Page:Modern Dancing (1914) Castle.djvu/147

Rh Clothes are really a great aid to the woman in dancing, for the sweep of her soft skirts, the charm of her frock, lends her a grace that a man must inevitably lack. Often a man who dances far better than a lady will be considered only mediocre, while the lady who is properly dressed is applauded for her skill.

The waist-line in a dancing-frock should always be high enough to eliminate the harsh line of the hips. It need not necessarily be up under the arms, but it should be high enough to have a fullness over the hips so that one long, graceful line extends from the bust down to the ankle. This lends a supple ease to every movement of the body and tends to improve, from the artistic standpoint, the various measures of the dance. Added to this, the blouse should be loose—and in speaking of the blouse I mean especially the sleeve. Tight sleeves are too binding. Often the wide-armhole sleeve draws awkwardly when the arm is outstretched to meet the partner's. Don't fasten the blouse down too tightly, and be sure, in selecting one of the transparent, filmy little affairs now so much in vogue for dancing, that you can stretch your arms right above your head without difficulty. If you can do that, the blouse is suitable for the thé dansant.

As to material, of course, it must be light.