Salsa City Forum » News and Chat » What to Wear for Salsa?

Loved hearing all these ideas! I don’t normally wear deodorant but I’ve started to when I go out dancing cos I’ve danced with a few men before who are a little smelly and it’s not very cool!

In regards of what women should wear... anything that’s comfortable and you can move around in! Personally, I love to wearing nice flowing short dresses, so I feel good in it and also looks pretty when I spin around! :) Currently I wear flamenco dancing shoes as I don’t have proper salsa dancing shoes, and this is fine. It means I am taller than usual (I am shorter than most women) and I feel nicer dancing in heels than flats.

Otherwise tight slacks/trousers with a nice feminine top is great for me personally.

Not sure what guys should wear! Just clothes! Pants and a top is fine in my opinion... and yes, I personally think mints or yum is great to help with disguising what you’ve eaten earlier (or simply brushing your teeth!)

Now the question is... the last person to post on here was in 2009, is this board still active? Soon to find out! :)

From Australina.

Haha, I was wondering just the same while reading the first posts... ;))
Sure we can make it active! :)

I am about to start in a number of weeks (total beginner) and I’ve made a decision - I will wear whatever makes me feel my ordinary casual myself, will not expose me too much in the crowd (i.e. No bright colours as juicy pink, red, etc.), and shoes will be rather comfi and not that fancy.
I normally wear high heels, however as dance beginner I’d opt for the 2 pairs I used during my driving course (completely flat rubber Columbia sandals - hope floor will not mind!).
I’ll start with a strechy flowing black trousers, no makeup and with firmly tied hair.

Honestly, in a crowd of a hundred people I don’t quite give a damn if I look as best as possible. I just wouldn’t want to have sleeves or bracelets or earings or heels in my mind, only moves, music, and adequate performance. :)

Rubber soled shoes may have too much grip, and stop you doing spins easily and safely. If you have shoes with leather or hard plastic soles, that would be better.

Thanx, will consider your advice and try several options until I feel comfi and fit.

Good morning to everyone.

I have this awkward question... if I use short heeled shoes, do I have to bother for the noise I would make with them on the wooden floor?
I mean - is practice always done with a music background or... not all the time?

Many thanx of you do not laugh. ;)

Don’t worry. The sound of your footsteps will definitely not be a problem.

Hello everyone,
Fun, fun comments!! Here is my opinion. I’ve been social dancing for few years already and here are my observations. If you are a girl, dress sexy (but not trashy). Why? Because if you look great, all the good male dancers are more likely to invite you to dance, even if you are a total beginner. And that’s why girls who are sexy and dress better become better salsa dancers very quickly! This is a fact!
Jeans and pants are just fine, combined with a nice top (watch out - some places have a “no jeans” dress codes; it’s gonna suck if you show up and they don’t let you in, that’s from my personal experience). Skirts and dresses are fine as well, just make sure you wear some sort of underpants so you don’t show your “everything” under. Personally, showing thongs and garters is trashy and it’s not comfortable for salsa dancing. If you wear a top, make sure it is not one of those with no straps cause it will roll down! Same goes with dresses. Dresses with no straps are not a very good idea for salsa dancing. I also bring an extra top cause you sweat a lot in the summer. Deodorant and fresh breath is a must if you want to have that second dance with that amazing dancer. Avoid heavy jewelry. Actually wear as little jewelry as possible.
Flashy colors are great in salsa!
Comfortable shoes - you should really get some dance shoes on if you are gonna stick around for a little while. Here is my blog, which I have devoted to help people find the best online dance shoes stores: http://danceshoesfinder.blogspot.com/. If you decide to stick with your own, make sure they are not more than 3'' high, otherwise you’ll be hurting by the end of the night. No rubber soles cause you won’t be able to spin.
Anyways, have fun!! Salsa is the best thing ever!

I hope people are still commenting on this. I’m 16 and I am going to join salsa classes! Finally old enough to join in my area WOOHOO! What should I wear? Obviously I don’t want to be wearing ‘sexy’ clothing ha! I think I will wear my usual dancing clothes, leggings and a t-shirt of some sort, does this sound ok? As for shoes, I only have plimsoles, ballet pumps, trainers... usual kind of teenage thing... I’m so used too dancing in bare foot or trainers, and occasionally plimsoles... Any suggestions as to what type to buy?

Hey there, if you are a beginner you can wear flats or low heel dance shoes. There are some differences between normal street shoes and dance shoes. Try to find shoes with suede soles. Look at my blog for more info on dance shoes. http://danceshoesfinder.blogspot.com/.