The Essential Guide to Clobber for the Modern Northern-Soul Dancer.

The Essential Guide to Clobber for the Modern Northern-Soul Dancer.

New to Northern Soul Dancing and wondering what gear you are going to need? Well I asked the Gok Wan of The NS Scene to give us the complete run down on how to fit right-in at the Wigan Casino.

Item 1. Vest. When you’re out on the floor doing your flips and spins you’re going to perspire heavily. This calls for a vest to keep your body cool and has the added benefit of showing off the tan you’ve built from years of living in Manchester. Preferably obtain a vest in a tasteful colour such as purple or emerald green.

Item 2. Acrylic slacks. Let’s be honest, you aren’t going to get into any establishment wearing addidas three stripe track-suit pants. The Modern Northern Soul gentlemen sports a pair of slacks carefully crafted from artificial fibres. This will allow you to maintain maximum dignity while slippin’ ana slidin’. Acceptable colours for slacks include pastel blue or beige. These can be found in many outlets such as Greenwoods or C&A.

Item 3. Shoes. You will need a smart pair of shoes preferably with leather soles; to ease your glide across the floor. These should be polished to a high sheen to attract the eye to your fancy footwork. However, the use of Michael Jackson sequinned socks for the same effect is frowned upon. No one likes a show off. Your platform shoes or rubber soled Reeboks just aint gonna cut it on ther dance floor, if you want to attempt some sweet 360 spins.

Item 4. A holdall. No Northern Soul Dancer should be without a leather holdall, this should be adorned with patches from the various working men’s clubs you have previously danced at. As a rule of thumb, be on the lookout for patches with clenched fists and burning torches. Your holdall should carry talc, for aiding slippin ana slidin’ (see item 3), a bottle of Lucozade, a spare vest (see item 1) and a rare copy of a classic floor shaker on 7”, say for example, the last known copy of Frank Wilson’s “Do I love you, Indeed I do”- reputedly worth £30,000.

Try out some moves every Wednesday at Dry Bar Manchester. Free Pizza before 7, Cocktail offers and a sweet soul soundtrack. Free entry all night.

Keep the torch burning.....