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The Good Ole Summer Time
- Author:
- Marie Frisbie (Lessons@theplace2dance.com)
- Date Published:
- April 30, 2007
Hi!
My name is Marie (Lepovitz) Frisbie, and I will be part of the Office Staff at The Dance Place once I move back to Houston later this summer. We get lots of emails from people who want to know about dance lessons and it's surprising how many of them - at least 80% - ask the same question: What should I wear to my dance lesson?
Well, I just want to let you know that I'm one of those "Old Fashioned" gals who still believes that there is a time and place for every outfit and that sometimes - as is evident from the frequency of that question posed by 80% of the people embarking on dance lessons - we need a bit of guidance on just what to wear where.
So, Guys and Gals, let's take a look at what you should or should not be wearing to take dance classes.
Guys and Gals - Comfortable clothing that is loose enough to allow free movement without the clothing riding up but also snug enough to keep from falling down. Cotton fabrics are much better than synthetics.
Shoes - Wear shoes that will stay on your feet, that are flexible, and that will turn easily on a wooden floor. Avoid tennis shoes or ones with rubber or crepe-like soles.
Gals - Let's keep those tummies covered. Even though this is kind of tough to do with some of today's fashions, let's just be considerate of everyone who might be in the dance studio. Also, avoid wearing tops with tiny little straps that keep falling down off the shoulders. In some steps, quick hand changes are really important; if your hand is busy moving that strap back up to your shoulder, it will get missed. And, if this occurs during a turn, your elbow might whack your partner in the face and that's just not a good thing to have happen!
Guys - The Dance Place is not the venue for displaying hairy (or even shaved) legs! Please wear long pants and, because we also would really rather not be subjected to a view of your armpits, please wear shirts with sleeves. Now, at the park, on the beach, or somewhere else, displays of bare legs and arms clear up to the pits might be considered "sexy", but we just don't think that this "look" fits in with all age groups at the studio, so would really appreciate your cooperation in this area.
So, in general, keep in mind that dancing is something done socially and usually in an air conditioned environment. You may only be doing one of those hot Latin dances like Salsa or Bachata, or maybe just West Coast Swing or Country Western dancing and only go out to places where they are OK with whatever you wear as long as you drink and support the bar.
On the other hand, The Dance Place teaches a variety of dance styles and we feel that it's important to uphold the beauty and elegance of Ballroom Dancing by wearing clothing that is more in keeping with that genre. Even if it IS a bit "old fashioned", we would really appreciate your cooperation in this little "quirk" in the personalities of the owners and myself.
Thanks, and I look forward to working with all of you soon,
Marie