How much money does a new dancer need to start dancing? I mean in regards to investing in clothes, shoes, hair, house fees possibly??? How much money did you have to invest in yourself initially?
How much money does a new dancer need to start dancing? I mean in regards to investing in clothes, shoes, hair, house fees possibly??? How much money did you have to invest in yourself initially?
erp. double post <x.x>
house fees should be free your first night. I think some clubs in New York make you pay up front your first night but I don't know that for certain.
A pair of shoes which you can get away with any of the platform heels being worn by civvie women and bought at marshalls or any store really. I've
seen some really cute ones at Plato's closet for like $15. Eventually upgrade to pleasers or dance shoes if your regular ones are uncomfortable-- that'd
be maybe $40-60.
G-string or thong, make sure it's not see through. Maybe $5 unless you get a dancer one that's $10-16.
and a couple sets of lingerie or a cute short tight party dress. Target or Walmart-- maybe $30-50 total.
Really all you need is one set of lingerie (unless the club requires a dress) look in your clothes for a miniskirt or something that could be made into a miniskirt, and a cute button up and strip out of that.
So set up costs should be pretty cheap.
That is, unless you're in an area where you have to buy a dancer permit and/or background check, or even a business license (vegas.)
I think my first start up cost was $30 for a wig. I danced in civvie heels and a cute pair of civvie platform boots, and then just grabbed potential costume stuff from my closet and worked up from there.




depends on if you need a license and if you are auditioning at a club with strict dress code. in general, you can.audition and work your first night in any bikini or bra set that isn't horribly ratty. they dont even need to.match, a black thong or panty will work with basically any bra you already have. ideally you would get stripper shoes which you can easily find online for $30 but if you really dont have $30 then wear the nicest heels you own.




oh and a lot of clubs will give you a grace period to get licenses and gown clubs will often have gowns you can rent for the night for like $20.



I was down to my last spare $100 the week I started dancing. I bought some 6in pleaser platforms straight away, and some leg-garters, and a little cocktail dress (which I now look back on and shake my head at ever wearing, lol) I auditioned in a beach bikini, and a pair of my basic platforms.
Really depends on the dress code for the club, but even for gown clubs, you can get really basic gowns for $20-$30 on ebay with some planning ahead.
When I'm tight for money, and I need new shoes, I go try them on at Pleaser stockists to work out the correct size, then buy them online for the cheapest price I can find. I feel a bit bad doing this, but I always go back and buy something from the shop when I have plenty of money again.
So, $100 set me up. I quickly made $600 over the course of my next 2 shifts, and updated some of my outfits.



I spent about $200 so far, and I'll need another $60 for my background check (my first audition is tomorrow). I'm dancing in some $30 shoes I already had from Target. Actually I would look there if I were you, platform heels are in style right now and they have some with rhinestones and animal prints and "stripper" looking details. I have two bikinis with the T back bottoms that have the swimsuit liner required where I live and one slutty cocktail dress, about $100 for clothes. My biggest cost was getting waxed. My skin is super sensitive so I had to get a Brazilian wax.
None of that was really necessary though, it's just because I'm eager to start dancing so I didn't shop around. I'm sure all of the clothes I bought brand new you could get cheaper on Ebay.





Any more advice for our new member?
“What a caterpillar calls the end of the world we call a butterfly.” - ECKHART TOLLE





it really depends on where you are. when i started i bought some cute little lingerie sets at spencers and target, i didn't buy my own stripper heels but i recommend it! $40-$60 clear pleasers are the best. most clubs will give you your first night free, and those who won't usually let you pay the house fee at the end of the night. there are exceptions though.
just do your makeup ( invest in some false eyelashes for like 3-5 bucks) some sally spray tan ( 10 bucks) baby wipes ( 3 bucks) and get the shoes. you can usually throw together clothes you already own your first night! don't spend big bucks on clothes until you see if you like stripping, and also your sense of style will probably change drastically! so don't go crazy.

My initial cost to get started was very cheap.
I had a gift certificate to a spa for 80$ so I got my nails and toes done there.
I auditioned at a gown club so I bought a cheap black dress at forever 21. Which was kind of a bad idea because it zipped in the back and I ended up needing to have a customer help unzip me lol.
For shoes, I wore my highest, best, heels which were about 6 inches and they were stilettos.
I bought some sally hansen spray tan and already had a matching black bra and panty set.
I spent about 40$ to go and audition.
I didn't buy anything to start dancing, so all it cost me was $30 for the house fee, a tip for the DJ, and a tip for the bouncer. I was lucky enough to get a pair of stripper shoes from a girl I met on here and then had good enough outfits in my wardrobe. You really really do not need to spend money to start stripping. Everyone will know you're new anyway, so no sense in investing in outfits, especially since your taste will change as you learn what works and what doesn't.
IMO, all you should spend money on is a license, if applicable and your house fee - not all clubs waive it, so you may as well have it on hand just in case.
Shoes, outfits, fancy make up and hair, etc., etc., are all things you can invest in once you are (a) hired and (b) know dancing is for you. By then you will have worked at least once and won't be dipping into your pocket to pay for it. No sense in dropping a bunch of money for no reason beforehand.
it depends on a few things like where you are located, if you can travel and how far you are willing to travel, transportation costs, and your personal tastes. You could start dancing with $50 or with $500. The better question is what kind of budget do you have? If you own some bra and panty sets already or some clubbing dresses, you might not even "need" to spend anything on outfits. You will need a pair of shoes. I recently danced one shift in a pair of regular heels (designer, not just some cheap heels from the mall either), and I got a mad blister after the first hour. The shoes are a must if you want your feet to survive your first night. Also they're waaaaay easier to dance/walk in despite what you might think and more comfortable. Shoes will run you anywhere from $50-$200 depending on what you want. Other than that, the house fee will depend on the club, and you'll need to research your area to find out if you need a liscense, which can cost a few hundred. Generally it's recommended that new girls if they are living in an area that requires liscensing go and try out dancing a shift or two somewhere that does not require a liscense, to see if you like it, and ideally, make the money to get the liscense first. It doesn't make sense to invest in a liscense if you've never danced before, you may hate it, or just not be good at it, or think it is ok but just not the right fit for you. When I started I spent $60 on a pair of heels and made myself a couple outfits, I think I spent around $120 including my house fee the first night, which was not free btw. I have worked at clubs that offer free house fees first night but they are pretty rare so call in advance to find out what fees are like at clubs in your area. Many clubs require that you pay the fee upfront, and I wouldn't recommend starting somewhere with an outrageous house fee, you'll already be stressed and nervous enough being new you shouldn't worry yourself about being $200 in the hole at the beginning of the night as well.
"We can't expect you to just know all the secrets of our top-secret-titty-club!" --Jenna Marbles
I had a startup cost of one $30 outfit. I used a pair of comftorable stilletoes until I started working enough to buy a pair. Also my tip out was free because it was my first night which was great because I didnt have the 70 to pay upfront to start working.
I just used clothes I already had at first. If you've got a minidress/corset and cute panties, lingerie set or bikini-shoes are important I hurt my feet at first using normal heels as soon as you can afford it get some proper stripper heels.
As for the rest, as others have said house fees are usually free. As long as you cover costs the first night you've done okay. You'll start seeing the money soon .
What I would say is-don't get like, 'Ace I'm earning a shit load of money!Let'sspend it all on new outfits/drinks/shoes/accessories!!'
This job is to EARN you money not to be something to spend money ON.Sure, buy yourself stuff for work that makes you feel good-but you dont have to spend half your earnings on things to help you earn.
I'm so tight I know-much more than most girls I work with I always believe you get rich not by how much you EARN , but by how much you spend.
I'm in the UK but, I buy outfits in cheap places, go to thrift shops for accessories, get a cheap spray tan or use self tan for £2, and I do get girls coming up to me and saying 'Hey!Where did you get THAT from?!?!!' when I'm wearing a lacey top, necklace and jewellry I got from a thrift shop and don't stand out any lesser than the girl whose outfit cost £200 . If you're worried about money, be careful with it-this job does not have to be a cash-eater.
Good luck!
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