When Gary and I first started dancing we were in ballroom mode; even our swings had a formal feel. This made perfect sense, as we were studying with a ballroom instructor (and still are.) What I wore then was what everyone else there wore; pretty flow-y dresses and denim skirts for more casual events.
I still do wear these sorts of clothing, but along the way something happened. That “something” was a more street style of expression, which includes falls, leg lifts, hip-hops moves, and jumps.
What I’ve learned is what comes up must come down isn’t necessarily true when it relates to clothing. I’ve never had a full on (so to speak) embarrassing flash, but I’ve come close. And so I’ve changed what I wear to dance in.
Since Gary and I now most often dance club-style in associated venues, I wear either stretch jeans or capris, with a long, close fitting top. Long keeps the midriff covered when my arms are over my head, close fitting keeps fabric from either whacking Gary or distracting me. If I do wear a skirt or dress, I wear hose or leggings. Those two items get hot in the summer, so mostly I wear capris during warm weather.
Check out jazz or hip hop dancers sometime. They hold the key to dressing for club style dancing; comfortable, stretchy, close to the body garments that move with them. I do love long ball gowns, but Gary and I just don’t dance like that very often. It took me awhile to see that like my dance sneakers, the rest of my attire needed to match our style.
Boogie on.
