Can we talk dresses?

fatherdowling said:
It’s a pretty simple sort of vintage inspired dressing gown type thing that would go over a dress that I’d buy so it’s not super fitted and not too complicated I think.

I’ve done a lot of sewing for when I taught myself upholstery and I’ve made lined drapes and piped cushions that sort of thing. I’m going to look for the most simple pattern and go from there. And head to the garment district in LA because why not.

I don’t really want to try and make a leotard so I wonder if I can buy one and sew it into a stretchy dress? Is that a thing or is is more complicated?
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As a bit of a follow up I ended up making the lace vintage dressing gown portion and I bought an inexpensive satin dress from Amazon and hemmed the bottom and added horse hair braid. It was great and got lots of compliments.
 

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I finally splurge on dresses! I hope I made a good decision:oops:. They were previously worn by professionals so I got a bit of a discount but still hella expensive for me! I always pride myself for not spending unnecessary related to my dance goals on this hobby but things changed lately after calculating the cost of not having a dress that I can feel confident with all months and money of preps. I rented dresses for my very first comp and 2 in-studio practice comp events to feel what it's like wearing one. I bought a smooth/rhythm combo dress for a 2 in 1 budget friendly, not heavily stoned (it looks like a practice dress with some sparkles) that I can wear for smaller events or emergency dress but it's not the best fit. It's just doesn't fit properly in all places but it will work if that's the only choice.

I rented dresses from this vendor when it was an up and coming designer at that time. Then lately, I've noticed how busier it got that the response time is stressing me out. There's a lot of work doing try-ons and shipping back and forth, and I didn't mind at all. But the high stress and sleeplessness whenever the dresses are delayed, it's driving me crazy! The vendor has been nothing but accommodating before but now, it looks like their clients have grown and it seems the lack of staff is not possible to respond to me in a timely manner (waiting a week or so for a response on texts). I don't have the new dresses yet for a few minor alterations but I feel so relieved having the dresses that are mine and I really felt great when I tried them on. I'm still open with other options like renting or getting much cheaper pre-owned or Latinodances to alternate them with my dresses. When I did my first comp last year, I realized a lot of pro am ladies actually change dresses for multis. I'm planning when I have a budget for cheaper ones, I would use them for single rounds then the expensive one for multis.

Sorry for all the ramblings…
 
Well do share pics if you want! I spend far too much time thinking about dresses and screenshotting dresses and planning dresses for someone who has only competed once. Lol. Glad you don’t have to stress now. And try not too worry there is a robust resale market it seems so when you’re ready for something new someone else will be very thrilled to buy yours.
 
I forgot and I failed the dress thread. But I ended up needing to order a dress before my first competition. So I got this one from DanceShopper it’s by Ballroom Paradise. I had a limited time to receive it so I was nervous but it was on the shorter side of the estimate. It fit well. The arms did accidentally come plain, there wasn’t time to send it back but they offered to remake them after the comp. Because I’d have to stone them for the comp I opted instead to take a discount. So I ended up stoning the sleeves, added jet stones all over the dress and made a stoned belt.

All together I was pretty happy with it. It looked the part, it was comfortable and it fit and felt like me.
 

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fatherdowling said:
I forgot and I failed the dress thread. But I ended up needing to order a dress before my first competition. So I got this one from DanceShopper it’s by Ballroom Paradise. I had a limited time to receive it so I was nervous but it was on the shorter side of the estimate. It fit well. The arms did accidentally come plain, there wasn’t time to send it back but they offered to remake them after the comp. Because I’d have to stone them for the comp I opted instead to take a discount. So I ended up stoning the sleeves, added jet stones all over the dress and made a stoned belt.

All together I was pretty happy with it. It looked the part, it was comfortable and it fit and felt like me.
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Thank you for sharing, I'm glad you felt great in it, you look lovely in it.
 
Just a heads up for my budget conscious dance friends buying attire from overseas...

I ordered 2 custom dresses from a vendor (overseas). While the shipping costs were covered in big payment to the vendor, the new import tariffs were not. The 'de minumus' exemption has also been suspended for products from certain countries.

1. Import Tariff. It is optional for vendors to take responsibility to pay the new import duties (tariffs) or allow the buyer to be charged directly for it.
2. 'De minimus exemption' allowed for lower cost items to be imported without tariff. This is exemption has been temporarily stopped for certain countries, so even low cost items may be subject to the new additional tariff.

In my case, the dresses were made in a country that is temporarily unable to use the 'de minumus' tariff exemption, and the vendor did not assume payment responsibility for the tariffs. The vendor allowed me to be charged directly. They sent me a nicely worded email explaining it all.

Also, unexpected was the shipping company brokerage fee (the shipping company's fees to handle the tarriff remittance to the US government). UPS was the broker. I had to pay both the tariff and UPS brokerage fee upon delivery to receive the dresses.

YMMV but be aware that it is possible to have to pay an unexpected amount more to receive your items depending on your vendor's ability/willingness to cover the cost and the country in which it is made.

Ask questions before you buy, so that you can budget and be prepared.
 
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So I think I might change my floats for the next competition just for something slightly different. Thinking feather boa floats. If your standard dress has feather floats do you might telling me how they’re attached?
 
True Bliss said:
I share your pain with the sticker shock associated with keeping horses. Had a very accident prone OTTB for years . . . so was definitely on my vet's best customer list . . .along with all of the general upkeep expenses. Didn't have to have a custom saddle for her, but at 16H, she needed a cob sized bridle which then still needed to be made smaller. I traded my custom made boots and show clothes for dancing shoes and dresses.

I have, until very recently, always had second-hand dresses. When I've felt the need for a different dress, I've been able to sell my old dress on without much effort so it can be done. There are several Facebook groups for selling dresses along with the page on this website where used dresses can be sold. I've got two dresses that I need to get advertised as we speak!
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I know this is an old message but where on this dance forums website are dresses sold??
 
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