How to Buy a Ballroom Dancing Dress

A dress to show off your ballroom dancing in is a big purchase. A competition dress is more than just a piece of clothing-it must enhance your strengths and minimize your weaknesses. It must be appropriate for the dances you plan to do, and it's expensive. Read these steps before making your investment.

Instructions

    • 1

      Ask fellow dancers where they got their dresses. Hopefully, they can point you toward a good seamstress, tailor or retailer. Someone may even have a dress she's willing to sell.

    • 2

      Check the dress regulations of the organizations with which you plan to compete. Organizations like the International DanceSport Federation have pages of rules your attire must comply with according to age and level of competition. The trick is to follow all of these regulations and still stand out on the dance floor. Competition isn't the time to be demure.

    • 3

      Consider a used gown or a rental if your budget is small. Ask your instructor for names of places that rent nice costumes.

    • 4

      Choose a dress that hides figure flaws and conceals weaknesses in your dancing. Gowns with flowing, diaphanous scarves attached at the neck or wrists hide a weak posture or frame. Full skirts veil a bulging bottom.

    • 5

      Opt for a dress that enhances your physique and the strengths of your dancing. A short, fringed skirt augments a hippy, Latin dance and shows off your legs, while a long, flowing skirt complements the fluidity of the waltz.

    • 6

      Have your dress custom made if you can afford it and already know you plan on competing often. Having your dress custom made means that it's guaranteed to fit, and you get to choose the style, fabrics and decoration with an experienced dressmaker who has some idea what will look good on you.