Gowns for the non-wealthy???

[Statlady]

Just so you know, I already checked some threads that I thought might help answer my question and wasn't able to find what I was looking for.

I have a showcase coming up in a week and I have yet to get a costume! I'm not going to be competing or anything, but I would like to have a dress that looks nice. I'll be doing a Viennese Waltz. I haven't got the slightest idea where to look for a dress that will work, but is also under $200. I know that's nowhere near what people pay for actual competition ballgowns.

I've looked on Craig's List and have a few leads there, but need to get on this right away. I was thinking of looking at David's Bridal. I really want something that will move and swirl like a ballgown should, but I don't have $800 to spend on a "discount" ballgown.

Any ideas or tips would be greatly appreciated.

[Laura]

It's too bad that you didn't us for help earlier because you might have been able to order something from a dance web site, or arranged to rent a gown for under $200, or even have made something simple for about $50. With only a week, your best bet is to look for something local. Aside from Dave's Bridal, I would try all the discount places like Marshall's and Ross. (I once got a very nice dress (http://www.lagassa.com/ballroom/foxtrot.jpg) at Filene's Basement for about $60 and another from the Jessica McClintock outlet for about $80.) Just find anything at all that looks nice that you can dance in: it needs to be free enough in the upper body so you can move your arms freely and full enough in the skirt so you can move your legs freely.

You might even do better with a separate top and skirt.

I've found "practice" skirts for Flamenco that weren't all ruffled and polka-dotted that worked well for ballroom dancing -- try the various dance stores that usually carry things for ballet dancers in your area. If you find one, then you can wear pretty much any top you like that you think is suitable.

[Statlady]

Hey, thanks for the tips. I would have gotten on top of this earlier, but I was under the impression that my instructor had something specific in mind . . . . but he never mentioned it again until I asked him yesterday. He also alluded to having something made; it was all very confusing. He's not the most organized person in the world. . . . Not to pass the blame or anything :)

[Laura]

Ha :) Get shopping!

I've also found things at Macy's. And for future reference, getting something made can take 4-6 weeks, although some people can do it faster. So don't delay next time :)

[tanya_the_dancer]

Statlady, check your pm.

[skipper]

Buy some black "practise" wear and purchase some great chunky jewlery! Works every time.

[Statlady]

Where would I get "practice" wear? Just a regular dancewear store? I could try the one where I bought my shoes last year.

[newbie]

Maybe your dance studio knows a place where you can hire a costume.

[etp777]

Statlady, if you let us know where yo'ure located, we might be able to give more specific advice as to stores, etc.

[Statlady]

Oops, double posted.

[Statlady]

Thanks so much for all the suggestions. I found a very pretty dress at Macy's for just over $100. It's not quite as full in the skirt as I would like, but it will do. I think I'll have the tailor who hems it put a slit in the back to give me a little more room.

Speaking of hemming . . . I have no idea how far off the floor a hemline is supposed to be for smooth dances. Can somebody tell me?

Thanks!

[delamusica]

Last time I talked about standard hemlines with my (at the time) coach, I was told to aim for 4" off the floor in your shoes. Of course, that was somewhere between 6 and 9 years ago, so things may have shifted slightly.

There's some leeway on this - some ladies like them longer, although usually they are more advanced dancers who create lots of movement. I've also seen them a little shorter. As long as your knees are covered and you're not stepping in it, you're in an ok place, really. Just make sure you're comfortable.

Also, as far as a slit, I would put it off to one side on the front of the skirt. The back is not normally where you will find a slit on a smooth skirt.

[Laura]

Also, as far as a slit, I would put it off to one side on the front of the skirt. The back is not normally where you will find a slit on a smooth skirt.
I agree. The slit is usually off-center in the front for Smooth dresses. Look at some photos online to determine which side (or maybe someone here who has a dress with a slit can tell you which side).

[reb]

DW's current Smooth dress has a slit off-center in the front - all the better to see one nice leg at least :raisebro:

[Laura]

Can you check to see if it's closer to her left leg or closer to her right? That way Statlady can get her dress fixed up in the most au courant manner for Smooth.

[reb]

I vividly remember that the slit is closer to her left leg (and who says we men can't remember anything!)

[Laura]

That sounds right to me -- I say this because I recall making a dress and slitting it closer to the right, and then figuring out that I should have done it on the other side....

[Statlady]

Last time I talked about standard hemlines with my (at the time) coach, I was told to aim for 4" off the floor in your shoes. Of course, that was somewhere between 6 and 9 years ago, so things may have shifted slightly.

There's some leeway on this - some ladies like them longer, although usually they are more advanced dancers who create lots of movement. I've also seen them a little shorter. As long as your knees are covered and you're not stepping in it, you're in an ok place, really. Just make sure you're comfortable.

Also, as far as a slit, I would put it off to one side on the front of the skirt. The back is not normally where you will find a slit on a smooth skirt.

Thanks for the info. Thanks also for the suggestion on the slit. I have a problem with that idea, however. The dress I bought is made of silver charmeuse (I think) and has a beaded black mesh overlay that opens up in the front. I'm not sure if you can picture that . . . . so I think a slit on the side might look odd and I don't think I'd want to put a slit front-center.

[delamusica]

Hmm, yes . . . I get what you're saying.

Still, I think that a slit up to knee-height or so in the front would look more normal in ballroom than a slit in the back. Can't think of ever having seen a back-slit in a ballroom gown.

[Statlady]

Hmm, yes . . . I get what you're saying.

Still, I think that a slit up to knee-height or so in the front would look more normal in ballroom than a slit in the back. Can't think of ever having seen a back-slit in a ballroom gown.

Hmm, OK. Good to know. :)

[Statlady]

OK, I found a picture of what I'm talking about. It's a totally different dress, but it has the same type of overlay (except black and long :))

nordstrom.com/S/2959552?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_pla=dresses:women:dress&cm_ite=donna_ricco_split_neck_halter_dress_with_br ooch_(plus):209669&cm_ven=Linkshare&mr:referralID=5246e28d-7797-11dd-a197-000423c27407

Actually, here is a better example. Imagine that the red part is silver, the overlay is beaded, and it has spaghetti straps.

simplyelegantforyou.com/dress_display.php?id=9

[Statlady]

Hmmm, now you've all got me thinking. What is a good length for a front slit? Someone mentioned knee-length. Can it go higher than that? I've been told I have nice legs . . . :oops: Someone also mentioned that the knees should be covered, but I don't know if that applies to slits.

Thanks again everybody for always being so helpful!

[Laura]

I think for ballroom that a knee-length slit is too short. I would go for above the knee, but not too far up the thigh because you don't want to give it all away, as it were. I usually see them as being above the knee for sure.

[Statlady]

Great, thanks!

[delamusica]

Yes, I agree that they usually go to mid-thigh or a little higher . . . but they are also usually on the front by the hip, not in the middle.

But be really careful doing the slit right in the middle front of the dress . . . remember not to cut the slit any higher than the shortest length of skirt that you would be comfortable dancing in.

[reb]

See 'My Photos' link - I've only got one picture showing a slit, entitled Open Tango Check for one version - the picture before it would have been perfect for the fans in the stands to see, but not from the angle of the photographer.

[dancerman]

Has anyone ever ordered dresses from Russia through FOTKI?
We found someone who is selling something that we really like but only accepts Western Union payment.
Is this a bad idea?