Today I was reading the Amatuar dance publication I receive every month.

There was an article from a judge who had judged the USABDA regional in Seattle.(sp)

She had a write up on many of the couples that she judged. She spent a great deal of time talking about the ladies costumes...to pale for the floor, mens costumes... collar was to high and had an effect on the frame.

I thought about this quite a bit today. We all spend so much time developing our top lines, swing and sway, and months or hard work to get ready for a regional. We will compete in Atlanta in October for the 2005 national qualifier, and I began to wonder.... Please do not tell me after all this hard(and much enjoyed ) work, will it all come down to grooming???

Hey, if thats all it takes, buy a new gown, make a hair appointment and I am all set...This article kind of put me back. Yup, not exactlly a size two, and now I really wonder....

Any comments?

The higher up in the levels you go, the more important grooming seems to be. What I mean is, if you're new and are dancing at a lower level, then the judges cut you a lot more slack than if you are dancing at a higher level.

I have a tape where about a dozen judges talk about what they look for when they judge. And every single one of them brought up "grooming."

The most important thing is to make the most of who you are and what you have. Don't be down on yourself for not being a size two, but rather make sure that you gown fits properly and is flattering to your age, shape, coloring, and the way you dance. Make sure you wear the right kind of shoes (satin, dyed to match your leg color, and clean), have your hair done with no flappy bits, and wear sufficiently applied makeup (most newcomers wear far too little).

Laura is absolutely right. the judges look at the "whole package". Dancing is an artistic endeavour and how good a couple is depends on so many factors - movement, musical interpretation, passion... - many things, and of course looks and clothing are a factor. Judges are human - they all have their own views and likes and dislikes.

It doesn't stop with how you look on the floor. Even as you walk through the front door is just as important. I once saw Marcus and Karen arriving for a competition as competitors. The immaculate way they were dressed imediately caught the eye.
Which brings me to. Did anybody see the suit pop star Cliff Richard was wearing at Wimbldon. Arrive dressed that way and you would be noticed. Even the tie and the Carnation were a perfect match.
I'll put my foot in it now. Maybe i have been looking at the wrong clips. But i have seen when there are shots taken within a class that the dress is pretty awfull. Some look as if they are dressed more for a run around the park than a dance class..

I think people are showing a general disregard for their appearance...period.

I have to say that I agree about the way people come to class. I think its reflected in the way they dance. Sloppy dress, sloppy dance. My pro thinks so as well. All of his advanced students have a dress code. It is 'suggested' but he really means it and enforces the dress standard in a nice way but we all know what is expected and we all perform.

I think its smart...it sets the mood for your body. It also protects me and gives him the ability to work with my legs and core and hips and arms without clothes getting in the way. So for him, depending on whether your latin or standard, you wear the appropriate length skirt, black of course, a tight shirt, again black of course. We must also wear dance panties so we don't get distracted and nervous about any movement showing too much and leg warmers to keep us from cramping as he runs us through the paces.

I appreciate that he holds us to a standard. I think more teachers should! If they don't people ought to have enough sense to do it for themselves. Besides who wants to get their good clothes all stinky and sweaty? You shouldn't want to wear street clothes.