How to Choose Clothes and Shoes for Popping

Popping is a dance style in which the dancer's movements look like quick jerks of the body. This is achieved by sharply contracting and then relaxing muscles in rhythm with the music.
The popping we know today includes several dance styles that originated in California in the early 1970s.

There is no single person who invented the dance, as many dancers influenced its emergence.

The first group to perform this style was the Electric Boogaloos. Its members, together with their mentor Sam Solomon, created many new moves and made a huge contribution to the development of popping.

Popping includes styles such as waving, strobing, and robot. These styles leave an impression of something unearthly, alien, and surreal.

Popping dancers are called poppers, and earning that title requires a lot of hard work and practice. So, if you've decided to become a popper, first you need to choose clothes for rehearsals and performances.

Popper style is interesting yet restrainedly formal: shirts (often white with stripes), jackets, trousers, and dark shoes. Some add a hat to the look. However, in recent years, poppers have increasingly dressed in hip-hop style.

They are drawn to wide pants with large back pockets for storing a cap when needed. Loose jeans, baggy shorts with a low waist and below-knee length are also options. Accessories include wide belts, chains, bracelets, and wristbands.

If you're heading to a dance studio for a rehearsal, you need comfortable clothes that won't chafe, restrict movement, or hinder breathing.

Choose hygroscopic clothes made from natural materials. Also, keep them clean and neat. The dance style doesn't differentiate between women's and men's clothing, so girls can confidently wear loose pants and t-shirts.

If you like, visit any store with a wide selection of dancewear and shoes. Store specialists can help you navigate both the dance style and quality and price. Or you can open your own closet and find something suitable for popping practice.

So, let's dress up:

— Any loose shirt, t-shirt, or tank top works. Even better if it's a few sizes too big. On top, wear a baggy sports jacket or hoodie. In case you sweat, bring an extra t-shirt to rehearsal.
— On your legs, wear loose pants, or if it's warm, long shorts.
— For the studio, change into indoor shoes. Sneakers are great—they're comfortable and quiet thanks to the rubber sole, and they support the ankle well.

— On your head, wear a cap or baseball hat with the visor forward or backward. A bandana also works—the main thing is that it helps you get into the popper character and the reflection in the mirror matches your feelings and perception. For accessories, wristbands are great: they not only complete the look but also help wipe sweat from your forehead.

Popping is a dance style that demands a lot of attention, work, practice, and high performance skills from the dancer. You'll need to put in a lot of effort and patience before you become a true popper.