Proper swing dancing shoes are as much a matter of style as they are function. Shoes with a smooth sole are the most useful when attempting to Lindy hop or jitterbug. Specifically made dance shoes in a Mary Jane or oxford style, with a mid-size heel, work well for women while spectator wing tips are a classic look for men.
If you want to wear sneakers, choose a pair made for dancing. Regular rubber-sole athletic shoes make it difficult to spin or make quick turns.
Uniforms from World War II sometimes make their appearance but most often if a man is going to dress in vintage swing apparel, that means a zoot suit. The high-waist trousers on a zoot suit are overly baggy in the thigh and have narrow ankles. The suit jacket is extra long, sometimes coming down to the knees.
Lightweight pants and shirts made of a nylon or rayon blend keep the dancer cool. Add suspenders to keep the pants in place while doing quick moves.
Flapper-style dresses make a nice show on the dance floor. Pinup-girl looks of the 1930s and 1940s often make an appearance, as do women wearing bobby socks and a knee-length circle skirt.
A practical swing dance clothing style for women is the sailor girl look. Sailor pants are tight at a high waist and fasten with a panel that has 2 buttons on each side. The legs are loose and hit just above the ankles.