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.