06.24.09
Posted in Dance Fashion Dish at 11:38 pm by roxie
When guys take up salsa dancing or other ballroom dance forms, they soon learn that they must simply get used to one side effect: hair-in-the-face (or, sometimes, in-the-mouth). It’s just part of social-dance life. Sometimes we also experience our own hair getting in the face, even blinding us mid-move. To avoid this, and to avoid really giving the fellas major hair masses to deal with, there are some styling ideas and tips to consider.
Wearing your hair down can be fabulous, especially for sexy and fierce “hair-ography.” It can also be little cumbersome if you’ve got lots of length and layers. If that’s the case, consider a half-ponytail style. Securely tie the top half of your hair at the back, and let the bottom half hang down. Adding volume at the top is a subtle visual way to pull the bone structure “upward,” and this can be accomplished easily with a little combing technique. Use a wide-toothed comb and insert it backwards from the top of the head. Gently push the hair forward and up. Repeat, striving for an even lift at the left, right, and middle. You could also use a Bombshell Beauty hair pouf (pack of three for $10) or a Bump-It.
And finally, to keep the volume, use a natural sea salt spray - perfect for creating “beachy waves.” You can make this yourself - it’s so easy! Just mix a tablespoon of sea salt with a cup of water, plus a drop of two of essential oil. Lavender imparts a soft and lovely scent (not to mention it’s a proven aphrodesiac). Peppermint, jasmine, and citrus scents can increase circulation (for improved volume). However you scent it, it’s great for styling (not to mention cheap). If you’d like to wear your hair down, this spray will give tousled hair a little sexy texture and volume. Spray at the roots, and then work it through (scrunch, lift, pull, part, pouf, etc., depending on your desired effect) with the hands to encourage lasting style with body and definition.
Beyond the down or half-up look, there’s the ponytail. Ah, the ponytail… so easy, so convenient, so much possibility for style… the braided ponytail? Not so much. Avoid long braids that could wack guys and fellow dancers. As long as you’re not creating weapons with the hair, a high ponytail is great, especially because you want to keep hair off the neck when it’s hot. Use gel to refine it, and a little oil at the front to keep frizz at bay. Almond, olive, jojoba, and especially coconut - they’ll all work well.
A low ponytail is an easy and universal go-to style, but consider placing it just a bit higher than the base of the neck to keep sweat and heat down. Low versions are also great because they’re quick, especially if mid-dance or mid-evening, you have to get the hair out of the way. (Doubling up by creating low pigtails will also keep hair out of the way while adding a little cute, flirty, and youthful flair.) But, as convenient and effortless as this style is, it should be noted that low ponies suffer from one common problem - a lack of refinement. Keep it together to avoid a haphazard, messy look. Use a quick splash of water if that’s all you have on hand, but generally, always use your gel. For quick, on-the-go touch-ups to what-could-be a messy low ponytail, grab your Badger Organic Unscented Lip Balm (three organic ingredients and nothing else! Find it at Whole Foods!) and smooth some over the fly-aways or frizzy spots.
And then of course, there’s the bun, or the pulled-back and gathered look. An up-do works - but if it’s too “up” it could get in the way of turns and ducking or “tunneling” moves. Too high and you’ll be checking on it all night, too. A mid-to-high or low bun or chignon will accomplish that pulled back and sophisticated look (a la ballroom competition) without getting in the way of the dancing.
To combat this seasonal humidity, especially at outdoor events or packed clubs, use natural gels and oils. Aubrey Organics B5 Gel is a completely natural hair gel with no synthetic preservatives or toxic chemicals, and it’s somewhat watery consistency means it leaves less residue behind while imparting shine and hold. If you need more hold, add a little coconut oil to it (but not too much, to avoid flaking). To create a natural hair spray, put 1 oz. of B5 Design Gel, 2 oz. of purified water (mineral water can leave residue), and 1 oz. of vodka (a grain alcohol) in a spray bottle. Add a couple drops of essential oil if you want (but be careful working with them). Then, just shake well and spray. As always, keep your natural moisturizing oils nearby to keep frizz down while keeping hair smooth and shiny. And, when all you have is a Badger’s Balm - that works too.
Hit the floor with the hair out of your and your partners’ face, while wearing comfortable and stylish dance wear, and enjoy the moves without distractions.
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06.18.09
Posted in Because We Can at 2:52 am by roxie
The weather is warmer, and it’s time to bring out the legs. As the summer begins, shorter skirts are visible everywhere you look - despite longer skirt lengths being an indicator of troubled economic times… see, because looking hot is timeless. We’re bringing you more ways to look hot with new e.K. Clothing mini dresses.
Dancing tones your legs, and if you’ve been eating well, drinking plenty of water, and getting in other regular exercise, chances are the legs are noticeably defined and begging to be seen. Wearing a mini-dress says that you are confident in yourself, that you appreciate your [femininely soft and well-moisturized] skin. It also simultaneously says that you are sexy, carefree, and youthful.
Mini-dresses are versatile, too. They can be glammed up with accessories and slick hair for dance competitions, worn for dance practice, for chilling out with friends on sunny summer days or cool summer night, or worn for club dancing. Our seductive One Sleeve Gathered Dress adds an unexpected asymmetry while showing off the shoulder and delicately feminine collarbone. (Hey, at one point it was considered risqué to show in fashion. Plus, some guys find it beautiful; some even have a sort of neck area/collarbone fetish, a fascination with this part of the anatomy on a woman… but that’s another topic).
Similarly, our new Cut Out Dress with Necklace shows off an unexpected hint of skin from the back. And, if you’ve been dancing long enough, you’ll have a shapely V going on back there, too. Showing skin and flaunting your femininity in the seasonal heat does not meat you have to go extra bare or leave too little to the imagination. You can do it with some unique shapes or strategically placed cut-outs. (Plus, with necklace = already accessorized, you can go as is or add more jewelry, we’re making getting dressed a little easier with this extra feature.)
And, if you’re looking to take a very flirty route, our Patterned Ruffle Tank Dress is gorgeously fun. With the colors, you could even add in other accessories and/or hair that take a left-turn straight to eighties style. It’s feminine, flattering, and for summer and beyond. Take this great silhouette to the party celebrating the natural curve of your body, and be prepared to receive compliments.
You can go just about anywhere in your dancing or personal life in a mini dress. In competition, a mini makes it easier for the judges and audiences to see your well-practiced leg lines leg-to-foot action. In practice or at the club, it’s a comfortable and cooler (in temperature) alternative to pants that’s still stylish. (And by wearing our Dance Panty, you can know you’re covered in all-movements and from all angles.) Out-and-about around town (or on date night), it just makes it easier for you to feel pretty, and attracts the eyes of admiring on-lookers if you’re confident and have chosen the right fit. And, be it day or night, clearly these minis can be either fun and flirty or more sophisticated - depending on cut and color, and also on how you add to them with accessories, hair style, and makeup.
With such versatility, comfort, color options, reasonable pricing, and perfect seasonal timing, what’s not to love? You just have to find the right one for you. Shouldn’t you be wearing a mini dress? Find your new “hot little number” at e.K. Clothing today.
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06.12.09
Posted in Direct From the Dancefloor at 7:58 pm by roxie
Every now and then, some women go out and hear the frustrated wallflower in their heads. It’s the voice that says, wistfully: “C’mon, ask me to dance… ask me. ASK. ME… Argh, why won’t he ask me? I wanna dance!” Next song, maybe. No? Next one after that… “I’m going to circulate the room,” she thinks, motivated to hit the floor. For some, the night gets luckier from there, because they do get asked. For others, it gets luckier because - in frustration - they get over any fears of breaking tradition and say to themselves: “Forget this, I’m going to ask a guy myself!”
But there are a few things you can do to make yourself more approachable (and a number of things not to do, in order to avoid wallflower-status). How do you get asked to dance?
Well, for starters, don’t hang out extra far away from the dance floor. Once you’re sure you aren’t doing that, don’t cross your arms. (If you’re standing and hoping to be approached, but your arms are crossed, you are putting up a barrier with your body language. This defeats the purpose of standing anywhere near the dance floor and hoping for a dance.)
Don’t stand around in groups of other women laughing and chatting; move away from the circle of female friends. (You would usually avoid large groups of other females if you were at a party and wanted a guy to come over and flirt with you - this is essentially the same.) Don’t hang out on only one side of the room either. If you aren’t getting asked, staying where you are won’t help (because ‘doing what you’ve always done will get you where you’ve always gotten’ [Anthony Robbins], and ‘doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity’ [Albert Einstein]). Circulating the room is, indeed, a good idea. Remember to put the drink (and/or the phone) down, as well. This frees your hands for invitation and prevents you from looking preoccupied.
Sitting is fine, but probably not if your chair is far from the action. Standing is preferable. And, for the sake of looking ready for said action, you should move slightly to the music. Feel the rhythm, sway and groove. Look alert, keep the arms open (uncrossed), look lively and ready to move as you enjoy the music solo. Scan the room slightly as you do this. All of this body language says “I want to dance,” and it’s inviting.
Once you see an opportunity that suits your fancy, make eye contact as he comes your way. Both of you will be able to tell that it’s time to dance, and those seconds of eye contact just before you officially decide to take the floor together will seal the deal.
One more quick tip - dress to impress (we can help with that). If you look nice and exude confidence, men are always more likely to approach to you.
Those are some of the easy ways to make yourself naturally more approachable for potential partners on the dance floor. If you see someone you’d like to dance with, these tips - eye contact especially - will usually open the door for him. (And remember - it’s nice to have men ask you, and they typically do the asking. But, if all else fails, you can actually extend the invitation from time to time, of course!)
Ultimately, there’s no need to strike up an awkwardly loud, over-enunciated conversation over the louder music, and no need to know your partner beforehand (if you want to introduce yourself, you can always introduce yourself just before, during, or after you hit the floor). There’s no need to talk about it or qualify a social dancing invitation with words, either. After all, dance is a universal language.
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06.04.09
Posted in As Seen On, Dance Fashion Dish at 4:44 pm by roxie
Ammena Dance Company wearing e.K. Clothing. Photo taken by Jan Tajcnar.
Remember those hair commercials where they would ask you which woman used the less expensive shampoo? The two women had equally beautiful hair, the point being: “Why pay more? Buy our brand, it’s less-expensive but it still gives you fabulous hair!” Well you can take the same approach to your dance performance costumes. You probably haven’t stopped to think of this before, but sometimes the costumes you think are the sexiest or most interesting on stage are actually not the one or two-pieces they appear to be. Sometimes it’s a couple great accessories, the magic of safety pins or needle and thread, and a little creativity (blending four, five, or more pieces). With a few attractive and well chosen additions, those otherwise simple pieces can be dressed up for the stage.
It’s easy to add flair to a skirt with our Beaded Fringe Belt. It will shimmy and shake every time you do, and it has another added bonus: If you wear it with the longest downward point of fringe in the front center line of your body, it will trick the eye just slightly and create a slightly slimming effect. This can be especially effective and balancing if you’re wearing a trumpet-style skirt that flairs outward (the tapering inward will complement the outward shape of the skirt). These ladies (above) did it with our Cleopatra Skirt, adding movement and shine.
If you’re looking to do it, you have options - you can also spice up the hips with our Hip Scarf w/ Wavy Coins - it adds a little gentle, jingling noise and an ethnic/Middle Eastern flair. You can also draw the eye upward with a glittering bra top, as seen above as well. A quick hidden safety-pinning or stitching will keep the attached top comfortably in place. That’s instant glam and drama - simply and affordably - with one of our sequined bra tops.
And lastly, you can create “princess hair.” (Think Disney classics - Mulan had a flower, Pocahantas had a headband, Cinderella had a tiara, etc. Shouldn’t you accentuate this feminine feature as well as you style it to perform?) We have various flower hair clip styles, including the traditional Rose Hair Clip in a large variety of colors for a soft-and-pretty-yet-also-sexy-and-interesting look.
It’s easy to create your own unique and glamorous costumes with a few pieces from e.K. (and a little jewelry; adorn yourself in a way that fits your personality and costume/performance theme). When all is said and done, people will be asking of your outfit: “Where did you get that?” Of course, you’ll pleasantly explain your creativity and drop us a plug (”This is from e.K. Clothing!”). Oh, and you’ll be proud of the fact that you didn’t break the bank (on a look that cost up to or even over a grand because some do), yet still looked absolutely stunning when the stage lights hit you. Shop for your stage look online at e.K. Clothing, and plan your next fashionable performance with us.
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