Everyone knows that to do something well, you need the right equipment. Dance is no different. Without the right footwear and clothing it just won't seem right. Obviously, if you are a beginner there is no need to go out and purchase hundred dollar shoes or thousand dollar costumes; you can probably find what you need right in your own closet.

For your first few lessons remember that comfort is key. Don't wear restrictive clothing, but make sure it's not so loose that your coach cannot see your movements. Ladies may want to wear flouncy skirts that will accent the hip movements of latin ballroom. Also, do remember that dance is rigorous exercise and you are bound to get hot. So, it is advisable to wear short sleeve or even sleeveless shirts. If you do not have specialized ballroom shoes with suede soles, wear comfortable dress shoes. Avoid wearing sneakers or heavy shoes as they will weigh you down, prevent you from gliding and probably ruin the beautiful (and expensive) hardwood floors.

Once you have decided that ballroom dancing is definitely for you, it is worthwhile to invest in the proper gear. Begin with a pair of specially designed ballroom shoes. What makes these different from regular dress shoes is that they have suede soles to provide the perfect traction and are extremely soft and flexible. Though it is ideal to have separate shoes for latin and standard, men and women can initially get away with wearing latin shoes for both. For women latin shoes are strappy sandals that should support the foot well and have quite a tight fit. A ladies standard pump should also fit well so that it does not fall off but should be comfortable enough to dance in for hours. Ladies shoes come in fabric (satin) and leather. A satin strap shoe will be more flexible and will generally look better on the dance floor. It is wise to pick a neutral color such as beige/flesh or dark tan satin unless you specifically know that you will have a black costume. A men's latin shoe has a "Cuban style" heel that is usually 1" or 1 ?". The shoe is also very flexible to allow for toe pointing. A men's standard shoe is generally stiffer and has a much lower block heel; they often come in patent leather. Most men's shoes come in leather or suede like material and all are usually black. It is up to you to choose what is comfortable and appealing to you. A good pair of ballroom shoes will run you anywhere from $75 to $150. They can be purchased locally at Patterson's Back Bay Dance Wear in Burlington (backbaydancewear.com) or via the internet (see links for recommendations).

Now that you have the right shoes and have been practicing for a while you are probably gearing up for a competition. Read on to find out the basics for ballroom dance competitions: