A shirt or t-shirt and dress trousers will be acceptable for almost all dance classes
I know the people tight on trouble with their wardrobes - but probably because of this - I've come across some really inappropriate dressed men in beginner's dance classes! So what should a guy wear to his first ballroom dance class? Well fortunately the times of jackets and ties are long gone, nevertheless its still not acceptable to show up in sandals copa mundial and shorts! Well OK maybe in Australia - in an un-airconditioned studio in the center of summer - but not in your first night!
Shoes for Ballroom Class are Critical
While you might have experienced ballroom danced barefoot on television shows for example "So You Think You Can Dance" - these dancers are experienced - and it is a studio situation. Never, ever expect to dance socially or perhaps in a dance class with bare feet - its totally unacceptable - and very difficult to do as well.
Serious ballroom dancers find yourself buying proper handbags - you don't need to visit that expense immediately but if you happen to possess a pair of leather soled shoes they will be ideal. Otherwise a pair of "dress" or "office" lace up shoes will likely be fine - the greater wear the only the greater. Don't wear athletic or sports footwear - you will damage the knees or ankles because these shoes have a significant amount of grip that you should slide your foot over the floor out of the box needed in ballroom dancing.
As you will step backwards sometimes as well as turn on your heel chose shoes which are reasonably securely fitting. Most men dance in ballroom shoes with a 1/2" heel - an ordinary shoe's mercurial pas cher height. If you are doing Latin American dance too you will probably notice that men will sometimes wear shoes having a higher heel - up to 2" or perhaps higher. Don't try this immediately though - otherwise you will see the real pain of high-heels the girls have been talking about for a long time!
What Clothes for a Guy in Ballroom Dance Class?
The good thing is that you will never have to be wearing a suit and tie! Actually a normal suit jacket fails at all well for Ballroom Dancing. If you notice men dance in tail suite or even having a jacket - the jacket is extremely specifically cut so they won't bunch in the shoulders whenever you raise your arms in to the typical dance hold.
A shirt or t-shirt and dress trousers will be acceptable for almost all dance classes. If you sweat a lot and its likely to be a long session - consider bringing an extra shirt - your partner will appreciate it!