Dancewear Essentials: What to Wear to Your Dance Class for Ballroom Beginners
Stepping into the world of ballroom dance as a beginner is an exciting journey filled with elegance, rhythm, and grace. Whether you're taking your first ballroom dance class in a studio or participating in online dance lessons like those offered by Dance Flavor, what you wear can significantly impact your experience. In this blog post, we'll guide you through the essential dancewear for ballroom beginners, including proper dance shoes, clothing that allows for movement and visibility, and the importance of personal hygiene.
Proper Dance Shoes: Your Foundation
Ballroom Dance Shoes: The right footwear is crucial for ballroom dance. Invest in a pair of ballroom dance shoes, which are specially designed with suede soles to provide the perfect balance of grip and smoothness on the dance floor. Beginners often start with a basic closed-toe style for stability. If you don’t want to buy dance shoes just yet, wear shoes that will securely stay on your foot, and allow you to perform walking steps forward and back and turn without sticking to the floor (no sneakers) or falling off your foot (no slides, flip flops or pumps).
Sizing: Ensure your dance shoes fit snugly but comfortably. They should provide support for your feet and prevent blisters. Remember that dance shoe sizing may differ from regular shoe sizing, so consult the manufacturer's sizing chart.
Heel Height: Choose an appropriate heel height based on your comfort and dance style. Lower heels are recommended for beginners as they provide better stability, but factors such as your preferred dance style and how comfortable you are wearing heels also have to be considered.
Clothing that Allows Movement and Visibility
Comfortable Attire: Opt for comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. Lightweight, breathable fabrics like lycra or spandex are ideal. Main pitfall to avoid? Clothing that is comfortable to sit in, whether on the couch or at the office, will not necessarily be comfortable to dance in. If you are planning to take a dance class after work, bring a quick change of clothes. This way you won’t spend the class tugging on your shirt to stay put instead of enjoying the experience.
Avoid Baggy Clothing: Baggy clothing can hinder your instructor's ability to see your body's movements and correct your posture. You don’t need to go overboard and break out your old pink leotard from creative movement for toddlers class, but anything that makes you look like a walking tent can make it difficult for your teacher to help you with your steps. Wear attire that highlights your movements and allows your teacher to provide valuable feedback.
Layering: Depending on your location and studio conditions, consider layering your dancewear. Many dance studios tend to crank up the AC to keep their dancers comfortable, but you may want to bring a sweater to wear until your body warms up. Remember, cold muscles are more injury-prone, and even beginner dancers should take good care of their bodies.
Personal Hygiene Matters
Cleanliness: Ensure you are clean and fresh before attending your dance class. Dancing is a close-contact activity, and maintaining good personal hygiene is essential out of respect for your fellow dancers.
Deodorant and Perfume: Always apply deodorant to stay fresh during the class. On the flip side, avoid overpowering perfumes that may bother others. What smells great to one person can often smell unpleasant to another, so practice moderation.
Hair and Nail Care: Hair and nail rules are a lot more relaxed in the Ballroom world than in some other dance forms. You don’t need to wear a ballerina bun, or limit your nail color choices. However, if your hair is long, you may be more comfortable tying it back so it doesn’t get in your way, and your partner doesn’t accidentally pull it. Overly long nails can make it challenging to maintain a proper hand hold, but this can be overcome with some practice.
Online Dance Lessons with Dance Flavor
If you're taking ballroom dance lessons through platforms like Dance Flavor, the same clothing and footwear guidelines apply. Additionally, online dance lessons offer the advantage of learning from the comfort of your home, allowing you to wear attire that makes you feel most comfortable and confident. However, it's still essential to invest in proper dance shoes to ensure you're practicing with the right form and technique.
Dressing appropriately for your ballroom dance class is not only about aesthetics but also functionality. Proper dance shoes, comfortable attire that allows movement and visibility, and good personal hygiene are essential for an enjoyable and productive dance experience. Whether you're attending a physical studio class or participating in online dance lessons, following these guidelines will set you up for success on your ballroom dance journey. So, put on your dance shoes, dress comfortably, and get ready to twirl and glide with grace and confidence.
