Cupcake gown?

[DancingMommy]

I've done a search and I'm having a hard time figuring out what's meant by a cupcake gown. Can someone please link me to a pic so I can be certain. I keep having visions of cupcakes and icing....

Thanks!

[dlgodud]

Found this website. Hope it helps you DM. http://www.thisnext.com/tag/cupcake-dress/

[and123]

pretty much any gown that has this type of silhouette:
http://photos.ballroomdancers.com/Costumes/1/14913.jpghttp://photos.ballroomdancers.com/Costumes/2/14674.jpg

[Katarzyna]

cupcake example
http://images50.fotki.com/v1558/photos/5/55537/4028776/M0884front-vi.jpg

[etp777]

I like that black and pink one (though not generally a fan of the style).

[standardgirl]

tried one in this style, but looked really bad on me... I think these types of dresses are probably only good for really skinny girls ;)

[dlgodud]

tried one in this style, but looked really bad on me... I think these types of dresses are probably only good for really skinny girls ;)

Then, I will skip the style.

[Katarzyna]

think depends, if its stretchy form fitting top with sleaves it can look really nice with nice fluffy skirt

had one like it in size 14 and looked amasing on the lady

[standardgirl]

think depends, if its stretchy form fitting top with sleaves it can look really nice with nice fluffy skirt

had one like it in size 14 and looked amasing on the lady

really? maybe it's just because I am hip heavy to begin with and really don't need any extra fluff/stuff added in that area to make it any bigger or any more noticeable... ;)
I can't wait for my new dress, hoping to have it arrive in the mail tomorrow, but might be next week...

[and123]

Agree, it seems to make a difference where the ruffles start (like butt level vs. thigh level) in terms of whether it's flattering to your body or not. Bought one from Kat and it creates an interesting J-Lo-type butt on me :p

[DancingMommy]

Thanks everyone!

[etp777]

You could make one in command red with the gold starfleet symbol (aka graphic representation of what warp drive does. Yes, I'm a nerd too. :) ) :D

[DancingMommy]

RED? Are you kidding? We ALL know what happens to the redshirts...

But I might be tempted to make a black/lime one, lol.

[etp777]

That depends on which generation you're talking about. :) Yes, gold (and sometimes blue is safe in original), red, in newer stuff. My uniform was red, but was next generation

[DancingMommy]

I'm a TOS gal m'self. 8)

[etp777]

yeah, I grew up with TNG myself. Heh, sadly, have to say I actually looked up the different colors in each series recently. last couple months anyway.

But BOT, have some great examples from Kat and And123 as to what cupcake dresses look like.

[DancingMommy]

You could make one in command red with the gold starfleet symbol (aka graphic representation of what warp drive does. Yes, I'm a nerd too. :) ) :D

You've created a monster. I suddenly got INSPIRED. Watch out world...

[Katarzyna]

Its all in the cut

[NonieS]

i have an extreme hatred for the cupcake/pastry dresses.... I am sure that at some point kat or someone else on this forum has heard me rant about them.... i mean, i really REALLY hate them....

i think there have maybe been 1.5 or 2 of the millions i've seen that i didn't absolutely abhor... and even those i didnt like.

[Ithink]

I am somewhat hip heavy as well and not skinny (at least I don't think so). I have a dress I'll be selling soon that's a more flattering, modified cupcake, with a longer top layer. It's in my avatar and on my website, linked in my signature...

I am not a huge fan of the style in its usual incarnation either but it can work if you know your body and know how to design the dress to flatter it.

[tanya_the_dancer]

think depends, if its stretchy form fitting top with sleaves it can look really nice with nice fluffy skirt

had one like it in size 14 and looked amasing on the lady

I think it looks better on a taller person.

[Peaches]

I am somewhat hip heavy as well and not skinny (at least I don't think so). I have a dress I'll be selling soon that's a more flattering, modified cupcake, with a longer top layer. It's in my avatar and on my website, linked in my signature...

I am not a huge fan of the style in its usual incarnation either but it can work if you know your body and know how to design the dress to flatter it.
You.are.on.crack.

(And I mean that in the nicest possible way. :D)

[etp777]

ditto, but maybe not in nicest possible way, but the why are women always crazy on this subject way. :)

[Katarzyna]

A shorter person may look even more so in this cut... but it can also add volume to the couple so it really depends on the cut of the dress

[Ithink]

Every Italian girl at Blackpool was wearing a version of a cupcake dress and none of them are tall.

Peaches, I know, I am trying to be better but, fact is, in the ballroom world, I am not skinny. Maybe in the regular world...

[etp777]

There are certainly some things that are better in real world than in ballroom world. I know I feel like I'm in great shape right until I walk into a comp/studio. :/

[dlgodud]

There are certainly some things that are better in real world than in ballroom world. I know I feel like I'm in great shape right until I walk into a comp/studio. :/
:uplaugh: The same here. I feel normal until I walk into the studio and begin to notice the size 0ish girls. So I always ask my coworkers if I am fat and they say I am crazy. It comforts me a little bit.

[Ithink]

Apparently, I can just count on Peaches to tell me I'm crazy even though she's dabbled in the ballroom world;)

[etp777]

hahaha

[Standarddancer]

I agree with Ithink that cupcake dresses not necessarily make a short person look shorter, so many top Italian girls in this style of dresses, and they look so tall and long-lined on the floor; A well-designed cupcake dress with nice clean silouette could make a short couple have more volume on the floor.

It seems now in addition to the horizonal style of cupcake dress, designers comes up with vertical wavy or Diagonal ruffle skirts; Typical Samples are:

1135 1136

These designs give a more slim look, a longer line, very beautiful but not so puffy skirt, yet not losing volumn on the floor, so I'm not even sure if these still should be categorized as "cupcake style".

(BTW, both dresses are from my sponsor Marabo, my next dress diagonal ruffle similar to the green one on the right, it's gorgeous!!!)

[Larinda McRaven]

When I first danced pro I wore skirts like that. Dore was my sponsor back then and used to call them "Larinda Skirts"

[etp777]

I'm gonna call them Larinda skirts from now on. ;)

I will say though that last weekend really made clear to me that slight differences in costume can make huge difference to match and IMPROVE portrayed body shape. I just had my latin pants changed from broad legs to mch thinner legs, and they make me look SO much taller. Which means a lot when you're only 5'5". :) ANd I've seen watching students and even pros try on BBG dresses that having the right dress for your body type can make a huge difference as to how you look

[Joe]

These designs give a more slim look, a longer line, very beautiful but not so puffy skirt, yet not losing volumn on the floor, so I'm not even sure if these still should be categorized as "cupcake style".
Yeah, I would not characterize these dresses as "cupcake style." The skirt layers are too long, and the edging is too narrow.

[gracie]

I have my first cupcake gown that I am looking forward to stoning for upcoming comp. It is turquoise with white crinolene edging on skirt layers and white trim on neckline. Have ordered some beautiful white floral appliques made of beads and large sequins and planning to use white opal stones as well as zircon ab, turquoise ab, aqua, and crystal ab.

[Standarddancer]

When I first danced pro I wore skirts like that. Dore was my sponsor back then and used to call them "Larinda Skirts"

so now "Larinda Skirts" are very popular! ;) actually this type of skirts are designed to move well for both standard and smooth, skirt made of softer ruffles and moves beautifully for leg actions such as kicks and developes.

[fascination]

tried one in this style, but looked really bad on me... I think these types of dresses are probably only good for really skinny girls ;)
I like them on petite women...wouldn't catch me dead in one though I saw a girl who is bigger than me in one and it actually nicely hid some of her issues...too foofie for me

[Standarddancer]

I also noticed cupcake style where the ruffle skirt start to be puffy higher on waist camouflages some imperfection of the body such as a lilttle too big tummy for some ladies. I have a slight tummy, and my blue 3 tiered Marabo ruffle dress I wore at National completely elimininates this problem since the front of 1st layer of ruffle starts pretty high, above my tummy;); other ruffles where the cut is very fitted at waist & hip but only puffy at the bottom won't help with this problem at all.

[wonderwoman]

Awww I want to look like a big cupcake too! :)

[tanya_the_dancer]

I also noticed cupcake style where the ruffle skirt start to be puffy higher on waist camouflages some imperfection of the body such as a lilttle too big tummy for some ladies. I have a slight tummy, and my blue 3 tiered Marabo ruffle dress I wore at National completely elimininates this problem since the front of 1st layer of ruffle starts pretty high, above my tummy;); other ruffles where the cut is very fitted at waist & hip but only puffy at the bottom won't help with this problem at all.

Hmm, maybe I should try this style, since I have a small baby bulge. I was always worried that the layers will make me look shorter and it's a consideration for me, because my teacher is 6'2" and I am 5'4" without heels.

[Summer_Gray]

HAHAHA! I didn't realize that people are actually calling them "cupcake" as a style type... lol. I always call them that, but I don't mean it in a flattering way.

The first one I saw (Sapiel) was kind of neat- because someone was trying something unusual- But now with all the standard girls wearing them.... it just clogs the whole floor up and looks like a hot mess. People have really gone crazy for it the last few years, but I don't think it will last. I hope not anyway, haha. I avoid making them as much as possible~

[Angel HI]

Just for the record, a high percentage of us (judges) wish they would go away.

[Peaches]

Just for the record, a high percentage of us (judges) wish they would go away.
Any particular reason, Angel?

[DancingMommy]

hot mess

Uhhh... Yeah. A bit. Too much of a good thing is just too much.

[NonieS]

Just for the record, a high percentage of us (judges) wish they would go away.


i am glad i am not the only one.... i do not like them at all...

[etp777]

Just glad I dance smooth where I don't hav eto worry about this. Plus of course fact that as a guy, I don't tend to wear dresses. ;)

[NonieS]

Plus of course fact that as a guy, I don't tend to wear dresses. ;)

Really?????? LOL

[Terpsichorean Clod]

;)..
I actually know a male dancer that does have girl jeans in their closet. He tried to get the other guys to go with him at the time of his next shopping trip, and they all said no lol. I've seen girls wear guy stuff, so why can't guys wear girl stuff lol? Maybe we shouldn't go that route lol. :pWho says they can't (http://www.dance-forums.com/album/photos/photo-1702.html)?

[etp777]

haha, was scared you'd find some thread where I said I wore dresses. :)

[NonieS]

well if anyone could find it, it would be TC ;)

[j_alexandra]

How does he *do* that?

[etp777]

I think it's a trade secret. :) And you're absolutely right Nonie, if anyone could fin dit, TC would. ;)

[latingal]

How does he *do* that?

It's scary what TC can dig up... *grin*

[fascination]

lol...that's why I send him a tiny little bit of bribe money every week

[etp777]

hrmmm, I could fit that in budget, least for now. studio's paid up for a couple months. :)

[Nybz]

hrmmm, I could fit that in budget, least for now. studio's paid up for a couple months. :)

Hmm sounds like there is a dress that you don't want TC finding eh? I wonder how much we would have to bribe to get him to ignore your bribe lol :p

[NonieS]

Hmm sounds like there is a dress that you don't want TC finding eh? I wonder how much we would have to bribe to get him to ignore your bribe lol :p



LOL yeah etp does seem to be acting a little suspicious :P

[etp777]

Hey, almost 11k posts and lots of bottles of wine, neve rknow what TC might find on a post here I've since forgotten about. :)

[gracie]

Well, back on subject-- ahem... Judging from what Katusha is wearing, we will be through with the cupcakes very soon. I'm still wearing mine for a few comps regardless.

[Ithink]

Cupcake gowns were on the way out by Blackpool if not before. Most of the top dancers were NOT wearing them anymore. The more understated cupcakes are still being worn though, but I wouldn't even call them "cupcakes", just dresses with tiered skirts...

[JANATHOME]

Well I just bought my first cupcake gown, and I am very excited about it (Kat's purpule and white) After reading these posts I thought, maybe I am making a mistake but still dont think so.

Perhaps they are on the way out, judges dont like them, but I first rented this gown, loved dancing in it, felt really incredible and concluded that is what it is all about... I may be the only one left wearing this style of gown, but I will be happy!

[Larinda McRaven]

I wouldn't say judges don't like them. Some peopel do, some people don't. Some happen to be competitors, some happen to be judges...

The thing I DO like about them is they have lead to a lot more freedom in creating layers and shapes for newer designs on the skirt than we have seen in several years.

[Standarddancer]

The more understated cupcakes are still being worn though, but I wouldn't even call them "cupcakes", just dresses with tiered skirts...

yes tiered skirts are the right word to describe most modified or understated cupcakes. Or we could call them multi-layered skirts.

[etp777]

Personally, I think I like the term waterfall for tiered skirts. But I think I just made that up myself, and with a lot of the really "cupcake"-y gowns, not necessarily accurate. Suspect i'll have to push hard if I want to encourage people to use that name. :)

[Standarddancer]

I wouldn't say judges don't like them. Some peopel do, some people don't. Some happen to be competitors, some happen to be judges...

The thing I DO like about them is they have lead to a lot more freedom in creating layers and shapes for newer designs on the skirt than we have seen in several years.

I absolutely agree with you. Love the creativity this style leads into.

[Katarzyna]

I actually think this is a DF coined name, I dont hear many people who arent connected to DF refer to them like this actually. Think we managed to add a word into a dance dictionary... Now if I could only remember who said it first here..

[etp777]

Oh TC! :)

[samina]

i remember when the term first came up... we'll have to scour through some gown threads to see if we can find that moment.

[samina]

Oh TC! :)

was gonna say...*grin*

[etp777]

I'll leave the exhaustive search to TC, but first mention I found after quick one goes to DOI:

http://www.dance-forums.com/showthread.php?p=578988&highlight=cupcake#post578988

[Terpsichorean Clod]

;) Looks like Larinda
http://danceforums.com/showthread.php?t=30143

[samina]

looks like it was danceronice would used the term first... and it was in reference to kat's "black beauty", which i wore with great memories and good dance juju to four competitions last summer. i loved wearing that dress. *sigh*

http://dance-forums.com/showthread.php?t=25518&highlight=cupcake

[samina]

;) Looks like Larinda
http://danceforums.com/showthread.php?t=30143

nope, danceronice mentioned it on 7/22/2008, and then it was incorporated into lots of chit-chat about the style. larinda mentioned it in the above thread later, in november. :D

[Katarzyna]

Wow didn't know my comment will get so much response so fast ;)

I remember it as Long ago when someoen here started using that term... lol

[samina]

you mean, pre-dating your black beauty? DOI mentioned it very much in passing, that she had seen a dress like that and "it looked like an upside-down cupcake". seemed completely spontaneous to me.

[Katarzyna]

Didnt someone call Erika Ridgeway dress that wasy from nationals years ago, maybe 2006 maybe 2005?

[samina]

that i would not know... my DF days started at the end of 2006. mebbe do a search on erika to see what comes up...

[Katarzyna]

she wore that one before it was even in style, guess ahead of its time, most people didnt like myself included but things change lol

[Terpsichorean Clod]

nope, danceronice mentioned it on 7/22/2008, and then it was incorporated into lots of chit-chat about the style. larinda mentioned it in the above thread later, in november. :D
Right you are! Good find, etp and samina! :applause:

[star_gazer]

I think you are referring to the dress Erica wore in the final rounds of the 2005 Nationals. My DVD doesn’t work any more or I would check. Anyway, the top of the dress looked like decorative icing on a cake. There were some negative remarks about it on DF but it was actually pretty creative.

Personnally, I don’t remember seeing any “cupcake” dresses in the US prior to the one Abby wore at the BYU Nationals in March of 2008. But I could be wrong.

I think the layered look is still going strong although certainly not to the extent as it was in Blackpool 2008…where there were some interesting examples.

http://tinyurl.com/ygt9pbl

****************************

[gracie]

I think you are referring to the dress Erica wore in the final rounds of the 2005 Nationals. My DVD doesn’t work any more or I would check. Anyway, the top of the dress looked like decorative icing on a cake. There were some negative remarks about it on DF but it was actually pretty creative.

Personnally, I don’t remember seeing any “cupcake” dresses in the US prior to the one Abby wore at the BYU Nationals in March of 2008. But I could be wrong.

I think the layered look is still going strong although certainly not to the extent as it was in Blackpool 2008…where there were some interesting examples.

http://tinyurl.com/ygt9pbl



****************************
Seem to be prevalent in Amateur division at Blackpool 2009 as well as RS and National Pro at USDC. Better hurry and wear mine.

[NonieS]

i cannot believe that someone out searched TC.... whoa!!!!

[etp777]

hahahah

[Terpsichorean Clod]

:oops:

[fascination]

you people, we cannot have the mod staff experiencing these identity crises ;)...there there TC...it will be okay

[Standarddancer]

I agree with kat that things changes. When this style first came out, I didn’t like it either, mostly because worry about the heavy layered skirt restricting movement, then tried on a few, feel good and super light, so now I love this style.

Probably the stiff heavy one would be out of style soon but the soft ruffle or just soft multi-layered would still be in.

[NonieS]

it still is not my fav style.... i like kat's navy satin one on her website, but i guess that is not a traditional "cupcake" dress since the ruffles are more flowing.

it's really the stiff pastry ones that i am not a fan of... but everyone is entitled to their own personal taste LOL.

[etp777]

lol at TC/Fasc

[Ithink]

Didnt someone call Erika Ridgeway dress that wasy from nationals years ago, maybe 2006 maybe 2005?

YES, someone did!

[Katarzyna]

YES, someone did!
Thank you for being the first to confirm this ;0

[Ithink]

It may not have been called "cupcake" as the current cupcake (the dessert) craze hadn't begun yet:) It might have been called wedding cake or something... And yeah, I didn't like it back then either:)

[NonieS]

lol at TC/Fasc



I know!!!!

[NonieS]

was just looking @ pics from the internationals.... looks like pouf poufs are definitely on the way out... didn't really see any of them.. looks like flowy things are now the predominant style, which is good for me since I have always like flowy things ;)

[Standarddancer]

wait, heard Internatioanl is always very conservative, so competitors would dress conservatively to judge's taste; everyone trying to be clean, elegant and classy to avoid the look of busy or messy. We really not sure about if cupcakes are out until UK open, I've noticed a lot of top pros and ams using soft plastic wires on the skirt hem or underskirt to add volumn of skirt.

I like flowying things too, saw some large floasts dresses there.

[Ithink]

Well, then my new dress is pretty perfect;)

[Standarddancer]

Well, then my new dress is pretty perfect;)

The one you wore in avatar? It’s quite nice!

[gracie]

I just finished stoning my cupcake gown and wearing it next weekend at Grand Nationals. The skirt seems to flow more than some I have seen, don't think it is as stiff as some. Hope I can get a couple more wears out of it before they are totally out. Weren't they short-lived?

[Ithink]

The one you wore in avatar? It’s quite nice!


No, I have a new as yet unworn dress. The avatar one is somewhat cupcake-y still:)

[Standarddancer]

No, I have a new as yet unworn dress. The avatar one is somewhat cupcake-y still:)

Looking forward to see it then:)

[and123]

Cupcake gowns on DTWS last night! :p
Karina seemed to get snagged in hers, and Anna's was an interesting mixture of ruffles and feather poofs. The movement made it almost look "alive" :shock:

[Standarddancer]

Seems feathers and ruffles are both in fashion

[Joe]

See, if a dress has a multi-layered skirt without stiff edges, I don't really consider that a cupcake style. When there's some kind of edging intended to maintain the fullness of the ruffles even when standing still, that's cupcake.

[and123]

So you're saying a limp cupcake is not a cupcake.

[etp777]

wouldn't a limp cupcake be a pancake?

[and123]

Dunno, what would make a cupcake go limp?

[etp777]

Whatever the cause, there is a pill to fix the problem.

[and123]

baking powder?

[etp777]

Of course, what else would I be talking about?

I do agree wiht Joe though, to my mind, not a cupcake gown without the ribbon/wire/etc to hold the edge

[Joe]

Well, I made a ballgown years ago with a multi-layered, multi-length chiffon skirt, and I don't think it was a cupcake gown.