Ballroom Gowns

Ballroom gowns are the center of attention at any dance competition. Even before a couple walks onto the floor, the gown establishes a first impression, a mood that settles over the partners and permeates their dance.

A common mistake that beginner ballroom dancers make is to assume that any nice dress – say, a bridesmaid dress or disco outfit – will do. Unfortunately, these dresses are not meant to withstand the kinds of movement and stress that ballroom dance will bring to them. Ballroom gowns are made of materials such as spandex that will stretch and move with the dancer's form. In fact, the better-made gowns are actually designed to complement the moves, swirling and falling in drapes that help complete each step.

In competition, it is these kinds of dresses that help draw the judge's eye, which is difficult to do with a dozen other dancers on the floor at the same time. But a well-made gown will highlight a dancer's natural ability and help them get through each elimination round.

The first factor to keep in mind when choosing ballroom gowns is the kind of dance being performed. Latin? Smooth? Swing? Each style has its own design techniques and conventions. A gown used to dance a Viennese waltz would be very long and flowing, whereas a salsa outfit is often hardly there at all.

The next factor is the style of the dance partners. If they are portraying a sophisticated, genteel dance, having hot red grungy outfits would not promote that. Likewise, trying to wear a tuxedo and a pearl-studded floor-length gown puffed out with crinolines would not suit a hot Argentinian tango.

Body shape should also be considered when choosing a dress. While it is true that any body type can dance beautifully, not all dresses and styles are suitable to show off every body. There are many draping and special cuts that can be added to ballroom gowns to hide the less flattering aspects of a dancer and bring out their best features.

The color of the gown needs to complement the skin color and hair of the dancer. A bright orange that might make a tanned competitor seem to glow might make a paler-skinned dancer look like they have a greenish cast to their skin. While some of the colors and styles of dress may seem gaudy when seen up close, the fact is they are not meant to be seen except at a distance – often over twenty-five feet away. When choosing a dress, make sure that it is viewed not only up close but at a distance – the fine embroidery that seems so beautiful may disappear completely when seen from an audience's perspective.

With all of these factors to consider, it makes sense that the best way to choose your first ballroom gown is to get help. The first place to go is your ballroom instructor, who not only has experience in choosing outfits but also knows your body, dance ability, and choreographic needs better than anyone. Simply asking them what kind of gown they'd recommend can be the first and last step needed as they guide you through the process.

One of the decisions to be made is whether to have a ballroom gown designed or to buy one pre-made. Obviously a custom-made gown will fit better and most beautifully display a dancer, but the cost can sometimes be prohibitive. Many designers carry stock "styles" of dresses, which may not be as well-fitted or colorful but will often fall more easily into a beginning dancer's budget.

Other places to acquire ballroom gowns are through online sales sites such as eBay. However, the buyer needs to beware – often the gowns may be of a high quality but also well-used, with defects such as heel holes in the trains or missing trim and weakened seams. The buyer should certainly ask for a very detailed description as to the condition of the dress before paying. A more safe route might be to try renting a dress; several professional dancers have a large stock of dresses used in past competitions which they will lease to those who are of a similar size.

Whatever the method, good ballroom gowns are an essential part of any winning dance team. The same care that goes into perfecting a turn or a flourish should be given to the process of picking it out, so that the full potential of the dancer can be realized.

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