Clothes
Women
Toupee tape (also known as topstick strips or hairpiece tape) is a girl's best friend! This tape will dramatically increase your clothing options. Finally, you will be able to wear that sexy top dancing without worrying about things falling down, off, or popping out. Apply it directly to the skin or to your bra (my preference) and then stick it to your clothing/costume. I have tried using several brands but Vapon is the only one I've tried that has the correct level of adhesion. You can buy this clear double sided tape at most beautysupply stores (Sally Beauty Suppy) or order it online.
Strapless Bras
If you need
to wear strapless bras for dancing, buy them
is one size smaller than you normally wear.
For example, if you normally wear a 36B buy
a 34B to wear dancing. Also, look for strapless
bras that have grippers (plastic lines) along
the band. Follow these tips and your strapless
will stay securely in place.
Spankies
Ladies, please wear
spankies! It's vulger to show your cheecks. Spankies are worn under your skirt
or dress and over your pantyhose (and/or underwear).
They are sometimes called dancepants, bloomers,
spankies, tights, or lolipops. You've seen them
on cheerleaders and ice skaters. They can bought
at any dance store. Ideally, they are the same color as your dress or skirt. The problem with
flesh colored spankies is they make you look
naked and people think they are seeing your
bare butt. Attention competitive dancers! Flesh coloured "panties" violate the International DanceSport Federation's Dress Regulations and can get you and your partner disqualified from ballroom and Latin dance competitions. Some women wearbiker shorts instead
of spankies, beacuse they don't want to wear
pantyhose, but don't want their thighs to rub.
There are also some fancier options out there.
If you are going for a vintage look, you can
buy some nylon and lace trim bloomers to wear
as spankies. Vanity Fair makes them and they
can be bought at department stores such as Sears
or Macy's. There are severalswing clothing
dealers and trendy stores that offer very lacy
colored spankies. Though cute, they are also
bulky and won't work under most skirts or dresses.
Hosiery
There have been several
improvements in the panyhose industry lately.
There are now toeless panyhose available!!!
These are great to wear with open toed shoes.
You can find them in most upscale department storesNordstroms, Macy's, Bloomingdales, etc.
Great news if you like wearing low back dresses or costumes.
You can also now find low rise panty hose at Victoria's
Secret, online, or at upscale department
stores.Make sure your pantyhose don't havevisable
control top lines. They will be seen while dancing.If you are a competitive ballroom or Latin dancer
you need to wear flesh colored fishnets.
Wear some cheappantyhose (like No Nonsense
Sheer to Waist) under them to prevent chafing!
You can pick these up at Save-On or the grocery
store.
Men
Don't wear white socks with black pants and
black shoes.
Don't wear shorts dancing.
If you are going to a club you haven't been
to before it is better to be overdressed, than
to have embarrassing problems at the door.
If you sweat a lot, bring along
dry shirts to change into. Many men also bring
workout towles with them to mop off with. If
the club has a hand dryer in the bathroom, you
can use that to dry off too.
Performance and Competition Clothing
If you want to buy ready made new or used competition
or performance clothes, check out Notably Unique and Champion Dance Store.
They sell a variety of ballroom and Latin practice
and competition style clothing.
Notably Unique
www.notablyunique.com
1311 S. Brookhurst
Anaheim, CA 92804
(714) 778 - 8801
Store Hours:
Tuesday - Friday: 10:30 - 7
Saturday: 11 - 5
Champion Dance Store
Tell them Mary Scanlon sent you and get 5% off!
www.ChampionDanceShoes.com
3383 Barham Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
(323) 874-8704
Store Hours:
Monday - Saturday 10 -5
If you just need alterations done, I recommend Georgiani’s
in the Los Angeles garment district on the corner
of 8th St. and Los Angeles St.. It is the cheapest
place around to get expert alterations. Ask
for Mike and tell him Mary sent you. They are
great at all men’s attire - suits, pants,
costumes, etc. However, if you need major dress
alterations go to Janet Domino or ask Mike to
show you to his parent’s shop down the
street. With all tailors call ahead and make
sure your order is done before you pick it up.
Never assume it will really be ready when they
tell you it will be. If you need the alterations
done for a performance, get them done far in
advance.
Georgiani
Alterations & Tailoring NO.2
804 S. Los Angeles St.
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 489 – 4048
Custom Made Competition Costumes
Dance costumes have to be more flexible and sturdy than regular clothes. Women will want lots of movement in their costumes. Ideally fabrics will be lightweight and breathe well. Any fitted fabric should be 4-way stretch. When having a dance costume made it is important to work with someone who is experienced in making dance costumes- especially if you are new to designing your own costumes. They know how to make your outfit flexible and sturdy. For women, I recommend Janet Domino. Bring Janet your wildest ideas and she can make them come alive. In addition to working on my ballroom gowns, she created my salsa “Fire dress” and some crazy sea creature hats for my sister’s work.
Janet Domino
Couturiere
Evening/Bridal/Dance Gowns
(310) 649-0146
For men who need tail suits or Latin costumes I recommend Garo Ashikian. He has also done a great job doing dress alterations for me. His shop is close to the Westmor in Korea Town. He's the tailor for Dancing with the Stars. He's on set a couple days a week when they are filming, so call before you go to make sure he'll be in.
Onik
Garo Ashikian
3968 West 6th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 380 - 3272
Most styles of competitive dance encourage or even require rhinestones, sequins, and beads.
Stoning
Putting rhinestones on can be tedious, but
the look is well worth it. You can have your
dress maker stone your dress, but most dancers
do it themselves to save some money. First arrange
all your rhinestones in the desired pattern.
Then apply E6000 adhesive to the back of each
stone with an opened bobby pin. Set and allow
72 hours to dry.
You can order rhinestones and diamantes from
Swarovski and Preciosa on-line at www.dance-shop.com They are based in London and have a good reputation
for quick deliveries.
The cheapest place to buy quality rhinestones
and E6000 adhesive in Los Angeles
is:
Bohemian Chrystal
(Maple & 8th in the Garment District)
812 South Maple Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 627-9553 Phone
(213) 627-9554 Phone
(213) 627-6991 Fax
Store Hours:
Mon. - Fri. 9am - 4pm
Sat. 8am -1pm
Also at Maple and 8th is a great bead store:
Beads & Trims
321 E. 8th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 689-1000 Phone
(213) 689-1460 Fax
Another good one nearby is:
Berger Bead Specialty CO.
413 East 8th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 627-8783
Vintage
Guys, do you want a Zoot Suit or Zoot Suit Accessories? For about $445 you can get Zooted out from head to toe including all the accessories at El Pachuco. They have a HUGE selection!
El Pachuco Zoot Suits Inc.
www.elpachuco.com
801 S. Harbor Blvd.
Fullerton, CA 92832
(714) 526-3743
Store Hours:
Mon. - Fri. 11 am to 6 pm
Sat. 11 am to 3 pm
If you want to get that vintage look without smelling like moth balls or having your clothes tear when you dance, check out Re-Vamp. Located in the Los Angeles garment district, they have a good variety of vintage re-makes from 1910-1950. The owner is a dancer herself and understands how to make dance clothing that you can dance and do aerials in. Make an appointment to see what they have in stock or if you have something specific in mind they create costum orders for a similar price.
Re-Vamp Vintage Clothing
www.revampvintage.com
819 Santee Avenue Suite 1102
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 627-7150
Store hours: By appointment only.
If you want something a little more rockabilly My Baby Jo is for you. You can order from them online or visit their culver city store.
My Baby Jo
www.mybabyjo.com
10418 1/2 National Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 558-9244
Store hours:
Sun. noon-6
Mon. - Fri. 11 A.M.- 7 P.M.
Sat. 11 A.M. - 6 P.M.
If your laundry basket is full of hand wash and dry clean only clothes that have been sitting in there for the last 3 months dancestore.com is the swing store for you. They are an on-line by dancers for dancers store. Most of their apparel is casual enough to wear out to weekly dance venues (pants, skirts, and t-shirts) and machine washable.
For those on a limited budget, a popular way
to go about getting that vintage look is to
hit the local thrift stores. You never know
what inexpensive gem is waiting for you to re-discover
it. Larger sizes are generally harder to find
in vintage styles (esp. in vintage shoes). As
a nation, we've grown over the years and the
larger vintage sizes are more in demand now
than when they were created. Another reason
has to do with smaller people purchasing and
taking in items that are too big. If you live
in Los Angeles, check out the trift stores when
you travel. I have found better luck finding
swing clothing in cities where swing dancing
and movie making is not as popular. In Los
Angeles thrift stores, there are a lot of
dancers and costumes designers scouring the
racks regularly.