Dance Gear Checklist: What to Wear to Your First Dance Class

Dancing around to a good beat is perhaps the most liberating feeling in the world, don’t you think? It doesn’t matter if you’re doing it in the middle of a dance floor or in the comfort of your own home, it can be difficult to resist. Once the beat drops, you just can’t pass up on the opportunity to show off your moods. There’s definitely no better way to uplift your spirits and boost your mood. All the more reason to take up dance classes, right?

While all that certainly comes with enticing levels of freedom and self-expression, there are certain limitations as to how far you can go. Those limitations usually come in the form of a specific dress code all dancers need to follow. But don’t fret since it’s nothing too complicated or demanding. Plus, we’ll be giving you the inside scoop on all the comfortable dance gear you’ll need for your first lesson.

What Dance Clothes Do You Need?

If we’re being honest, there’s nothing stopping you from showing up in a pair of sweats or lounge pants but you’ll be completely missing the point. If you’ve already decided on taking your dance lessons seriously, you’ll need all the dance gear to go with it.

Costumes

We’re kicking off our list with the fanciest piece of dancewear ever to exist. Essentially, it’s a bedazzled and chic outfit you’ll be wearing during formal and official performances. Most dance studios require all dancers to wear the exact same costume in order to create a united front and minimise distractions. This is quite convenient because it means you probably won’t have to look for a costume all by yourself.

Leotards

Essentially, these are form-fitting bodysuits that effortlessly wrap around every curve and crevice you have. They’re pretty lightweight which means your movements won’t be limited or obstructed in any way. This is because most models are made up of either spandex or lycra, both of which are breathable and feather-light materials. For many years, leotards have become every dancer’s best friend due to their practicality and ease of use.

Leggings and Tights

Both of these are acceptable pieces of legwear for dance sessions. The only difference is that leggings are a bit on the thicker side and they don’t cover your feet whereas tights go all the way down to your toes despite being more see-through. Even so, there are different types of tights and leggings for you to choose from so there’s no shortage of options.

In any case, there’s no right or wrong answer here so whichever one you decide to go with should do the job just fine. Just remember to do the washing up after each lesson to keep those pesky germs, bacteria and funky smells at bay.

Undergarments

Not many people would think of shopping for undergarments specifically for dance classes which is definitely not a good sign. The most important feature you need to look out for is a sleek and seamless design to make sure there aren’t any visible lines on your tights. Plus, this will effectively minimise the chances of the cloth bunching up and creating ungodly wrinkles. So next time you enter a dance store, you’ll know exactly what to look for.

What Dance Shoes Do You Need?

Shoes are a vital part of any dancer’s arsenal because they can literally shape your movements and influence your overall performance. Let’s go over a few factors you should take into consideration when shopping for the most appropriate pair.

Size

Generally speaking, your shoes should be a snug fit. Nothing too loose because then your feet will feel wobbly and unstable but nothing too tight either because then you’ll likely be dealing with those annoying blisters. When you’re trying out different pairs, make sure you wear the exact socks you intend on wearing to training so that you get a better idea of what the shoes will feel like. Additionally, you might want to go shopping towards the end of the day because that’s when your feet are a tad bit swollen from all of your daytime errands.

Heel Height

While some people have trouble walking with heels (guilty as charged!), others have absolutely no problem pouncing around in heeled shoes like a pro. Most modern dances require a heel height of about 5-8 cm which is a solid number. However, if you have freedom of choice when it comes to the size of your heel, then you should probably go for something shorter until you get the hang of things. Remember, just because you’ve mastered walking, doesn’t mean dancing will be a breeze as well. And those are some wise words to live by.

What Dance Accessories Do You Need?

Rounding off our list, we’ll be giving a few honourable mentions of handy pieces of dance equipment that you’ll surely put to good use at least once.

Exercise Mat

You know how you’re expected to do warm-up exercises and lots of stretching before you actually start to dance? Well, doing all of that on a cold, hard surface like the floor can be a little uncomfortable. Sure, lots of dance studios have already purchased the exercise mats for you but you should always have a backup plan in case that doesn’t happen. After all, exercise mats are usually pretty light and easy to carry so they won’t cause too much of a fuss.

Duffel Bag

Last but not least, you’ll need a designated bag to store all of your essentials. Most duffel bags offer lots of pockets and separate compartments to keep all of your things organised. This means that it likely won’t take forever for you to find what you need.

---