| Heading off to ballroom dance class for the first | | | | the cross often of lycra or chiffon. The top may be |
| time? Its fun and exciting to start a new hobby such | | | | fairly close fitting - but must allow you to raise you |
| as ballroom dancing - but there is always a slight | | | | arms easily - so generally is made of stretch fabric. |
| nervousness too - you don't want to look out of | | | | You don't have to wear "proper" practice wear as |
| place - so what are the dos and don'ts of dressing | | | | often you will have some clothing which will fit this |
| for a ballroom dance class? | | | | description in your wardrobe already. A leotard with a |
| The Right Shoes for a Ballroom Dance Class | | | | skirt will work as well. Avoid strapless tops - you'll be |
| Shoes are the most important thing to get right. In | | | | surprised what they do once you start holding your |
| ballroom ladies general dance backward - you need to | | | | arms up properly. |
| wear a shoe that allows you to do that - avoid | | | | The teacher needs to see how you are dancing |
| slip-ons and sling backs in general. A proper ballroom | | | | which is why most serious students will wear black or |
| dance shoe is a court shoe with usually a 2" or 3" | | | | darker colours and have clothing which fits fairly |
| heel - but wearing any low healed shoe that will stay | | | | closely - too many ruffles and frills just get in the |
| on your foot is a good start. Do not wear sports | | | | way. |
| shoes - they make it too hard to turn and you may | | | | The dress has to be wide enough for the man to |
| hurt your ankle or knee. A leather shoe is the ideal - | | | | easily swing his leg between yours, this doesn't have |
| but many "dress shoe" artificial soles will work just | | | | to be a full circle - pleated skirts or skirts with |
| fine. Bare feet are unacceptable (and extremely | | | | gorgets from the knee work as well. |
| difficult to dance in). | | | | If you are doing American style smooth or Australian |
| The Right Clothes for Ballroom Dance Class | | | | New Vogue or English Old Time you may want a |
| Most serious ballroom dance students will wear a | | | | full-circle skirt so that you can hold your skirt out |
| practice skirt - general a below the knee skirt cut on | | | | with your free hand. |