Thread: what do you wear to dance class?

I'd like to 'spice' up what i wear to dance class. currently i wear black yoga pants, lilac cami top, a dark purple coin belt & bear feet. yes i'm comfortable & i can move, but other than the coin belt it's not pretty ..cr.: so looking for ideas of what i could add. sites to maybe buy inexpensive practice skirts, suggestions on other types of pants. do any of you upcycle stuff you find on sale, or second hand stores?

For classes and/or workshops, I wear yoga pants always or something of the same type of material; a cami with a built-in bra and a hip scarf, sometimes dance shoes depending on the type of dance.

Suhaila pants, Melodia pants, and crop tops or tie tops are very popular.

I'm not sure if I'd a skirt, since a lot of instructors like to see your legs.

Originally Posted by Fotia

For classes and/or workshops, I wear yoga pants always or something of the same type of material; a cami with a built-in bra and a hip scarf, sometimes dance shoes depending on the type of dance.

sounds exactly what i wear.

I wear yoga pants or Melodias, a cami or tank top, and hip wrap. Sometimes I add a tie top, sometimes not. I used to wear skirts, but stopped, because my students couldn't see my legs. Same thing if I'm attending class or a workshop- the teacher can't see my legs, so can't correct me as well.

indigostars ~good point about the skirt i wouldn't have thought about that.

Perhaps you should ask your instructor. Some teachers like the idea of turning class into a fashion show, while others are very strict about what students wear, and find anything other than basic exercise clothes and a non-coin hip sash too distracting. A lot of teacher particularly frown on very full harem pants and skirts because they obscure what the legs are doing, and in elementary-level classes, this can make it difficult for a teacher to monitor students' progress properly.

I found that wearing Melodias to class didnt work, as I had to tie them up because my then-teacher could not see my feet/ankles through the floppy pants. If you have to tie them up, whats the point? hehe

Now I just wear yoga pants and a sports bra-type tank thingy, or a tank top rolled up, and a hip scarf.

My very first class I took (long ago) had a teacher that encouraged playing dress up for class, but it was more of a "lets have fun" type class and a social experience. None of my more technique oriented instructors have encouraged students to wear anything other than athletic clothes with a hip scarf.

I think some people like those capri Melodias. They don't seem like they'd have the problem of regular ones.

I wear yoga pants, a tank top, tie top, and hip scarf. I'm seriously thinking about investing in the Suhaila pants, because I often do stuff after class and would like to look kind of presentable.

I study Tribal, so I need the choli and the 10 yard skirt for each class or else I'll get in a pack of trouble.

I don't allow students to wear skirts in class, because as mentioned I can't see their legs or feet that way (I don't teach skirtwork).

Nothing wrong with your basic look, maybe just look for different colours & patterns. I live in my pants w/ attached skirts ( melodias, suhailas,etc etc) so I do look for cute tight tank tops and the occasional half-hoody & arm-warmers for when I need layers.

my class is a beginner class & some wear skirts, but they have had other classes. i think i'll stick with my yoga pants & look for other tops to mix & match. has anyone repurposed a t-shirt to turn it into a tie top?

I wear a cotton circle skirt with a tank top and hip scarf, or leggings with a tank top and hip scarf, most of the time. I get a lot of broomstick and circle skirts at the local second-hand shop.

Magidahwear has great pants and matching tops for a really pulled-together look for class & workshops. The pant legs are not so wide as Melodias, so you can see what the feet are doing, and the pinch-front tops cover a bra, hooray!! The halter is super cute too.
Magidahwear - For the booty magnificent. I have 3 pairs of her pants and 3 tops. Love them. They DON't PILL!! I know I sound like an ad, but I just loooove this stuff.

I also like to accessorize for class with a nice necklace, and a fringe belt rather than coins, because of the noise.

Originally Posted by GypsyStacey

my class is a beginner class & some wear skirts, but they have had other classes. i think i'll stick with my yoga pants & look for other tops to mix & match. has anyone repurposed a t-shirt to turn it into a tie top?

I take my t-shirt, gather it tightly in the front, put an elastic ponytail holder around it and then tuck the "tail" up into my bra.

Wow that's organised...I just shove things up into my bra!

sabine ~ yes accessories are something i can easily add. good point.

okay so shove things into my bra rofl...lol...no i get the idea though very creative.

not a tie top, but I have turned them into crop tops or almost-choli-but-not-quite. Your need to use very fitted t-shirts for these to work though (and be prepared to ruined one or two tshirts until you have figured out which cuts suit you best)

I like sharifwear pants for class and used to wear them a lot, but now I pretty much live in those black Sportek yoga pants (Zellers) and I make my belts (and sometimes tops to go with them). I used to need the coin belt for audio feedback on my movements but I find more and more that I need visual feedback to know if what I'm doing is right and long dangly stuff is the most useful to me. I purchase a "rosehips" type of over skirt (short but with long dangles at the hips) and I have modified the concept a bit to make my own. (BTW, you can find great stuff at goodwill stores. I got 6 meters of gorgeous foil printed lycra for 6$) Look at their belt rack too, sometimes you can find pretty neat stuff (embroidery, shisha decorated, etc... for next to nothing.)

Originally Posted by TheGreatKathyLori

I study Tribal, so I need the choli and the 10 yard skirt for each class or else I'll get in a pack of trouble.

Yes, this makes sense. Also, if you are taking skirt dance and/or Rom dancing. It just depends on the style of dance.

And then when I start getting really heated up, I just pull up my midriff and make it a crop top ..l;,

Originally Posted by kemintiri

not a tie top, but I have turned them into crop tops or almost-choli-but-not-quite. Your need to use very fitted t-shirts for these to work though (and be prepared to ruined one or two tshirts until you have figured out which cuts suit you best)

see i was thinking something like an 'almost-choli-but-not-quite' do you go up a size to account for the cutting & tying? how exactly do you make yours?

my yoga pants are from fields...lol. that's to funny i like the coin belts for audio feedback as well. my teacher doesn't have a problem with them & wears one herself.

start with fitted v neck t shirt. exagerate the v in front, then cut off back, leaving just enough fabric to cover the backs of shoulders ( I leave the short sleeves on). then edge the v and the back edges with pretty trim or bias tape (i can't be bothered to serge and do a flat rolled hem on old tshirts... LOL). then I cut two lengths of ribbon, attach to top edges in the back. (you may have to dart towards the middle so it lies flat. then use some of the fabric that was cut out to make to "straps" that are just a tad wider than the chest strap of the bra I'll wear underneath and put one pants hook on it. voila: choli like but you can wear a bra (yay for support) without advertising it to the world.

I've used these instructions for making a choli type top from a t-shirt - worked well:
no clothing

I usually wear yoga pants, t-shirt, and a hip scarf. I'm not that fancy for class.

I've turned a lot of T-shirts into classroom tie tops, and also use the twist and tuck method for ones I don't want to cut up. I've also use an old ballet class trick for when it's cold out: Take a pair of footless tights, not too snug, and cut off the elastic band. Put your arms into the leggings with the waistband at your back and you have a nice warm shrug for class.

I prefer wearing catsuits with midriff mesh. It's pretty confortable. And I always wear ballet slippers.

I´m Raqia Hassan inspired all the way:D
Bicycle pants so the students can see my knees at all times,and a tight tank top.

Taking classes and workshops I prefer more flattering Sharifwear pinched pants and a gypsy top(non sheer)with a sport bra under.

Originally Posted by GypsyStacey

I'd like to 'spice' up what i wear to dance class. currently i wear black yoga pants, lilac cami top, a dark purple coin belt & bear feet. yes i'm comfortable & i can move, but other than the coin belt it's not pretty ..cr.: so looking for ideas of what i could add. sites to maybe buy inexpensive practice skirts, suggestions on other types of pants. do any of you upcycle stuff you find on sale, or second hand stores?

you could buy cuter clothes. Say, from a dance supply website.

Or you could sew beads and sequins onto your current class outfit...g.:

Originally Posted by ANA_bellydancer

I prefer wearing catsuits with midriff mesh. It's pretty confortable. And I always wear ballet slippers.

This is what I usually wear, too. I find my feet need a little cushion and support, especially for my 2-hour class on a hard floor.