Ballroom dresses in Open Level

[dancingirldancing]

Hi,

We may be going to an Open Level in a year or so (very close now).

So far I have been using second hand dresses all the way through each costing me less than $1k ....

Some ladies at open level however made 2-3 dresses a year at about $3k-$6k.

I can't really spend that much money atm.

Am I still be able to be competitive with my second hand costumes ?

[fascination]

funny..I regularly wear my oldest dresses for scholarships and big comps...maybe those that I would have now sold for the amount you mention..to remind myself that the dress is not the issue..I would not worry about it...particularly since it is an issue over which you cannot control your limitation...get the most gorgeous dress you can afford and then dance your heart out

[dlgodud]

Hi,

We may be going to an Open Level in a year or so (very close now).

So far I have been using second hand dresses all the way through each costing me less than $1k ....

Some ladies at open level however made 2-3 dresses a year at about $3k-$6k.

I can't really spend that much money atm.

Am I still be able to be competitive with my second hand costumes ?

Does it really matter?

Also, like you said you can't spend that much money like some other ladies spend, it seems that you worry too much about things that you may not want to do.

[Lioness]

It doesn't matter how much the dress cost. People looking at you aren't going to be able to tell if it's second hand, and if it looks beautiful, then they won't care.

[3wishes]

It doesn't matter dancing girl. I've danced scholarship and open levels in some of my most favorite dresses. I do know and have great friends who purchase several dresses a year, made for them. I'm not in that category of disposable income. Make sure your dress is in good form, repair anything that needs repair/replacement, or if you decide to purchase a newer "used" dress - make sure it's a dress you absolutely love and dance!

[Larinda McRaven]

One thing you could do is find a new dress designer... one who hasn't gotten her name out there much yet, but still does a great job. Not only will the dresses be cheaper but they might also be looking to sponsor someone to help them advertise!

[gracie]

As long as your dress is adequate and you have the grooming to go with it, it's all about the dancing and presentation. You don't have to have a $4000 Designs To Shine or Chrisanne or Dore'.

[DanceJoy]

keep in mind, also, that a lot of those top amateur ladies wearing super expensive dresses ARE sponsored by a designer so are getting those costumes for free. sometimes, they are also buying their dresses second hand from europe, so while they have never been seen in America, still have the price knocked down because they were worn a few times overseas.

[Standarddancer]

Look after champ amateurs or pro ladies with approximately similar size as you, check out if those ladies might have some nice dresses gently used a few times and willing to sell at a bargain price. Check out those who aren’t sponsored by big name designers whose dresses cost around $3000-$5000.
In fact , not all designer dresses are super expensive, I have Marabo dress Sponsoreship; those dresses are great quality and design, they usually willing to sell after a few usuage for around $1500; Also there are other designers might willing to sell sponsored dresses between $1500-1800; best if you familiar yourself with price range of different designers and search dresses from girls either sponsored by less pricy designers or girls purchase/prepare their own dresses; another option is rent from someone reliable.

[tanya_the_dancer]

There is nothing wrong with resales, but depending on your figure it might be hard to find one that works for you (which is the case for me). So I had a standard dress made for me by REST Elegance for approximately $1500 (and that included shipping from Russia).

[mummsie]

I dance open and I have never spent more than $750 on a dress. You spend what you can afford :) mummsie

[Liva]

There's Dreamgowns, a retailer that both makes dresses and sells second hand dresses that always advertises on dancesportinfo.net. She has very nice 2nd hand dresses that are made in Europe that do not cost very much, and one can have a dress custom made by her that may not cost as much.

[dlgodud]

I don't think anybody will remember how many times I wear the same dresses in competitions. :cool:

[N.G.]

I don't think anybody will remember how many times I wear the same dresses in competitions. :cool:
Yeap, it works for big competitions... but imho if we are talking about "very local" ones it is very obvious that you wear same dress again and again... :( or maybe I am wrong and it is just a matter of self confidence: oh, see, I am goddes I shine on dancefloor in my new extremely expensive dress... :)

[debmc]

I think that if you wear the same dress repeatedly, it can be a good thing, it becomes your signature and makes you recognizable. I have seen many pros wear the same dress at multiple comps. I have had dresses that I adored and wore all the time.

[dancerdol]

Almost all of the "top" dress designers have sales. After Ohio Star Ball (on the last day) you can sometimes find last season new dresses for $800 - $1500 because they have to make room for new styles for 2012. Encore Ballroom Couture is a great rental and consignment outlet and many studios are opening up their own consignment dress businesses. I used to get my dresses from Pros in Europe and then restyle them with different color underskirts, linings, new stones etc. My best buy was a $1k Chrisanne dress that was on Strictly Come Dancing as a Paso Dress - it is red and purple and once I replaced the lining and sewed up the center seam it became my favorite smooth dress for a year. If you haunt the top designer websites you will find sales, consignments and also the newest styles to use as design ideas if you restyle a dress.

[3wishes]

Welcome N.G to DF. I thoroughly agree with Dancerdol. I cannot begin to count how many times I've suggested to ladies in our studio to "remodel" their dresses. Many have, they saved oodles of $$$, still love "their" dresses, and have educated themselves on consignment, asking teachers, sales, even some have taken sewing classes at our local fabric shop. I believe, the value of not only being comfortable in your own skin but also your dress...is.......priceless.

[Naululani]

Welcome N.G to DF. I thoroughly agree with Dancerdol. I cannot begin to count how many times I've suggested to ladies in our studio to "remodel" their dresses. Many have, they saved oodles of $$$, still love "their" dresses, and have educated themselves on consignment, asking teachers, sales, even some have taken sewing classes at our local fabric shop. I believe, the value of not only being comfortable in your own skin but also your dress...is.......priceless.

I kow that "Remodeling" gown is the big business in Japan. Many professional dress companies offer that service and dose really good job! But I don't know in USA.

[TinyDancer109]

It's true about the new year sales... i just bought a dress that is normally $4195 (waaay out of my budget) for $1695 (closer to my normal budget). And it was only worn for one round by a high level pro! :)