You probably already know that getting ready for a night of ballroom dancing is not the same as getting ready to out to night clubs. The fashion is entirely different and is constantly changing. There are even different styles of ballroom clothing for different parts of the country.

Not only does ballroom clothes differ in different parts of the country, they are different in the US than from other countries. Ballroom dresses in the US are multi-layered and tend to “flow” more. Ballroom dresses in other countries are often made from heavier fabrics and have feather embellishments. Some American styles use feathers also, but they are not essential. In addition, dresses for the ballroom in different countries often look best at only one angle, either the front or back, but not both.

American ballroom dresses often have sequin or jewel accents and come in several different lengths. Most of the ballroom dresses aren’t floor length to prevent disaster on the ballroom floor by dresses becoming tangled in the dancer’s feet. Ballroom dress styles really depend on the type of dancing being done. For instance, the paso doble dance style, which incorporates a Spanish culture and theme, would likely incorporate that into the dress. This type of dress is likely to be a knee-length, lacy dress with long sleeves and a ruffled skirt that twirls easily.

For more modern ballroom dances, the dancer often wears a very lightweight dress that flows easily with the dancer. Comfort and practicality are also important. A strapless dress is less practical on the ballroom floor due to the risk of it not fitting properly while dancing or falling off during some fast paced dance moves. A popular look for the top of the dress is either halter-style or sleeves that dangle from the shoulder.

There’s no limit to colors that can be worn on the dance floor. American women generally tend to match and complement their partner when choosing the color of their dress. Shoes should match the color of the dress exactly.

Many women will have their ballroom dresses tailor made. This is particularly true if it is going to be worn in competition. Tailor made is a pretty expensive option. There are less expensive alternatives on the Internet. While you can’t actually try it on when you shop for a dress online, online retailers normally have a great return policy and accurate sizing charts.

There are a lot of factors to consider when getting ready to go ballroom dancing. Finding the perfect dress (or tuxedo or suit for men), and shoes, hair and makeup is a little more complex than getting ready for a prom. There’s more to consider when choosing your clothes and shoes for ballroom dancing.

While there really isn’t a set dress code for ballroom dancing, things to consider when choosing your ballroom clothes are comfort and practicality. You don’t want clothes that will get you tangled up with your partner. Your clothes should flow and move easily without tangling. While fashion is important, comfort is more important. You should pick a dress that is moderately accented, rather than one that is heavily sequined or feathered.

Making the right choice in shoes is also very important. There are different types of shoes for different dances, such as jazz, jive, and swing dances. Ballroom dancing shoes for women are usually lighweight with no higher than 3 inch heels. Men’s ballroom dancing shoes should be around 1 1/2 inches.

Remember that you will be jumping, twirling and kicking in these shoes, so choosing comfortable and supportive shoes are a must. A lot of ballroom dancing shoes have an open toe, but you might want to consider closed toe shoes to protect your toes from being stepped on. Again, while fashion is important, it’s not as important as not damaging your legs, back or feet by wearing uncomfortable dancing shoes.

You probably want to avoid shoes with tight back straps. You don’t want to end up with blisters from tight straps. It’s also a good idea to keep shoe decorations to a minimum, as they can get damaged while dancing.

Keep these tips in mind when choosing your ballroom shoes and dress and you will be both comfortable and fashionable.