Cheap Flamenco Skirts?

Flamenco costumes can be expensive, and if you're just taking your first class, you probably aren't ready to invest in a genuine flamenco skirt.

Unfortunately, High Street gypsy-style or Boho tiered skirt may look suitable for flamenco, but they often don't have enough material (unless they're a circle skirt, in which case they'll have that bulky-round-the-waist look).

As you progress in flamenco, you'll discover that the skirt isn't just something that hangs down around you - you'll be asked to pick up an edge of the skirt in each hand and move it around as you dance.  While holding the skirt, you may have to put your hands on your hips, or swing one hand in front of you and one behind at waist level.  If the skirt doesn't have enough fabric, these moves will reveal all of your thighs and, quite likely, more of your butt than you'd like!  In fact, even proper flamenco skirts tend to lift up with the momentum of the movement in fast dances - I've been surprised how much leg I've shown in pictures of performances!  So dancing in a skirt that doesn't cover your legs, even when you're moving slowly, isn't a good idea.

A compromise is to wear a pair of leggings under a boho skirt for practice, so it doesn't matter if your legs are on display when you lift the hem - in fact, quite a few teachers use this option.  Personally I don't like this idea unless you're into nuevo flamenco (where the skirt is lighter and isn't used so much).  If you get too used to dancing in pants, it's quite an adjustment to get used to dancing in a heavy skirt.

So when buying an ordinary skirt to use for flamenco, remember to pick up the hem and move it around when you try it on. Look in the mirror and make sure you're not revealing more than you want to!

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Photo credit: Nessa Land