What to Bring to a Dance Competition

We’ve practiced and practiced (and are still practicing!) and now we’re getting ready to head up to Springfield this weekend to the Dancing a la Carte competition. To help make sure you have everything you need, we’ve put together this check list of things we find useful.

Clothing

• Dance clothes or costumes you will wear (more detail below)
• Street clothes to hang out in or drive home in
• Shoes: more than one pair if possible for back up or depending on the condition of the floor (fast or slow)
• A sweater, shawl or even light robe to keep you warm (it’s usually very cold in the ballroom) and to protect your dance clothes from spills or snags

Dance Accessories

• Towel – for perspiration
• Safety pins – you never know when you’ll need one (and we have!)
• Breath Mints
• Water
• High protein snack such as nuts or a protein bar. Sometimes it can be a long while between your heats
• Dance shoe brush
• Small bag to carry it all in

Men

• Dark Socks
• Belt(s)
• Vest/Dance Jacket
• Tie
• Pants
• Shirts (Ballroom and Latin)
• Dance Shoes (Ballroom and Latin)
• Hair Spray
• Dark Underwear (in case you have a rip)
• Vaseline (if you have patent leather shoes)

Women

• Outfit: We recommend a trial run in your lesson ahead of time
• Smooth dress
• Latin dress
  
• Pantyhose/Fishnets (if you wear them)
• Dance Pants (very important if they are not built into your dress)
• A button down shirt for the morning of the comp – you don’t want to ruin your hair after you spent so much time putting it up.
• Dance shoes (closed toe for Ballroom, open toe for Latin)
• Jewelry: Be sure it will stay secure and not catch or injure your partner

Make-up

• Foundation
• Blush
• Face Powder
• Lipstick
• Eyeliner
• Eye Shadow
• Mascara
• Nail Polish
• Fake Eye Lashes (if applicable)
• If you are doing any self-tanning, be sure to do this a day or two before the competition

Hair

• Bobby pins
• Hairspray
• Gel/Glue

Misc

• Hand Cream or body lotion – if you put it on your legs it keeps your dress from sticking to you
• Baby Powder
• Aspirin/Ibuprofen is always a good idea
• Something to wash your face off with at the end of the day especially if you are leaving right after the comp
• Safety pins – you never know what may happen
• Clothing tape to avoid wardrobe malfunctions
• Camera (although you may not be able to photograph or video in the ballroom)
• Nail polish for touch ups or if you have a stocking run
  

Good Luck!!