Dancers: advice needed, "Latin Line Dance"

So, I have signed up for a Latin Line Dance class. The poster (all the info available) bills it as ballroom-dance steps (chacha, fox trot, tango) in line instead of with a partner (and the Internet tags it as For those who fail at Zumba, which sounds about right for me!)

My question is, what to wear? Footwear is the biggest issue. At first I thought of using my pewter ghillies, which are very comfortable, small heel, lace on securely, look a bit like tap shoes. The photo on the poster though shows a conga line of beaming retirees in sweats or baggy shorts with sneakers... Online advice was to use smooth soled shoes and avoid rubber that would stick to the floor and restrict sliding or twirling... but that could have been about western style line dancing, I can't tell.

Next question is re: clothes. Gym clothes? Twirly skirts? I heat up quickly in an aerobic workout, so if I start out in capris I end up rolling them up into shorts... but I'm not prepared to show up in something skimpy (ie shorts) especially with another 10-15 cm of snow due tomorrow! I have black twirly culottes that are summer weight, might that suffice? (Too flowy to roll up though.)

The class is early evenings after work, in the town I commute to work in. There's room at my office to change, and to store some outfit options. First class is on Monday, and I go from there to an ER shift, so I'm trying to cover the bases in advance. Of course I'll have a better idea after the first class, but I want to go prepared.

Thanks! Any and all opinions welcome, but I know we have some Latin and ballroom dancers on the forum I'd love to hear from.

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9 years ago

Joyce B

Veteran

I bet the ones in sneakers cannot dance. You need shoes with soles that are comfortable and glide on the floor, not grippy shoes that will restrict your movement.
Your ghillie shoes and a skirt with nice drape sound good to me. Unless you just want to be comfy in sweatpants but those do not make me feel like dancing for sure.
I had not heard of latin line dance, that may be a new thing.
Have fun!

Tanya

I would treat it as zumba when it comes to clothes, so definitely wear comfy stretchy clothes. Your culottes sound good for the first class, and then I would spy on what the others are wearing.

Shoes are more complicated, as from their description it sounds like they are asking for shoes very similar to what us ballroom dancers wear. Flats or high heels won't work at all, and neither would mules , slides, or any shoes you can easily step out of . The shoes need to be lightweight and close fitting. If it were me I would choose one of the following but chances are you don't have anything similar:
1. Jazz sneakers -they have split sole and are specially designed for dancing http://www.capezio.com/women/s.....dansneaker
2. Ballroom practice shoes:
http://www.danceshopper.com/ba.....dance-8899
http://www.danceshopper.com/ba.....dance_3122

I have posted the links mainly so that you can figure out what your closet have the most similar shape.

SandyG

Do you have an instructor? I'd wear fitted half or 3/4 yoga pants so that your leg placement and leg work shows as you learn the steps. It's hard to evaluate a beginner in a twirly skirt. Maybe a linen top if you anticipate a sweat-fest like Zumba.

L'Abeille

Thank you Joyce! That's what I was hoping.

Tanya, those practice shoes look great! I've attached a pic of the shoes I'm considering, and from your descriptions I can't think of another pair I own that would suit as well.

Sandy, the only yoga pants I own practically drag on the floor so they're out. Does the instructor need to see the turnout of my hips, ie do they have to fit closely on the thighs? I will have to dig out my spring and summer stuff, I can't even remember what I own that isn't ankle length... (I keep baggy short shorts for home exercise, which are NOT for public consumption.)

The shoes you have attached look pretty good to me. I don't know how aerobic the class will be, but if it is like a regular ballroom dance class simple dress pants with lots of stretch work well too.

Anonymous

Great suggestions. I have nothing to add except that I wish I could join you. It sounds like fun!

JAileen

My husband and I have been taking ballroom dance lessons for a couple years. I wear casual clothes - tees and cropped pants, but good shoes. With tops, I needed to get longer ones because they exposed my mid section when I raised my arms. I'm not sure how line dancing will be, if you'll be raising your arms or not. Also I get very warm.

abc

When I was hard core into Zumba I did have several pairs of the smooth sole sneakers like you mentioned in the original post. They look like regular sneakers but the soles are smooth and sometimes split to allow very easy movement on hardwood dance floors. Good luck.

krishnidoux

Bring dancing trainers, light trainers... smooth soles if possible but mainly: cushioned sole! This is like a workout. Do you have some knee-length leggings with a stretchy short skirt?

Thanks BC I am getting excited too! The class is only for 8 weeks but if I understand the steps and "get" the rhythm I may have better luck with Zumba DVDs.

JAileen, thanks for the reminder about length. I'm pretty longwaisted and I definitely don't want to flash my midsection!

ABC, I've never seen sneakers like that in the real world. Well maybe on a highland dance teacher once, I just remember thinking she had unnaturally tiny feet. I hope there won't be too much impact for my ghillies to be comfortable.

Thanks krishni. I do have a stretchy short skirt but it's straight not flared-- would that be a problem? I don't have short leggings, just slim capris. I could copy DD: she used to cut off opaque tights to wear under short dresses. I only worry the tight stuff could be too hot.

The ghillies have padding in the sole but I wonder if I should add a heel cushion. I've never seen dancing trainers and doubt I'd find any in size 11 in time. If this ends up a long term commitment that's different, but I seem to have exercise ADD...

I would add as much padding as possible, and I would bring a second pair of old, reliable running shoes just in case. Zumba is a lot of jumping and stumping; Line dance might be invigorating, but it looks like it is low impact. So absolutely, the Ghillies.

A straight skirt is good as long as it stretches with you when you move, as it's relatively short (over the knees) and as you feel pretty in it. How about a dress? If you have one in a stretchy knit, and not too close to the body. I think another approach could be a pair of jeans. GF, straight, cropped... with a bit of give in the tummy area, so you move freely. Top: JAileen is right, chose something that will not ride up every time you lift your arms, as you will need to do so quite a bit (although first lessons usually concentrates on footwork).

If this contains Kizomba elements (the big craze right now), then you will need to move your behind freely, so keep in mind that if something is too revealing in this way. go for something looser and less intimidating. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxHOyNBr-tQ

Sveta

(website)

This sounds like fun!
The shoes you attached may work if the soles allow you to turn easily on your foot. Do a test and try to a couple of turns on the smooth floor (wood is the best) on the balls of your feet and on the heels.Real dance shoes are the best but they tend to be expensive and if you are not sure whether dancing will become a serious hobby maybe it does not make sense to buy them in a hurry. I have used my Fidji street shoes for dancing and they worked well enough. One note though: dancing is a very hard activity on the shoes, they get worn out very quickly so be prepared!

As for clothing: ease of movement and staying cool are the key words. I like dance in sleeveless tops which give me the best freedom of movement. Lightweight culottes sound great for the lessons.

I have seen quite a few ballroom line dances - we have them during the parties in our dance club. They can be with and without a partner and if they are partnerless then arm raising is not required I personally prefer regular ballroom dancing but line dances are a great option if you do not have a partner.

And you are lucky that you wear shoes size 11 - there are a lot of options available in dance shoes for this size. With my size 12 I am not so lucky as they simply do not have them and it is a special order which is not returnable. I am trying to get a custom dance shoes made for me in England and have been waiting for them to arrive since January

Good luck with your first class on Monday, I am sure you will enjoy it!

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