After eleven years living, dancing, teaching tango, and writing in Buenos Aires, I came home to L.A. in 2014, where I'm reconstructing my life.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

What NOT to Wear to a Milonga Part II

Quite some time has passed since I last posted on this topic. Since then I've seen a few reminders of What NOT to Wear to a Milonga so I'll just post them for your viewing edification.




On a young and skinny performing dancer, this very short skirt, fishnets, and lots of "tango" accessories might work. But on this lady, it definitely didn't, since she had none of those qualities.
































The lady in white certainly had her own style, sort of a Snow Queen vibe going on. The outfit might have been alright if the dress hadn't been transparent, if she'd lost the hat, and worn white shoes to match the tights. And if her posture were better, she might get away with the whole look.


This fishnet photo below just serves as a warning: if your legs are less than gorgeous, don't call attention to them. But the secret to fishnets is--wear nude tights underneath.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

It took me a really long time to realize that people dress up for themselves, and not for the benefit of others. I remember the seduction of feeling "beautiful" (according to what I saw in the mirror). When I think back to some of those outfits (garters, fishnets, short, slit, etc.), it's alarming.

Anca Gheaus said...

I actually like the white hat effect.

tangocherie said...

This was a couple of years ago during summer when the salon was hotter than heck, and I just kept wondering how she could stand all of those clothes, esp. the fuzzy hat!

Nice and Easy Antiques said...

You cracked me up with those pictures!!

Frances R said...

From my observations: if you are a great dancer, you can get away with wearing almost anything. In that case you don't even have to be young or twig slim.
If your dancing is not so good, and yet you like to wear crazy styles, being young and pretty helps a lot. More people, especially men, will find it cute and amusing. :)

Lola Lopez said...

I hope I cut the mustard the time I met you at Los Consegrados! I think some of my frocks freaks a few portenos out!

tangocherie said...

Oh Maggie, I'm not setting myself up as a judge, and I apologize if it appears that way. It's just that so many folks write to me about what to wear to a milonga here in BsAs, that I've written these two blog posts to show the opposite and to help women know what items to leave at home.

You were lovely that night with us! You were you, and you were fantastic because of that. You don't see your picture up here do you?

I'm just trying to help because I remember my first few tango trips down here when I wore the wrong things to the milongas--from one extreme to the other. Because I didn't know any better and I had no guidelines.

But I learned, and I just want to help those who wish to by-pass the discomfort in their learning process.

I consider it part of learning the milonga codigos.

Lola Lopez said...

No Cherie, you are not judging-you are merely expressing an opinion which is what blogging (and freedom of speech) is all about.

Some of the outfits witnessed at milongas in B's A's were a mixture of amazement and amusement!

I miss it so much...

Anonymous said...

I think it was Sally who said you need an edge. It is unfair I suppose for all these women who have to wait for just one dance. The problem of course is when "The Edge" becomes either bad taste or just rediculous. Easy for me of course, I just have to wear dark trousers and a shirt.