Vintage Dance Clothing

Paisley · Oct 22, 2007

My swing dance uniform is an A-line or otherwise fullish skirt and a t-shirt.

bunnyb.gal · Oct 3, 2009

outfits for dance - 30's inspired

I'm in the process of putting together a vintage/vintage-inspired wardrobe, and in particular am trying to put together a few outfits that would be suitable for dancing (read: easy-care, practical and something I can glow in!), but with more of a 1930's look. I've managed a few 40's/early 50's-type outfits, but that seems to be so much easier with what's out there in both vintage and repro.

Any advice, please? What would gals have worn for a night out on the dance floor?

NicolettaRose · Oct 3, 2009

Hey there, I am a nortoriously crappy dancer, but the guy I going with hosts a vintage night club every Sunday here in downtown LA, so I see a lot of people dancing. For a good sturdy dress, you might want to go with a reproduction dress made in the 1930's or 1940's style, or something sturdy from the era. Depending on the formality of the venue, you could always wear a vintage skirt and a blouse and sweater ( if its cold). For dancing, I always see people wearing comfortable shoes ( wedges are good). One thing I know to avoid is stilettos and chiffon or any other delicate fabric, always a recipe for disaster.

Paisley · Oct 3, 2009

Check out my thread on learning to dance. There are some tips for what to wear when you go swing dancing.

http://thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=17588

Specifically:

Preparing for the Class
Swing dancing (and lindy hop especially) is fast, sometimes athletic dance. Your shoes should have a sole you can pivot on, they should lace or buckle to stay on your feet, and they should be comfortable. Professional dancers might wear stiletto heels, but the rest of us find it easier to dance in padded, low-heeled shoes. As for vintage shoes, keep in mind that shoes take a beating on a crowded dance floor.

You should wear something you can move around in and you don't mind sweating in. If you wear a skirt, wear something under it that you don't mind other people seeing. Skirts fly up higher than you might think.

I agree with NicolettaRose about the stilettos. No kidding--you can injure someone with those.

Slick fabric will make you slide right out of your partner's hold on the 3 count in lindy.

As for what's good: a skirt or pair of pants that flutter and flow. An A-line skirt or a wide-legged, high waisted pair of pants in lightweight fabric should do the trick. Shirts should let you comfortably raise your arms.

Fleur De Guerre · Oct 3, 2009

bunnyb.gal said:
I'm in the process of putting together a vintage/vintage-inspired wardrobe, and in particular am trying to put together a few outfits that would be suitable for dancing (read: easy-care, practical and something I can glow in!), but with more of a 1930's look. I've managed a few 40's/early 50's-type outfits, but that seems to be so much easier with what's out there in both vintage and repro.

Any advice, please? What would gals have worn for a night out on the dance floor?

In the Uk, I'm not sure that swing dancing had even reached us in the 30s, I thought the GIs introduced us to it in the war... but I may be wrong. Also the length and cut of the slim, mid-30s dresses and skirts aren't particularly appropriate for energetic swing.

Having said that, I have a great two-piece 30s trousers and blouse outfit I dance in from Revamp Vintage, though these aren't cheap! British repro company Big Beautiful Barbara Brown do a very cute 'Flirty Thirties' dress and 30s style wide-leg trousers that would be easy care and good to dance in. Heyday are looking to do some much wider-leg 30s trousers soon too, and their wrap tops have 30s inspired butterfly sleeves. The trouble I find with UK repo though, is that if you wear it to a big event, you're likely to see someone else in the same thing!

Grant Fan · Oct 3, 2009

I would recomend Daddyos.com they have a lot of nice reproduction dresses. many of them have pencil skirts, that won't work for swing but the fuller ones would work wonderfully for you.

Snookie · Oct 4, 2009

If you look back at some of the older Whitey's clips like "A Day at the Races", you'll see the girls were wearing the longer slim skirts that were popular in the 30's. But they do have to hike them up a little to get enough range of motion for some of their tricks, and overall I don't think it's a very flattering look for dancing.

For inspiration, check out the Los Angeles Public Library Archives. You'll see plenty of what young jitterbugs were wearing to actual dances.

For more casual dances, I usually wear a 6-gore skirt and a t-shirt or blouse tucked in. I make my own skirts, but this skirt is similar and very popular with swing dancers - it's got the nice slim look like you want, but the flare at the bottom is very flattering when you turn. Also easy wash and wear.

For t-shirt and blouses, I find plenty of good stuff at Target and Forever 21. This blouse, this blouse, and this blouse all have 30's elements and would look nice tucked into that skirt. I'm completely in love with this and might have to go get it tomorrow. I think you could find similar things at Topshop and the like?

bunnyb.gal · Oct 6, 2009

30's inspired dance clothing

Thank you everyone for your help with my question. Snookie, those Whitey's clips completely answered it (and yep, those skirts seemed mighty close-fitting for the dancing being done in them! I noticed in another clip they were wearing much shorter, fuller ones with modesty shorts underneath).
Like I said, I have been wearing mostly 40's inspired to classes, usually an A-line or high-waisted trousers with a shirt and thin cardigan over, sometimes a jumper dress, and Aris Allen wedges.
Thanks Fleur for the link to Heyday - I'd not come across them before. I'd forgotten about BBBB; she's updated since I last bought from her (30's trousers, those will be mine!).

Snookie · Oct 6, 2009

Great, glad to help! And if you find any great dance clothes out there we didn't mention, be sure to post!

bunnyb.gal · Oct 7, 2009

What about Shady Lady Clothing? Has anyone come across or ordered from them?

Inky · Oct 7, 2009

I have been dancing only a year, but I typically wear an a-line or gored skirt, a v-neck 3/4 sleeve (I have upper arm issues) cotton knit top and comfortable underclothing.

I have worn actual vintage (my squaw patio dress recently) but I was very careful to check it's condition first and didn't dance too energetically. I wore a chiffon slip with a bit of fullness underneath and it was fun to feel that swishing about. My vintage wardrobe is too precious to me to rip on a night out so I'd rather wear something reproduction or classic in style.

I have worn trousers dancing as well, wide-leg, high waist ones, but prefer skirts.

Dancestore.com also carries some good pieces - but they are polyester - easy to wash and wear, but not that cool on the body, if that's an issue for you. I have both the sailor skirt and pants and both are comfy.

ricki · Oct 7, 2009

bunnyb.gal said:
What about Shady Lady Clothing? Has anyone come across or ordered from them?

Shady Lady clothing is great, but I didn't think she was doing orders anymore.

bunnyb.gal · Oct 7, 2009

Ricki, I've not tried ordering anything from Shady Lady, mostly because of being in the UK, but there is a website there (have seen no updates to it ever, it must be said). What have you ordered from there and how long ago, if I may ask?

ricki · Oct 7, 2009

bunnyb.gal said:
Ricki, I've not tried ordering anything from Shady Lady, mostly because of being in the UK, but there is a website there (have seen no updates to it ever, it must be said). What have you ordered from there and how long ago, if I may ask?

I personally haven't ordered anything, but I know people who have and I have seen the great garments she makes.

swinggal · Oct 8, 2009

When I dance (which is often) I wear my high-waisted wide pants a lot with a puff-sleeved blouse or a vest. Very 30s and comfy. I also have a lot of A-line and 6-gore skirts and a tonne of puff sleeved shirts to go with them/ I have a tonne of actual vinatge clothing, but I save that for special occassions as it's too easy to ruin.

Shoes I geneally wear white Keds or wedge heels if I'm doing balboa.

chanteuseCarey · Oct 8, 2009

I found a great gored skirt by Ralph Lauren Chaps (his lower end chain store line- at Kohl's out here) In the cooler seasons it came in wool tweed or herringbone weave, in the warm seasons in linen. I have 4 of them, the linen two are fuschia pink and navy. I let down the hem on these as much as they could possibly go, to get them a bit more period length. I have a favorite vintage inspired blouse I found at Macys, and a couple of easy to wear sleeveless knit tops found at Sears. In the first pic, I'm wearing one of my pairs of ballroom shoes.

Fall/Winter dance outfit

Spring/Summer dance outfit

bunny chan · Dec 9, 2009

My best friend made me a gift for my birthday: a pair of Aris Allen shoes!
They didn't arrived yet (still travelling from USA

!), but I'm really looking forward to dance with them!!

I'm taking class of Lindy hop and I go to the lesson with trousers and flat shoes mostly, but I also would like to dance someday with heeled shoes.
What do you think? Is it too painful at the end of the evening for the feet?

B.

Mary · Dec 9, 2009

Such a small and wide heel is no problem at all!

To be comfortable with heels you should use the muscles in your feet. The problem is if you have too small shoes and try to squeeze them together rather than spreading them out and using the muscles inside the foot. I dance tango and and my teachers talk alot about how to do it but I'm bad at expaining.

roselily · Dec 12, 2009

Those look like a fancied up character shoe- very easy to dance in!

bunny chan · Dec 12, 2009

Sure you are right!
I'm still waiting for them, hope they arrive before christmas!!!

I also bought this together:

I think is a nice and confy dress for dancing.

B.

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