Hair Tie
Beginner Level
The foundation — what every new dancer needs to know
A simple elastic for securing your hair while dancing — tiny item, huge impact on comfort and your partner's face safety.
Beginner focus
If your hair is shoulder-length or longer, tie it back for dancing. A simple ponytail works fine. Keep a few extra hair ties in your dance bag — they break, they get lost, and someone will always need one. This is one of those tiny preparations that makes a disproportionate difference in your comfort and your partner's experience.
Tips
- •Keep three or four hair ties in your dance bag at all times. One on your wrist, the rest as backup.
- •Braids stay more secure than ponytails during vigorous dancing. If your hair is long enough, a quick braid before the social saves constant readjusting.
- •For thick or curly hair, a sturdy scrunchie or claw clip may work better than a thin elastic. Find what holds your hair type securely.
Common mistakes
- •Leaving long hair loose and whipping your partner during turns and head movements
- •Using a hair tie that's too loose and comes undone mid-dance
- •Not packing backup hair ties and being stuck when one breaks
Practice drill
Before your next social, try three different hairstyles while doing your basic step and some turns in front of a mirror. Notice which one stays put, which one shifts, and which one would hit a partner's face. Choose the most functional option and make it your go-to dance hairstyle.