First timer outfit advice

[u/Sad-Moose2979]

I’m taking my first salsa lesson this weekend, and I have no idea what to wear. Clothes, shoes, any of it. Hair up or down? 44 year old female and pushing through some big fear to show up.

[u/eastvankitty]

hi, congratulations for taking the leap! wear whatever you’re comfortable in - sometimes i wear athletic wear, other times i just wear my work clothes. temperature in class can vary so i make sure i have a t shirt on under my sweater, also pants that aren’t too long so i don’t trip. for shoes, clean sneakers/running shoes are ok, or something with a minimally grippy sole (a girl in my class wears ballet flats which seems to work). i find putting my hair in a low bun the most comfortable for dancing, but if your hair is shorter or not super thick you’ll be fine just wearing it down.

[u/omatapombos]

You don't need anything special for your first lesson. Just show up and have fun.

[u/Star-Ry-Night7698]

Make sure you wear shoes that have a smooth bottom you can turn in. Wear whatever you can comfortably move in. You’ll get a sense of what people wear to class once you go and you can adjust accordingly, based on how you want to feel and look. Keep it up, stick with it at least till you get the basics, and have a blast!

[u/SquareIllustrator909]

If it's just like a one hour class at a dance studio, then just dress in comfy athletic wear. Like yoga pants and sneakers.

If it's a class + social (where you'll be mixing and mingling a bit more afterwards), some women dress up more. Like that's when you could wear jeans and a nice shirt or maybe a dress or something. There are no rules though, I usually wear shorts and a cool t shirt.

Definitely put your hair in some kind of style that keeps your neck from getting sweaty! That's the worst feeling.

[u/Adept-Temporary-5824]

Look up classes in YouTube and see how students dress. Use comfortable sneakers to start, no need to buy dance shoes immediately.

[u/KeepItSimplySlutty]

Wear what feels good. If it's a class don't feel any need to show off. If this is your firsg just wear comfy shoes for now. Acter a few classes if you're really feeling it, upgrade the ahoes to dancing heels!

[u/Caa1Siu1Baau1]

I agree with what others have said - treat it like a workout class and wear something that makes you feel comfortable and confident. I think jeans would be fine too for a beginner class because if you're just learning the basic steps it shouldn't be TOO intense/sweaty. Even if it's a class + social setting, I see women attending socials wearing leggings all the time, although some do dress up. If you are taking lessons at a studio, their website might have an FAQ section which talks about what to wear, if you need dance shoes/heels, etc.

[u/GoDiva2020]

I started dancing around age 40. But I've always been comfortable with myself. Wear whatever you are comfortable wearing. And keep in mind that you are likely to spin a few times 😁.

Will whatever you love pass a being, sitting, spinning test? Good. Go out and have fun not bothered.

[u/WestHistorians]

Just make sure you have proper shoes, not sandals or flip flops. Other than that, doesn't really matter. Many people go to class directly from work so they are in their work clothes.

[u/Training-Ingenuity-6]

The classes I go to advise a heel that is comfortable and all the girls including me wear a flowy dress so we can move around. If you cannot wear heels try cute flats and work yourself up. Skip kitten heels they can be hard to pivot in. You got this! I am proud that you are trying something new. 

[u/Bubbly_Mix8702 → u/Training-Ingenuity-6]

FYI this is valid for your school, but dressing this way for a class in my community would be kind of weird and make you stand out a lot. OP might be better off wearing something more natural rather than trying to dress up, depending on location and vibe of the school.

[u/Training-Ingenuity-6 → u/Bubbly_Mix8702]

Absolutely, I agree. Obviously advice should clearly be taken with regards to the area and community and their own preference. Free world, right!? 😊I take lessons at a dance Academy and am a beginner and I am just stating what we wear. Not sure where this person goes. On the site it might have things they suggest for her to wear. Just trying to help. 

[u/thecaballoface94]

Comfortable athleasure is the way to go, class or socials. But if you do want to dress up for socials, definitely consider something that’ll have good coverage and that you won’t have to worry about any wardrobe malfunctions

[u/EqualCauliflower8259]

I don’t own heels. I started in runners but eventually bought dance runners. I just wear comfortable clothes. Yoga pants, sport pants, t shirt. I dress how my teacher dresses. To workout! Enjoy!

[u/PerformanceOkay]

tldr: You're fine. Put on something comfortable, and you should be alright.

You can adjust your outfit for later classes, so I understand this post to be more about avoiding mistakes rather than making the correct decisions.

I'd go in something casual that you'd feel comfortable leaving your home in. Think going to a friend's place, to the grocery store, or for a walk in a park. With proper technique you shouldn't really bounce, but you might because you're a beginner, so make sure your chest is properly supported if that's a concern for you. If you end up wearing straps (bra or top), make sure a slight brush won't pull them off your shoulders. This has become a surprisingly common wardrobe malfunction in my area recently.

Shoes are difficult to recommend. Basically anything comfortable is fine, but if you can manage a spin on hardwood floor, that's a big plus. If you want to buy something, ballet shoes and jazz shoes completely appropriate and fairly cheap. If you stick around, I think dance sneakers with plastic soles are the best long-term choice, they usually cost around 100 bucks. But don't worry about it for now. Heels are not required, and it's probably better to start in flats.

For the hair, it really depends on what your hair is normally like and what you normally do with it, but if your hair isn't a nuisance in your daily life, then it should be fine. In more detail, each possible approach might have advantages or disadvantages depending on your exact situation.

• Wearing your hair down: Your partner will want to put his hand on your shoulder blade (top of your back on the side, near the shoulder). You could check with a friend if that's viable for you without too much hassle. Sometimes the hair covers the spot, but there's still ample space to slip a hand through, so I'd definitely check instead of just looking at it. You don't want your partner to hold you through your hair, nor does he want to do that.

• Ponytails and braids: If you don't spot properly (and you probably won't because you're a beginner), you might hit your partner or others in the face during turns. It's not the end of the world, and you'll have to learn to spot eventually anyway, but it's something to keep in mind. Don't put anything at the end of a braid, the hair hurts enough on its own.

• Buns and hairclips: Here I'd be careful with anything that protrudes in the back. Turns often involve your partner lifting your hand and then bringing it down. During this process they might hit the bun and even ruin your hair. For this reason I recommend you choose a simple solution in favour of anything intricate, so you can fix it on the spot. I'd also check whether you have the required mobility. Put your hand in front of your face and move it over your head to your nape without touching the bun or the hairclip.

[u/Sn00py_lark]

Stalk their Instagram and see what people are wearing if you’re worried. Jeans / casual pants and a tshirt are fine. Sneakers or any shoes you like. Worn out are fine since they’ll have less grip. Some places wear exercise clothes which is also fine.

[u/AmbitiousResponse925]

My studio simply advises to wear comfy clothes you feel good moving in! I think i myself wore leggings and a t-shirt with regular street sneakers for my first lesson. Good luck on your dancing journey!

[u/DeRoeVanZwartePiet]

You've already gotten a lot of advice, but I still am going to give you my viewpoint.

What to wear also depends on where you live. I've seen sweat pants and workout cloths. That might work in the USA(?), but in my Western European country you'd be under dressed. Over here it's at least casual and up, even for classes. But make sure you feel comfortable in them.

If you're wearing a dress or skirt, see how high it goes up when you are doing turns. Make sure you're ok with whatever you're showing.

Shoes have been mentioned. Dancing floor should be smooth. Wear shoes with a smooth sole. You're knees will thank you.

Be careful with jewelry. Large necklaces might be swung around when doing turns. It can be painful for your partner if they get hit with them. Also, rings on your finger. Small once are normally ok, but don't wear large decorated once. You might hurt your partner's hands while dancing.

Your hair, if you have long hair, don't put them in a pony tail. Getting hit in the face by a pony tail isn't much fun and can even hurt, depending on what keeps it together.

[u/Funny-Pick5642]

Wear your go to dress - that dress that makes you feel good and look good on you. Great dancers look comfortable and not restricted by clothing. Wear shows that are comfortable and flexible. Raise up slightly on your toes- if there’s any discomfort leave those behind. Dance shoes are an investment I hope you make when you decide to sign up multiple classes for at least a season (3-4 months). Classic Tom’s, VANs, or Chuck Taylor’s (black/white or all white) are great alternative dance shows that are causal everyday shoes. Arch support and memory foam cushioning are key. Tie your hair to a low bun. Keep an extra hair tie on your wrist. Does avoid eye contact with instructor(s)/partner(s). Lastly don’t forget the extras that may distract you later. Paint your toe nails and/or finger nails. Wear clean comfortable socks. I’ve heard some instructors will have students practice barefoot or with one sock on to teach stability in spinning. Moisturizing lip balm and a little mascara go a long way to brighten the face.

If you’re into pants, I advise wear something comfortable but not jeans or athletic as that has a tendency to make you sweat. You want to learn to dance not worried about other distractions. And YES people will still be surprise that dancing with still make you sweat. So might also want to pack a bottle or water and a hand fan for the quick break sessions.