What Should I Wear To My Dance Lesson?

If you’re just taking the first steps on your dancing adventure (pun intended), there are so many things that you will have questions about. As it’s a new experience and new environment, what to wear might be one of them.

Here are some tips to feel comfortable and get the most out of your lessons.

Firstly dancing is an expressive, creative and social activity, so there really is no hard and fast rule about what to wear. Everyone has their own style and a social dance studio is the perfect non judgemental space to be yourself, unlike the strict dress codes of a ballet class.

Secondly, being a physical activity, you want to ensure that you are not restricted or distracted by your clothing, so let’s begin with a few general tips and considerations when picking out your dance lesson outfits.

Ladies suggestions

Movement

During your lesson you may work on a range of dance styles which require a range of step sizes and arm movements. Comfortable pants, dress or a flowy skirt will allow you to step freely. Stretch is key! Tight restrictive fabrics can have you cut short on movement and feeling frustrated. Also, make sure the length isn’t too long so you aren’t concerned about stepping on your hem.

Layering

A top that allows you to raise your arms for those fun turns and dressing in layers is also a good idea. You’ll definitely warm up during your lessons but will feel cooler at the start and post lesson.

Sleeves

Consider your partner when picking your top too, many dance studios have a requirement for all students to wear some kind of sleeve (so no singlets or strappy dresses). This is purely because dancing can get a little sweaty and not everyone loves putting their hand on a sweaty back. Its a nice idea to bring a shrug if you are wearing something open in the shoulders or back.

Practice Wear

You might like to treat yourself to some practice dance wear that is made for the genre you are working on as you progress. Wearing a Ballroom skirt will give you a feeling of flow or a cheeky Latin skirt might help you feel the character of your Latin dancing. There are many great places to shop online for practice wear but one of our favourite online shops is Dance Shopper.

Gents suggestions

Stretch

Comfortable trousers that allow you to step freely are key here, it’s best to avoid tight fitting trousers specifically. If you can’t squat down in a pair of pants, it’s best not to dance in them. No one wants to risk a ripped seam mid-Waltz and today’s gents pants are often made in restrictive fabrics without much give. Consider a wider leg or classic fit for ease of movement.

A full break generally looks best with most dance shoes and creates a more seamless line in your leg which is optimal for dancing.

For a more casual look, we love the Lulu Lemon Classic Trousers which are designed for playing golf so have lots of stretch and still look sharp.

Range

A T-shirt or collared shirt is perfectly suitable. Make sure if you wear a dress shirt, it has some stretch to the fabric as well. If you prefer a more casual look, lots of dancers wear t-shirts or more relaxed clothing and that is perfectly okay. Wear what feels right for you and your personal style.

Consider the fabric choice in your shirts and aim to wear something breathable and cool. It is wise to bring an extra shirt too if you are prone to perspiration or coming to a dance party.

Vests

If you prefer a more formal look, or maybe you are dressing up for this as a date night, we recommend going for a vest over a jacket. Jackets tend to rise in the shoulders when you are in frame and leave you looking a little hunched. Vests offer a much cleaner line. Otherwise, you can never go wrong with a crisp white shirt.

Shoes

Like any sport or activity, the correct footwear really does make a difference. Dance shoes are specifically designed with a flexible suede sole which allows you to articulate your feet more easily than a street shoe. They also give you the required balance of “grip and slip” to dance.

It really is a good idea to invest in dance shoes as soon as you can. Your feet and body will thank you! In the meantime, well fitting dress shoes with a leather sole for the guys and a shoe with a comfortable heel (or flats) that won’t slip off is great for the ladies. Trainers can have a bit too much traction but are fine for your first lesson.

Style Options

There are many ways to feel and look great on the dance floor but sometimes it can help to get an idea of the common looks you’ll see around a dance studio to see what might work for you.

The Athleisure Dancer

Lots of our students treat dancing as their workout and they want to feel free to move and work up a sweat! If you feel best dancing in Athletic wear or Leisure wear, you will find a few others spotted around the studio too.

The Corporate Dancer

Many of our students come directly from work and while we do recommend ditching the jacket, this look can feel elevated and classy. Best of all, it doesn’t require planning a whole other outfit and we are on board with that!

The Fashionista Dancer

If dancing is the thing you do for yourself, to feel good and enjoy being out and about in a nice outfit, this is for you. One of the great things about dancing, is that you can’t really be too dressy for it, so you can go nuts with all your dresses and outfits you haven’t found an occasion to wear.

The Character Dancer

Sometimes, wearing a certain kind of outfit can really put you into the character of a particular dance. For instance, this outfit above is perfect for Salsa or Bachata. You might be someone who wants to wear a long flowy dress on the days you have a Ballroom lesson and spice it up with something steamy when you want to get into the Latin mood.

The Classy Casual Dancer

This is probably the most popular aesthetic in our dance studio. Dressed down enough to feel like you’re relaxed and enjoying your downtime but dressed up enough to feel polished and looking sharp. For the ladies, think jeans and a nice top with some fun jewellery, for the guys, chinos are always a good option too.

The Date Night Dancer

Many couples come to dancing as a way to connect and enjoy some time together. If this is you, we recommend dressing up for each other to really make the most of it.

Dance lessons can feel extra special when you put something nice on, come in early and have a little warm up dance to get in the zone and connect. You can even make it a ritual to go out to dinner or a drink afterward.

Other handy items to bring along:

Water bottle:

Hydration is super important as it keeps both your body and brain working at their best. If you forget yours don’t worry as we have filtered water available in the studio.

Towel:

Once you are training harder you might like to bring a towel as dancing can get a little sweaty, especially in the hot and humid summer months.

Notepad and pen:

During your lesson, you’re bound to hear lots of great information and feedback from your teacher. It’s a great idea to jot down some notes at the end of your lesson while the points are still fresh. Studies have shown that reviewing new information in the first 24 hours after learning it maximises retention.

The Key is to Feel Good

There is no uniform when it comes to a creative hobby. Take these ideas as inspiration to find the kind of look that makes you feel great when you dance. And remember that might be someone completely different from the rest of your life - the dance studio is the place you can come and be whatever you want to be. This is especially true if you are confined to a certain kind of outfit for work or wear a lot of leisure wear at home, take this as your opportunity to get inspired and excited about coming to the studio. An outfit can make a big difference in your mood and that will absolutely make your dancing better too!