Movement, Pole Dancing, and Shorts

I expect a lot from my pole dance shorts. They need to move like athletic wear, they need to respond properly to body heat, and they need to be cut to allow a perfect balance of coverage and comfort. Add in the fact that I like my shorts to be attractive and feel good to the touch, and I found I had quite a list of requirements.

Take a second to think about how you move when you’re pole dancing. Now compare that to how you move doing anything else. Not a lot of similarity, is there? That’s why shorts made for a different sport can get in the way when you’re pole dancing.

Luckily …

I’ve done a lot of research on sportswear design, athletic fabrics, and pole dancer preferences – all because I couldn’t find a pair of shorts that I liked. In fact, that’s why I started PoleSkivvies and came up with my own design.

Here’s what I found are the main things to look for in a pair of shorts for pole dancing. (If you’re not a details type of person, feel free to cut to the chase and just get yourself a pair of the pole dance shorts that I designed. They are based on everything I’m listing here.)

Seven Things to Look For in Pole Dance Shorts

1. Skin grip.

Good grip on the pole is a must-have. What with weather fluctuations, moisturizers, and sweaty hands, the last thing we need is our shorts to be working against us. That’s why a good pole short will be sure to leave the sweet spot on your upper thigh uncovered.

2. Fabric that breathes.

People like to act as if cotton is the only fabric that breathes – meaning, that doesn’t trap heat against your skin. But, the fact is, there are many, many fabrics that breathe, and several sportswear fabrics among them. Even better, the latest sportswear fabrics take breathability to the next level and actually wick sweat away from your skin. Rather than just letting the perspiration evaporate, their fibers are compressed in such a way as to move the sweat away from your skin faster. Exactly what you want for your workout.

3. Fabric that holds its shape.

The same people who tout cotton’s ability to breathe, will also ignore the fact that cotton also stretches. This is not what you want in pole dance shorts, since it means the fit you have from your short at the beginning of class will be very different from the fit you have by the end of class. High-quality sportswear fabrics are designed to stretch with your movement and the curves of your body, all while retaining their shape. That’s what you need when pole dancing.

4. Crotch that doesn’t gap.

You’d think this would be a no-brainer, since nobody wants their goodies falling out in the middle of a split or boomerang. Still, a pole short that doesn’t gap in the crotch is hard to find. Mainly, this is due to the fabrics most shorts are made of, which lose their shape when exposed to body heat. But it’s also due to the way the shorts are cut – a good pole short will be cut to allow for leg-apart moves without going XXX.

5. No center seam in the crotch.

There is only one reason why center seams in the crotch are so accepted – and that’s cost. Not cost to you, the consumer, but cost to the manufacturer. It is cheaper to cut and produce shorts made to sew up the middle. Well, in my opinion, that’s not reason enough for us to have to suffer with center seams. They may not pose any concern when it comes to loose shorts or jean shorts, but when you’re talking shorts that lay right against your crotch, that seam is a no-starter. Why risk irritating the most sensitive part of your body if you don’t have to? (Hint: you never have to.)

6. Durability.

Pole shorts take a beating, both on the pole and in the laundry. A good pole short needs to be made of a fabric that won’t stretch in the wash, won’t shrink in the dryer, and won’t fade and get a nasty texture after a few washings. Beyond concerns about the fabric, durability also has to do with the construction of the short – the seams and hems. Is the stitching even? Is the stitch used an appropriate one for a stretch fabric? Are the hems smooth and even? All these factors have to come into play to give you a pole short that lasts.

7. Comfort and fit.

Every woman’s body is different, especially in our hips, thighs, and rears. The right pole short for you will feel comfortable and let you move easily while on the pole. Some women prefer a very small size to allow for as much skin grip as possible; others prefer a larger size for extra comfort. Whatever your preferences are, choose a pole short that lets you move freely and focus on your dancing.

If you want to know more, you should also check out this article on basics of pole dance clothing.