khanjar

Not really costumes as such, but I have my first class on Tuesday, where the teacher has suggested I wear loose clothing and soft shoes or barefoot. Now loose clothing, well T-shirt and sports pants I suppose, but soft shoes ?

Any suggestions, or is barefoot better ?

gisela

It depends on the floor of the dance studio. I have always danced barefoot but lately when I've taken workshops several days in a row I bought some ballet slippers to spare my feet. You could always go barefoot the first class to see if it works out. No need to buy something at once that you might not need after all.
gisela

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You need chaos in your soul to create a dancing star-nietzsche

adiemus

I've mainly danced barefoot, but for performance I used 'footsies' to save blisters and standing on any sharp things like safety pins, glass beads, coins...I think they're quite helpful if you don't fancy dancing barefoot on carpet.

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He wahine, he taonga- Every woman is a treasure(Maori proverb)

Shanazel

I like the kind of half-slippers that fit under the ball of my foot and leave the arch and heel free- one brand name is Dance Paws.

karena

Either barefoot (imo better) or if floor is bad something like these.
Aladdins Cave Soft flexible shoes

You need to be able to feel and move your feet properly. Leather soles are good for this.

Or ballet shoes

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"Nothing is black and white, it's all shades of grey" Me

Gia al Qamar

Any stores (and some dance studios) in your area, as well as dance supply places online (do a search for Capezio) will help you find a shoe that will keep your feet, knees and back in the BEST health!
I have ALWAYS worn dance sandals (I recommend Sandalsols or lyric sandals...other dancers use Hermes lace-up sandals or 'dance paws', which I don't like because they slide on me in mutiple turns!)
I know that many dancers like to dance barefoot, but you put your health at GREAT risk by doing so...most public floors, including dance studios are filthy...you will eventually cut your skin on stray beads, coins or debris. You can also put strain on your knees by not having an 'ease' when turning on the ball of your foot...ditto with your lower back!
You'll do no harm by attending your first class in bare feet or socks. But do invest in some foot covering...you'll be glad that you did and you'll be able to dance til you're 101!
Gia

Mosaic

For dance classes in winter I wear the soft leather split sole jazz shoes, in summer just bare feet, as the floor in our studio are beautiful polished wood floors and only used as a belly dance studio. For performance where necessary hermes sandals or a soft shoes like the ones that Karena placed a link too.
~Mosaic

adiemus

Dance paws and footsies are the same thing - I haven't yet seen lyric sandals in the flesh so to speak, but I'd love to try them!

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He wahine, he taonga- Every woman is a treasure(Maori proverb)

da Sage

Start with bare feet, and you can hold off on buying shoes until you start working on turns and twists. If your feet or knees start hurting in class, let the teacher know (and stop/scale back on the twisty movement for the rest of the class), and hit the local dance store for shoes before your next class.

I really needed foot protection when we started turns and quarter-twists-on-one-foot; but now I don't, because the soles of my feet have toughened up. Just keep half-soles out of reach of your pets; they love to chew them up/hide them!

gisela

we have talcum powder in our studio, to step in. Makes it easier when practicing turns.

__________________
You need chaos in your soul to create a dancing star-nietzsche