12.21.08
At the Ohio Star Ball (part 2): Top Dancers Discuss Social Dance Wear
Top competitive dancers spend plenty of time practicing, but with all that talent, we know that, whether in the studio or at the club, they must get out to social dance from time to time! As the saying goes, “if you’ve got it, flaunt it.” But, when flaunting it, what’s important to these experienced performers in social dancewear? I asked them at this year’s Ohio Star Ball.
Jonathan Roberts of Dancing w/ the Stars, with partner Valentina Kostenko, competing at Ohio Star Ball 2008. The two are this year's World Professional American Smooth Champions.
OSB Professional American Rhythm Finalist Karen Hauer cited comfort, as she did when asked about practice wear, but it’s more than that: “While I’m social dancing, again feeling comfortable, but at the same time feeling sleek and feeling sexy,” she snapped her fingers, “I can get the attention right away.” And she stressed the desire for a smooth, fitted look once again: “A woman’s silhouette is important to me. I think that a woman’s body is so sensual, and if she knows how to show it off, why not?”
For social dancewear that shows off your silhouette and gets you the attention right away, try a style or two from our great selection of salsa dresses, with 6% - 8% stretch, and an attractive, feminine fit.
Emily Takhatarov, World Teen Pro-Am Latin Champion, describes her ideal social dancewear with the words, “comfortable, beautiful, sexy.” Michelle Andronov, World Pro-Am Youth Latin Champion, described it as: “comfortable, tight so you can see more action in your body, and… more feminine.”
The 2008 World Pro-Am International Ten Dance Champion Tina Bletnitsky, said “When I’m social dancing, I would prefer things that are shorter, flowy, something sexy, that kinda has a salsa look to it.” She mentioned an interest in “flowy tops,” as in those that skim the body and move with it, and added: “I like short sleeves. I don’t like to feel confined in my shirts.”
I also spoke to Juliya Zavadska and her partner Sharone Levit, International Latin Pro Rising Star Finalists (and world competitors). On women, Sharone prefers to see “nothing crazy, not too tight, leave a little for the imagination.” But, he took a moment to clarify: “What kinda women are we talking about here?”
“Beautiful women like your partner here,” I suggested.
“On her? Tight.” He later joked, “She’s comfortable in five-inch heels.”
He said that her ideal dancewear is “sexy, nice silhouette, nice lines, unique… comfortable…” “Unique,” he stressed again, “it’s very important to both of us [to be] unique.”
Professional Latin Finalists take the floor at OSB 2008.
Shoes are also part of the equation. They have to combine form and function, in a color that works well with your ensemble, and with the right heel height. Rising Star Latin Finalist Yuliya Zubovay said that she had recently discovered the more important qualities to her in dance shoes.
Rather than going with the crowd, wearing shoes that are too tight or too high, she looks for the right shoes for her feet based on size and feel. “They have to be very comfortable and they shouldn’t be too tight,” she said. “[And] something else I’ve discovered, it doesn’t matter how high is the heel. I have small feet, and for a while I was wearing three and a half inch heels. Now I wear a two and a half inch heel.”
When looking for shoes that are comfortable, don’t require much breaking in, and come in the right heel size for you, consider Very Fine Dance Shoes, sold at our website. The brand is very popular for social dancing, and offers a variety of strap styles and heel heights so you can find what is most comfortable for you.
When social dancing, you want to feel comfortable, but at the same time have that edge of sensuality, accessorized for polish. Your goal is to dance with smooth finesse and express yourself. But of course, in the same way that every step asserts your personality, your social dance wardrobe should also emulate who you are.
It’s all about confidence. If you’re not comfortable or feeling good about your appearance, you won’t dance your best. The higher your confidence when you step on the floor, the better the night will be. At e.K. Clothing, we hope you will find something that doesn’t break the bank, fits comfortably, and still allows you to confidently express yourself.
