Short answer: comfortable
What to wear to a dance class, without overthinking it
Nobody at a beginner class is judging your outfit. Wear clothes you can move in and shoes with a smooth sole, and you’re ready. The slightly longer version, including what to do when it’s minus ten outside, is below.
- Rated 4.9 on Google
- Founded by World and British champions
- Adults only
- No partner needed
The basics
Clothes you can move in
Anything comfortable that lets you bend your knees and lift your arms. Stretchy trousers, a skirt that moves, a breathable top.
Smooth-soled shoes
Flat shoes with a smooth sole that can turn. No need to buy dance shoes for a first class.
Layers
Partner dancing gets you warm quickly. A light layer you can take off is better than one heavy sweater.
What to leave at home
A few things make a first class harder than it needs to be:
- Grippy running shoes. They stick on turns and are hard on your knees.
- Heavy boots or wet outdoor shoes. They’re hard on a wooden floor and you can’t pivot in them.
- Very stiff jeans. Stretchy denim is fine; rigid denim fights your knees.
- Big jewellery, long necklaces or anything that catches on a partner’s hand.
The Toronto winter routine
From November to March, the trick is to travel in your boots and dance in something else. Bring your dance or smooth-soled shoes in a bag and change when you arrive. At Beach Ballroom on Queen Street East there’s a changing room and three private gender-neutral bathrooms, though no showers, so plan accordingly if you’re heading somewhere after.
A spare top in your bag is never a bad idea. Rooms warm up fast once a class gets going.
Travel in boots, dance in shoes.
If you’re going further
Once you’re dancing regularly, proper dance shoes with a suede sole make a real difference; our guide to dance shoes for beginners explains when they’re worth buying. Heading to a Latin night instead of a class? Here’s what to wear salsa dancing. Our roadmap for starting dance as an adult covers the rest of your first visit.
Come as you are
Book a beginner course and wear whatever you’re comfortable in. Smooth shoes, and you’re set.