Dance Shoes

What to wear to latin / ballroom dance practice?

I am now starting dance class and i got my shoes already, I plan to wear plain easy fitting shirts and probably yoga pants but i was talking to the instructor and he said he prefers ladies to wear skirts, so i wanna wear one to be more ‘dance like’?? anyhoo, i dont want to go and wear a flowing skirt and look weird or a close short on and look equally weird… i dunno if to wear a long or short one, with or without a flare and i also dunno if to wear dancer’s panty hose underneath the skirt… so what should i do??
what do you wear to practice?

If you are taking a Latin or rhythm dance (say, salsa, rumba, swing, jive, bolero, tango, anything up that alley) I would go with something short-ish with either flare or a fairly high slit up the side or back. You should be able to take very long strides in this. You are looking for practice wear, so it doesn’t need to be anything more than that–you can move in it.

If you are taking a smooth dance(waltz, foxtrot, etc) I would go with longer and fuller (say a gypsy skirt), and again, try moving in it before you leave the house. The point is that when you compete (or go out socially) you will be able to navigate your clothes, as will your partner. If you are planning for a special event, wear something similar to what you’ll wear then.

Either way, I would avoid cleavage (beginners spend a lot of time looking at their feet, so even the most well-meaning of gentlemen can give off a skeevy vibe, especially if you already feel like you’re on display.) Fitted shirts, without a lot of excess material, so he can get his arms around you. Dancers’ pantyhose are probably overkill, but I would really encourage full-coverage underwear, because you’re not guaranteed your feet will stay on the ground. (Dance trunks, like cheerleaders use are a good bet.)

And then, as a sort of general courtesy:

1.) Hair should be tied back, so it doesn’t whip around and hit your partner’s face.
2.) Watches and other jewelry should stay home, or come off before you start. (rings can cut his hands and watches can snag on more things than you can imagine)
3.) Deodorant, yes, Perfume, no. Probably pretty obvious, but some people have allergies, and even if they don’t, most guys don’t want to go to their next activity smelling like Chanel #5. It will rub off.
4.) Those shoes. Show up early to change into them. You should ask your dance instructor if he allows street shoes on his floor(he might not) and then really, truly, don’t wear them on the street.

DanceAmo Rimini Ladies Latin Dance Shoe at Dancemania