What is Contemporary actually? (And the difference with Modern)
Let's be honest, the terms 'modern' and 'contemporary' are thrown around left and right. Even experienced dancers sometimes scratch their heads. But when you're in the store or shopping online at Miss Salsa, it's useful to know what the vibe is. Modern dance is often based on specific techniques (think Graham or Limón) that are very structured. Contemporary is the rebellious daughter. It borrows from ballet, modern, jazz, and even urban styles. It is more fluid, less 'stiff', and often much rawer.
The exact meaning of contemporary is simply 'of the current time'. It is the dance of now. What does this mean for your clothing? You have more freedom than in classical ballet (no tight buns and pink tights required!), but you do need clothing that can handle that enormous variation in movement. You go from a high jump directly into a roll over the shoulder on the floor. Your clothing must therefore be both stretchy and offer protection against the friction of the dance floor. If you look at the Modern clothing collection, you'll see that the focus is on items that 'breathe' and stretch with you without losing their shape.
My advice? See contemporary as a way to express your personality. Where ballet is about perfection, contemporary is about authenticity. And that starts with an outfit in which you feel 100% yourself. Whether that's a tight unitard or an oversized hoodie with tight leggings underneath, as long as you can move without restrictions.
The bottoms: Why your knees will thank you
Okay, let's talk about your legs. In contemporary dance, the floor is your best friend, but also your biggest enemy. You will spend a lot of time low to the ground. Slides, rolls, lunges... your knees will take a beating. That's why you almost never see contemporary dancers in shorts, unless they have a very high pain threshold or only dance standing up (which rarely happens).
The Leggings: Your best friend
A good pair of dance leggings is worth its weight in gold. But beware: not every pair of sports leggings is a dance legging. For contemporary, look for leggings with a high waist. Why? Because you bend, stretch, and roll a lot. You don't want your leggings hanging halfway down your buttocks after a roll-down. Brands like Capezio and Papillon make leggings specifically designed for a dancer's anatomy. They often have a wide waistband that stays in place without pinching.
The Jogger: For the urban vibe
Sometimes you want that looser, more 'street' look. Thin, baggy dance pants can be great for pieces that use a lot of 'release' technique. It gives a beautiful visual effect when the fabric flutures around your legs during a jump. Make sure the pants taper at the ankles or have elastic. You don't want to trip over your own pant legs during a pirouette. Check our Jazz collection for pants that often also work perfectly for contemporary.
Actionable tip: Always test your pants in the fitting room (or at home when you order). Do a deep squat and a large lunge. Does the fabric show through? Does it slide down? If the answer is yes, send it back. You don't want to be constantly pulling them up during class.
Tops and layers: From baggy to tight
Tops in contemporary are a game of contrasts. At the beginning of class, during the warm-up, you want to keep your muscles warm. Nothing is worse than cold muscles in a drafty studio. This is the time for the 'layering' technique.
- The base: Start with a good sports bra or a tight tank top. This keeps everything in place.
- The mid-layer: A tight-fitting long-sleeved shirt made of breathable material. Brands like Bloch have beautiful tops that wick away sweat but keep you warm.
- The top layer: An oversized T-shirt or a thin sweater. This gives that typical contemporary look. It looks fantastic in the mirror when the fabric accentuates the movement of your arms.
The big secret of experienced dancers? Make sure your bottom layer is tight. If you're doing an exercise where you're hanging upside down (inversions), you don't want your shirt falling over your head so you can't see anything. I see this happen so often with my students; they wear a shirt that's too wide without anything underneath and get completely disoriented during a handstand move. Be smart, wear a base layer that feels like a second skin.
Don't forget the little ones! For young talents, we have a specific Jazz & Modern collection for children, where the fit is extra tailored to growing bodies that need maximum freedom of movement.
Your feet: The battle between bare feet and Footundeez
This is the most frequently asked question in my classes: "Do I have to dance barefoot?" The short answer: you can, but your feet are going to hate it. The floor in a dance studio (usually ballet floor or marley) is grippy. That's great for grip, but deadly for your skin if you're trying to turn. You'll get blisters under the ball of your foot within the first fifteen minutes.
The solution: Footundeez and Half-soles
These are the lifesavers for every contemporary dancer. Capezio Footundeez are small 'socks' that only cover the ball of your foot. They have suede patches on the bottom that allow you to turn effortlessly, while your heel remains free for grip on the floor. It feels almost like bare feet, but without the pain.
Socks: The 'trendy' choice
Nowadays, you see many contemporary dancers dancing in socks. It looks very fluid and makes slides across the floor super easy. But be careful! Ordinary cotton socks from a discount store are dangerously slippery. If you want to dance in socks, choose special dance socks from, for example, Bloch. These often have a little extra grip in specific places so you don't slip when landing after a jump.
Do you still want a bit more support? Some dancers prefer a flexible jazz shoe. Take a look at the models from Rummos or Werner Kern (although the latter are more for ballroom, their training shoes are sometimes surprisingly flexible). For most contemporary classes, however, I recommend investing in a good pair of Footundeez. Your feet will be eternally grateful.
Materials and fabrics: Cotton is your enemy
Let's get a bit technical, but not boring. The fabric of your dancewear determines whether you feel like a fresh god(dess) or a wet rag after an hour. Cotton looks nice, but it absorbs sweat and holds onto it. It becomes heavy, cold, and it starts to chafe. So don't do it.
What should you look for?
- Supplex/Nylon: This is the gold standard. It feels soft like cotton, but it wicks away moisture and dries lightning fast.
- Spandex/Elastane: This provides the stretch. For contemporary, you want a high percentage of elastane so your clothing doesn't 'lose its shape' after three washes.
- Bamboo: More and more often you see dance brands switching to bamboo viscose. It's super soft, antibacterial (bye-bye sweat smell!) and very sustainable.
My personal favorite for contemporary is a mix of tactel and elastane. It has a matte finish (shiny lycra is so 80s jazz ballet) and it offers just enough compression to support your muscles without making you feel like you're in a corset. If you shop at Miss Salsa, look for these terms in the product descriptions. We select our collections specifically based on these technical properties.
Essential accessories: Knee pads and hair ties
You have your leggings, your top, and your Footundeez. Are you there yet? Almost. There are a few small things that can make or break your class.
Knee Pads (Kneepads)
If you're getting serious about floorwork, buy knee pads. Not those thick ones for volleyball, but thin, flexible pads that you can wear under your leggings. They absorb the first impact when you fall to your knees and prevent those nasty bruises the next day. Brands like Bunheads (part of Capezio) have great options that don't shift.
Hair: The 'imperfect' bun
Unlike ballet, your hair doesn't have to be tightly lacquered in contemporary. But it does need to be out of your face. A loose braid or a 'messy bun' often works best. Make sure you don't use sharp hairpins; if you roll across the floor and a pin pricks your scalp, it's no fun. Use soft elastics (scrunchies are totally back!) that don't damage your hair.
Actionable tip: Always put an extra pair of socks and a dry shirt in your bag for after class. The cool-down after an intensive contemporary session happens quickly, and you don't want to get on your bike or in the car all sweaty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the exact meaning of contemporary?
Contemporary dance literally means 'modern-day dance'. It is a genre that emerged in the second half of the 20th century and has since grown into one of the most dominant styles. It combines the strong legwork of ballet with the 'release' and floorwork of modern dance, but is also open to influences from pop culture, hip-hop, and yoga. It's mainly about expression and conveying a story or emotion through the body.
2. What is the difference between modern and contemporary modern?
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, 'Modern' is often technique-based (think of the clean lines of Graham or the flow of Limón). 'Contemporary modern' is a broader term that combines these classic modern techniques with new ways of moving. In practice, contemporary is often a bit freer, more experimental, and makes more use of improvisation than traditional modern dance.
3. What is another word for contemporary?
In the dance world, we often use terms like 'contemporary dance' or simply 'modern' (although that technically isn't always correct). In a broader context, synonyms are 'current', 'present-day', or 'modern-classical'.
4. What is a contemporary style?
A contemporary style is characterized by the use of gravity (fall and recovery), lots of floorwork (rolling, sliding), and a fluid transition between different movements. There is much attention to breathing and the 'release' of tension in the muscles. Visually, it often looks very organic and less 'forced' than, for example, ballet.
5. Which shoes are best for beginners?
For a beginner in contemporary, I always recommend Footundeez. They offer the perfect balance between protection and the feeling of bare feet. If you find that you slide a lot or have cold feet, special dance socks with a bit of grip are a good second choice.
Ready to hit the floor?
Contemporary dance is a journey of self-discovery, and the right clothing is your vehicle. It's not about looking like a model from a catalog, but that your clothing supports you in every move you make. Whether you choose a sleek look with high-waisted leggings from Capezio or a relaxed vibe with an oversized top, as long as you feel free to move, you're good.
Do you still have doubts about the size or material of a certain item after reading this article? Then feel free to send us a message! At Miss Salsa, we are dancers ourselves and we are happy to help you find the perfect outfit. And don't forget: the most important accessory you take to the studio is your own passion and curiosity.
Ready to shop?
Check out our full collection and find the outfit that fits your style:
Shop the Modern & Contemporary Collection
Discover our Dance Leggings and Pants
Dancewear for Children
See you in the studio soon? Dance with your heart, the rest will follow!
