What to Wear for Hip-Hop Classes

If this is the first time you’re attending a hip-hop dance class, congratulations! Hip-hop dance is an amazing hobby where you can not only work up a great sweat, but have incredible fun doing so as well. Unlike most other forms of dance, hip-hop is a lot more casual and more about attitude than anything else, so you don’t have to focus so much on technique and just let loose and have fun. While dance class doesn’t necessarily have to be a fashion show, hip-hop dancers have a certain unspoken culture on what to wear for class. In this article, I’ll walk you through some of the necessary items you should wear, so you can hit the ground running - and look good doing it.

Basic attire is simple – the key thing to remember is that you’re wearing something for comfort. So leave your tight jeans and starched shirts at home. You should preferably be wearing something baggy, probably something at least 2 sizes larger than what you usually wear out. Baggy clothes accentuate hip-hop movements, so don’t be afraid to let your clothes hang off you. Check out the dancers on Missy Elliot MTVs – you’d wanna go something along those lines.

Many hip-hop dancers choose to wear sweatpants because they’re extremely comfortable, and look good when they’re baggy. For guys, don’t be afraid to wear them at your hips, even if they’re below your boxers. Remember – the baggier, the better. Make sure that they’re made of a light material and that your legs can easily move around without them hampering your movement too much. Another advantage of sweat pants is that they often come with the elastic bands on the legs, so you can hitch one side up for a bit of attitude. Recently, baggy basketball shorts have also become really fashionable among both male and female dancers as well. Ideally, the end of the shorts should go way below your knees, perhaps somewhere mid to lower calf.

For tops, keep things light, loose and simple. I usually throw on a cheap baggy T-shirt, slightly longer than what I usually wear out (to cover up my boxers that my pants are hanging off haha). Nike offers some really good T-shirts with awesome designs. And the best part? They’re made of dry-fit material so they don’t get too drenched with sweat. Trust me – you’ll sweat a LOT during class. You’ll probably be drenched right after the warm-up, so make sure that you’re wearing a comfortable, light cotton or dry-fit top. In general, try to avoid anything tight because it’s going to be REALLY uncomfortable throughout the class. For girls, baggy off-shoulder tops have also been very fashionable lately, though you should make sure that they don’t hamper your arm movements.

Another piece of clothing that has gained popularity in the dance scene in recent years is a plaid shirt. Most retailers sell them now, but make sure you purchase one made of a light material so that it’s comfortable to sweat in. Shirts can afford to be a little bit tighter than the usual baggy T-shirt, but you should still leave it a little loose.

Shoes are definitely one of the most important things in a hip-hop dancer’s wardrobe. While you can get away with going barefoot in other genres of dance, shoes are absolutely necessary in hip-hop. That’s because hip-hop often involves lots of high impact movements and/or smooth gliding, which can’t be done with bare feet. Sneakers are generally a safe bet – just make sure that they don’t squeak a lot when you kick the ground, or people around you might get annoyed. In general, you’ll want something that provides enough friction to let you make quick steps, yet lets you slide across the floor without squeaking too much.

In recent years, high-tops have become really fashionable in the dance scene. Nike is probably the most popular brand, though others like Adidas and Converse are quickly gaining traction. Don’t be afraid to keep them flashy – they make your foot movements look good. Often, they’re the flashiest part of my attire. Wear them with the tongue hanging out – that is, lace them up till before your ankle, then tuck the excess lace away. That leaves sufficient room for the tongue to be pulled out in front of the rest of the shoe. Tuck the rest of your sweat pants behind the tongue. 

A final touch to your baller dancer attire would be your headwear. Headwear isn’t necessary, but it helps to bring a certain attitude to any dancer. Caps, beanies and bandanas are all good, but I would highly recommend a New Era cap, otherwise known as a fitted cap. New Eras have a huge following in street culture – they’re not just worn by dancers, but also skaters, graffiti artists and MCs. You can tell a New Era from the gold “59fifty” sticker on the front. The brim is usually flat and they come in an amazing variety of colors and designs, some of them in limited edition. Be sure to leave the sticker on so that everyone else knows that it’s a genuine New Era.

Of course, these are just some of the more common things that dancers wear to hip-hop class – there are unlimited possibilities if you’re creative enough. Just remember to keep things fly and not too ridiculous, and go ahead and have fun :)