As fellow Montrealers can attest to, our city is pretty stylin'. Duds are important, and as far as the swing scene is concerned - they're half the fun! Girls, let me confess: there isn't a better feeling than walking into a swing club dressed to the nines. Even if you're just a newbie, if you're stylin' you're one step ahead of the game. Fashion in the 40's and 50's was elegant and fabulous - hey, which one of us didn't wish she was Audrey Hepburn or Lauren Bacall? You too can live the fantasy, with these basic tips.

Let's start at the top:

HAIR
Your hairstyle doesn't have to be complicated - I mean, we all can't own a Marcel iron, but you'll get bonus points if you add some waves or finger curls. Bettie Page / Lavay Smith does are definitely in, and so are ponytails (but add a ribbon for that extra touch). Remember, if you're a dancing fool, make sure that you keep your hair off your face, or else the back of your neck will never forgive you.

DRESSES
And you thought that Hallowe'en was the only night to dress up! Girls, this is the fun part. Rule #1: Twirl, twirl, twirl! If you're going to be taken seriously as a swing dancer, the dress you wear must have a full skirt. If you don't do any aerials, ok, you can be flexible with the skirt but it just doesn't look as good. Your dress doesn't have to be vintage, but it looks better when they're done in the 40's and 50's style: sleeveless or short/half-sleeves, high or v-neck, and cinched at the waist. Skirts should come to the knee or a little past. I myself have torn through some vintage dresses doing aerials, so if you do buy vintage, make sure you leave ample room in the bust area: tears usually occur in the back and under the arms.

Fabrics that breathe the most are wool and cotton. Rayon is ok too. Silk, while gorgeous, isn't pretty to sweat in, and polyester, well...'nuff said. Be careful about brocades and appliqués; they can be itchy!

SWEATERS
There's nothing that looks cuter than a little sweater to match your dress. Especially in the winter months, where a coat over your dress just won't cut it. Sweaters should be short and form-fitting, and are even better when they have designs or sequins/pearls sewn in.

PANTS
Who said a girl couldn't wear pants? Not me! I recently ventured out onto the dance floor for the first time in my Rosie the Riveter getup - suspender pants and a tailored shirt - and boy the compliments kept on coming! Guys go nuts! If you're going to wear pants, though, do it right. Dress pants with suspenders are de rigueur, as well as nice-looking dress shirts or blouses. Add some armbands and a retro tie, and you can look as good, if not better, than your dance partner ;-).

When the weather's nice, capri or cigarette pants with a sleeveless or short-sleeved blouse is also a great look.

SHOES
Two-tone/spectators and Mary Janes are my favourites. Also strappy vintage pumps. Unless you plan to ditch swing once The Gap comes out with its 1999 ad campaign, don't wear rubber-soled shoes - dancing, especially spins, can be next to impossible. Leather soles, common to Italian brands, dancer's shoes, and yes, bowling shoes (no joke - they make great swing shoes!) are a must.

UNDERTHINGS
One thing swing honeys can't be shy about is showing their panties! It's inevitable that you'll flash the crowd if you do a decent spin or aerial, so you want to make sure that you do so in style. HOT: Boy briefs, bloomers and petti pants. NOT: Bikini briefs or thongs. It's fun to show off, but you don't have to be Monica Lewinsky while you're at it.

Garters! Yes, we all know they're somewhat uncomfortable, but they're super-sexy and you won't have to worry about your pulling up your hose all night. Plus there's more room to breathe down there! A serious swinger never leaves these at home, unless...

she wears ankle socks. Ankle socks were first worn during the war when rationing made nylon scarce,* and make for a fun, girlie look. Perfect in the summer with that flowery cotton dress!

*Women also resorted to drawing seams up the backs of their legs with eyeliner, but we won't go that far! If you can score nylons with back seams, you're really cool - I know Calvin Klein and Dancestore.com sell them.

ACCESSORIES
These can make your outfit. There's nothing more elegant than long satin gloves, a simple pearl choker and matching earrings. But on the dance floor, they can get in the way. I've gotten my ring caught in my partner's belt loops and zoot chain, and an earring was ripped out (and my earlobe almost went with it) after a particularly difficult aerial. So far I haven't run into any trouble with necklaces, though. Accessorize, yes! But just know when to leave the baubles and beads on the bar.

For more on the stylin' 40's-50's lady, check out Swank Daddy's take on women's threads,"Marcel More-so: Making Waves" from Retro magazine, or "A Thrift Shop Primer", also from Retro.

Oh, always leave enough time for a sophisticated cocktail before hitting the club. Be sure to check out Johnny Straight-Up's cocktail of the week!

Famous last words: eBay. I'm addicted.

Swing it, babies!
Betty

What do you wear on the dance floor? Betty's all ears...