Dance Fever Studio on the North Shore - Marblehead, MA

What Should I Wear for Dance?

  Cinderella had the help of her Fairy Godmother to get dressed for the ballroom, but the rest of us are on our own when it comes to dressing ourselves for a night (or day) of dancing. "What to wear?" has caused stress to would-be dancers through the ages, but most of us can take comfort in the fact that there's a simple answer: Wear something that feels comfortable. Unless the dance requires formal dress, such as a competition, choose clothing that feels comfortable and provides unrestricted movement. Remember that dancing often requires taking long strides, so pick something suitable for stepping out. For ladies, that can be a knee-length skirt; for men, dress slacks or khaki pants are good choices. Of course, for casual events, jeans are acceptable for both sexes.

  In addition to movement, dancers should consider their own body temperature. With dancing, like any other exercise, things can heat up quickly, so you'll want to leave that sweater or sports jacket draped over a chair. On the other extreme, unless you're entering a Latin dance competition, short skirts and open shirts are best left in the bedroom closet.

  Which brings us to the most fundamental question: What to wear on your feet. There are many different types of dance shoes, some of them specific to various styles of dance. This is one physical activity where sneakers are definitely not recommended (unless they're specially designed jazz dance sneakers). The rubber soles on most sneakers will not only mark up the dance floor but actually stick the surface, increasing the likelihood of twisting an ankle. For occasional dancers, a leather-soled shoe will provide much less friction between your shoe and the dance floor – not to mention between you and the people who need the clean the floor afterwards!

  If your plans include more frequent dancing, consider investing in a pair of ballroom shoes. These suede-bottomed dance shoes are a must for men and women. Suede provides an ideal gliding motion between your foot and the floor, making it easier to perform dance moves. It's also worthwhile to invest a little money in a shoe brush; this will keep the suede rough so it doesn't glide too much on the dance floor.

  So there you have it: the what, why and wear of the well-dressed dancer. And before we forget, there's one more thing that every dancer should wear: a smile.

DANCE WORKSHOP 2010

For a number of years, Dance Fever Studio has been host to the area's only ballroom dance-focused summer day camp.

With opportunities for children 5 years and older, our Summer Dance Workshop features Ballroom and Latin dance, fitness, arts and crafts, and more!

Call
888-267-7903
to learn more.

• International Standard
• Waltz
• Tango
• Foxtrot
• Viennese Waltz
• Quickstep
• International Latin
• Cha-Cha
• Samba
• Rumba
• Paso Doble
• Jive
• Other Dances
• Wedding Dance Services