Buying Guide: How to Choose Your Modern Dance Outfit

Modern dance, with its fluid movements, contractions, releases and spatial explorations, requires an outfit that offers complete freedom of movement while highlighting the dancer's silhouette. Comfort, flexibility and body expression are key.

Tops: Freedom and Expression

For the upper body, choose garments that allow full mobility of the arms, shoulders and torso, while also letting teachers observe and correct posture.

• Loose or Fitted T-Shirts and Tank Tops: Depending on your preference, go for loose-fitting t-shirts for maximum freedom, or fitted tank tops that show off arm and back work. Breathable fabrics are essential for comfort during exertion.
• Sports Bras: Essential for female dancers, they should provide adequate support for dynamic movements while staying discreet under your outfit. Browse our sports bras.
• Crop Tops and Wrap Tops: Ideal for warm-ups or to mix up your style, these pieces add an aesthetic touch while ensuring good mobility. Explore our wrap tops.

Bottoms: Flexibility and Movement Lines

Bottoms should allow full leg extension and follow every move without restriction.

• Leggings and Fitted Pants: The most popular choice. Choose leggings or dance trousers made from highly stretchable materials (viscose, cotton or polyamide with elastane) that hug the body and allow full range of movement.
• Harem Pants or Fluid Trousers: Great for those who prefer a looser silhouette or for specific choreographic styles. Their flowing fabric adds visual dimension to movement.
• Dance Shorts: Can be worn alone or over leggings. Discover our women’s dance shorts.

Footwear: Sensation and Grip

Modern dance often involves floorwork, making foot-ground contact essential for body awareness and grounding.

• Barefoot: Common in many modern dance classes. Dancing barefoot allows better feel of the floor and greater articulation of the feet.
• Half-Soles or Grip Socks: If the floor is cold or slippery, use canvas or leather half-soles, or specialised socks with grip dots. They should allow smooth rolling and pivoting of the foot.

Additional Tips

• Fabrics: Choose soft, breathable and stretchable materials that follow your movements without restriction. Our bamboo viscose and eco-friendly fibres are perfect for this.
• Colour: Black is a timeless classic that flatters the figure, but don’t be afraid to experiment with colours and textures for expressive impact.
• Layering: Use layers for warm-ups (e.g. leggings under shorts, t-shirt under a light jumper) and remove them as your body heats up during class.

In short: A good modern dance outfit should let you move freely, feel confident in your body, and connect fully to your movements and the space. Comfort is key to dancing with pleasure and progression.