As a male dancer it’s hard to survive in the industry as there is a lot of pressure from the society and one’s family about being career oriented, and dance is generally not looked upon as a full time serious career. There are several pitfalls a male dancer will encounter, and his career graph will be closely looked at. Apart from the basic skill of dance, people will look at various other things in a male dancer and the way he carries himself is also under scrutiny.
You’ve got into that dance troupe, got the appreciation you deserve, updated the phone and everything’s going good — but if you’re still wearing pointy dress shoes, all of this will won’t mean anything. What you wear tells everyone exactly who you are, like it or not. People, especially women, instinctively read clothes like seasoned anthropologists — slotting the man, his hobbies, cultural background and aspirations. Media doesn’t spare anyone today when it comes to commenting on their sartorial sense. A dancer is also a recognised face today and being in vogue is important.
THREE-BUTTON SUITS
No self-respecting designer or even a small time tailor would ever put you in a three-button suit. But ready-made stores just don’t stop shoving them under our noses. They make you look like a soap-star with wardrobe constraint. Three-button suits make a dancer look barrel-chested and short. So if you are a dancer who is not in a good shape then beware of three button suits. The right suit has two buttons, the lower one placed in line with your navel. The collar then plunges in sleekly, making you look like a man from her Majesty’s secret service.
POINTY-TOE SHOES
For men these days, big pointy shoes are in fashion, but do not get confused with too heavily pointed ones. The only thing worse these narrow, pointy shoes, are that they curl upwards. They elongate your feet, and basically, make you look like some kind of over-grown elf. Do not ever attach a heel and wear them under narrow, acid washed jeans. If you’d like a nice girl to notice you at a dance gathering, wear classic brogues or wingtips with a rounded toe, you never know with your style and dancing skills, you might just get lucky.
MANPRIS
The manpris — shorts that end above the knee have become the symbol of a true metrosexual male dancer. You see them on a in multiplexes and malls walking hand-in-hand with their girlfriends, both wearing matching capris for rehearsals and show practice sessions. If you are a tall man, a manpris looks like borrowed shorts. If they are of trouser material, they look like something your mom would make you wear when you were eight. Not all knee-length shorts are pariahs. Six pockets, carved out of thick material, with a large circumference at legs, give you the right dressed-down look. So if you want to be casual and look more relaxed, avoid manpris
PLEATED TROUSERS
Pleated pants are exactly what your papa is picking out for your wedding. Basically, middle-aged men plumped by prosperity prefer such look. A young and fit male dancer would opt for flat-front pants that fall straight and break just right under the ankle and over the shoes. They sit right at the hipbone and give a clean, dapper silhouette. So no papa and uncle pants for smart and young male dancer.
SLIDE SANDALS
You know who wears leather slide sandals — retired uncles with never-ending questions about technology. That broad band that stretches from below the toe joints and doesn’t stop till it reaches your ankles is usually attached to a moulded plastic sole. Ditch it and get a pair of canvas boat shoes or strappy leather sandals. Women judge a male dancer by the shoes and those slide sandals aren’t telling them anything flattering about you.
If you keep these few things in mind, you will not only be known for your great dancing but also for sense of fashion and style. Remember costume on stage and off stage speak volumes about who you are.