When it comes to pole dancing, knowing what not to wear can be just as useful as knowing what you should wear. Here are the basics:
Bottoms
- Old, ratty underwear.
- Baggy shorts.
- Thongs.
- Yoga pants or sweatpants.
Bad enough in online videos, it’s simply not acceptable to wear these as your bottoms during pole class.
This applies, no matter the length of the shorts. Baggy shorts not only flash your goods for all the world to see, but they also get in the way of advanced moves that require good skin contact. Not a good idea.
Yes, I know what you’re thinking, “Felix wears thongs, for god’s sake!” True, but Felix is performing and that is her costume. We’re talking about pole dance classes, and for them, thongs just are not the best option. In fact, many schools have dress codes that prohibit them. Besides, thongs require a good bit of upkeep in terms of personal grooming, which seems a lot to ask for when you just want to get a good work out. So, save the thongs for special performances.
Actually, pants are a gray area. They are great for warming up and cooling down; they are great for practicing transitions and floorwork and beginner-level spins. However, if your class will include climbs, seats, inverts, or more advanced spins, then pants are going to get in your way. If you choose to wear them, be sure to have a pair of pole dance shorts on underneath so you can be ready for anything.
Tops
- Loose-fitting tanks.
- High cut armholes.
- Unflattering lengths.
Tanks are great; loose-fitting tanks are not. The problem here is that tanks with a loose fit can move around on you. When you really need a good underarm grip, the last thing you want is to be fighting against your tank top.
Whether you wear a sports bra or a tank, you want to make sure plenty of room is allowed in the cut of the armholes. Grip is everything in pole, and a lot of inverts rely on underarm grip, so that is the last place you want extra fabric.
This is a pet peeve of mine – I think it just looks better to have a pole dance tank that reaches down to the top of your short. Crop-tops and sports bras are fine (and essential for very advanced moves), but if you are wearing a tank, it’s best to find one that isn’t so short your tummy gaps during your moves.
Other Things to Avoid in Pole Dance Clothing
- Cotton fabrics.
- Spandex fabrics.
- Rhinestone-studded, beaded, or sequined fabrics.
People love to work out in cotton, and cotton is a lovely fabric – but it is not the best choice for pole dancing. Cottons lose their shape easily, especially when exposed to heat – like, say, from your sweating, inverting body. The result is clothing that fits well at the beginning of class, but sags and gaps by the end of class. Not good.
Actually, not all spandex fabrics are the same, so here I’m talking about your basic, cheap, stretch fabric. The kind you can find at the local fabric store. Yes, it’s stretchy, and, yes, it comes in a variety of colors – but it doesn’t breathe, which makes you hotter. And it’s slippery, which is not a good thing for pole dancing clothes.
This is more about protecting your beautiful beadwork than it is about these fabrics getting in the way of your pole dancing. These types of fabrics are gorgeous, but they can get easily scratched and damaged when sliding or pressing against the pole. Save them for special performances.
Now that you know what not to wear, here’s where to find out what you should wear to pole dance class. You might also like to read up on these pole dance clothing basics.
