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Ain't No Other Man" is a pop song with the big band musical overtones of the 1940s.
Christina Aguilera's "Ain't No Other Man" is a pop song infused with a big band musical style that is reminiscent of the 1940s. When choreographing and planning costumes for the jazzy, upbeat song, one source of inspiration is the music video, which takes place in a smoky nightclub. Other ways to find costume ideas are to look at Aguilera's other music videos and to reflect on the era.
Glamorous
Faux mink coats can be used as props in the dance routine.
Take a cue from the ultra-glam look from Aguilera's "Ain't No Other Man" music video and copy outfits that she wore. One idea is to have dancers wear silver or pearlescent halter-top satin dresses. Pair the dress with a pillbox hat that sits crooked on the head and has a net attached that can cover the face. Dress up the ensemble with faux mink stools or coats that can be taken on and off and used as props. Complete the look with rhinestone chokers and earrings or strands of pearls.
Casual
Cropped jeans or dungarees can channel casual wear of the 1940s.
Using Aguilera's "Candyman" video as inspiration, go for a weekend look that dates back to the 1940s and 1950s. Have dancers wear cropped jeans or dungarees rolled up to mid-calf. Don button-up shirts and tie them at the waist. After pulling the hair up in a bun or French twist, tie kerchiefs around the hair. If the dance moves allow, wear saddle shoes.
Menswear
To honor men, put girls in tuxedos.
Since the song centers on adoring a one-in-a-million guy, wear tuxedos. Or, have the dancers wear tailored white pantsuits with matching white fedoras, similar to what Aguilera wore on her Back to Basics tour. This costume can be seen on the website Concerts.ws. For a more feminine look, dancers can wear tuxedo jackets with black sequined skirts or shorts. Include top hats and ties dancers can easily take on or off and use in the choreography.
Dressing Room
Dancers can use large perfume bottles as props in a dressing room scene.
In the "Ain't No Other Man" music video, Aguilera and her fellow dancers perform in a skit that is in a dressing room. Using this scene as inspiration, costume dancers in tasteful slips, lingerie, garters and satin robes. Also have them wear stockings with hemlines that go straight up the back of the legs. If choreography allows, put the dancers in kitten heels with marabou feathers on the toes. Pull the hair back and wrap it in hairnets studded with rhinestones, or set the hair in curls. Dancers can move around large mirrors and use items such as hairbrushes, oversized lipstick tubes and perfume bottles as props.
Wedding
Frame a dance around a wedding scenario to reflect the song's love theme.
The song kicks off with the lines "I could feel it from the start/couldn't stand to be apart." To represent these sentimental lyrics of devotion, clothe dancers in wedding dresses. Keep the skirts short for mobility purposes, and add bling to the ensembles by putting silver sequins on the skirts and bodice and pairing the tiaras with veils. Accessorize the costumes with enlarged rhinestone wedding rings.
Military
Aguilera's "Candyman" video can inspire a military theme.
Not only do military outfits reflect the swing music overtones of "Ain't No Other Man," but the look also dovetails other Aguilera videos such as "Candyman." Have dancers wear military-style dance costumes. For a naval look, dancers can wear sailor suits and sailor hats. For a marine or army theme, they can sport khaki button-up jackets and khaki pleated skirts. To add pizazz, order costumes made from gold lame with short, pleated skirts and accessorize the uniform with military hats and white gloves.
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