Dress Style I Should Avoid

[Dancebug]

Ok, we have done ungly dresses and beautiful dresses. Now how about dress style or color "I" should avoid because it simply does not look good on me?

I will start. I should avoid halter neck style because it makes my square bony shoulders look even more square.

[Standarddancer]

I would avoid dresses with very little coverage on top (arm area) or no floats (very naked top). I don't like my long bony ugly skinny arms to be exposed without any sleeves or floats, especially I don't do good tanning job, look even worse on the floor.

[mamboqueen]

Really hard to say without seeing you. What are the attributes you would like to show off? Might be an easier starting point. What are you comfortable or uncomfortable wearing?

You know what would be really fab? If we could take a full body picture of ourselves and sumperimpose different dresses onto it so we can see how we'd look. Nothing worse than that sinking "oh s*&t" feeling of looking at your dress in the mirror a week later and saying "errr....was this wise?". BTDT!

[etp777]

MQ, I think the point of thread might be for each person to say what they themselves have found they should avoid. If posters also include WHY they should avoid said feature or dress, may help others identify potential problem poitns before spending money on a dress that looks bad on them.

[fascination]

I should avoid anything that exposes lower abds and highlight my topline and my legs

[mamboqueen]

MQ, I think the point of thread might be for each person to say what they themselves have found they should avoid. If posters also include WHY they should avoid said feature or dress, may help others identify potential problem poitns before spending money on a dress that looks bad on them.

*duh* -- thanks for that!

Let's see. I avoid midsection cutouts (although I can show a little on the sides). Cannot wear a plunging neckline without some massive uplifting contraption. Avoid anything with a line across the hips/butt so as not to draw attention to width (as compared to shoulder-line, which is narrow).

[hustleNflow]

I should avoid anything that exposes lower abds and highlight my topline and my legs

I hear ya there. My abs are not nearly nice enough right now for me to be wearing anything that exposes my midsection! No regular, spagetti-strap, square necklines for me either...for some reason, it really makes my shoulders look square and my boobs look fake (they're not ;)). Halters and one-shoulder styles only for me...

...nothing in orange or red for me, either. Tends to wash me out.

And as I mentioned earlier...ABSOLUTELY NOTHING with feathers...I'm way allergic :shock:

[fascination]

I have a nice round shoulder line and good collar bones and pecs so a nice exposed topline is good for me...and the legs are fine as well...even the upper abds are nice...but two 9 pound babies have pretty much rendered the lower abds a liability regardless of my efforts

[tanya_the_dancer]

Anything that shows stomach (sides are OK) for an obvious reason that I did have a child and it shows there. Nothing that makes big boobs appear even bigger. That's it for now. Maybe I'll remember something else later.

[_malakawa_]

I have "love handles" - and I hate them and I need to avoid dresses that are open on the side. :oops:

Now I am saving money for liposuction.

[mamboqueen]

I have "love handles" - and I hate them and I need to avoid dresses that are open on the side. :oops:

Now I am saving money for liposuction.

ehhh...just learn to love the handles and take a nice vacation instead :) :bouncy:

[Kitty]

anything that drawes the eye down or makes me look shorter in some other way

too low backs I SHOULD avoid (though i haven't been avoiding it at all with 3 of my most recent dresses being all very low back)
low backs are not lengthening enough, they might even make you appear shorter by drawing the eye down.. not a good idea for me for sure
doesn't help that my partner really likes low backs too. and there are so many beautiful very low back designs out there..

My arms are too thin and don't look perfect enough to have them bare. Best would be to have some voluminous floats or "streamers" on the arms, or sleeves, or gloves.

I look VERY good in halter necks. i guess the focus for me should be showing off the hourglass figure and shoulders. surprisingly enough halter necks are a lot more lengthening on me than turtlenecks. so i guess a halter neck with gloves would be ideal..

I am hoping to make a perfect dress for myself by BYU, but unfortunately halter necks are not Utah legal. Neither are the low backs though..

[Stagekat]

Well... if you ask my mother I should avoid dresses all together...

I think I can pull off a wrap style dress pretty nicely.. Preferred length is within two inches of the knee (above or below)

Strapless and halters are no good... I'm built too much like an American football player for that..

[_malakawa_]

ehhh...just learn to love the handles and take a nice vacation instead :) :bouncy:

I think that I'll never gonna love them. (but it is in the family - my mother has it, my grandmother, aunts ...):mad:

[Standarddancer]

I look VERY good in halter necks. i guess the focus for me should be showing off the hourglass figure and shoulders. surprisingly enough halter necks are a lot more lengthening on me than turtlenecks. so i guess a halter neck with gloves would be ideal..


your white dress at NY Dance Festival is very lengthening and stunning. You look tall and long line. It's turtleneck and low back. don't call seeing you in halter neck though;) maybe could be better

[Kitty]

your white dress at NY Dance Festival is very lengthening and stunning. You look tall and long line. It's turtleneck and low back. don't call seeing you in halter neck though;) maybe could be better

Thanks,
that white turtleneck dress does not qualify as a low back because it has shoulders and neck covered.. the point is that the dress shouldhave some fabric on top to draw the eye up and lengthen..

regarding halter necks, i just know this from everyday life, that i look very nice in them. my shoulders look nice in halters, and they are usually not very low in the back.. also the white and pink one that i wore at nationals and columbia was a halter neck. it looked most flattering on me :-).

[TAK]

I have short legs and should avoid skirts that are too long. (Right?) I should also avoid costumes with blocks of different colors stacked vertically in any way.

Also, I have a long torso and an hourglass figure, so two-piece costumes with a gap above the skirt waistband (which is way below my natural waist) look awful on me - they are open at just the wrong place and make me look very pudgy.

[JANATHOME]

LOL... The latin I just put up for sale, which I am sure I will take a serious loss on...

Lesson learned, do not buy a dress that you are no longer at an age to wear!

[liz]

I have learned that I need to draw attention to my legs and away from my boobs. I had them done a few years back and they are to big. Just wanted a lifted and got talked into implants.
I like the look of sleeves but, I get way to hot. I really like a skirt. I would pick the belly showing over the back. I hate to see vidoes and see my back with crease ( back fat). I know it is from using the right muscles in my back. But, it drives me crazy. I don't like the sides showing, kinda makes me look straight up and down. I think red is the best color for me. Have to stay away from the pastel colors.. to soft on me.

[contracheck]

I have "love handles" - and I hate them and I need to avoid dresses that are open on the side. :oops:

Now I am saving money for liposuction.

Liposuction? Try instead Body Shapers. These high quality Italian products shape up a body real nicely and they cost less than $40.

[mamboqueen]

Liposuction? Try instead Body Shapers. These high quality Italian products shape up a body real nicely and they cost less than $40.

They have worked for you?? :mrgreen:

[Laura]

I have to avoid anything that puts too much opaque fabric on my upper chest. I need to have some opening there, most often in a deep and wide V, so that I don't look bovine with my ahem large mammary areas.

Also no horizontal lines anywhere except for the hem and sometimes an Empire waist. Even though I have an hourglass figure, I'm still too heavy through the hips and thick through the waist to have any horizontal lines that would make me look wider.

[dressgirl]

such an uplifting thread!! I said in another thread that if I were dancing, the style that would most make me get my groove on would be a nun's habit. It covers all points that I feel I need to cover and still allows for movement......and is a dress. Or perhaps a sari with a scarf.

At least you know that when someone expresses this to me at the booth, I am sympathetic.......not necessarily cooperative :) but sympathetic all the same

You know, I take this all back. I just haven't danced in soooooooo long. I would wear a great wide open portrait neckline.....plunging a bit :0 and an empire waist with a silk skirt. And sleeves made of steel encased mesh.

[skwiggy]

I have short legs and should avoid skirts that are too long. (Right?)

I have short legs and a long torso, and I find that long skirts and long dresses are the most flattering pieces of clothing I can wear.

[skwiggy]

I try to keep my arms covered and my back open.

I have a long muscular back, so I try to show it off as much as I can. I have been told in not so many words that my arms are not my best feature :rolleyes:, so I always try to keep them covered. Which is another reason to go for an open back, so I won't be so freakin' hot from the long sleeves. I also like to show off my neck and chest area, but that can be challenging with the sleeve requirement.

I haven't really found any colors that I think are terrible on me, but I try to stay away from white both because it is not slimming, and because it's more difficult to keep clean. When I go for reds I try to go with blue-toned reds rather than orange-ish ones.

I tend to gravitate towards bolder colors rather than softer ones, but when wearing the mint green dress in my avatar I have been told that the soft color works well on me.

I try to stick with long continuous lines rather than horizontal lines for similar reasons to others who already chimed in.

[skwiggy]

Liposuction? Try instead Body Shapers. These high quality Italian products shape up a body real nicely and they cost less than $40.

I imagine these look silly under a cut out latin costume. :p

[fascination]

such an uplifting thread!! I said in another thread that if I were dancing, the style that would most make me get my groove on would be a nun's habit. It covers all points that I feel I need to cover and still allows for movement......and is a dress. Or perhaps a sari with a scarf.

At least you know that when someone expresses this to me at the booth, I am sympathetic.......not necessarily cooperative :) but sympathetic all the same

You know, I take this all back. I just haven't danced in soooooooo long. I would wear a great wide open portrait neckline.....plunging a bit :0 and an empire waist with a silk skirt. And sleeves made of steel encased mesh.
I rather doubt that I will ever get too far past a portrait neckline...at least in a long gown...unless it is even more revealing...I tend to gravitate toward that...though I have found that empire waist, in my first gown, didn't slim me down but made me look bigger...that was a surprise...I thought I had that all pegged...anyhow, steel encased mesh sounds intriguing

[fascination]

as for colors, wish I could wear pastels but my size and my tan don't recieve them well....I tend to do best with bold or jewel tones though I have recently discovered, in an off the rack gown, that a color matching my tan is quite nice on me....I would love to wear dark colors due to my size but I never wanted to disapppear dancing with FP, now that I am with NP, who is bigger and better known, I am kicking around my options

[dressgirl]

I think fascination, that the empire waist in my case, is just simply practicality. I could do with more fitted as I do have a waist......but the explosion that is my hipline occurs so quickly below that, I do believe I would be better making my waist higher. After my knee operation, I shall dance again, or at least dance around my booth with one of my men (!) and I shall allow my waist to be my waist and embrace my hipline. But perhaps not my thighs.

[DancerForLife]

An interesting resource that I found helpful is a book called 'The Science of Sexy', by B. Bayou. The book asks you to measure yourself in a few key places (shoulders, bust, waist, hips), and based on your height it classifies you as one of several size types / categories. Then goes into detail as to what looks good for someone built like you vs. what to avoid. There are pictures of both the do-s and the don'ts, and even though we do find instinctively over time what works for us, I did find some new ideas there.

I'm still in search of a suitable long term style. Definitely no super short skirts, no straight cut two piece dresses. Halter necks, gloves, long skirts tend to look good. In terms of color I avoid black, brown, and generally earth tone colors. Stronger pastels are great, the weaker ones tend to wash out... White can work, as long as there is another color present.

[fascination]

lol...well if I had as many men fawning over me as you do I reckon I would wear whatever I pleased...

[emeralddancer]

I avoid ANYTHING around the belly. The kids killed that!

I prefer boob bearing tops, draws the eyes UP! LOL :D

[dressgirl]

SO, maybe I will wear the standard "d___" stoned bra and some fringed panties. Or not.

[hereKittyKitty]

as for colors, wish I could wear pastels but my size and my tan don't recieve them well....I tend to do best with bold or jewel tones though I have recently discovered, in an off the rack gown, that a color matching my tan is quite nice on me....I would love to wear dark colors due to my size but I never wanted to disapppear dancing with FP, now that I am with NP, who is bigger and better known, I am kicking around my options

I don't do well with pastels either. I've had two dresses-one bright yellow with an amazing float and one baby/sky blue. The yellow dress was better than the blue dress because the silk float helped me to stand out. However I still felt that, with my blond hair I blended in with my dress:(
The blue dress, with my blond hair looks too..for lack of a better word..sweet:together: I like this dress and will probably wear it a few more times but I don't like the "overall" effect.

So far I seem to do better with strong colors- red and black. I LOVE my black dress. It stands out in a sea of pastels.

[danceronice]

I don't do well with Latin/Rhythm skirts that are either cut straight across above the knee, or that come to a point in front and back. I do better with an asymmetric skirt.

Color-wise--orange is NOT my friend, nor are most shades of brown or any of the neon-bright colors. Jewel tones are my friends. A very few pastels look okay, but I have to be careful with them, especially yellows.

[Lioness]

Style-wise, I can't wear anything that has a non-secure neckline, such as halters that sort of meet at the neck, like an upside down V of cloth (not sure of the technical term) because I erm, 'pop' out of them. I also shouldn't wear anything that makes my shoulders look really wide, they are already wide enough. Skirt wise I can wear pretty much anything, short or long, as long as it swirls. I have the legs for short skirts (apparently) but I don't like to wear them, as I am a little self-conscious about my thighs.

Colourwise I can wear pretty much anything. Reds, purples, and blues look best though.

[Joe]

it Really Makes My ... Boobs Look Fake (they're Not ;))
Ttiuwp!

[Ithink]

I am short-waisted, long-legged and pear-shaped. I have a tiny waist, narrow shoulders and biggish hips so my top half is definitely the best half;).

I think I look good in v-necks and halters (and strapless but that's not an option for dancing) although I've yet to have a halter dress because I don't like how, when one's hair is up, the halter cuts a line where the neck and back meet... My back is probably one of my best assets so I like very open back dresses or dresses that make the back the highlight (not to mention that on a lady standard dancer the back IS the highlight). But because I am also short-waisted I found that the back has to be cut pretty low to lengthen my torso since a long torso and a back that goes forever is, I think, an asset in standard. The dress I have now (the one in my avatar) is, I think, a dress that makes my body look better than any dress before - it's deep v-neck with a very low back and a shirt that's really light and flares above my problem area (my lower hips). It's also a deep, bright jewel color (cobalt blue) and these are colors I look best in because I am pale and hate tanning:).

I also will not get a dress with sleeves because of how hot it makes me feel (I don't regulate temperature well) unless I truly love the dress and can't imagine it without sleeves, like the red/black dress I used to have...

[contracheck]

They have worked for you?? :mrgreen:


I shall try it if you show me how to put Humty Dumpty together.

[Laura]

(and strapless but that's not an option for dancing)
A competitor in my area had one and it looked great. I have no idea how it stayed on properly, but she wore it many times in Champ-level competition with no issues. It had a corset-style top that laced up the back.

[contracheck]

I imagine these look silly under a cut out latin costume. :p

The products come in several styles, some may works well with certain Latin dresses. For a man, he can cut off the breast facility. The edge rubber strips cling to skin so well that the fabric does not roll. If a man want to be looked like Dovolani in waist and hip areas, this product is good. If a man does not want to go through the trouble of cutting off the top half, he can get a shorts and shirt from Undergear. The shorts make an old bulky man amazingly trim and tight. This is my top secret.

[_malakawa_]

I can't imagine myself in light blue dress.

[_malakawa_]

Liposuction? Try instead Body Shapers. These high quality Italian products shape up a body real nicely and they cost less than $40.


I can't wear those under my bathing suit. ;)

[contracheck]

I can't wear those under my bathing suit. ;)


Dance competition is not exactly Miss Universe Contest in bathing suit.

[and123]

might as well be....

[samina]

feeling a little cynical today, doll?:cool:

[hustleNflow]

I can't wear those under my bathing suit. ;)

You'd be surprised what kind of "helpers" you can fit inside a bathing suit...I learned a lot of little "cheats" when doing the bikini contest circuit. Some girls would buy the Spanx brand body shapers, and cut them to fit beneath their swimsuits...granted, it wouldn't work as well as wearing the intact shaping garment, but it helped hold in jiggly rears and lower stomachs, and even helped eliminate the dreaded "camel toe" in the front of bathing suit bottoms. I also know girls who were duct tape FIENDS, and would use it lift and constrict saggy areas underneath their swimsuits. Also worked well to tape the sides of the boobs up and create pleasing cleavage. I myself preferred the "chicken cutlets" - silicone inserts shaped like a chicken breast that filled out the top. Another anti-jiggle trick? Get a European body wrap the day before you need to get "scantily clad" - it'll set you back anywhere between $70-$200 dollars, but it helps reduce bloat and water retention, and makes everything look firmer. I've lost almost 2" off my waist in one treatment! :notworth:

[and123]

Well, sometimes all of these tricks and gimmicks to make you appear different than what you actually are make you wonder what's real. I now have a disturbing vision of meeting someone wearing this magic "thing" described above and giving the appearance of Tony Dovolani, and then the "thing" is removed, and voila -- Tony Soprano :shock:. Where do you draw the line between fine grooming of what god gave you and quasi-surgical intervention?
[I don't want an answer to that.... that type of thread would melt down verrrry quickly. But this is what is currently running through my cynical mind, since Samina asked :cool:]

[hustleNflow]

Well, sometimes all of these tricks and gimmicks to make you appear different than what you actually are make you wonder what's real. I now have a disturbing vision of meeting someone wearing this magic "thing" described above and giving the appearance of Tony Dovolani, and then the "thing" is removed, and voila -- Tony Soprano :shock:. Where do you draw the line between fine grooming of what god gave you and quasi-surgical intervention?
[I don't want an answer to that.... that type of thread would melt down verrrry quickly. But this is what is currently running through my cynical mind, since Samina asked :cool:]

Thankfully for us bikini contest girls, we never had to worry about being "found out"...the judges could only look, not touch! :cool: Thank God...then I think it would have been an entirely different contest...:shock:

[chica latina]

The products come in several styles, some may works well with certain Latin dresses. For a man, he can cut off the breast facility. The edge rubber strips cling to skin so well that the fabric does not roll. If a man want to be looked like Dovolani in waist and hip areas, this product is good. If a man does not want to go through the trouble of cutting off the top half, he can get a shorts and shirt from Undergear. The shorts make an old bulky man amazingly trim and tight. This is my top secret.

You dont think it will obstruct your movement. I know my partner doesnt like pants that are too tight... because it makes him feel restricted.

[Standarddancer]

A competitor in my area had one and it looked great. I have no idea how it stayed on properly, but she wore it many times in Champ-level competition with no issues. It had a corset-style top that laced up the back.

probably the corset lace tied up very tight and she might wear a strapless bra under to hold it really in place.

[contracheck]

You dont think it will obstruct your movement. I know my partner doesnt like pants that are too tight... because it makes him feel restricted.

These shorts do not obstruct any of my dance movements. I feel really comfortable in them. Let him try the Undergear shorts known as Body Shaper Boxer. He will look like the Honor Guard in Arlington National Cemetary.

[etp777]

More interested in the under shirt that's supposed to slim sides/loove handles myself.

[TAK]

I have short legs and a long torso, and I find that long skirts and long dresses are the most flattering pieces of clothing I can wear.

Really? For Latin, as well?

Maybe if they are LONG long...but with anything shorter, I feel like below the hem my legs always look disappointingly short. Like, oh, there's the floor already? Haha.

[skwiggy]

Really? For Latin, as well?

Maybe if they are LONG long...but with anything shorter, I feel like below the hem my legs always look disappointingly short. Like, oh, there's the floor already? Haha.

I think a good look for latin with short legs is a very long skirt, like anke length, with very high slit. Makes the legs look longer in my opinion.

Oh yea, and a dress that continues from top to bottom, doesn't look like 2 pieces.

[contracheck]

More interested in the under shirt that's supposed to slim sides/loove handles myself.

Undershirts are very good in making you slim and tall, but it's difficult to hide them when you wear Latin shirts with large front opening.

[etp777]

Yeah. Still contemplating it. Of the three black latin shirts I have, only one has an open chest (one of randall's off the rack ones). Other two i might get away with it. :) interesting...

[contracheck]

Yeah. Still contemplating it. Of the three black latin shirts I have, only one has an open chest (one of randall's off the rack ones). Other two i might get away with it. :) interesting...

In that case, the undershirt will make look like the marine honor guard at the White House. I don't know how you are going to handle all the ladies swarming all over you.

[etp777]

I think I'll be able to suffer through it. :D

[Chiron]

Well, sometimes all of these tricks and gimmicks to make you appear different than what you actually are make you wonder what's real. I now have a disturbing vision of meeting someone wearing this magic "thing" described above and giving the appearance of Tony Dovolani, and then the "thing" is removed, and voila -- Tony Soprano :shock:. Where do you draw the line between fine grooming of what god gave you and quasi-surgical intervention?
[I don't want an answer to that.... that type of thread would melt down verrrry quickly. But this is what is currently running through my cynical mind, since Samina asked :cool:]

To be honest I had no idea there were this many products/tricks that women had. And until I read contrachecks post I thought about the only thing we men had were dance belts...

[Chiron]

Ttiuwp!

So true it bears repetition... ;)

TTIUWP

[Laura]

Not if you're a girl. We know what we're talking about.

[samina]

This is my top secret.
No longer secret... ;)

[etp777]

Course, when the shirt brings all the women flocking, whomever "wins" ends up seeing that compression undershirt once you take off latin shirt. Might require some explaining. Least the boxers you can write off as underwear (unless you wear the padded ones. :) )

[contracheck]

No longer secret... ;)

sam, it's still a secret: a family secret. We all belong to the same family here.

[hustleNflow]

A competitor in my area had one and it looked great. I have no idea how it stayed on properly, but she wore it many times in Champ-level competition with no issues. It had a corset-style top that laced up the back.

Rhythm pro Daisy Lynam wore an absolutely gorgeous corset-style top at USDSC last year:

http://www.artrhythms.com/USDSC_2007/Anna_Harwood_Daisy_Lynam_Julie_Goldman_USDSC_2007. htm

[contracheck]

Course, when the shirt brings all the women flocking, whomever "wins" ends up seeing that compression undershirt once you take off latin shirt. Might require some explaining.

Please don't be too timid. If you have progressed to the stage of taking of your shirt, I consider it a huge success. I don't think that there is a soul who disagrees with my assessment.

[contracheck]

To be honest I had no idea there were this many products/tricks that women had. And until I read contrachecks post I thought about the only thing we men had were dance belts...

You definitely need more than a belt if you don't want to be kicked out of the dance floor. My search for satisfactory body shape enhancer took a long journey of research. The products I described here were the results of countless trials and errors.

[Ithink]

Rhythm pro Daisy Lynam wore an absolutely gorgeous corset-style top at USDSC last year:

http://www.artrhythms.com/USDSC_2007/Anna_Harwood_Daisy_Lynam_Julie_Goldman_USDSC_2007. htm

That's not strapless nor is she competing in standard... The original comment I made was that a strapless gown isn't really a good option for standard, IMO.

[and123]

I don't think that there is a soul who disagrees with my assessment.

Um, let's just say if you're using socks other than for your feet, it would be a most unpleasant surprise. Likewise, I think a guy would be a little annoyed if an allegedly well-endowed lady was all chicken cutlets. Such things should at the very least come up in conversation before you discover them firsthand in a physical encounter :shock:.

[Laura]

Getting back to the person I know who was competing Champ-level Standard in a strapless dress: yes it was corset style, yes it was laced up tight, and yes she wore a strapless bra under it, and yes it looked great. I think it's a look worth a try if one has the body to pull it off.

[etp777]

Definitely a good look on the right person, laura. Least, speaking as a guy. Had some thoughts of doing that type of top for dresses in my tango showcase (pro's thought, not mine). but they ended up going another way. Again, pros choice, not mine. :)

[Indiana_Jay]

I also know girls who were duct tape FIENDS, and would use it lift and constrict saggy areas underneath their swimsuits. Also worked well to tape the sides of the boobs up and create pleasing cleavage.

Duct tape: THe handyman's secret weapon!

[Laura]

I could stand to learn some of these taping tricks -- I'm sure there's a web site for it somewhere, but it sure would come in handy to, ummmm, strap down the girls as it were. I could see it opening up some new possibilities in costume design for me. Right now everything I make needs to cover a normal bra because those little cups pinned/sew into the dress don't do it for me.

[hustleNflow]

I could stand to learn some of these taping tricks -- I'm sure there's a web site for it somewhere, but it sure would come in handy to, ummmm, strap down the girls as it were. I could see it opening up some new possibilities in costume design for me. Right now everything I make needs to cover a normal bra because those little cups pinned/sew into the dress don't do it for me.

LOL...well I have to admit, most of the girls I know were using duct tape to "enhance" their chests, not "strap it down". But I'm sure the principles would work the same...I could see duct tape being a good medium with which to reinforce the support of those lil bra cups inside your dresses...maybe try taping the bottom of the cups to your skin? IDK. I never said duct tape artistry wasn't painful :lol:

[Laura]

Good idea about taping the cups to me! That would solve the "spill" issue.

[Joe]

You still have that problem even after losing 40#?

[Laura]

Yes. Sewn-in cups seem to work best for A and B cup sizes. I am a 36 D at this point (down from 38 DD). I'm hoping that if I lose another 20 pounds I'll go down to a C, which is what I was before I gained the weight, and for me was at the upper end of bearable with those cup thingys.

[Standarddancer]

That's not strapless nor is she competing in standard... The original comment I made was that a strapless gown isn't really a good option for standard, IMO.

I have to agree with you...strapless gown isn't really a good option for standard especially with the heavy ruffle big skirts weigh the dresses down, without the straps on the shoulder, running a big risk dress falling down during high speed movement:mad:...not fun to dance comp worrying dress falling off. That's why there are so few strapless standard dresses. Might be more doable for Latin since skirts are shorter/lighter not weighing down too much.

[Katarzyna]

Ideally, I would hope the ruffle skirt would hang from hips not fron shoulders.. unless its too large for person wearing it :)

[Ithink]

I think she just said the skirts are hanging from the dress and weighing it down so the straps over the shoulders are almost a necessity if you don't want to worry about the dress sliding down as you move.

The only way to fix that problem is to have a dress laced up VERY tight which is also not comfortable when you want to move and breathe freely while you dance...

[Laura]

Another option is to have it like the dress I've been talking about, which I am pretty sure was a separate skirt from top (the skirt was high waisted enough that there was no skin showing in the middle). Also, the skirt was just a layer or two of charmeuse, so it wasn't a big heavy ruffled thing.

[Katarzyna]

I think she just said the skirts are hanging from the dress and weighing it down so the straps over the shoulders are almost a necessaity if you don't want to worry about the dress sliding down as you move.

The only way to fix that problem is to have a dress laced up VERY tight which is also not comfortable when you want to move and breathe freely while you dance...
when skirt is heavy you have to make sure the dress is well fitted so it doesnt "hang" and stretch... i think

[Ithink]

Ah, so it wasn't even a dress! That makes more sense. I was still thinking it was a one-piece dress and that would be tough to pull off no matter how fitted the dress is. I would also be weary of the strapless top twisting around with the body contact and all the movement. I know things like like twist for me all the time, even if slightly, and that's when I'm just doing normal things, not dancing...

[contracheck]

Duct tape: THe handyman's secret weapon!

Not a secret weapon anymore.

[fascination]

um...I am not sure it has ever been a secret...and I'll tell ya something else, it is never going to be applied to my bare body...I have a healthy amount of vanity, but I draw the line somewhere before that...owwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

[samina]

Ah, so it wasn't even a dress! That makes more sense. I was still thinking it was a one-piece dress and that would be tough to pull off no matter how fitted the dress is. I would also be weary of the strapless top twisting around with the body contact and all the movement. I know things like like twist for me all the time, even if slightly, and that's when I'm just doing normal things, not dancing...
i know someone who wore a corset in competition for standard... heh... rubbing against the tailsuit pulled the thing down. talk about an incentive to maintain connection and keep your center to the man!:cool:

[samina]

um...I am not sure it has ever been a secret...and I'll tell ya something else, it is never going to be applied to my bare body...I have a healthy amount of vanity, but I draw the line somewhere before that...owwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

nah... doubtful would be big deal... in my exploration for the perfect blister-wrapping tape, i tried clear duct tape. was the worst of them all because the heat of one's body gets the glue all squelchy & slippy.

however... of all the tapes, it was the only one that left a residue for DAYS.

[fascination]

well...I'm not going to try to pull that crap off of my skin...if I get that desperate, it is time to put more clothing on

[Laura]

I was thinking of using athletic tape, like the stuff they use to tape people's ankles and stuff.

[hustleNflow]

well...I'm not going to try to pull that crap off of my skin...if I get that desperate, it is time to put more clothing on

I guess I have an advantage there...my mother has Crohn's Disease and had a complete colostomy last year, and hence has a colostomy bag which adheres to her skin. She has these handy lil adhesive removing wipes that she uses to remove the old adhesive when its time to change her bag, and she gave me a bunch to help get the duct tape adhesive off my skin post-bikini contest. Works like a charm...

[fascination]

it isn't the adhesive that is the issue in my mind...it is going to that length to begin with and it is putting mys skin through pulling it off that I simply don't want to go through....meh...to each his own...like I said, I'll just go with the greater coverage before I resort to that...

[JANATHOME]

I am with you Fasc....

There is no way in hell that I am going to wrap my body in duct tape..... It is not the putting on but the taking off that is more pain then I am willing to indure. I would rather put my pain in at the gym and dance without any restrictions..... I cant beleive that you guys would actually do this.... Crazy!!

[Laura]

There aren't any muscles in the area I am considering taping, so going to the gym won't help a heck of a lot. I'm tired of 'them' bouncing around in Quickstep, and I'm tired of having to design dresses that will go over a full-coverage underwire bra.

[wooh]

I guess I have an advantage there...my mother has Crohn's Disease and had a complete colostomy last year, and hence has a colostomy bag which adheres to her skin. She has these handy lil adhesive removing wipes that she uses to remove the old adhesive when its time to change her bag, and she gave me a bunch to help get the duct tape adhesive off my skin post-bikini contest. Works like a charm...

vegetable oil works just as well. (Actually a little better most of the time.)

[etp777]

Oh, that's just a great idea wooh. Encourage all the guys drooling over hustlenflow and her bikini modeling stories by talking about her rubbing herself with oil. ;) :P

[fascination]

um...no

[Chiron]

Oh, that's just a great idea wooh. Encourage all the guys drooling over hustlenflow and her bikini modeling stories by talking about her rubbing herself with oil. ;) :P

I see what you're up to here etp... You're distracting the rest of us guys with hustlenflow leaving the rest of the women for you to deal with. ;)

Clever boy....

[Chiron]

it isn't the adhesive that is the issue in my mind...it is going to that length to begin with and it is putting mys skin through pulling it off that I simply don't want to go through....meh...to each his own...like I said, I'll just go with the greater coverage before I resort to that...

At least you don't have as much hair to deal with as some of us guys do (you only forget your pretape once).

[Zhena]

I am with you Fasc....

There is no way in hell that I am going to wrap my body in duct tape..... It is not the putting on but the taking off that is more pain then I am willing to indure. I would rather put my pain in at the gym and dance without any restrictions..... I cant beleive that you guys would actually do this.... Crazy!!


http://www.dance-forums.com/showthread.php?p=412075#post412075

I believe the trick is to put a little talcum powder on the tape before you apply it ... just enough to keep it from being painful when removed, but not enough to keep it from sticking. Caveat ... the woman mentioned in the post above doesn't dance, so I don't know how it would work under stress ....

[danceronice]

Duct tape: THe handyman's secret weapon!

Duct Tape Forever!

(Actually I haven't had a problem with basic double-side costume tape coming off, but then everyone's standard of what is or isn't painful is different.)

[Joe]

There aren't any muscles in the area I am considering taping, so going to the gym won't help a heck of a lot. I'm tired of 'them' bouncing around in Quickstep, and I'm tired of having to design dresses that will go over a full-coverage underwire bra.
Reduction! :D

[samina]

I was thinking of using athletic tape, like the stuff they use to tape people's ankles and stuff.

fwiw the best tape i've found so far is a soft flesh-colored tape you can buy at walmart in the first-aid section, for swimmers and such. i've filed it away to use should i need any tape in the future for costumes or shoe-related business.

it actually matches the color of court shoes nicely, too -- you can tape suede stars around the heel and one would never know. great texture to work with...soft & flexbile. and STAYS IN PLACE. :D

<<going go get the brand name from the medicine cabinet...>>

NEXCARE Absolute Waterproof Tape

[samina]

There aren't any muscles in the area I am considering taping, so going to the gym won't help a heck of a lot. I'm tired of 'them' bouncing around in Quickstep, and I'm tired of having to design dresses that will go over a full-coverage underwire bra.

huh... sounds like duct tape would actually get that job done. creative thinking.

[hustleNflow]

Oh, that's just a great idea wooh. Encourage all the guys drooling over hustlenflow and her bikini modeling stories by talking about her rubbing herself with oil. ;) :P

Drooling over me? Silly boys...your energies are best spent drooling over someone more worthy, like Beata or Yulia. But I'm flattered nonetheless :oops:

[etp777]

Oh, after seeing her at Windy City, Beata certainly gets my attention. :)

[Laura]

Reduction! :D
Terrified of any kind of surgery.

[tanya_the_dancer]

There aren't any muscles in the area I am considering taping, so going to the gym won't help a heck of a lot. I'm tired of 'them' bouncing around in Quickstep, and I'm tired of having to design dresses that will go over a full-coverage underwire bra.

I have a lot of assets in that area as well, but somehow I have more "bounce" with my regular bra. The bra cups Dore used for my dresses work really well, and so having an open back is not an issue. I was kinda worried about it when they designed my first dress, but it worked out better than I expected.

[etp777]

Terrified of any kind of surgery.


You and me both.

[wooh]

Reduction! :D

Ugh, it's a horrible surgery. Much tougher recovery than augmentation. Not that I don't still want to do it myself. Just it's not as easy as posting a word and a smiley would have one believe.:)