Competition dress choice; heel height; re-wearing dresses; & salsa/mambo question

[fascination]

wow...you remind me so much of myself when I was starting out...because you have so many concerns, I am just going to hit a few ...let me start with just narrowing my answers to pro am competitions because, personally, I would never worry about a showcase in terms of buying anything substantial...as for a beginning level dancer, I think the most important issue is that what you have decided to wear is in good taste and and fits properly...wear fishnets, no matter what...2 1/2 inches is enough for a pro am heel...after that, trust me, you will start to have foot issues...if you go to any comp website you will see who the gown vendors are...some names repeat from comp to comp...one gown is fine for now but make sure it is in good shape and current, and the right length for you...standard gowns tend to have floats which can be a problem for dancing smooth but not a big deal in closed bronze as you don't do much that would cause them to hamper your movement at that level....have someone who knows what they are doing do your hair and makeup, preferably one of the vendors...all of this is said presuming that you care to make a good impression and might want to continue competing

 

[scullystwin42]

I think you've gotten answers to most of your questions, but i'll jump in as well... Costume when you're dancing pro-am usually means the same as competition dress. It's a but different for am-am, as there can be rules around what they can wear. Pro-am, less so, even at lower levels.

Pros usually like you to have new dresses so you look "fresh" on the floor (and also sometime because they'd like you to get dresses from their dress sponsor), but at the same time, depending on how much you compete, you don't need a bunch when starting out. I had used/rented/made in vietnam dresses when i started out, and wore them to quite a few competitions. As I progressed to higher level dancing, it became apparent i needed a higher level-looking dress, and so i bought nicer used dresses. It took almost 6 years before i actually got a full on custom designed dress for myself - even though i competed at some larger national franchise and independent competitions with nice used dresses - and I've worn it for over a year now. I still keep the other used dresses in rotation, however.

But when i started, I competed with the same dress for at least 2 years, repeating at each comp, with some of the same judges. It looked good on me, it matched my style, and i made sure i had matching jewelry, my hair done properly, and makeup done. and fishnets. so the whole look worked together.

And give yourself time before Bolero/mambo/vw, as others have mentioned. they are a bit trickier and sometimes it takes a year to even get to that point where you can start them.

It's super fun getting immersed in this world, but my recommendation is always to make sure you have a budget and stick to it. it can be so much fun that you don't care how much you're spending, but a budget helps keep you in check. I knew i needed dresses, so i bought what i could afford that worked for me - but the bulk of my money went to lessons and competitions. As I told - and still tell my pros - if they want me in a specific dress, they can pay for it. otherwise, they can only provide input but have to deal with my decision and budget.

 

[ProgressNotPerfection]

wow...you remind me so much of myself when I was starting out...

High praise!!! Thank you!

 

[ocean-daughter]

...wear fishnets, no matter what...

I haven't been here for awhile...I was wondering about the importance of fishnets, since you mentioned it. Why is it imperative to wear them?

 

[scullystwin42]

Along with the tan, they sort of...blur out imperfections in your legs,and keep the color nice and uniform, so you look put together on the floor. It's an expected part of the overall look.

I've been wearing fishnets less and less lately, tho, and just making sure i have a lot of tanner and shimmer powder on my legs - only because i have two dresses that have mesh that will show the fishnet band at the top. New dress doesn't have that, which will be nice.

 

[IndyLady]

With fishnets... it depends. I've never worn them, though I own a pair. I've been lucky - I don't have major imperfections in my legs (e.g. vein or coloration issues - other than my overall very pale complexion), they are in decent if not model/athlete perfect shape, and they are usually slathered in half a bottle of tanner. Of all the things I cringe at when I see the photos/videos, it's never my legs - they are one of the saving graces. YMMV.

 

[ocean-daughter]

I've been reluctant about fishnets because of veins, but maybe the tanner helps mask that? I've never used tanner either. The only comps I've been to are smaller local ones.

 

[ProgressNotPerfection]

I've been reluctant about fishnets because of veins, but maybe the tanner helps mask that? I've never used tanner either. The only comps I've been to are smaller local ones.

I’ve never used tanner either yet, since I’ve never competed yet, but that’s one of my main motives in wearing fishnets: to avoid using tanner except where it’s absolutely necessary (I have very pale sensitive skin, so I’m NOT looking forward to tanner & bronzer & makeup...hence the long sleeves, tan fishnets).

I don’t think you need to be reluctant bcs of veins...probably the opposite, since the fishnets blur/disguise the majority of visible imperfections. (And I’m not worried about the resulting “waffle butt” since that will fade quickly).

 

[IndyLady]

I’ve never used tanner either yet, since I’ve never competed yet, but that’s one of my main motives in wearing fishnets: to avoid using tanner except where it’s absolutely necessary (I have very pale sensitive skin, so I’m NOT looking forward to tanner & bronzer & makeup...hence the long sleeves, tan fishnets).

I swore I would never do all the tanner and ridiculous over-the-top makeup.... but now I love it (I look so much better tan, why was I not gifted with that skin tone naturally). Do what works for you, but don't close yourself off too much too early.

 

[RiseNFall]

tanner ... makeup.... Do what works for you, but don't close yourself off too much too early.

Both parts of this are important. I tried tanning. Products that looked great on other people come out orange on me. I'll try again someday, but haven't yet. Point is to test anything ahead of time, though I probably don't have to tell you that. Re makeup, I don't wear a lot of makeup IRL, but accepted from the beginning that there was a certain "look" that I needed to have at competitions. (I pay to have somebody else do my hair and makeup, partially due to lack of skill and partially to avoid the stress of doing it myself.) I am older, and have been known to go and spectate at a competition partially to see what looks I like on older women and which ones I don't. Upshot is that what would be "over the top" IRL can look great on the competition floor. I believe some people with particularly sensitive skin supply at least some of their own makeup even if somebody else is doing the application. There are downsides to that (makeup may not last as long), but it's better than breaking out in hives.

 

[IndyLady]

Both parts of this are important. I tried tanning. Products that looked great on other people come out orange on me. I'll try again someday, but haven't yet. Point is to test anything ahead of time, though I probably don't have to tell you that. Re makeup, I don't wear a lot of makeup IRL, but accepted from the beginning that there was a certain "look" that I needed to have at competitions. (I pay to have somebody else do my hair and makeup, partially due to lack of skill and partially to avoid the stress of doing it myself.) I am older, and have been known to go and spectate at a competition partially to see what looks I like on older women and which ones I don't. Upshot is that what would be "over the top" IRL can look great on the competition floor. I believe some people with particularly sensitive skin supply at least some of their own makeup even if somebody else is doing the application. There are downsides to that (makeup may not last as long), but it's better than breaking out in hives.

I also pay to have hair and makeup professionally done. I bought a couple curling irons and some products a few weeks ago in the hopes that I could gradually learn to do my own hair (for smaller/more casual events), but after a couple tries I can see it's going to be a long road, possibly longer than I have remaining lifespan. And until I learn to put on my own fake eyelashes... well, keeping the estheticians in business.

Sometimes I wish I could do a more ballroom look IRL - I look so much better - but it really is too over the top for my day-to-day life.

Also, I have neglected to acknowledge the challenges of sensitive skin... I've been lucky in that regard for the most part, but I do realize that is a serious barrier for many folks.

 

[ProgressNotPerfection]

I've been lucky - I don't have major imperfections in my legs (e.g. vein or coloration issues - other than my overall very pale complexion), they are in decent if not model/athlete perfect shape....Of all the things I cringe at when I see the photos/videos, it's never my legs - they are one of the saving graces.

Me too! And I am very, very grateful for that. However, I'm still going to wear suntan-colored fishnets to limit the amount of tanning products I have to use.

 

[ProgressNotPerfection]

I don't wear a lot of makeup IRL, but accepted from the beginning that there was a certain "look" that I needed to have at competitions. (I pay to have somebody else do my hair and makeup, partially due to lack of skill and partially to avoid the stress of doing it myself.)

Yup...I've resigned myself to both tanning & "hey-honey-how-much-per-hour" levels of makeup. I know everything looks completely different under performance lights. So maybe I'll just subject my face to whatever products the professionals deem best, and hope for a non-hive-producing result. (Hmm...I wonder if scratching madly at my itching face while dancing would look like a modern interpretation of arm styling....)

And I'm definitely planning to pay for professional hair & makeup for at least the first few comps (assuming I don't run away screaming after the first comp, that is). I can't provide my own makeup bcs I don't wear any. That's never been a bad thing, before I started this ballroom obsession addiction activity. I've read a lot of threads on DF about various approaches to dealing with contact lenses/ eyelashes/ makeup/ skin/ tanning, so I'll go back and revisit those long before my first comp, and try out a bunch of products in advance.

 

[ocean-daughter]

I’ve never used tanner either yet, since I’ve never competed yet, but that’s one of my main motives in wearing fishnets: to avoid using tanner except where it’s absolutely necessary (I have very pale sensitive skin, so I’m NOT looking forward to tanner & bronzer & makeup...hence the long sleeves, tan fishnets).

I don’t think you need to be reluctant bcs of veins...probably the opposite, since the fishnets blur/disguise the majority of visible imperfections. (And I’m not worried about the resulting “waffle butt” since that will fade quickly).

Hmm. I'd have thought the discoloration would show right through. I may have to get an inexpensive pair and try things out.

I'm also very pale, though happily my skin is not hugely sensitive, so I probably won't escape doing some artificial tanning when the time comes. I should ask the studio owners (a married couple) for advice.

I've been using ballet tights in suntan for practice and lessons.

 

[ChaCha1]

I wear Joanna Trojer Fishnet Tights , in the bronze. (Danceshopper carries them) They match my shoe color so it is a smooth line on my short legs. ;-) I have some "permanent" bruising on my legs that are nicely covered by the fishnets. But I am olive skin and tan very easily.