Costume Rules for nationals

[Katarzyna]

Anyone can enlighten me about the costume rules for nationals.. apparently nude fabrics are ok as long as they are"decorated" is that true, and what exactly does that mean?

[skwiggy]

Are the rules different for Nationals than the regular USA Dance rules?

[Borbala_Bunnett]

The costume rules for Nationals are the same as they are for all other USA Dance competitions.

[Chris Stratton]

The paper rules are the same, and essentially the same as in any IDSF country, but the interpretation can never be perfectly consistent from place to place... It would not be a challenge to make a nice gown from scratch that was unquestionably compliant, or one that clearly was not, but a lot of existing ones are going to be a matter of prevailing opinion, etc.

[wyllo]

And I imagine the rules will be very strictly enforced this weekend. Some of the regional competitions may have been a bit looser in their interpretations of the rules.

[Borbala_Bunnett]

I believe that similar to how it was done last year, competitors will need to bring their costumes to registration to make sure that their outfits are compliant with the rules prior to stepping on the floor. I'll verify and report back.

[BM]

...apparently nude fabrics are ok as long as they are"decorated" is that true, and what exactly does that mean?

I recall reading somewhere last year that "decorated" includes (but is not limited to?) stone and beadwork. I imagine anything that makes it clear that it is not actually skin - you - I think - would not glue rhinestones and floats to your arms!

[BasicsFirst]

Intrepretation aside, any Chairman may impose this:

Good Taste Rule
Any use of material or color or construction or other contrivance that gives the appearance of non-compliance with these dress rules, even though there is no breach of the literal wording of these rules, will be a breach of these rules if so determined by the Chairman of Adjudicators.

[chocolatchica]

So no nude bodysuit??? Don't most costumes have a built in panty section? I've seen a lot of competitors with it (and from what I could see, unstoned). I mean wouldn't it be weird to stone your bottom and crotch area under your dress??

[Laura]

The IDSF has had a "the panty part can't be nude color" rule for a while. USA Dance picked this up too, you can see it in section 3.10.4 where it says "Skin colored panties are NA" (NA means "Not Allowed).

As far as this "net/mesh/nude" question goes, in my opinion 3.10.4 is perfectly clear: "Transparent materials are not allowed in the panty, the area between the Hip Line and Panty Line, or the breast areas." So, if you can see through it, it's not allowed. If it started out see through, but is so covered with lace and stones and beading that you can't see through it, then it is allowed.

Now, the "Color Not Skin" rule (see section 3.10.4) is more difficult. However, skin-toned fabric is often used for structural or design purposes. How much is too much, and results in a dress being considered skin-colored or mostly skin-colored? I seem to recall that when Ice Dancing was having an issue with too much skin-toned fabric a number of years ago, a rule of thumb emerged where as to how to judge if something is okay or not: imagine the dress with all the skin-colored parts turned transparent. If the dress still covered all the private areas (breasts, crotch, butt crack and cheeks) then it was allowed. If not...then it was not allowed.

But that was Ice Dancing's rule of thumb, I have no idea what the costume police person (Ray Kaufman) is going to do at Nationals. I tried emailing him twice on this subject and got absolutely no reply. I wish the rule book were explicit. To me it seems to be trying to prevent the "I'm spray-tanned and dotted with nothing but rhinestones up here" look while allowing "I have to have skin-colored sleeves on my upper arms so my old lady flab doesn't gross people out" and "I need some skin-colored fabric here to hold the back together or the shoulder up properly."

[reb]

I was ruled against at a Nationals - for rhythm - it was determined that I had on a 'tunic' - I gave my best arguments, but lost.

[JANATHOME]

This costume rule does not apply for Sr Level however the last regional we attended it was required that the Sr's get in the costume line and show your card to prove you are a Sr Dancer. You could not register untl you did this. Borbala, can you find out about this also?

[Ithink]

"nude" is sort of a difficult "color" to enforce though as all of us happen to look different nude. Some people who bathe in ProTan would match my questionably "nude" dress, which, by the way, I still haven't gotten a straight answer about from those in charge of Nationals (I decided not to wear it myself since it's too short but I still might rent it or sell it to someone for Nationals and need to know). Next to my pale pink skin, it just looks beige, which is a color and should be legal. That's the problem with having subjective rules like that...

[Laura]

This costume rule does not apply for Sr Level
Jan, the same costume rules that apply to Championship dancers apply to the Senior Level competitors. So, the "panty not skin color" and "dress a color not skin color" and "private areas can't be covered with transparent fabric" rules apply there too.

Please see the chart in section 3.10.5 where it explicitly states that the rules there apply to Senior I, II, and III.

What does not apply to Senior Level competitors are the Youth & Adult Syllabus dress rules when dancing in Senior I, II, and/or II Syllabus events.

[wyllo]

Since there continues to be a great deal of confusion about the nude fabric restrictions, it would be very helpful if USA Dance would come out with a guidance document of some sort. Maybe something with photos that illustrate some of the more common mistakes that competitors make. Obviously, it wouldn't be able to cover every possible situation but I think it would help us all understand the rules better.

I also find it a little frustrating that we as competitors very much want to understand and follow the rules, but are having trouble getting definitive answers as to what the rules are in a general sense. When I have asked questions in the past, I have always been asked to produce an example to be ruled upon. That's great, but it only helps me know whether one specific dress meets the requirements and doesn't help me when I'm looking for a new dress.

[Katarzyna]

Since there continues to be a great deal of confusion about the nude fabric restrictions, it would be very helpful if USA Dance would come out with a guidance document of some sort. Maybe something with photos that illustrate some of the more common mistakes that competitors make. Obviously, it wouldn't be able to cover every possible situation but I think it would help us all understand the rules better.

I also find it a little frustrating that we as competitors very much want to understand and follow the rules, but are having trouble getting definitive answers as to what the rules are in a general sense. When I have asked questions in the past, I have always been asked to produce an example to be ruled upon. That's great, but it only helps me know whether one specific dress meets the requirements and doesn't help me when I'm looking for a new dress.
yes something like this would be great.. because I deal with so many costumes a lot of people come to me with those questions... and I just have no clue.. even thought I try to stay on top of any costume related rules etc

[Dancebug]

I have a question regarding this issue. I have a new standard red dress with nude color pnties built-in. I assume this dress will not be allowed at the national based on the current rules. What kind of product do you recommend to dye the panties with little trouble? As you all know, the natioanl is around the corner and I do not have much time. (I know I should have taken care of this problem sooner.) The panties are made of regular spandex material.

[samina]

I have a question regarding this issue. I have a new standard red dress with nude color pnties built-in. I assume this dress will not be allowed at the national based on the current rules. What kind of product do you recommend to dye the panties with little trouble? As you all know, the natioanl is around the corner and I do not have much time. (I know I should have taken care of this problem sooner.) The panties are made of regular spandex material.

but... if the nude panties are not visible, it's moot, correct? it would seem to me the ban on nude panties is for when they are visible. i think every standard gown i've worn has had a nude bodysuit w/ nude panties...

[Dancebug]

but... if the nude panties are not visible, it's moot, correct? it would seem to me the ban on nude panties is for when they are visible. i think every standard gown i've worn has had a nude bodysuit w/ nude panties...
I hope that is the case, but I am not sure that pro/am situation is same with amateur dancers'.

[skwiggy]

so if the nude fabric is not in the bra or panty area it should be ok?

[wyllo]

I have a question regarding this issue. I have a new standard red dress with nude color pnties built-in. I assume this dress will not be allowed at the national based on the current rules. What kind of product do you recommend to dye the panties with little trouble? As you all know, the natioanl is around the corner and I do not have much time. (I know I should have taken care of this problem sooner.) The panties are made of regular spandex material.

Would it be possible to just put a pair of spanx over the bodysuit panties? Seems like the quickest, easiest fix. Although, if the bodysuit is not visible I can't imagine how you would get invigilated for it...

[Katarzyna]

can you just saw different set of dance pants under the costume

[wyllo]

so if the nude fabric is not in the bra or panty area it should be ok?

That is my understanding. They let my dress in the avatar through at regionals and it has nude fabric in the stomach area. But I will be bringing a back-up, just in case!

[Dancebug]

Getting new dance pants will take time. I do not have much time left. I thought somebody would know some kind of fabric spray I could use. Maybe I will just forget about this and wear the dress as it is. As some of you pointed out, it is a standard dress. The nude panties will not be seen.

[samina]

can't understand why it would matter what color something is if it is not visible...

[Katarzyna]

Getting new dance pants will take time. I do not have much time left. I thought somebody would know some kind of fabric spray I could use. Maybe I will just forget about this and wear the dress as it is. As some of you pointed out, it is a standard dress. The nude panties will not be seen.
if its standard, you should not have problems at all

[Dancebug]

Three votes. I am convinced now.:)

[Ithink]

I'm sorry but I think invigilating a standard dress at all is ridiculous. I mean I have seen latin competitors (in the youth division of all things!) wear REALLY revealing costumes at Regionals and Nationals and noone seemed to care. I saw a girl at Regionals (or maybe at MAC) last year in the Youth Latin wearing a dress made entirely of fringe (no skirt, just long fringe) which, as you can imagine, became more like a nude bathing suit with white fringe when she spun. She kept dancing in round after round and noone cared.

Then we have someone (ME!) with a nude/beige-bodiced standard dress where the bodice is all rhinestoned, has an opaque lycra bodysuit underneath and is totally covered up (long sleeves, nigh neckline, etc. - I'm selling this dress under Dance Ads so you can see an example of a dress that sent officials scratching their heads as to its legality) wringing my hands wondering if it'll be allowed for Nationals and not getting a straight answer... And then we have Dancebug here wondering if her nude panties on her standard dress are ok. I mean, it's ridiculous that any standard dress would be in question when people are wearing what they are in latin...

[Katarzyna]

http://images36.fotki.com/v1157/photos/5/55537/6036134/SonyCamera237-vi.jpg
do you guys think there will be an issue with this..

[Ithink]

There might be, given that you can see the left bra cup. But again, if there is, I think it's ridiculous considering what's being worn regularly in latin and is deemed OK on a technicality...

[Katarzyna]

grrrrrrr... I hope not... so annoying...

[fire_dancer]

I'd bring a backup just in case :)

[Katarzyna]

will do

[skwiggy]

My dress has some nude fabric in the back, but it is well above the panty line. I wasn't concerned, but given the ambiguity, I'm thinking I should bring another dress just in case. I was planning on selling the other dress, but I guess I shouldn't list it for sale until after I get official approval for my new dress at Nationals. :confused:

[ChaChaMama]

http://images36.fotki.com/v1157/photos/5/55537/6036134/SonyCamera237-vi.jpg
do you guys think there will be an issue with this..

I have no meaningful opinion on its legality, but just wanted to say...

OMG! Love that!!! You are rockin' that look!

CCM

[Katarzyna]

I have no meaningful opinion on its legality, but just wanted to say...

OMG! Love that!!! You are rockin' that look!

CCM
lol thanks, I love this gown so much :)

I have a photo where it looks a little more ... illegal but did't want ot include it... lol

[Laura]

I have a question regarding this issue. I have a new standard red dress with nude color pnties built-in. I assume this dress will not be allowed at the national based on the current rules. What kind of product do you recommend to dye the panties with little trouble? As you all know, the natioanl is around the corner and I do not have much time. (I know I should have taken care of this problem sooner.) The panties are made of regular spandex material.
The easiest thing is to buy a pair of dance trunks in red or some other color and pull them on over the dress's leotard. You can't dye spandex easily.

[Laura]

so if the nude fabric is not in the bra or panty area it should be ok?
That is my reading of the rule book.

[Laura]

There might be, given that you can see the left bra cup. But again, if there is, I think it's ridiculous considering what's being worn regularly in latin and is deemed OK on a technicality...
I don't think the problem is so much that you can see the left bra cup, but there is a rule about how the bra cups can't be more than a certain distance apart (I kid you not... you've all read the same rules I have, I think the allowable distance is something like under 5" but I don't have the rule book in front of me and I can't imagine that Ray is going to be standing there with a ruler. But maybe he will be. I have no idea.)

[Laura]

My dress has some nude fabric in the back, but it is well above the panty line. I wasn't concerned, but given the ambiguity, I'm thinking I should bring another dress just in case. I was planning on selling the other dress, but I guess I shouldn't list it for sale until after I get official approval for my new dress at Nationals. :confused:
Since it's well above the panty line and passes my personal "if this nude fabric were 100% see through nothing in the 'shape area' would be revealed" test, I would not worry about it. I would in fact go heavily to bat for anyone in that situation who is warned. To me it seems obvious that if the nude fabric is outside the shape area then it's fine. There are many dresses with big open keyhole type backs that are "filled in" with nude fabric and then stoned over. That seems totally fine to me. Cut out the fabric and stones, and the dress would still be legal, just different looking (or structurally less sound). Ditto for dresses with nude fabric in the sleeves, or filling in a cut-out in the upper chest area.

[samina]

Are panties required components of standard dresses? If not, but the rules truly forbid nude panties underneath, well...remove the panties, lol.

[Mandicraft]

I don't think the problem is so much that you can see the left bra cup, but there is a rule about how the bra cups can't be more than a certain distance apart (I kid you not... you've all read the same rules I have, I think the allowable distance is something like under 5" but I don't have the rule book in front of me and I can't imagine that Ray is going to be standing there with a ruler. But maybe he will be. I have no idea.)

It's actually less than 5cm/2", so get out that ruler Katarzyna.

BTW Katarzyna, I absolutely love that dress (purple also happens to be my favorite color). I really hope to see it out on the floor this weekend! Good Luck!

[Laura]

Are panties required components of standard dresses? If not, but the rules truly forbid nude panties underneath, well...remove the panties, lol.
Excellent solution, Samina, but really I do not suggest that anyone cut up their Standard dresses just yet. I mean really, if no one can even see it....

[Laura]

BTW Katarzyna, I absolutely love that dress (purple also happens to be my favorite color). I really hope to see it out on the floor this weekend! Good Luck!
Kat, did you wear this dress at the UK Open? If so, it looks very well on the floor!

[skwiggy]

Excellent solution, Samina, but really I do not suggest that anyone cut up their Standard dresses just yet. I mean really, if no one can even see it....

Yeah, I can't picture Ray asking her to raise the skirt of the ballgown to inspect the panties.

[skwiggy]

(purple also happens to be my favorite color

Ditto! Excellent taste! :cheers:

[chocolatchica]

The IDSF has had a "the panty part can't be nude color" rule for a while. USA Dance picked this up too, you can see it in section 3.10.4 where it says "Skin colored panties are NA" (NA means "Not Allowed).

As far as this "net/mesh/nude" question goes, in my opinion 3.10.4 is perfectly clear: "Transparent materials are not allowed in the panty, the area between the Hip Line and Panty Line, or the breast areas." So, if you can see through it, it's not allowed. If it started out see through, but is so covered with lace and stones and beading that you can't see through it, then it is allowed.

Now, the "Color Not Skin" rule (see section 3.10.4) is more difficult. However, skin-toned fabric is often used for structural or design purposes. How much is too much, and results in a dress being considered skin-colored or mostly skin-colored? I seem to recall that when Ice Dancing was having an issue with too much skin-toned fabric a number of years ago, a rule of thumb emerged where as to how to judge if something is okay or not: imagine the dress with all the skin-colored parts turned transparent. If the dress still covered all the private areas (breasts, crotch, butt crack and cheeks) then it was allowed. If not...then it was not allowed.

But that was Ice Dancing's rule of thumb, I have no idea what the costume police person (Ray Kaufman) is going to do at Nationals. I tried emailing him twice on this subject and got absolutely no reply. I wish the rule book were explicit. To me it seems to be trying to prevent the "I'm spray-tanned and dotted with nothing but rhinestones up here" look while allowing "I have to have skin-colored sleeves on my upper arms so my old lady flab doesn't gross people out" and "I need some skin-colored fabric here to hold the back together or the shoulder up properly."
Lol! Ok so my thing is, where do you draw the line??? They leave it kind if open because they don't want to be too specific. Fo example, these costumes obviously don't look they would pass for skin because they are fully stoned. However, the way I am interpreting the rules, these would be against the rules. The fist one has to have a nude under-leotard to work.
http://rhythmicrentals.com/images/CR139F.jpg
http://rhythmicrentals.com/images/CR080FB.JPG

P.S.Got these pics from rhythmicrentals.com She is awesome and rents out tons of ballroom and latin dresses

[chocolatchica]

Since there continues to be a great deal of confusion about the nude fabric restrictions, it would be very helpful if USA Dance would come out with a guidance document of some sort. Maybe something with photos that illustrate some of the more common mistakes that competitors make. Obviously, it wouldn't be able to cover every possible situation but I think it would help us all understand the rules better.

I also find it a little frustrating that we as competitors very much want to understand and follow the rules, but are having trouble getting definitive answers as to what the rules are in a general sense. When I have asked questions in the past, I have always been asked to produce an example to be ruled upon. That's great, but it only helps me know whether one specific dress meets the requirements and doesn't help me when I'm looking for a new dress.i
I was thinking about this today and was wondering if the bigger reputable dress companies like Chrissane keep themselves up to date with the rules seeing as how they sell so many dresses (especially to the best of the best). I would ask and expect that from my maker if I am paying a couple grand for my dress. Can you imagine paying all that and not being able to wear it?

[Laura]

The fist one has to have a nude under-leotard to work.
No, the first one has to be "color not skin" to work, which would depend on the person. But on the dummy, it looks like it is suntan fabric with AB stones on it, and based on the average ballroom dancer that would not pass. However, if the fabric were so densely covered with, say, green stones, so that the fabric looked green, then I could see arguing about it. But then why not just make the dress out of green fabric in the first place to be absolutely sure? It's a very nice design, by the way.

The second dress is where I start having questions, because on the one hand the dress is arguably not entirely "color not skin," but on the other hand (in my opinion) if the non-white parts were to magically be replaced with, oh, Saran wrap, then the "shape area" would not be sufficiently covered. My question is, does the "Saran wrap" test even apply?

[Laura]

Can you imagine paying all that and not being able to wear it?
Although I'm sure many gown makers are knowledgeable, I would not depend on them to know the rules and to apply them when making a design unless you specifically ask them to. If you're going to spend a lot of money on a dress, then it is very important that you take the responsibility to make sure the dress will be legal before committing to the design.

[Joe]

IMO, neither of Chocolatlatina's dress photos would pass, unless worn by a black or very dark Latino girl.

[skwiggy]

i
I was thinking about this today and was wondering if the bigger reputable dress companies like Chrissane keep themselves up to date with the rules seeing as how they sell so many dresses (especially to the best of the best). I would ask and expect that from my maker if I am paying a couple grand for my dress. Can you imagine paying all that and not being able to wear it?

I assume the best of the best generally don't pay for their own dresses.

[Laura]

That's definitely true, Skwiggy, and sometimes these sponsored dancers don't even see what they are getting until the dress turns up in a box from their sponsor.

I seem to recall that some 10-dancer at the IDSF Worlds was wearing a dress that was too close to her tanned-ness for the judges and she got in trouble for it. (That was possibly the first actual costume disqualification at that level that I've ever heard of.) I'm not sure what happened, I think they just got put last in the final or something over it.

I feel like the IDSF is kind of in a panic over the current 'showgirl' trend in outfits, but like all trends it will eventually pass. Heck, I remember 12 or so years ago when pleated skirts and dresses that were so structured that the floats were pretty much mounted on shoulderboards were the rage! And then there were the brightly colored lycra catsuits for the men in Latin in the 80's.

[Katarzyna]

It's actually less than 5cm/2", so get out that ruler Katarzyna.

BTW Katarzyna, I absolutely love that dress (purple also happens to be my favorite color). I really hope to see it out on the floor this weekend! Good Luck!
I hope i can dance it it too, if they dont let me dance, it will have to be green..

[Katarzyna]

Kat, did you wear this dress at the UK Open? If so, it looks very well on the floor!
yes thats the one I wore in UK, I LOVE it

[Ithink]

] I can't imagine that Ray is going to be standing there with a ruler. But maybe he will be. I have no idea.)

OMG, I can picture it now, lol!

[Ithink]

OK, ince everyone's posting dress pics, here's the dress that was at issue for me (and now for a friend of mine), kinda like the second dress chocolatchica posted, but standard and therefore WAY less nude-ish looking. Plus, it is VERY arguable that the top is actually beige and not skin-colored but of course it's just an argument:( In any case, unlike the latin dresses CC posted, this dress is completely oraque (you cannot see any traces of bra cups or straps under the net because the lycra underneath is totally opaque.

Anyway, a friend is thinking of renting it for Nationals and will bring it to be inspected by Ray, hopefully sans ruler;)

[skwiggy]

Maybe it's time for me to get out the camera too...

:car:

[Me]

Heh. It sounds like my prized Latin gown would not pass. It is very slinky and elegant, but the trunks are nude.

Funny thing is, this dress passes the 'conservative audience' test when we exhibit. I always seem to receive comments specifically to the dress being slinky yet tasteful and not exposing anything. Ha!

[Laura]

OK, ince everyone's posting dress pics, here's the dress that was at issue for me (and now for a friend of mine), kinda like the second dress chocolatchica posted, but standard and therefore WAY less nude-ish looking. Plus, it is VERY arguable that the top is actually beige and not skin-colored but of course it's just an argument:( In any case, unlike the latin dresses CC posted, this dress is completely oraque (you cannot see any traces of bra cups or straps under the net because the lycra underneath is totally opaque.

Anyway, a friend is thinking of renting it for Nationals and will bring it to be inspected by Ray, hopefully sans ruler;)
If it were me, I'd say no outright because it looks from the picture like someone's been spray-tanned and had stones glued to them and a bit of fabric casually draped across but one breast like a statue of a Greek Goddess. The opaqueness of the fabric and the cut of the dress aren't the issue here, it's the color, and that's going to depend on the competition-ready skin tone of the wearer. Personally, I think it's a stretch to argue that this dress is beige up top, but once again I defer to the official Official, who would be Ray Kaufman.

Now, if it were so covered with mango (or whatever the base color of the dress is) stones that the fabric looked mango-ish rather than beige/tan/nude then I could see arguing for its legality.

But this is just my opinion, and I've been rather lacking guidance on this topic other than consulting the rule book and employing my own personal sense of what the directives mean.

[Laura]

It sounds like my prized Latin gown would not pass. It is very slinky and elegant, but the trunks are nude.
A very easy fix would be to obtain a pair of reasonably cut (i.e., not thong or bikini) underwear in a color that coordinates with the dress but isn't nude. Hanes makes some out of poly microfiber that are quite thin and so won't add bulk or lines like Danskin dance trunks. You could then slip the Hanes on over the leotard part of the dress when dancing in events with IDSF-derived costume rules, and leave them off otherwise.

[samina]

http://rhythmicrentals.com/images/CR080FB.JPG



this gown looks very much like my own (see avatar & gallery) which i got from kat, and IIRC was what she'd hoped to wear for nationals last year but could not for this very reason...

[chocolatchica]

What a bummer! I'm get a pic of this dress I am absolutely on love with that I wanted to wear for my next comp but now that I am thinking about it, it may not fly. Hmmm... I'll post it as soon as I get the pic.

[wyllo]

Are you doing pro-am or am-am at an NDCA competition? If so, the dress code is different than at USA Dance events and if I remember correctly is not as restrictive regarding nude fabrics.

[SDsalsaguy]

What a bummer! I'm get a pic of this dress I am absolutely on love with that I wanted to wear for my next comp but now that I am thinking about it, it may not fly. Hmmm... I'll post it as soon as I get the pic.
As per wyllo's post above, the costuming rules being discussed are those of USA Dance (and the IDSF more generally), and are not the ones applicable to competing at NDCDA events (whether am, pro-am, or pro).

[chocolatchica]

Hmmm.....I didn't even think about that. Thanks!

[samina]

Exactly. I can wear my dress because I compete pro-am in NDCA events.

[chocolatchica]

I do both so I am guess it would be in my favor to get one that follows both rules. Can't afford loads of costumes.... at least not unit I become a super duper sponsored dancer :-)

[samina]

Keeping fingers crossed for ya on that account, chica. ;)

[Laura]

Are you doing pro-am or am-am at an NDCA competition? If so, the dress code is different than at USA Dance events and if I remember correctly is not as restrictive regarding nude fabrics.
Does the NDCA even have a dress code? I haven't looked at the most recent iteration of the rule book, but I didn't think there were any rules for Pro/Am dancers...just for little kid amateur couples.

[star_gazer]

If you dance NDCA in Utah there are more rules than you can shake a stick at. Like....your 1" straps are too far apart. That was a new one I had never heard of.

[Joe]

Those will rarified (read: corncob-up-rear) sensibilities will come up with all sorts of (dis)qualifications.

[chocolatchica]

Are you doing pro-am or am-am at an NDCA competition? If so, the dress code is different than at USA Dance events and if I remember correctly is not as restrictive regarding nude fabrics.

is am/am the more strict one? I am doing am/am so I think I'm still stuck. Can't afford to do pro/am :-(

[Laura]

Amateur is more restrictive. You need to check the rules for the competition you are entering. If you are entering an NDCA competition, the rules aren't quite as strict as for USA Dance competitions. Both organizations' rule books are on their respective web sites: ndca.org and usadance.org

[Laura]

So, for Nationals: Ray Kaufman will be at the costume check outside the ballroom starting at 8am on Friday morning. All competitors have to see him FIRST to get the little chit that they have to give to me before I give out their competitor's packet. So go see Ray, do whatever you have to do for him, and then come over and get your stuff, buy a program (it's $10), purchase extra tickets if needed, and so on.

[chocolatchica]

Great! Thanks for the info Laura! Wish I could see you at Nationals....got finals coming up though :-( Let me know how it goes!

[Joe]

So, for Nationals: Ray Kaufman will be at the costume check outside the ballroom starting at 8am on Friday morning. All competitors have to see him FIRST to get the little chit that they have to give to me before I give out their competitor's packet.
Even if we're wearing tails? :)

[Laura]

Well, I said you have to go see Ray first. I have not said anything about what the Standard gentlemen need to be holding in their hands (or not) when they go see him.