Dancesport is a special kind of ballroom dancing that involves competitions among different couples. Throughout the world, dancesport is regarded as an athletic activity where participants execute their choreography with the highest level of precision. Moreover, along with the techniques, showmanship is an integral part of this sport. As a result, the ballroom dance dress that a dancer wears during the competition has a significant impact on his/her performance.
However, first, it is important to know about the dance styles to pick the appropriate dress.
Smooth and standard style vs Latin/Rhythm style
Smooth and standard styles like waltz vary from Latin styles like Mambo. Although they fall under the umbrella of ballroom dance, these styles have different movements and rhythms. It’s because standard dances borrow more elements from the medieval upper-class Europeans while the Latin styles have a lot of indigenous influences.
Similarly, the costumes for these dance styles also differ from each other. As you can imagine, a standard style of ballroom dance dress will be more elegant and a little conservative. For these dance styles, you must make sure that the length is appropriate. Furthermore, you should be able to see your entire shoe up to your ankle at a minimum.
However, for Latin styles, people prefer extravagant and spirited apparels.
Dresses for Latin style have the following features –
- More frills and embellishments as compared to Smooth styles.
- Will have a shorter height.
- A Latin dress also features highly asymmetric designs. In some of these dresses, the hem of the skirt starts from above the waist and reaches just a little below the knee.
- Latin dresses can be of shinier materials and often feature extravagant rhinestone detailing.
- Dresses worn by Latin dancers are often more revealing than their Smooth counterpart. They may have side splits or may gather into a fringe a little below the waist. These dresses often have open backs that reveal up to the dancers’ lower back.
Thus, being conscious of the differences in the styles when picking a dance dress can pay you back in the long run.
Dance dresses for different occasions
You may opt for a different kind of dress at different dance settings. Here is a guide on wearing the appropriate costume as per the occasion.
- For practice –
For your dance classes, skin-tight leggings and simple sleeveless cotton tops are ideal. Here, comfort should be your top priority as you want to keep your focus on the techniques and practice alone.
- For casual dance clubs –
Latin dance forms are popular as a socialising activity. Dancing in salsa clubs is a great way to meet new people. So, due to its casual setting, an evening dance club requires to dress casually. Simple short skirts paired with sleeveless tops are ideal for this occasion.
- For performance –
A new dancer may wear simple attires, but a seasoned dancer has to make the best out of the event. You can go for maximum flare and sparkle when in a competition or a performance. Additionally, consider varying the design complexity of the ballroom dance dress you wear as you progress through the different stages of the competition.
With the right outfit for the occasion, your performance will shine as you’ll have high self-esteem. Therefore, be careful when picking a Latin dress or a ballroom dress, as a lot depends on it.