I love dancing to salsa music. Like golf, salsa dancing is one of those activities you can enjoy for a lifetime, even if you’re not a pro.

You’ll see all kinds of bodies on the dance floor—young, old, short and pudgy, tall and thin. In fact, one of my favorite dance partners is grossly overweight, but the man’s got the moves. And one of the best women dancers I’ve seen recently was born with only one hand.

When I’m taking a water break, I like to watch the other dancers—not to compare myself (what’s the use?) but to learn new dance moves, to glean the fashion do’s and don’ts of dancewear, and to remind myself that any body can be beautiful, especially when accented with a smile.

However, I’ve noticed that dancing highlights the body parts that we allow to show. Hands, feet, torsos, legs and arms all have specific functions in a dance, and that’s what everyone is watching.

So, as both a dancer and an observer, I have formed certain opinions about how aging bodies can look great as well as feel great in the spotlight.

For example:

• Sandals require a pedicure; no one wants to look at dirty feet and raggedy toenails.
• A dance outfit shouldn’t require constant hitching up (strapless tops) or yanking down (spandex mini-skirts); the frantic adjustments look ridiculous.
• Pants should fit well; no wedgies to the rear, please.

If you have batwings (loose flesh hanging from your upper arms), cover them—especially if you like to raise your arms and twirl a lot.

Let’s talk about the batwings for a moment, since we all have them (or will have them someday, trust me).

Several months ago on a salsa night, I spied the flapping upper arms of a woman who should not be going sleeveless. We’re talking huge, cellulite-riddled, sack-o’-potatoes batwings, completely out of proportion to the rest of her. I wished that she and I were friends so I could sidle up and whisper, “Arms down!” As it was, I simply stared.

Let it be noted that I, too, have lost the firm biceps of my youth. It seems the things that bounced have settled themselves at lower latitudes, while the parts that stayed in place now get the wiggles. So I preserve my dignity by watching what I wear, and by asking my girlfriends for their honest opinions. (My partner would only say, “You look great. Let’s go,” no matter what. Bless his heart.)

My point is, aging bodies can be beautiful, especially in motion. But it takes extra effort as the years go by. There’s no shame in making changes to accommodate the shape-shifting that happens to all of us, even to those who live in the gym.

The blessing is, the right clothing can create all kinds of happy illusions. So can proper skin care, makeup, and a stylish haircut. Of course fitness and good posture cure a multitude of ills at any age, but we must work with what we have.

If you and your burgeoning batwings are thinking, “Oh my gosh, we felt just fine about ourselves until we read this article,” cheer up, all of you!

As Christopher Hopkins writes in his worthwhile book Staging Your Comeback: A Complete Beauty Revival for Women Over 45, “If you want to be appreciated for who you are, it helps to present those qualities in how you look.”

As John Lennon might have instructed had he been more concerned with fashion than world peace: all we are saying is give sleeves a chance.

Anne Nicolai http://wwww.editorsma.com/ is an American writer and editor living in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.