Throughout history dance has been recorded and is classed as one of the most expressive movements one can make. Take the middle eastern belly dancing for example, this dance is all about releasing and displaying emotion through bodily movements both free flowing and choreographed. And to dazzle the senses of the audience even more their dance costumes consist of choli tops, veils, hips scarves and light, flowing pants or skirts. Most of these dancer costumes are adorned with silver, bronze or gold coins or mirrors and elaborate jewelry. Another dance that is expressive enough to tell a story through emotion is ballet. Ballet is soft flowing and consists of delicate movements that is performed solo or with a cast to perform a show. It originated in Italy and France in the seventeenth century and is still as popular today as it was then. Dancers wear costumes that are usually made of stretchy material so the dancer can move swiftly and easily and usually involve tights, leotards and tutus.

Another popular type of dance is ballroom dancing, many schools teach this type of dance and it consists of partners that dance to a specific move, rhythm or time. Some of the dances include the Fox Trot, the Waltz and the Cha Cha. Many schools and professional ballroom dancers have dance costumes. Many of the men wear tuxedos and suits sometimes with tights as pants and the women's dancing dresses are short swing and leotard type costumes. They are usually adorned with sequins, beads and other types of sparkling items.

Another sort of dancing that involves the same sort of dance costume is tap dancing. Tap dancing is primarily focused on the movement of the feet which have metal strips attached to the shoes so they can make sounds. This can be a very expressive dance and requires quite some practice to perfect as it based on rhythm and timing. There are many famous tap dancers one of the most commonly referred to is Fred Astaire.

Hula dancing is another dance that is quite popular and is a big tourist industry in Hawaii. Hula dancing is a rhythmic movement of the hips and involves a lot of arm and hand gestures. It is usually ritual when done, it is also very expressive and emotive. To become a hula dancer, traditionally a person had to go to hula dancing school but nowadays there are classes all over world and people from all walks of life practice it. Hula dancers have dance costumes that is strictly of culture and it consists of anklets and other jewelry, a lei, and a skirt that is usually made from leaves, grass or very fine fabric called Tapa. This dance can be done by both men and women and is usually accompanied by drums or more modernly the ukulele.

Another traditional dance is Irish dancing or as it is commonly called step dancing. It can be performed solo or with others as part of a show and usually consist with a stiff upper body and quick moving feet, much like tap dancing. It is very enjoyable and fascinating to watch and learn and usually takes years to practice. This dance also have specific dance costumes. Dancer costumes for males are usually a waistcoat and stylish, easy moving pants and for females the dress is usually short, above the knee, filled out with tulle and has long sleeves. These dancing dresses are almost always very unique in their design as they have elaborate patterns embroiled on them by either colorful cotton or sequins and beads. It is very rare that you find any two the same. One of the most famous Irish dancing shows is the Lord of The Dance.

There are many forms of dancing from all corners of the world, it is within every culture and many have their very own style of dance costumes. Dancing is a great way of expression and fitness whether it is just for your personal enjoyment, competition or for show.