March 17, 2003

Salsa Attire -- Casual or Dressy?

Here we go again, two email from two male dancers who are asking wassup with what we wear on the dance floor... the last time two dancers asked about a subject, we were still getting feedback for over 1-1/2 years... We will post any constructive feedback from our readers.


  The Comments
The Feedback ... November 19, 2002 -- Arthur's response to Alfie
November 19, 2002 -- Tiffany's response
December 11, 2002 -- David's response
December 15, 2002 -- Vinnie's response
December 23, 2002 -- Tiffany's response
February 24, 2003 -- Alex's response
February 24, 2003 -- Clarisse's response
March 4, 2003 -- Sarah's response
March 17, 2003 -- Ivan's response from England
 


November 18, 2002 -- Pet Peeve

Hey Rose,

Just a quick little pet peeve of mine that maybe you can share with your dancing buddies. I believe anyone can wear anything they want to go out dancing. But some of these guys show up to clubs with jeans, shirts hanging out, and of course their beautiful white dancing slippers. I think this is a slap in the face to what the Salsa dancing culture is all about. Sure the club is at fault, and should not let those people in at all. And believe me the guys who wear these magic dancing slippers are good dancers.

But they look silly. If they want to go out after their dance classes, why not bring a change of clothing. The Lula Lounge is a nice club, it kind of brings you back to the old school salsa clubs. Most Latino's love to dress up when they go out. Even the good dancers. These guys who dress this way would have never been allowed entrance to the Copacabana or Palladium in NYC. These are things that just make the whole dancing here just not up to par with other cities. If you dance well like these guys, why not look classy? Instead of cheesy. You expect it in certain clubs. But this one has a bit of classiness to it. It is disheartening to know that as long as there are people like that who disrespect the culture, Salsa will never have that flavor in Toronto like it does back home. That is too bad, because the dancers here are amazing. But a true Salsero does not wear white dancing slippers to a nice club. Alfie

Dear Alfie, a slap in the face to salsa? I don't think that's what it's meant to convey... but I'll let the Toronto dancers speak up for themselves, if they so wish... Rose

November 18, 2002 -- How about a new topic?

Hey Rose,
I was at Court House the other day and I thought that since this venue is enforcing a strict dress code (unlike other clubs). How about you start a new discussion topic regarding what is considered appropriate salsa attire (both from a male and female perspective). I think this discussion will yield some interesting comments.

Do people dress for comfort or forego that and dress to impress? My initial impression about the salsa scene is that most dress relatively conservative (at least in Toronto) and we need some spice. However, it goes without saying that once you are on the dancefloor burning it up most consider comfort over looks. There are some (yourself included) that always dress comfortable and always look good. Some other TO examples of this is Dora, Jennifer Aucoin and Oscar Naranjo. This topic is sure to ruffle some feathers or at the very least generate some discussion.

Regards,
Arthur

The Feedback....

November 19, 2002 -- Salsa Attire

I am responding to Alfie's comments regarding salsa attire. For of all, I want to clarify that it is the Male dancers we are talking about. There a lot of dancers in the salsa scene that are GUILTY of what Alfie had asserted. That a) wear jeans b) T-Shirts c) and those magical white dancing slippers... LOL!!. If you are reading this, you know who you are!!!

I have been known to wear Casual clothing to clubs and I have to admit that sometimes I do feel underdressed. However, I sometimes dress for comfort rather than to impress. That said, there is a part of me that agrees with Alfie regarding how we dress in Toronto versus New York (an most large American cities). The current state of accepted dress for men in Toronto would not be allowed in most dance clubs like Copacabana, Latin Quarter etc. Heck, you see the old Mambo Kings (50 yr old+ men) wearing their best duds. Does the term Macking come to mind?? Well thats the mentality in these cities. I know because I grew up in Chicago were there is a strict NO JEANS policy in most clubs. I dont mean you have to look like a pimp when you go out but at least try to Mack once and a while. This also doesnt mean raiding your dad's closet.

Like I have said in other discussions, I predict 2003 will be the year Toronto will be put on the salsa map permanently as a major salsa stop with all the upcoming events, calibre of dancers and sheer numbers of dancers emerging out of the Toronto scene. With that, lets take a page from our American counterparts and dress the part when we are out, instead of looking like we just came from dance practise or a workshop. For my part, I will try to do my part to be a good salsa ambassador (not salsa pimp...I will leave that for some of my single buds...hehe).

Finally, there is nothing wrong with those dance slippers as long as you dress accordingly. This discussion begs a question. Will Toronto dancers step up and be willing to dress to impress or continue to dress casual? Arthur

November 19, 2002 -- Salsa Attire (Dressy or Casual)

Hey Rose! Okay, this is in response to the other emails. Basically, I believe in looking nice, as well as comfort. When my boyfriend and I go dancing, hes normally dressed in nice dress pants and dress shirt with dress shoes (w/rubber soles), as for me, Im short, so I like to wear little dresses or close fitting pants and armless top (to help me move), and my shoes are always platform. I found a solution! Im short,so I love wearing platform sandals, but I found that they were a pain to dance in! I bought these authentic cork sandals from ALDO and I use them all the time now! Cork absorbs shock, so you're feet don't hurt at the end of the night. Girls, buy cork, you will love it! As for guys, I agree with you alfie when you discuss your dislike for jeans, etc. When I see people wearing casual attire like that, it just reminds me of when we used to have DRESS DOWN DAYS in highschool, it doesn't look like they are there to dance, but rather to pick up eachother. I don't know about any of you guys, but dancing in jeans is very difficult..... Anyway, ladies and gents, you're out there to dance, look your best, add some flair to your attire ( i love wearing shawls so that the fringes sway when I do shines). Comfort is important, that is why it is important to plan your attire days before :0) those of you who try to conserve money (as everyone else is), try buying shoes with rubber or cork bottoms (for girls). Thats pretty much all I have to say with regards to attire. i'll see you guys at the clubs! Tiffany

December 11, 2002 -- Salsa Attire -- Casual or Dressy?

Hi Rose, Just wanted to say great web site, and to give my two cents on the Salsa dress attire issue - (chessy dresser = cheesy Salsero?)

As far I am concearned whatever the club dress code rules are should stick. If the club has a no jeans rule then that means no jeans. If jeans are allowed than so be it. Why should we discriminate on the way people dress? I think if people dress within the bounderies of the club's dress code then that's fine.

I have to admit that I enjoy Salsa for the music and dance... not the fashion...

However, until they open a club here in Toronto called 'Latinos Only' we will have to be patient... with guys that wear jeans... or white T-shirts... David

December 15, 2002 -- Salsa Attire -- Casual or Dressy?

Hi Rose, Great web site, for the past few days I've been visiting your site everyday, I guess the Salsa fever is coming back to me again.

Casual or Dressy????????
Personally, I think everybody when they go out dancing they should look great. Picture this, two beautifull woman standing beside each other, itching to dance, one all dressed up, the other one, wearing jeans, and a regular top, which one will you ask to dance first???? You know the answer.

The same goes for guys, two guys of the same dancing caliber, which one you rather dance with, the guy all dressed up, or the guy wearing jeans with a fade shirt?????

Everybody wants to have fun and look good in the dance floor, why not dress up.
One thing that bothers me the most is seing guys on the dance floor with running shoe, how do they do it???

GET YOURSELF A PAIR OF LEATHER SOLE SHOES, the difference is night and day, and you will also become a better dancer, the same goes for girls, how do you expect to spin properly with rubber soles or cork soles, it doesn't happen. Ask any real dancer.
That's my point of view, everyone should dress up to look good and have a great time.

Cheers, Vinnie

December 16, 2002 -- Dancer's Dress Code

There was a time when every gentleman and lady knew you dressed up for an evening out. It was something special, an event to look back on, to savour and to take pride in doing.

Times have changed, casual means looking relaxed and many are taking that to mean a license to be sloppy or dress inappropriately. That means shorts, sleeveless shirts, flip-flops, ratty jeans, white sneakers or T-shirts with junky messages. There is a total loss of self respect and respect for others. And I might add, that goes for certain dance instructors who I have a difficult time associating with a professional.

Generally, dancers should dress well, plan for a night out, dress to impress, look pulled together, have good personal hygiene, wear an undershirt to absorb perspiration and not appear like a missing link between Neanderthals and humans.

I attended the Soles 6th Annual Holiday dance party last night held in the Capitol Theater. As if on cue, dancers all arrived dressed up for the event. A dress code was never mentioned yet you had to look hard to find any one dressed inappropriately. This is a place of grandeur where you can feel the electricity in the air.

Hats off to the Torontonians who attended the event as you were part of the atmosphere in a place and an evening like this. Otherwise, I could have stayed in my living room, in my slippers, cranked up the music and pranced wildly to annoy the spiders on the ceiling which are hairy and naked any way, so who cares! Richard

December 23, 2002 -- Shoes

Hey Vinnie, yea, Im sorry, you are completely right! The thing is, is that Im short, so I have always been accustomed to wearing high shoes and I have gotten used to them! Those kind of shoes are comfortable and also easy to manuver with.........but! Recently I have been so into that vintage salsa, the really fast sounds and I know now the importance and beauty of making the fastest and accurate spins and shines. I recently visited Babaluus, which I will discuss later, but anyway the dancing environment there is amazing! The floor is beautiful and I treid wearing my leather soles shoes ( I was shorter for the night, but my boyfriend didnt mind, :0) Can I just tell you guys that I danced sooooo smoothly? Wow, I have never spinned or shined so well, all thanks to slippery soles (leather). So, thanks Vinnie for the tip! See you guys at the clubs. Tiffany

February 24, 2003 -- Dress Attire

I think many Canadians that is including Latin Canadians have a false idea of what Latin America is like. I come from Colombia. Salsa is considered an informal dance. There are nightclubs that you have to dress up for, but nobody dresses up for Salsa nightclubs. Most people in Colombia wear jeans to salsa nightclubs. If a woman or man dressed up like a few here do, people would laugh at them. So, I have no idea why people are saying that ONLY Latinos dress up for Salsa nightclubs. These people have never been to Latin America or only have been to nightclubs reserved for tourists.

Everyone here seems to stress that Salsa is a street dance. Then people here try to Europeanize it and tame it. For me, salsa dancing in Toronto is strange. People don't dance alone to salsa songs like they do in Cali, Colombia, my hometown. You do need to have a partner to dance salsa? I am sure this comes from your Ballroom needs. Why do you need ballroom shoes to dance salsa? This seems pretty weird to most Latin people. Then these are the same people who stress salsa is a street dance. Salsa is
part of the culture in places like Cali, Cuba, Puerto Rico and New York in the 70's. That's why, we have to invent many things because we as a culture live far away from culture of the music. That's ok, but don't invent the history or culture for your own needs. Alex

February 28, 2003 -- Salsa Attire -- Casual or Dressy?

In response to some of the people's irritations towards club wear, I must say that the magical white dancing slippers (which come in black and tan as well) are a blessing for the advanced salsero. Alfie said that a true salsero doesn't wear them. Well, before you make that judgment you should really comb your way through NY, as there is more to the NY salsa scene than the Copa. The true, hard core salsa lovers are found at NY socials (held by Jimmy Anton, Jorday and Eddie Torres) every weekend. And you know what they wear? Sweats, T-shirts and slippers in an array of colors. And these people can really dance their butts off. Salsa is not about looking cute and trying to pick someone up. It is about dancing, plain and simple. I was recently at the Chicago Salsa Congress and the after parties consisted of an eclectic mixture of clothing - some fancy, some casual, elaborate dresses with sparkly ballroom shoes, and jeans with Salsera Tshirts and jazz shoes. I am very into the scene and generally dress up to dance - because I have to. If I could, I would go in jeans and flat jazz shoes. They are just more comfortable to dance in, and with them I can actually execute my heel-toe shines. But in the end, who cares what you wear? Just because someone goes casual, it doesn't mean that they love the dance any less; in fact it probably means they love the dance so much that they don't want to ruin their nice clothes by dancing and sweating too much. Try not to judge those less dressed-up people. They are there for the same reason you are - a love for salsa. -- Clarisse

March 4, 2003 -- salsa attire

Hi Rose! Just like to say that I agree with the people who said dress codes should stick(whatever they may be) and also that dressing up is a good thing. My friends and I look forward to the weekend and have fun getting ready almost as much as going out. When we get to the club we like seeing everyone looking good and well groomed. I know it's fun to be casual too if you do it in a hip kind of way, but not with the sweat stained t-shirts and b.o. (you know you've seen that!). I must admit though I'm a little confused with dress codes in some clubs like babaluu's...2 years ago everyone looked their best, put in the time, and appeared very elegant. Now people wear a tank and jeans. It's all good, but I just wish people could know what to expect when going out and then it's all up to you. Wearing some of the dresses that were acceptable back then now feels like you're wearing a ball gown to a house party! -- Sarah

March 17, 2003 -- Salsa attire

Wow! It looks like some people on the salsa scene have got their fancy pants in a twist over what to wear on the dance floor. It also seems these people are stuck in some kind of 1970s salsa fashion time warp., where 'guys and girls knew how to dress properly' (???!!)

So the guys should all turn up in suits and the ladies in evening dresses and high heels??? I think in this case perhaps you should be doing ballroom - then you could wear fake tan and sequins too and everyone would be dressed sharply.

I thought the salsa scene was multi-cultured and tolerant? One of the reasons I love salsa is because of the mix of nationalities, ages and the resulting mix of styles you get in the clubs.

Sometimes I feel like getting suited up and at other times I just wanna dance in whatever is comfortable....sneakers, jeans, t-shirt....

On that note, I saw Raphael and Janet (Cubans and World Open Salsa champs) dancing in London....and shock horror, he was in jeans and a vest. He looked awesome on the dancefloor and far cooler than the guy in the zoot suit dancing next to him.

Personally, I don't want to be judged by the fashion police whenever I go out to dance. Substance wins over style every time! -- Ivan from England

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