Dancing is a favourite hobby for many people. Those who take up dance as a new skill or hobby see it as a fantastic way to get exercise and express themselves creatively at the same time.
Of the many fun aspects of dancing, sporting the perfect casual dance outfit is one of them. If you’re like many individuals who are passionate about dancing, you’ll understand the importance of wearing the right outfit. The right dance clothes help you move better and make it easy for you to follow every part of the choreography. They may also help you feel more at ease with yourself, and therefore much more confident to bust a groove.
What clothing essentials do you need before you hit the dance studio or practice a routine in a friend’s house? To perform better and to really let loose while dancing, bring these seven clothing essentials to your next dance practice:
Leggings
Leggings are among the best choices of bottoms for dancing because they’re very comfortable to wear. The fabric on a good pair of leggings is breathable and stretchy, and as such, it won’t restrict your movement.
Leggings for women are very popular among female dancers across different dance styles. In styles like ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance, leggings can also help a dancer hit the right moves. The form-fitting nature of a pair of leggings will allow you to observe your posture better and check if you’ve gotten into the right positions when you dance in front of the studio mirror.
In dances that require you to focus on your poses and foot positions, like tap dance, leggings are also ideal. Their stretchiness guarantees a sleek cover for the legs while keeping the feet exposed and free from obstruction.
Sports Bras or Fitness Tops
Sports bras or tanks with built-in bras are fantastic tops to wear when dancing. They offer better support than traditional bras and let you move freely with your upper body. Many of these garments are also made from breathable and stretchable fabrics, so they’ll be comfortable to wear even if you’re dancing for hours.
Form-fitting fitness tops, on the other hand, will come in handy for styles like belly dance. They’ll allow you to see the best isolations from each body part, especially in the midsection.
Shirts
Many types of dance have little to no requirements when it comes to the tops you wear. For example, contemporary dance and traditional dance styles that require a partner—like salsa, tango, and ballroom—only require you to wear something comfortable.
That said, any shirt that lets you move freely, like a cotton T-shirt, will do fine. You can also wear something dressier, like a blouse, if you want to look good while practising your moves, but it’s not necessary unless you want to have a dress rehearsal for an upcoming performance.
Skirts
In some dances like flamenco and tango, wearing a skirt is better than trousers because a skirt allows you more freedom of movement for your lower body. The flamenco, for example, involves intricate movements with skirts. As such, if you want to be faithful to the choreography, wearing a skirt while practising flamenco is the best choice.
Cropped Tops
Cropped tops are garments worn for the upper body, but are cut short to reveal the stomach. They come in different styles, like cropped shirts and hoodies. They’re usually made of breathable and soft materials, like cotton. Such features make the top great to wear while practising your dance moves.
Aside from being comfy, cropped tops exude an effortlessly cool image for a dancer. These types of tops have become very popular as dance practice attire among female K-pop idols and hip-hop dancers. If you want to look and dance like your favourite artists, don’t hesitate to dance in this kind of top.
Sweatpants
For hip-hop beats, sweatpants are always a reliable choice because they’re loose-fitting and comfortable to wear. They also let you maximize mobility to ensure you perform well. Since sweatpants feature elastic cuffs, the ends are guaranteed to stay on your ankle. They won’t cause you to trip or get in the way of your footwork.
As hip-hop is associated with urban culture, sweatpants will help you achieve a streetwear vibe that goes well with this particular dance style. To complete a cool streetwear outfit for dance, wear a plain or graphic tee. You can also wear a matching sweatshirt for a coordinated look.
Cap or Bucket Hat
If you’re having a bad hair day, cover it up with a cap or bucket hat. Headwear is also a great way to complete your outfit, especially if you’ll be dancing to pop or hip-hop music. Aside from helping you look street chic, the hat can do a good job of keeping your hair in place and away from your face. This keeps you from being distracted and allows you to follow the choreography to a tee.
Wearing the right clothes can help you look good as well as feel good in the dance studio or performance stage. Which ones will you take with you to ace your next dance routine?
