How to dress like a street dancer
What Do Hip-Hop Dancers Wear?
So you enjoy the entire routine of popping and locking, but are unsure of what clothes you are supposed to wear. This article helps with some information on what hip-hop dance costumes should look like.
It is said that hip-hop is not just about the music or the dance, it is about the culture and the attitude. That is probably what sets it apart from other dance styles. You will hardly ever see a person going to school in leotards and tutus but people wearing hip-hop dance clothes as everyday clothing is a common sight. That in itself tells you how this dance form as a culture has penetrated every aspect. Most of us associate hip-hop clothing gear with loose baggy clothes and flashy accessories. So, how did these dance clothes come to resemble the present day fashion trends. In this article, we trace the history of hip-hop clothing and tell you what you should be wearing for this dance form.
When hip-hop dance first grew in prominence, it started out as a street dance form. This is the reason why the clothing primarily includes the clothes that people would normally wear. So over-sized pants, jerseys, and sneakers became the costumes in which these dancers presented their moves to the world. With time, the popularity of the music and the dance form grew and many big brands started developing clothing lines marketed as hip-hop clothing. Tracksuits were also popular as clothes to wear while dancing, as were jackets. Most early hip-hop dancers were African-American and the culture reflected in the clothing styles that were embraced. Accessories were also prominent. While women wore a lot of jewelry, the men weren’t left far behind, wearing as many accessories themselves. Heavy earrings, long chains, and belts made of metal chains were a huge part of the look.
Over time the clothes for these dancers, though as baggy as before became a little less accessorized, due to fear of injuries. Metallic chains and belts were replaced by bandannas, caps, and tattoos.
Baseball caps were worn by both men and women. These clothes were more or less of the unisex variety with minimal design differences. Costumes for the dancers of today are not much different from the costumes of the earlier era. The look is all about wearing loose, baggy clothing, and oversized shirts or t-shirts with good dance shoes that provide ample support for all the stunts that are an integral part of this dance style. The difference arises when you compare the clothes with what was worn by the fairer sex earlier.
Today the look for women is much softer than the original tomboy look. The costumes for them are much more feminine now. While most women dancers still prefer wearing pants, the design is more fitted now. A lot of women opt to wear skirts with leggings and boots. Sensual dressing has also become quite prominent in the music videos of this dance form. Women can even opt for shorts. Tank tops and tube tops are preferred by most women. One of the most important aspect of the clothing for both men and women are the shoes.
Most dancers prefer wearing sneakers with a split sole as these shoes are generally flexible and have a good grip, which is important while performing different stunts.
Whether you are buying dance clothes for kids or adults, just remember these patterns, that you can choose from, and attend your dance classes with style and panache.
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What To Wear To Hip Hop Class
Hip Hop classes are fun, fast-paced, and challenging. As you learn to perform classic moves like the running man or the freeze, you’ll need to wear comfortable dance clothing that lets you breathe, sweat, and move to the beat.
What is hip hop dance? Hip-hop dance originated in the mid-70s. It’s a mix of street dance styles usually performed to hip-hop or rap music.
Read on to learn more about what to wear to hip hop class and why this style of dancing requires specific gear.
What To Wear to Hip Hop Dance Class
Dancing is an art form, but it’s also a full-body workout. Like any sport, you need gear that allows you to move comfortably while preventing injuries.
When learning how to dance hip hop, it’s essential to choose comfortable dance clothing that won’t restrict your movements. Plus, your dance studio might have a dress code regarding what to wear to dance class hip hop.
Loose Clothes
You can’t go wrong with loose-fitting clothes if you’re wondering what to wear for hip hop class. Baggy pants and oversized shirts are typical for this style of dance because they allow you to perform popping, locking, or breaking moves without restrictions.
Workout Clothes
If you’re unsure what to wear for hip hop class, workout clothes are a good option. Sweatpants, yoga pants, and classic cotton tees are great for moving and regulating your body temperature.
Workout clothes are common for rehearsals and choreography classes. Dancers sometimes wear different stage outfits when performing for an audience.
Proper Dance Shoes
Your attire for hip hop should include some dance shoes that feel comfortable and supportive. You need a pair of sneakers with soles that provide excellent grip to prevent injuries. Proper shoes for hip hop also need a sturdy closure system, whether you opt for shoes with laces or Velcro.
As you get more comfortable, you can transition to shoes that will be part of your onstage look, including heels or work boots.
If you decide to join dance classes, don’t hesitate to ask your instructor for recommendations regarding proper shoes.
Supportive Inner Wear
Moisture-wicking inner wear will help keep you comfortable. You also need comfortable underwear, including sports bras for women and athletic underwear for men, to prevent injuries.
Light Accessories
You shouldn’t hinder your dance moves with heavy accessories, but you can have fun adding a few items to showcase your sense of style.
Whatever Makes You Feel Good
If you are questioning what to wear for hip hop dance class, you should look for clothes that make you feel good.
Most studios have dress codes, but you can explore different types of clothing and footwear to see what feels right and gives you the confidence you need to progress and express yourself in this style of dance.
How Do You Choose the Right Clothes and Shoes for Hip Hop Class?
What to wear to hip hop class is often a matter of personal preferences, but there are a few tips to keep in mind.
Comfort
Attire for hip hop should feel comfortable. It should allow you to perform various moves while helping you regulate your body temperature.
Size
Oversized clothes are common in hip hop dance since baggy clothes don’t restrict your movements.
Weight
Heavy clothes and accessories can get in the way and even increase your risks of injuries when you practice new moves.
Materials
Many hip hop dance moves will require that get down on the floor.
Avoid any material that could be slippery to prevent injuries.
FAQ
Here are a few other things you need to know about what to wear to a hip hop dance class.
What types of shoes are best for hip hop dancing?
Look for lightweight shoes with laces and a flexible insole and soles with plenty of traction.
How are dance sneakers supposed to fit?
Dance sneakers shouldn’t pinch or feel uncomfortable, but the fit should be snug compared to traditional sneakers.
How to wear your hair while performing hip hop?
If you have long hair, it’s best to braid it or wear it in a bun or ponytail to keep it out of the way.
Can I dance hip hop without shoes?
Dancing barefoot isn’t ideal since you might hurt your feet, and you won’t get the support that a pair of sneakers can give you.
Why do hip hop dancers wear baggy clothes?
Baggy clothes are part of the fashion and culture that influenced hip hop, but loose-fitting clothes allow dancers to perform a wide range of acrobatic moves without restrictions.
Can you dance in jeans?
Jeans are a good option as long as they feel comfortable. It’s best to opt for baggy jeans that let you move freely or wear a thin denim weave that enables you to breathe.
Do You Have the Right Gear for Hip Hop Class?
Dancers wear clothes that make them feel comfortable and don’t restrict their movements when practicing. Any workout clothes, loose clothes, and lightweight items that let you move and meet dance studio dress codes are acceptable.
Are you ready to take the first step of your journey to becoming a hip hop dancer? Learn about how to sign up for dance classes here, or learn about dance class prices first.
Wardrobe: an original dancer about her relationship with clothes
Today, like every Wednesday, in the section "Wardrobe" Minsk residents talk about their relationship with clothes and show the contents of their wardrobes.
DASHA
21 years old, dancer
– My mother is a fashion designer, so from childhood she sewed dresses for me and my sister, which we didn’t really appreciate, although my mother has chic taste.
But we were children and wanted to dress like everyone else: youthful, fashionable and skinny. And my mother was very fond of some hippie things, in the boho style - wide and relaxed.
At first I was mainly inspired by rock musicians who were hippies, the Woodstock style and all that. Then the East impressed me more and more, I always really liked African women, and now I am most often inspired by Indian motifs: this is a very deep, ancient culture with very beautiful, bright and some kind of festive clothes. I really like.
At the age of 14 I wore jackets and panties, and even then my mother slipped me some beautiful, draped, complicated things. I didn’t really appreciate it then, but already at 16 it became clear that my wardrobe is almost no different from my mother’s - it is also full of some kind of wide sweaters, skirts. And not because we somehow close the figures, but simply because both of us feel more feminine in such clothes.
In any case, if it were not for my mother, I myself would go to such clothes for decades. Maybe at 30 I thought: “Wow, it turns out that this is possible.”
Jewelry comes somehow by itself: I brought a lot of silver from Morocco, because it is a “silver” country and silver is of good quality there. I brought a lot from China, where I also lived for several months. A wreath of flowers is generally from Odessa, although a girl in China gave it to me. And the feathers are also from Morocco - I bought them in the market from some beautiful African woman; dad brought a black pendant from Vietnam.
I was influenced by Morocco - I worked there, that is, I danced, for 7 months. And I was very impressed by the women - they are completely closed, but at the same time very beautiful. Unlike European women, they do not seek to show everything, on the contrary: in their opinion, it is sexy and feminine to slightly open something - for example, an Indian sari opens the side of the abdomen, and this, in my opinion, is much sexier than anything.
the more naked and demonstrative.
I think skirts suit women, even though we all tend to dress like men these days. I judge by myself: I also really like hooded bikes and pants - in such clothes you feel more secure and as if, if anything, you can answer. But this, of course, is an illusion, because the female power is in "moon clothes", that is, in dresses and skirts.
I admired the chic African women - they have many layers of different clothes, but at the same time, when such a woman walks and carries a basket on her head, it looks very graceful.
I bought a scarf in Morocco from my grandfather, an orthodox Muslim. It is handmade - most likely made by his wife. This grandfather and I bargained for exactly half an hour, but, in my opinion, in the end everyone was satisfied.
In general, there was a huge market in Morocco - they call it "souk".
And I sat there, ordered juice and just watched - there are a lot of beautiful women who have a lot to learn from: manners and how they talk to their husbands.
I am against overconsumption, especially since very interesting and beautiful clothes can be found for little money. Of course, almost all girls love clothes - and so do I, but I know that this is not the main thing. There are people who have beautiful clothes, but at the same time, they seem to interrupt them: that is, the clothes are visible, but they are not. It seems to me that the most important thing is that the clothes do not overlap you, so that you yourself feel harmonious in it.
In our family, if things are not sewn by my mother, they are brought from somewhere or bought in second-hand shops. And not because it is directly necessary to save very actively, but because the consumer industry has gone so crazy that any mass-market nonsense costs 5-10 times more than its real value.
At some point, I realized that it is important to buy what really suits me, and many beautiful things simply will not suit me, and I know about it. Of course, we all love shops and new things, but the measure is very important. And, of course, I always had a mother who told me in stores: “Daria, why do you need this, we’d better sew it ourselves.”
Moreover, we all know how things like H&M are done - this is, in fact, the exploitation of Asian peoples. And in the second hand you can find things of very good quality, up to natural silk. Therefore, now my entire wardrobe is either sewn by my mother, or second-hand, or brought from Morocco or India.
Everyone in Minsk gravitates toward European fashion and lifestyle, but that doesn't bother me. Moreover, both my friends and my family are such that all my innovative things have always been encouraged.
