I’ve been getting a lot of questions from girls and a lot of interests about how I do what I do. As a kid, I’ve always watched dancers on TV and copied them. Then in high school, I loved going to craft stores and finding fabric paint and iron on patches. I was never that good at customizing T-shirts, but I was highly interested! I got into gogo dancing because I danced for Broken Toyz HipHop Dance Crew, and when I saw that I could get paid to look cute on stage at a nightclub, I had to try it out! I quit after a year thinking it was only a phase. Years later, I saw costumed dancers at festivals and realized that dancing and costuming was something I’ve always wanted to do since childhood. For the past three years, I spent time browsing instagram and tumblr for costume inspirations. I am now a designer for Girls of Eventvibe AZ, have danced at major music festivals and have recently designed a costume for Super Geek League at Paradiso Festival. And I only started with iron on patches in high school! If I can do it, so can you!

When I started back up with Eventvibe, a bedazzled bra top, bottoms, and bright neon accessories were the dancers’ look for every weekend. Knowing that there are costumed dancers at festivals, I knew we had to step it up. It takes more than just choosing two colors and layering bedazzled bras to become a gogo now! Don’t try to look like a gogo. Try to have a look and you’ll be noticed as a dancer. Here is a very, very basic instruction on how to create a “look”.

Buy a crop top - We are in luck because crop tops are everywhere now! They come cheap ($5!) at Forever 21, Wave, Xi, or any local stores. You can create a basic outfit starting with one. Figure out what color bottoms to wear - For a basic outfit, you can start with white bottoms or black bottoms. All the gogos on your team should already have these basic colors, so that should make your planning easy! And of course, make sure it matches your top! Figure out what look you are trying to achieve - This is the important part. Look at your top and brainstorm different looks for it. Are you going for sexy? Badass? Cute? Pick one! If you can figure out what you want your audience to feel while looking at you, it’ll be easier to create an outfit. Accessorize - Accessories are everything! They make your outfit more unique and fun to look at! If not for accessories, you’re just a half-naked chick dancing on a bar. Here are some basic items for each look:

Sexy

Boudoir: I dance for a nightclub filled with chandeliers and they like a victoria’s secret, classy vibe. You can look into:

lace items (gloves, thigh highs, bra)

garters

Curly or wavy hair

diamonds and pearls

red lips



Dapper: I call this look dapper cuz it looks nice and neat! Mostly used for playboy bunny look or upper class performer look

top hat

satin gloves (opera length)

suit vest

bow tie

suspenders

wristcuffs

bunny ears (pip-squeek!)





Badass Femme Fatale: This look can be worn for a rock bar, 80s or 90s punk theme, etc.

spikes and studs

fishnets

harnesses

leather

chains

black lips

spiked hair

whip (ouchie!)





Cute: This is the look I consider the easiest for me. It can be your go-to look for a lot of popular EDM music.

Ribbons

polka dots

skirt

pigtails

top and bottom eyelashes

candy (yumm!)







These are just the basic looks but there are plenty of others. There’s sweet sexy, urban hiphop, clown cute, cabaret clown, 80s pop princess, sassy pinup, ghetto barbie, etc etc. I can go on forever! A theme is actually easier to do since you already have a base to form your costume in. Then, you can start sewing for an even more unique and cutomized look that you can call all your own! but that is another blog write-up for later!

Shoewear - This is usually something that all gogos should already have, so you don’t have to provide them with one. Black or white Demonia camels, knee-high heeled boots for a sexy, classy look, or knee-high converses for the sporty look. Break the rules - If you’re having a hard time brainstorming a look, use the force and follow your instincts! If you really like an accessory but it might not exactly fit your outfit, buy it anyway! It won’t hurt to try to step out of the box. You never know when you can create a completely unique look just by breaking the rules! Have gratitude - be thankful of your newfound hobby! Be thankful of those who have inspired you. Be thankful for the photographers who are there to capture your outfits. Be thankful for the people who compliment you. Be thankful for the clubs and teams who have given you a chance. Be thankful of the future people whom you are about to inspire. Be thankful for being you! Most importangly: have fun! If you’re not having fun, you’re in the wrong profession.

Now look up inspirations and start creating! I would love to see your new looks! If you’ve created a look using these instructions, post them (or message me!) on my facebook (facebook.com/lovemissalexis) or tag me on instagram (@lovemissalexis)! I’m sure you’ll have more fun dancing on stage with all the excitement you have by creating a look by you! Be proud and enjoy yourself! Share what you’ve learned and help elevate the scene!