It seems ironic. Just when I feel in my stride and like I've figured out my style, I wear a slightly toned down version of my new fun look to my tango practice and after three years of being in this environment, it suddenly hits me how this is not the best clothing option for that activity.

Yes, technically I can move well enough in it (I'm talking loose boyfriend jeans and a slouchy Eileen Fisher t-shirt), but image-wise I just came to realize it is not helping me in this kind of clique-y or at least insular group of dancers, most of whom I don't know. I have my small group of friends whom I can rely on to dance with no matter what I look like, but I feel it's possible I'm not projecting the right image to make inroads and get to know more people. There are many more women than men, usually, and a lot of younger women, and in general the clothes, even if casual, are more "feminine" and can even be fairly dressy. (At a social dance, which is called a milonga, it would absolutely be dressy--the practices don't have to be, but many women like to wear a floaty dress or skirt to showcase their legs, and for the visual effect of the skirt swishing around.)

I have my tiny milonga capsule of nice, wearable, semi-dressy dresses which I can always add on to if necessary, but I'm probably good with that. But now I have to go and buy a couple of the appropriate type of skirts (obviously not pencils--they need to allow movement), which I just don't feel are "me" that much...and some tops to go with them. Just a couple. But it makes me feel like I will be stocking up on uniforms. I guess that in a way I will be.

My tango teacher, who's also a very close friend, is advising me to go to TJMaxx. I'm going to start there.

Anyway, done with my rambling observations!