Competitor numbers

[ACtenDance]

Have you ever noticed that some couples will cut their number so that all the excess paper is discarded and only the number is left? ... I know that's not a good description, but hopefully everyone will understand. Maybe someone can think of a better way to say that.

Is that a good or bad thing to do? Or does it not really matter? I'm wondering if judges care at all, especially since the number usually covers up most of my back and tends to bend oddly when left in its original size.

 

[Chris Stratton]

Your number looks fine on my MAC video, but those were tyvek numbers that tend to hold up better than cardstock ones.

 

[ACtenDance]

I didn't really have too much of a problem with the MAC numbers for the most part. In latin, my partner would catch it a few times... I guess I just kinda like the way the cut numbers looked on some of the champ dancers.

 

[Chris Stratton]

Sometime I think it is a way of trying to be unique. The guys all tend to have to dress alike and there are few distinguishing characteristics to a tails suit.

Simply wearing one well can stand out quite a bit. I've lately been on a crusade against unbalanced shoulders. Usually guys have one shoulder high as a result of some problem in the hold. A few get it right, but the most common solution seen seems to be to adopt a rigid position with artifically high elbows, rather than learning to balance a more reasonable arm position.

 

[Angelo]

I have seen tailsuit jackets that have small "tabs" (for lack of a better word) into which a competitors number can be inserted but only if it is cut to the proper size.

 

[madmaximus]

Funny how competitors can be so meticulous about the minutiae of their costumes but often slap their numbers haphazardly on their backs.

One reason I used to fold or cut a white number patch was that a hastily placed number patch can work against you too. (Note that the patch should be folded in proportion to the width of the body).

A white number patch (especially a huge one) on a black tailsuit viewed from a distance can make the gentleman look hunched--if the number is placed too high. Placed too low it can make you look like you're swaying-back.

A contrasting object (white patch) has stronger visual energy when placed higher from the perceived horizontal center of the gentleman. When placed lower, it creates a dissonance--it is not aesthetically pleasing. Ever see a gentleman whose tie is too short (it doesn't touch his belt)? Gives the illusion of a bulging tummy. The shorter or disproportionate the size of the tie, the bigger the tummy looks. Same visual effect.

madmaximus

 

[Chris Stratton]

There could be merit in finding the optimal placement of a standard size number on the tailsuit, and marking the corners with little bits of slightly non-black thread. Even if the numbers at a particular competition are a different size, these would still serve as a positioning guide.

 

[ShyDancer]

At comps here competitors have to "hire" their numbers.
They are all white numbers on a black felt background which you pin to the back of mens shirts/jackets.
You pay $5 per number (safety pins provided with the number) which is refunded when you return it at the end of the day.

 

[Snuggles]

Here in Australia when you hand in your registration card you pay $2 and you get your number then at the end of the day you hand in your number and get your $2 back and your card...

If the number is on cardboard paper, you do not have to pay for it and many people cut the edges off, simply because they can sometimes be quite big.

If the number is on material you pay for it and hand it back in, these numbers are generally small therefor do not need cutting.

 

[Joe]

Part of the reason they trim the numbers may be that they're so honkin' huge. Nice black tailsuit, and you have to slap this big white rectangle on the back?

I've sometimes thought of taking some stencils, some black felt and a can of white spray paint to comps and making my own white-on-black number.