have used that website before. In fact, it's where I got my Aris Allen shoes lol, and they are really nice!
 
Aris Allen shoes rock. I have a pair of spectator flats. Very cool. :-D Good luck with finding what you want. :-D
 
pygmalion said:
Have you looked at dancestore dot com? I haven't in a long time. Decided swing wasn't my thing. But they (used to) have lots of cute swing dance clothes and shoes for guys and girls. They had Aris Allen shoes, for example -- that I haven't seen most other places.

I've bought dance skirts from them and found the quality good and the prices fair. They're focused on swing. No idea if they have men's jackets, though. Might be wqorth a look.
Click to expand...
*SQUEEEEE!!!!* Oh my god. I want the black and white wingtip mary janes!

...but not as dance shoes. I want them for street shoes. Alas... :-(
 
Peaches said:
*SQUEEEEE!!!!* Oh my god. I want the black and white wingtip mary janes!

...but not as dance shoes. I want them for street shoes. Alas... :-(
Click to expand...


The flat ones? I have them. I have to say I love them. Not sure the soles would hold up to street wear, though. *shrug*
 
Take a look at the Bleyer range - very similar styles, but with quite robust soles.

My wife has a pair of the B&W Suzie Q style, and they stand up to street wear very well.
 
Thanks for your post, UKDancer. It led me to quite a happy dance shoe google. The SuzyQs are quite cute, I must admit. I found them for sale on the bleyer.co.uk site. And while googleing to find them in the US, I found a truly awesome site that sells retro swing clothes. Does anybody have experience with this business/site?


swingdanceshop.com
 
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