Appropriate Competition Wear

[setsuna713]

I'm getting ready for my first competition (which isn't for a while) and I'm wondering what would be appropriate to wear for a standard competition (bronze level). I've been searching through the web and all the beautiful dressed I find seem to have too many rhinestones etc. to wear for bronze. Can I go and search for a prom dress with a full circle skirt and wear that? If so, what (besides a full circle skirt) should I look for in the dress? Any advice would be helpful! :)

[cl5814]

Hopefully the comp website or rules for the comp can clarify what you could/should wear. I'll start there if i were you- anybody else from your studio that has competed in that division might be good to ask. I assume there isn't, that is why you are asking on the web.
I think i have heard/seen plain (no rhinestone/sequins) skirts.

[Kitty]

What are the official costume rules for your level and category at the comp to which you are going?

[Laura]

If you are dancing in a USABDA-sanctioned syllabus event, you are not allowed to wear a costume. The best bet there would be to wear a nice practice skirt and bodysuit or nice top (see my list of links (http://www.usabda-norcal.org/links.html#dancewear)).

If you are dancing in an NDCA Pro/Am event, you might want to look into borrowing, renting, or buying a used dress. When I was doing Bronze I was amazed at how dressed up people were, even though it was "just" Bronze Pro/Am. That said, I personally believe that people should not over-dress for their level, but it happens so you should be prepared for it. The most important thing is to find something flattering to you that looks good when you dance in it (as opposed to when you are just standing in front of the mirror in it).

[setsuna713]

When I went to the event last year and just watched, there was a mix of prom dress type outfits but no simple body suits/skirt combinations. A friend of mine is on the planning committee for the event and they haven't decided wheter or not they are going to get USABDA sanctions or not, although they do follow the syllabus.

[Chris Stratton]

There have been several past discussion of costumes for syllabus competitions, for example:

http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=3400&highlight=syllabus+costumes

I think for smooth/standard the simple skirt and bodysuit/leotard is far more suitable than most prom dresses - even if it's not common amongst the entrients at a particular comp, it's a very 'professional' look that will go over well with judges. Wheras for latin, some sort of off-the-rack club outfit could work quite well. Put you partner in a button down shirt, tie, and vest for smooth/standard, and a fitted black shirt for latin/rhythm.

Based on my last reading of the USABDA rules, it would appear possible for an organizer to waive the default costume restrictions. I've heard rumors this may be changing, especially for non-adult events. But if a formerly unsanctioned competition has a history of allowing costumes and that seemed to work well, I think they might at least look into continuing to do so.

[ACtenDance]

hey sutsuna713, you should go to the USABDA Southeast Regionals in Atlanta with the NC State team!! There aren't any costume restrictions there. BUT, I'd get some advice from some of the more advanced ladies at NC State on what's appropriate if you decide to come to DCDI with us.

[Laura]

How, as a USABDA-sanctioned competition, can the USABDA Southeast Regionals not have any costume restrictions on syllabus? Has a new rule suddenly been passed? Or are they just ignoring what's in the current rule book?

[Chris Stratton]

hey sutsuna713, you should go to the USABDA Southeast Regionals in Atlanta with the NC State team!! There aren't any costume restrictions there. BUT, I'd get some advice from some of the more advanced ladies at NC State on what's appropriate if you decide to come to DCDI with us.

DCDI was not costume restricted in silver (where I wore tails last year) and above. DCDI was not sanctioned either.

[setsuna713]

hey sutsuna713, you should go to the USABDA Southeast Regionals in Atlanta with the NC State team!! There aren't any costume restrictions there. BUT, I'd get some advice from some of the more advanced ladies at NC State on what's appropriate if you decide to come to DCDI with us.

That sounds great! When is the competition? The Duke team got a lot of funding this year for the first time from our Student government, so we're looking to compete a little bit more this year.

[Katarzyna]

Last year it was the 1st week of November...

[Chris Stratton]

How, as a USABDA-sanctioned competition, can the USABDA Southeast Regionals not have any costume restrictions on syllabus? Has a new rule suddenly been passed? Or are they just ignoring what's in the current rule book?

The adult costume rules aren't quite as strongly stated as the kiddie ones, for which is specifically says:

3.9. DRESS CODE

Note that the dress code for all Syllabus and Novice events for Juniors and Youths as well as all events for Pre-Teens is mandatory.

[Laura]

Ahh, very interesting. You could read that to mean "damn it, we're serious about kids not turning up in costumes in the following age groups/levels" and you can read it to mean "but if you want to let adult syllabus competitors dress up, go for it." To tell you the truth, I never considered the second part, but it seems completely reasonable now that you've pointed it out. I'm going to bring it up at our next planning meeting. My club is putting together a USABDA-sanctioned point-granting competition for the first week in November -- the first ever California State Amateur DanceSport Championships -- and we need to talk about what exactly that means and what we're going to do about it. Obviously we'll have to make our intentions clear in the registration materials.

[ACtenDance]

SRC is the second weekend of October this year.
How, as a USABDA-sanctioned competition, can the USABDA Southeast Regionals not have any costume restrictions on syllabus? Has a new rule suddenly been passed? Or are they just ignoring what's in the current rule book?
I think that the unique costume rules were a result of a couple raising a fuss over not being able to wear their recently purchased (and very expensive) costumes in competition. I don't know if that's true, but that's the answer I got when I asked the same question.

See www.atlantasrc.org for more details.

[Joe]

I think a fitted blouse and a suitable skirt would be fine for a bronze event. "Suitable" means something that you, a) look presentable in, and b) your partner can move through. Whether it's a true circle skirt or a Chrisanne-style practice skirt is up to you. Jewelry should be sparkly, yet tasteful.