| When choosing a costume for your salsa dancing | | | | up as well as hanging down. American style gowns |
| routine, it's very important that it have elegance, | | | | usually have either a thin feather boa or none at all. |
| essence, and function. Two main styles to keep in | | | | Keep in mind that most American style costumes can |
| mind are International and American. | | | | be used as International ones; however, International |
| In the International style of salsa dancing, the | | | | ones cannot be used for American style salsa |
| woman's costume may only be attractive from the | | | | dancing. |
| backside- the woman is held very close to the man | | | | Selecting a costume for the male partner is a lot |
| therefore the front of the dress is seen less than | | | | easier. Most often, the men can choose from either a |
| the back. This also means that the sleeves of the | | | | Black Tie or White Tie tuxedo. Simply, the black tie |
| dress do not have to stay in place when the arms | | | | tuxedo has a black bow tie and cummerbund and a |
| are in a downward position. Many dresses for the | | | | pleated shirt with flat collars. The white tie tuxedo is |
| International style dancing have heavy feather boas | | | | a tailsuit with a white bow tie, white waistcoat, and a |
| on them. This adds to the elegance of the dress | | | | stiff shirt fashioning a wing collar. |
| when in a natural movement. | | | | Both the woman and men's costume should |
| Dissimilarity, American style costumes must be very | | | | compliment each other for the full effect of salsa |
| functional. It has to stay in place at all times, as well | | | | dancing. A rule of thumb to go by is that typically |
| as look attractive from all angles during any of the | | | | longer floor length gowns are acceptable for both |
| variety positions that salsa dancing offers. In addition, | | | | black and white tie costumes. For some occasions, it |
| quite often, the woman holds the dress up in many | | | | is fine to have a shorter dress partnered with a black |
| moves, so the dress must look gorgeous being held | | | | tie tuxedo, but not for a white tie. |