The traditional Paso Doble costume features the male dancer in a matador's costume. A matador outfit usually consists of pants and matching bolero jacket, white shirt and tie. A traditional woman's Paso Doble costume should include a full skirt, often red, that represents the matador's cape. The male and female costumes should match or complement each other in color and style. Consider buying a plain bolero jacket and embellishing it with rhinestones and decorative trim. Add rhinestones and matching trim or lace to the female costume.
Though the Paso Doble is a traditional Spanish dance, a dance couple can break from traditional costumes and wear outfits that are better suited to the theme of the routine and the music. If dancers chooses a modern song with a techno beat, the costumes should reflect that theme. For instance, the male dancer can wear a black vinyl suit with chrome appointments while the female can wear a black vinyl dress with a full skirt. It's entirely appropriate for a Paso Doble costume to have a Spanish influence, but it's also acceptable to break from the Spanish style to match the theme of the routine.
A female dancer performing the Paso Doble can wear a high heeled shoe with a strap around the ankle to prevent the shoe from slipping off. She may also choose to wear a high heeled boot. Male dancers can wear a black dance shoe or boot. Black lace can be incorporated into a Paso Doble costume, since black lace is often associated with traditional Spanish fashion. Wear a black lace shawl or gloves with a Paso Doble costume. Other accessories include a black fan, often seen in traditional female Spanish costumes. Male dancers can wear a matador's hat, cummerbund or even a mask with his costume.
Male dancers can wear a ruffled white shirt with no tie or may opt to go without a shirt at all. Instead of wearing a bolero jacket, male dancers can wear a vest that is embellished with rhinestones or decorative rope. Choose a movie or book theme for the Paso Doble dance and incorporate the theme into the costume. For instance, if the dancers choose to dance to a "Little Red Riding Hood" theme, the costumes could include a red hooded cape for the female and wolf costume for the man.