Where do you buy your competition dresses from?

D

Dee84

New Member
Im fairly new to the competition circuit, (2 years) but take dancing quite seriously (Fallen in love with it) I'm looking to purchase a ballroom and latin competition dresses. Good quality and comfortable, and have a few questions.

For a good quality ballroom and latin dress who do you turn to? Especially if you are in the UK I'd love to hear from you.
Do most have made-to-measure? Any and all information, links, reccomendations is welcome!
 
All of my dresses are from DanceWearWorks, which is based in the USA. Mine have been off the rack, though I have also seen custom dresses that they have done that have been gorgeous. I like them because they are responsive, easy to work with, and have done an excellent job of finding me becoming dresses that fit. My proportions are just not typical and they have been invaluable with "here, try these" suggestions. They are at competitions all over the United States, but they also happen to be local to me so I can go to their showroom easily as well. They have also been very responsive when I have wanted/needed something inexpensive made for practice. (I asked them to make me a practice rhythm skirt that mimicked the skirt on my competition rhythm dress; they did it quite inexpensively.) While they are on the wrong continent for you, I think the take away can be that it is great if you can find somebody to work with who you are comfortable with. I don't know if the same is true in the UK, but here if you go to a competition, you can meet a lot of different vendors. I would be honest and say something like, "I not going to buy something right now, but I would like to get an idea of what you carry and try on a couple of dresses." I would also try to do it when they did not appear to be crazy busy.
 
I got my first two dresses custom made in China, the first from Rainbow Shiu (which is now under new management, which I can't speak to) and the second from Star Dance Shop. I was happy with both and still wear both for smaller events; my teacher compliments me on the Rainbow one every time I wear it. (I stoned both myself and have made a couple of small alterations.) My one "real" dress, which is noticeably more upscale, I got in a private sale by facebook messaging a dancer I'd noticed at comps, who shares my size and taste. (I'm disappointed that she's no longer competing; I had hoped we could do another sale someday!)
 
Hi Dee84. Welcome to Dance Forums. First off a disclaimer that I am a lead rather than a follow so am not speaking from personal experience as a buyer!

That said I think the majority of female competitors from intermediate upwards have custom made dresses from designers that are known to them and reasonably local (may be < 150 miles) However if you are not yet intermediate then do not be put off. It is never too early to get a custom dress.

It is difficult to find dress makers off the internet and my recommendation is that you will get the most useful information by going to competitions either as a spectator or a competitor and paying careful attention to what ladies are wearing. Most dresses have a manufactures mark/logo on them which you will notice once you start to get a feel for them. If you see a dress you like you should probably approach the wearer with a compliment about it and enquire about who made it and whether they would recommend the designer. I think most people would be pleased. You will start to get a feel for which designers you like and which you do not. Sometimes as competitions there will be 1 company that turns up and has a stand. Some designers are very small companies whilst the others are individual designers. Companies like fit into this category. I am sure there are lots of others. As you become aware of more designers you can contact them and see if you can work with them in coming up with something bespoke. May be talk photos of dresses you like so you can speak to your designer about the design elements from the dress that you like.

My dance partner was in a similar situation to yourself. She bought her first dress from a fellow competitor. Some competitors always have dresses for sale. Some of the facebook groups might be good as well. I am not sure. My partner then had 2 dresses made, one for Ballroom and one for Latin.

I think word of mouth is your best bet for finding something you like.

Good luck
 
Last edited by a moderator:
With one exception, I've made every dress that I have ever competed in. The sole exception I purchased used from a dancer on the other side of the country from ballroomdancers.com

@UKTenDancer is right that most regular competitors (pros included) have dressed for sale - if there's someone at your studio who is about the same size, ask them! It's also not unheard of to see a dress you love and ask the dancer to let you know when it's for sale :)
 
I've bought both my ballroom and some of my latin dresses second hand from facebook groups. I got every measurement going as well as as much proof as I could that the seller definitely had the dress. I've also had a couple of latin dresses made by dress makers. One from Cara Couture who I don't think makes dresses anymore, and the other from Astex based in Hampshire.
 
There is a really good facebook page that sells a lot of dresses. DM me and I can give the link. Im from UK and have heard good things about sparkle designs as my coach wear their dresses. JF dance dresses look good on the floor but have heard mixed reviews about the designing process. Depending or where you live in the UK I can reccomend quite a few designers who have reasonable prices. Please DM and I can see if I can help
 
I just bought a new-to-me dress that I'm excited about; I didn't really need it just now, but it's so hard to find anything when you are actually looking that I decided to go for it. It's from Saltare Gowns -- a rental/consignment place originally founded with Kat's dresses (reference for the old-time DFers). And I figured I'd mention it, because they're closing up the business and looking to clear out their stock, so we were able to negotiate a price that we were both very happy with. In case you're looking!
 
Venus Dancewear, reasonable price and free made to measure, also you can cusotmize your own designs
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Dance Ads

Advertise on Dance Forums Reach dancers, teachers, studios, event organizers, and dance-friendly brands. View ad options
Back
Top