Rainbow Tailsuits or pre-owned?

[vcolfari]

Has anyone purchased a tailsuit from Rainbow Shiu? If you have any feedback about the quality and fit, I would be very grateful. I am a new competitor in Standard and would prefer to buy a new tailsuit. If anyone knows of websites or places for purchasing pre-owned tailsuits, however, that would also be quite helpful as an alternative. Thank you!

[fascination]

welcome to DF...am sure someone will be along shortly to help you

[vcolfari]

Thank you :)

[tanya_the_dancer]

My husband bought a tailsuit from Tango Rouge. It looks OK, and cost a fraction of what a brand-name tailsuit would cost. I don't know what a typical price range of a pre-owned tailsuit is, but it is probably still more than Tango Rouge. He did not have a chance to compete in it yet, it will be probably at St. Louis Starball.

[vcolfari]

Thank you for the tip, Tanya. I went to the site, but the menswear link is down. I will try to contact her for information. How much was the tailsuit from TR?

[Me]

I've never seen rainbow sell a tailsuit, so I don't know. :( I do know her women's wear is hit and miss, and always requires altering, but... well, that is any dress you buy unless you go for a fitting.

Just be ready to have whatever you order online altered, regardless of who makes it for you, would be my only contribution to this thread I suppose. That and, Hello! Welcome to the forum. :D

[saludas]

You can PM contracheck. he had a very bad experience with them....

[saludas]

I've never seen rainbow sell a tailsuit, so I don't know. :( I do know her women's wear is hit and miss, and always requires altering, but... well, that is any dress you buy unless you go for a fitting.

Just be ready to have whatever you order online altered, regardless of who makes it for you, would be my only contribution to this thread I suppose. That and, Hello! Welcome to the forum. :D

Not true - Onik makes tailsuits by mail and has many customers who never need altering once they get them. it's all in the measuring...

[tanya_the_dancer]

Thank you for the tip, Tanya. I went to the site, but the menswear link is down. I will try to contact her for information. How much was the tailsuit from TR?

It was about $275. I think she does not maintain her site very often, you might be better off trying to contact her through her ebay account (appleuser).

[Merrylegs]

I've heard that Onik, LeNique and Ron Gunn are some of the best.

[Me]

I've heard that Onik, LeNique and Ron Gunn are some of the best.


*writes them down*

Thanks guys. :D I'll check em out. ^_^

[vcolfari]

Thank you all for the responses, everyone. I wish I could afford Onik, etc., but I think those tailors are way out of my price range.

[Merrylegs]

Have you tried looking for a pre-owned tailsuit? check out ballroomdancers.com and local studios for people who are selling them. You'd be surprised what you can find.

Thank you all for the responses, everyone. I wish I could afford Onik, etc., but I think those tailors are way out of my price range.

[Ithink]

Personally, if you cannot afford to spend around a $1000 on a tailsuit (either a used one by a reputable maker that fits you well or a low-end new one, also by a good maker), I wouldn't buy one. At the sylabus levels, you can easily get by without one. If you are dancing open, it's another story (and you do not specify your level in your original post). But a $275 tailsuit may very easily be a waste of money. If you're not in a hurry to buy, I would save up and buy a good one that would last you years!

And BTW, I do believe my partner had not-so-good experiences with both a Ron Gunn tailsuit (a low-end one) and a LeNique tailsuit (granted that was awhile ago, when Nick was just starting to make tailsuits, but still).

[PasoDancer]

What about the lowly social functions like spotlights, little charity balls, and stuff that doesn't require pinning a number onto the back of it? Would rainbowshiu or tango rouge be all right for those? My partner has also wanted to buy "something that doesn't flop the shoulders up" that he can leave on for more than one dance, but he won't ever see a comp floor. Is it all about how they look, or are they really an "inferior" quality of workmanship? We don't want to spend thousands on something that will BE worn, just not as frequently as a comp-er, more like ... let me think... I think about four times faithfully a year?

[BM]

Have you tried looking for a pre-owned tailsuit? check out ballroomdancers.com and local studios for people who are selling them. You'd be surprised what you can find.

I think dreamgown.com also has a couple pre-owned tailsuits. I know nothing of the quality (I think prices currently start at 500 USD . . . I'm guessing you'll probably find a better deal at ballroomdancers.com), but it's another page to bookmark for future reference if necessary :)

[reb]

Has anyone purchased a tailsuit from Rainbow Shiu? If you have any feedback about the quality and fit, I would be very grateful. I am a new competitor in Standard and would prefer to buy a new tailsuit. If anyone knows of websites or places for purchasing pre-owned tailsuits, however, that would also be quite helpful as an alternative. Thank you!
How new are you? What level? As IThink mentioned, in syllabus, you would be out-of-place (at best) on the floor with a tailsuit, and not within the rules in many competitions.

An ill-fitting or poorly-made tailsuit will actually make you look like a clown and detract from your performance (rather be in a nice vest or jacket than an ill-fitting tailsuit). An any given comp you can see the guy who has pulled his tails out of the closet from a different 'size' era, has his 'cumerbund' showing in the wrong place, or with a back that is not an impressive 'flat' wall of fabric because it was not made exactly to his dance frame, etc.

Please tell us more about where you've been, what you're learning, where you're going, and we can be more helpful.

Also, we can help identify upcoming competitions in your area where you can go and see one of these recommended tailors/vendors and further help with your decision process.

If Onik is too expensive, then I'd be really careful of what's below that - really careful. Merrylegs suggestion was great - get around to your local studios and ask pro/top amateurs (of about your size) - they get new tailsuits regularly and may have a used tailsuit coming free. I had an Onik tailsuit which DW sold on ebay.

[White Chacha]

How new are you? What level? As IThink mentioned, in syllabus, you would be out-of-place (at best) on the floor with a tailsuit, and not within the rules in many competitions.

...


It's not uncommon at all to see tail suits at collegiate gold level and above. USA Dance rules I think still prohibit costumes at syllabus. Your comp rules may vary; always check the rules.

[Chris Stratton]

Yes... and a number of those suits show issues like the mispositioned waistcoat, either out of ignorance or quite commonly due to being bought secondhand, handed down, borrowed, etc.

Some of the Russian & East European suits aren't bad for an initial outift. Similarly, there's a lot of made to measure tailoring exprience in the far east which should exceed the quality needs of dance competition; the question is if the specific knowledge to do dance tails has yet met up with experience in running a good made-to-measure menswear service, or if you are likely to still run into a compromise on either the dance suitability of the design, or the quality of service in its implementation...

Oh, btw, the clock is ticking on homegrown tailsuit Mk. VI - the first in something like 3 years. Sleeves aren't going to be right, but the rest of it should hopefully be better than what I've been wearing for far too long now.

[Anna]

I would really not trust a rainbow tailsuit. Stretch fabrics for dresses are forgiving enough, but without fittings (to say nothing of the not completely consistent quality) I don't think you could count on getting something that works.

[Chris Stratton]

What about the lowly social functions like spotlights, little charity balls, and stuff that doesn't require pinning a number onto the back of it?

The opportunity to wear a full dress tailcoat (white tie) socially is quite unfortunately rare.

If he wants to get something for that, get a dance tailored tuxedo (black tie).

[BM]

I would really not trust a rainbow tailsuit. Stretch fabrics for dresses are forgiving enough, but without fittings (to say nothing of the not completely consistent quality) I don't think you could count on getting something that works.

I agree. I have a Standard dress from Rainbow that works (no sizing issues at all) quite well for now, but one of my friends had her make a pair of Latin pants, and that was a mistake. They didn't fit like Latin pants, and my coach commented that the material was too thick and coarse Granted, Latin pants and the pants of a tailsuit differ, but I'd still avoid her menswear in general.

[JANATHOME]

I did not realize that Gunn is considered low end... Will have to keep that in mind when we take the splurge... When and if we do, we will spend the $$'s and have the suit well made... Speaking from the ballgown side of the fence I feel in the long run I end up saving money by having my gowns made professionally. I wear them a lot, drag them thru airports over my shoulder, and they stand up to all my abuse. I am a firm beleiver that you get what you pay for.

We dance Gold AM/AM, just beginning to move into Pre-Champ coming this year. (Scary thought) My husband is still quite comfortable wearing a vest in lieu of a tailsuit. At least in Gold, in the above 35 age group, most do not wear tailsuits to the comps we have attended. Yet the gents that do wear tailsuits dont seem to be out of place...at least not to me.

For us a tailsuit is still just a want, but certainly not a need.

[wooh]

Chris (or others), out of curiosity, how do they tailor the shoulders for dancing? I understand that it's so the shoulder won't ride up in dance position, but does that mean that when the arms are down, the shoulders look funny or are uncomfortable? Not been around a tailsuit close and long enough to look at it that closely!

[Ithink]

I did not realize that Gunn is considered low end... Will have to keep that in mind when we take the splurge...

That's not what I said. I said the the Ron Gunn suit my partner had was at the lower end of RG's tailsuits (it was made very cheaply for use in a formation team - cheaper material, etc.). I have no idea what the more expensive tailsuits in his line are like. I just know what this tailsuit was like and it was NOT good.

[JANATHOME]

ahhh.. Thanks for pointing that out to me! (I actually read your comment a few times too!)

[Anna]

Chris (or others), out of curiosity, how do they tailor the shoulders for dancing? I understand that it's so the shoulder won't ride up in dance position, but does that mean that when the arms are down, the shoulders look funny or are uncomfortable? Not been around a tailsuit close and long enough to look at it that closely!

My partner stands around between rounds with his hands on his waist...he says it's possible to put his arms down but it's uncomfortable and bad for the stiffening material in the jacket.

[VinceraVivere]

I haven't bought any tailsuits from Rainbow, but we've had some interesting dress experiences. Like they said, it's hit and miss a lot of the time. The dresses have always FIT ok for us, if you send her the measurements, but the dresses themselves have turned out interesting, sometimes not precisely what we ordered, especially if you're sending her a design that isn't one of her pre-set dresses.

So I'd probably go for someone else - Onik is definetely great, but yes, very pricey.

Hope this helps.

[Laura]

Not true - Onik makes tailsuits by mail and has many customers who never need altering once they get them. it's all in the measuring...
My ex-amateur partner had a tailsuit made by mail from Ron Gunn in England. it came out just fine, too.

[Laura]

USA Dance rules I think still prohibit costumes at syllabus. Your comp rules may vary; always check the rules.
USA Dance prohibits costumes for all Syllabus levels. The only exception to that is that if it is a "Senior I" or "Senior II" or "Senior III" Syllabus event, then costumes are allowed.

(Note that if someone who can dance in one of the Senior age groups dances down into an Adult Syllabus event, they must follow the Adult Syllabus costume rules and so cannot wear a costume in the Adult Syllabus event.)

[Laura]

but does that mean that when the arms are down, the shoulders look funny or are uncomfortable?
The shoulders look fine when the arms are down, but because the armholes themselves are cut higher and tighter on a dancesport tailcoat, the armpits can be a little uncomfortable when the arms aren't in dance position.

[reb]

Some quality aspects:

Material
Workmanship
Fit
Re-workUnlike a dress, the tailsuit is the type of thing that is expected to be worn every time and can last years - and the material has to be able to handle sweat-suit like conditions and the occasional tumble on the floor.

One result of this longevity is that it'll need tune-ups from time to time, buttons with ****l hooks come off, the satin can get scuffed by the ladies rhinestones, the elastic pull-downs (which aid in holding the shoulders down) become stretched out, and there is the inevitable belly fluctuation!

These are simple things to most ladies I know;) , but to the avergage male . . . most of us men are sewing-illiterate of sewing-intimidated and can benefit by checking in occasionally with the dancewear tailor who knows why dance tails are made the way they are.

[PasoDancer]

All hail the "Man's Dance Shirt".

[Joe]

FWIW, the Ron Gunn suits I've borrowed (while Aleksandr Sinitsa was making my new one) both fit like a glove.

And the Ashmore I had made previously fit great until I lost too much weight and started swimming around in it.

Unless you have a really weird body, a used suit should be fine, as long as the size is right. They're made to measure, yes, but you'd be surprised how many guys will fit the same suit even if you don't think their bodies are the same.

[vcolfari]

Thanks so much to those of you who gave feedback. If someone goes with pants and a vest, rather than a tailsuit, what are the best options? I know dancepants.com has pants and vests. Has anyone purchased from them or do you have other suggestions?

[White Chacha]

Thanks so much to those of you who gave feedback. If someone goes with pants and a vest, rather than a tailsuit, what are the best options? I know dancepants.com has pants and vests. Has anyone purchased from them or do you have other suggestions?

I competed for years in a nice pair of black dress slacks, white shirt (for standard), straight tie, black vest. The slacks came from a Hadassah thrift shop!

I think the most important thing is for the clothes to fit properly. Oh, and don't forget black socks ;-)

[Joe]

I do advise getting a dance vest, because the neckline will ride up on a street vest, just like a street coat's neckline (although not nearly as badly). Also, you can get it fitted, which is better than the traditional cinch in the back.

[BM]

Oh, and don't forget black socks ;-)

Yeeees . . . ::recalls far too many partners who have shown up with white socks:: And, hopefully you'll never worry about this, but don't resort to relacing your shoes with everyday white shoelaces!! :D

[contracheck]

Yeeees . . . ::recalls far too many partners who have shown up with white socks:: And, hopefully you'll never worry about this, but don't resort to relacing your shoes with everyday white shoelaces!! :D
White socks may be better than black socks in swing. I have never seen a black pair of bobby socks in swing era. I beleive that Red socks may be OK in Tango, Paso and Bolero.

[Chris Stratton]

I saw a guy dance standard in white tie, tails, and no socks... (I think he had only white ones and decided that was better)

[Peaches]

LOL. I think if that had been me, I'd be asking the hotel concierge for a black permanent marker and thoroughly coloring my ankles black.

[Me]

I saw a guy dance standard in white tie, tails, and no socks... (I think he had only white ones and decided that was better)


Ewwwww you have GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!

[fascination]

no, no, no (puts on snooty hat)...one asks the concierge to find one a pair of dark socks

[Peaches]

Depends on the calibre of the hotel.

[fascination]

Ewwwww you have GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!okay (ducks) how many dancers do you know? (thinks about a long list of stories pertaining to forgotten items:rolleyes: )

[fascination]

Depends on the calibre of the hotel.meh, if there's a concierge, there's a concierge ;)

[Peaches]

Good point.

Concierge = find socks.
Front desk = find marker.

[fascination]

lol, cute....well, travelling with DH (a gold member everywhere ...b/c of how much he travels) I have seen it all...in terms of requests....when I travel alone they just look at me like ...NOT

[fascination]

uh, unhighjack...(but he did buy a tux the other day...his first...carson's going out of business sale...now if I can just find a number to pin on him...woohoo)

[Me]

okay (ducks) how many dancers do you know? (thinks about a long list of stories pertaining to forgotten items:rolleyes: )

True, true! But still. That is just... really bad. I mean, ANYTHING is better than nothing. Stop by a drug store and grab some ladies trouser socks if nothing else... ANYTHING to keep from showing up with nasty hairy ankles flashing out from under your suit.

Yuck!

[fluffy]

I keep thinking this thread is about rainbow coloured tailsuits. That would be interesting.... then you could wear multi coloured socks :)

[and123]

uh, unhighjack...(but he did buy a tux the other day...his first...carson's going out of business sale...now if I can just find a number to pin on him...woohoo)

why do I have this vision of you posed seductively on your bed, playfully waving a number at your DH?

"Hey baby.... can I PIN you?" ;)

[Another Elizabeth]

I saw a guy dance standard in white tie, tails, and no socks... (I think he had only white ones and decided that was better)

I remember, way back when, one of the MIT guys getting to the Harvard comp just as his event was starting, and dancing the first round in white tennis shoes. He danced the second round in his dance shoes, but still with the white socks (he'd forgotten his black ones). Someone lent him a pair of black ones for the final. It was like the evolution of a dancer.

[SDsalsaguy]

:lol: so easy to visualize... and so funny :lol:

[wooh]

My partner stands around between rounds with his hands on his waist...he says it's possible to put his arms down but it's uncomfortable and bad for the stiffening material in the jacket.

The shoulders look fine when the arms are down, but because the armholes themselves are cut higher and tighter on a dancesport tailcoat, the armpits can be a little uncomfortable when the arms aren't in dance position.

Thanks ladies, interesting information!!:)

[PasoDancer]

Speaking of pins, do they have special fru-fru number pins for tailsuits the way they do for horse show clothes? They go to the corners of the number and just look better than safety pins.

http://i21.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/82/a5/5d3f_1.JPG

[Dancebug]

Speaking of numbers, why don't they make the number with white number on the black background instead of black on white? Some gents cut the white background as much as they can for the better back line. If they make the numbers white on black, gents do not have to go through this trouble. I have seen some European comps do make the numbers this way.

[Another Elizabeth]

Speaking of numbers, why don't they make the number with white number on the black background instead of black on white? Some gents cut the white background as much as they can for the better back line. If they make the numbers white on black, gents do not have to go through this trouble. I have seen some European comps do make the numbers this way.

Back in the day when men wore colored catsuits in Latin, it was not uncommon for some competitors to call ahead to find out what their competition number would be, and to show up at the comp with their own custom number in a color that matched their catsuit.

[PasoDancer]

That's what we did for shows. We always thought it was (pardon- we were nine years old) "really gay" to have this huge, honking white cue card flapping around when our ponies were bucking and farting and acting like ****** when they should have been poised polished partners.

("I will not have you in the course of a single evening besmirching that name by behaving like a babbling, bumbling band of baboons!" )

[VinceraVivere]

Wouldn't that make it hard for the judges though? In the comps I've been to (pro/am at least) the male competitors have black on yellow numbers while the male teachers have black on white.

[Chris Stratton]

Printing cost presumably. Aren't the numbers usually the same thing as would be purchased for a road race?

Did you-know-who ever do his number in rhinestones?

[Tigerlilly]

I've heard that Onik, LeNique and Ron Gunn are some of the best.

My partner had a smooth outfit (short jacket and pants) made for him by Lenique last spring when Lenique was still in NYC. (They're now in Beverly Hills.) Our experience was overwhelmingly positive. Nick measured him and sketched out the design. He explained to us how he would style and cut the jacket and pants to give my partner more length in the body (we're a short couple), longer lines, richness in detail, etc. I was really impressed by his ability to tailor the suit style- and fit-wise to my partner's body type. The total came to $1250 (a bit higher than the basic suit due to the satin detailing we selected). The amount we paid was worth every penny! The suit is gorgeous and fits beautifully. In fact, my partner often gets mistaken for being a pro when he's wearing it (and he's an amateur). =)

[fascination]

why do I have this vision of you posed seductively on your bed, playfully waving a number at your DH?

"Hey baby.... can I PIN you?" ;):cool: :raisebro:

[fascination]

:lol: so easy to visualize... and so funny :lol:
funny:shock: ?...I should hope that my looking seductive would not be funny...pout

[fascination]

Speaking of pins, do they have special fru-fru number pins for tailsuits the way they do for horse show clothes? They go to the corners of the number and just look better than safety pins.

http://i21.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/82/a5/5d3f_1.JPGcool, but they look like they'd wiegh too much to go on a guy w/ a paper number...I rip the doggone thing as it is

[SDsalsaguy]

funny:shock: ?...I should hope that my looking seductive would not be funny...pout
I meant the progression of white tennis shoes w/white socks :arrow: dance shoes w/white socks :arrow: dance shoes w/black socks!

[fascination]

ooooooohhhhhh...you were actually ON topic....silly me...(embarrassed...bad mod, bad mod)

[JANATHOME]

Sometimes the numbers are a different color for pro/am and AM/AM too... Often we are in the same heat as a pro/am dancing am/am. Of course we are also being judged seperately.

[SDsalsaguy]

What I've seen more often, at least in the US, is that the number for Am & Pro men are different, e.g. all Am men's #s are in the 100s and all pro men's #s are in the 200s.

[DeniseG]

Arthur Ashley in the Uk do fantastic tall suits. He may have a website. If not try Dancesport.Uk.com for his details/contact number or indeed Dancesport International.com which are 100% fantastic. A bit pricey but hey if you wanna look gr8 on the floor, it's worth the investment. Best of luck in competition.

[tanya_the_dancer]

What I've seen more often, at least in the US, is that the number for Am & Pro men are different, e.g. all Am men's #s are in the 100s and all pro men's #s are in the 200s.

I've seen pro # being black on white background and starting in 100s, and am # red on white background and starting in 300s.

[fascination]

yep...

[Laura]

Arthur Ashley in the Uk do fantastic tall suits.
I think you mean Arthur Ashmore. Mr. Ashmore himself has passed on to the great tailor shop in the sky, but his protege' Mark carries on the tradition excellently.

[JANATHOME]

Do the tailors that make tailsuits also make suits for smooth as well? Anyone else have expereince with having a smooth suit made?

[Keelzorz]

Thanks so much to those of you who gave feedback. If someone goes with pants and a vest, rather than a tailsuit, what are the best options? I know dancepants.com has pants and vests. Has anyone purchased from them or do you have other suggestions?

One of my partners bought two pairs of pants & vests from Danceshopper. Once he got the pants hemmed and the vests tailored (taken in a fair bit), they look excellent. One set it black, one set is black pinstriped (which is quite fun and a subtle way to be "different"). The material seemed very good. I'm not sure if its still availible, but they had a black vest with black satin lapels. Paired with a black shirt with white collar and cuffs, it made a good approximation of a suit for much, much less.

Some tux shops sell vests without the cincher on the back, I believe. May be worth looking for - I would trust a local tailor to be able to fashion a fitting vest, but not a tailsuit.

[samina]

nasty hairy ankles ....



why does that just slay me...? lmao...

nasty hairy ankles...



oh, how funny
:lol::lol::lol:

[samina]

Back in the day when men wore colored catsuits in Latin, it was not uncommon for some competitors to call ahead to find out what their competition number would be, and to show up at the comp with their own custom number in a color that matched their catsuit.

huh... do you think that would still be possible these days? to find out ahead of time what one's number will be?

[and123]

yeah, collegiate comps list the numbers ahead of time. Dunno about larger Pro-Am and Am-Am comps though.

[fascination]

Do the tailors that make tailsuits also make suits for smooth as well? Anyone else have expereince with having a smooth suit made?
yes

[fluffy]

I think you mean Arthur Ashmore. Mr. Ashmore himself has passed on to the great tailor shop in the sky, but his protege' Mark carries on the tradition excellently.
If you mean Mark Plant, I think he's gone solo, under the name "Pure Class"

[Joe]

Correct. I think the fellow still at Ashmore is Colin somethingorother...Hodgetts?

[Merrylegs]

I think $1250 for a brand new tailsuit is a better deal than having a new dress made! It seems there are a lot more necessary tailoring aspects to a tailsuit than a dress and I had expected the price to be higher. However the time is made up by not having to glue on rhinestones. :)


My partner had a smooth outfit (short jacket and pants) made for him by Lenique last spring when Lenique was still in NYC. (They're now in Beverly Hills.) Our experience was overwhelmingly positive. Nick measured him and sketched out the design. He explained to us how he would style and cut the jacket and pants to give my partner more length in the body (we're a short couple), longer lines, richness in detail, etc. I was really impressed by his ability to tailor the suit style- and fit-wise to my partner's body type. The total came to $1250 (a bit higher than the basic suit due to the satin detailing we selected). The amount we paid was worth every penny! The suit is gorgeous and fits beautifully. In fact, my partner often gets mistaken for being a pro (and he's an amateur) when he's wearing it. =)

[fascination]

That's what we did for shows. We always thought it was (pardon- we were nine years old) "really gay" to have this huge, honking white cue card flapping around when our ponies were bucking and farting and acting like asshats when they should have been poised polished partners.

("I will not have you in the course of a single evening besmirching that name by behaving like a babbling, bumbling band of baboons!" )if we have no problem with gay people then we don't need to use the term "really gay" as a negative...please be sensitive...this is a note to all posters, not just this particular one...as I have had to note this on other threads as well...and we will not debate this on the public forum

[White Chacha]

Back in the day when men wore colored catsuits in Latin...

Oh gosh I'm glad that died quickly!

[White Chacha]

My partner stands around between rounds with his hands on his waist...he says it's possible to put his arms down but it's uncomfortable and bad for the stiffening material in the jacket.

I often take the jacket off between rounds. Let's everything, including me, "air out"...

[Chris Stratton]

I often take the jacket off between rounds. Let's everything, including me, "air out"...

that's when you discover how many layers the various safety pins went through...

[Pacion]

that's when you discover how many layers the various safety pins went through...

Ooooh! That is evil! True, but still evil. :lol::lol::lol::lol:

[Chris Stratton]

Actually, I keep meaning to put four tiny stitches of dark red thread to mark where the corners of a standard-size (road-race) number go. That should make it easier to pin the number on the removed jacket and get it right the first time.

[Dancebug]

Actually, I keep meaning to put four tiny stitches of dark red thread to mark where the corners of a standard-size (road-race) number go. That should make it easier to pin the number on the removed jacket and get it right the first time.
How about leaving safety pins on the spot?

[Chris Stratton]

How about leaving safety pins on the spot?

The usual approach, but then when you have to move them for the occasional undersized number (or simply forget and take them off) you loose your reference.

[Dancebug]

I see. That makes sense.

[reb]

Some gents cut the white background as much as they can for the better back line.
Interesting take on this, and very positive to say 'better back line'.

It seemed to me that some (but definitely not all) of those who cut their number down are the thin guys who are taking steps to appear bigger when wearing their number - some comps' numbers are large enough to not-so-flatteringly wrap around a thin guy's shoulder blades in contrast to the broader competitor next to them whose number is tucked neatly between his shoulder blades.

And some comps' numbers are relatively large, which I don't mind because if I were a judge, I'd be squinting to read the numbers!

[Laura]

If you mean Mark Plant, I think he's gone solo, under the name "Pure Class"
Good to know, as Mark made a tailsuit for friend of mine. My friend loved it, so I'll tell him when he wants a new one where to find Mark.

[Laura]

I think $1250 for a brand new tailsuit is a better deal than having a new dress made!
That's for sure. Even at $2000 for a new tail suit, the guy comes out ahead. A guy can wear the same tailsuit until it falls apart, whereas a lady can't wear the same dress year in and year out. And since new dresses with the same quality of a Gunn or Ashmore tailsuit can cost $3000+, it really seems that guys do well in the deal.

[tanya_the_dancer]

OK, I just wanted to give people an update on the tailsuit my husband bought from the same source where I bought my earlier dresses (not the green one in my album, the blue and black/yellow). It so happened that last year he travelled a lot and did not try the thing on until 2 days before he was supposed to compete in it (he did some bronze standard with his teacher at HOA). Here is the summary.The pants fit great, we'd order another pair of pants from her. The top fits OK, except the collar is not as smooth as on the better suits, it could fit better in the back. But - all the little details which are supposed to hold this thing on were completely wrong and the shirt was totally wrong and completely useless, it had buttons on the wrong side, so he had to buy a new one at the competition together with all the accessories, like plastic collar, cufflinks and some other little buttons. I wrote to the seller about it, don't know what she'll do, but I would like her to know that her factory got the shirt all wrong, maybe she can fix it for future customers.