If you like dressing up you’ll love the opportunities to go to tango balls or milongas. Men can wear whatever they feel smart and comfortable in, some like a jacket, and trousers, others prefer a simple shirt and jeans, its up to you. For the ladies however, you have a lot of possibilities, from casual dance/exercise wear to the classic seamed stockings with glamorous dresses and high heels!
We suggest you dress fairly casual for your workshops, practicas and classes. Milongas But really have fun with dressing the part fit for the balls or milongas.
Shoes really are an essential item of your basic tango kit. The ideal shoe will have a smooth sole, preferably leather. Trainers, sports shoes and others that have a grip on the sole should be avoided as they will prevent the turning action of the dance. For ladies, a heel is preferable, as this helps support the foot when walking backwards, but it does need to be comfortable, especially to start, so try before buying!
Experienced dancers quite often dance in a variety of shoes, maybe lower ones for practise, and keeping the highest for the balls and milongas. If you are wearing non dance shoes to start with, make sure they fit well around the ankle and do not fall off the heel when stepping backwards, so as with traditional tango shoes, ones with ankle straps or lace-ups are better.
You may feel you need to buy some dance shoes for tango, as most men’s outdoor shoes have a stiff sole with a lip projecting beyond the shoes’ upper, making it more difficult to feel where your partner’s foot is, and is generally too stiff a shoe.
A thin sole which does not extend beyond the upper, is definitely better to dance in.
All platform and wedge heels should be avoided
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