As many dance events have been postponed, this is a great time to take inventory of your dance equipment! Use this time to take note of your dance supply wants and needs so you can be ready when it’s time to dance in full swing!
Let’s take a quick look at a few necessary basics.
Dance clothes/practice wear:
It is very important to be COMFORTABLE! You do not want to feel restricted in your movements (that’s no fun). For casual social dancing, relaxed fitting pants and tops or skirts and dresses that you feel good in. Your shoes should have a non-stick bottom (no tennis shoes). Ladies, a small heel would be great! You want to enjoy it and feel your best!
For the next level serious dancer who desires to perform in showcases and competitions, there are more options to consider. In addition to being comfortable, you want to LOOK THE PART! When you can see yourself as the dancer you aspire to be, you feel better, your posture improves and overall mental state shifts into greater focus and execution of movement! With this, you would actually want to invest in dancesport practice wear. For ladies, that would be practice dance skirts with fitted tops and/or dresses and dance shoes. Gentlemen, that would be dance pants, shirts and dance shoes. When practice attire is worn, you get a more accurate feel of how the material moves when you move and the potential weight of your performance wear. Additionally, you will be able to see your body frame, lines and shaping as you do specific movements. Beautiful!
Look the part, become the part. It really does make a difference!
Hair and Makeup: (Yes, gentlemen, too!) Hair and makeup are just as important and are a part of your dance attire at an event! If your plan is to leave it to the professionals at the event, it would not hurt to have an idea of what you like. Look at a variety of dancesport competition photos or videos to see what hair/makeup styling catches your eye (or makes you turn away). Notice the makeup colors and hair accessories used! If you decide to take on hair/makeup on your own PRACTICE before the event! Do not wait to experiment an hour before taking the stage! That is very risky! Make sure you have all of the products you want and need. Imagine, getting to the event to discover your favorite and perfect lipstick is almost out and is not enough to last past 5 minutes!!! Also, make sure your makeup has the right pigmentation for the stage! Stage makeup is heavier in texture and pigmentation so it can be seen from far away and under the bright lights! If you do use regular makeup, make sure the application is very heavy and dramatic (lots of eyeliner and mascara)! Oh, don’t forget the FALSE EYE LASHES (and glue…and tweezers for application). For the hair, make sure you have the desired “bling” weather it a single part strip or a grand applique! There are a multitude of styles to choose from and are available for purchase online and, definitely, at competition events! Additionally, any hairsprays, gel, goop, whatever it takes for shine and to keep every single strand of hair in its desired position.
Tanning:
For many, this is also an important part of your performance attire. This service may be offered by professionals at competition events or can be done by anyone of your preference within a couple of days prior to your event.
Shoes: As your feet support your body, your shoes must comfortably and properly support your feet. There are many considerations in your shoes, such as dance style, heel height, and design choice. Most importantly, they need to be the correct size and fit – not too big, too small, too wide, too narrow. Be aware….the shoes will need to be broken in. There will be a time of discomfort while dancing in the shoes as they properly stretch to your feet. Afterwards, the shoes will fit like a perfect glove and will become your best friend (just breathe through it)!
Each of the above mentioned are just a quick overview and have greater depth of the ins and outs and how-to. Continue to explore each online and ask others for what has worked and not worked for them!
Trial and error are the best experiences, but do your research first it hopes of avoiding some of the errors!
Until next time…..Happy Dancing! 😃💃
Claudine Vaughan