Dress For Flamenco

Photo by iliturgitana on Flickr

If you need a fan for flamenco, don't be tempted by the ones in typical Spanish souvenir shops (like the ones above) - dancing fans are much, much bigger.  The ones sold in Chinese or Japanese shops aren't usually suitable either:  although they may be the right size, I've yet to find one that opens and closes fast enough and smoothly enough to be any use for dancing.

If you hold an open flamenco fan (in the correct grip) in your hand, the end of the fan should almost reach the crook of your elbow.

Try opening and closing the fan - you must be able to do both with one hand.

Here's a modern take on the traditional flamenco fan dance: