Do not spend the money on an undecorated dress from Chrisanne. It will still end up looking like a costume and will cost you waaaayyyy too much money.

Why not just buy some nice dancewear? You can get gorgeous skirts and tops from Chrisanne for a fraction of the cost of one of their dresses. Check out the dancewear sections on www.chrisanne.co.uk
Also, look around on www.dancesport.uk.com they have several brands of dancewear. You should also check out http://www.dancescape.tv/paradise/shopping/shopMain.asp

You can also check out www.designsbyrandall.com
There are some tops, skirts, and dresses there suitable for wearing in a syllabus event.

Back Bay Dancewear (www.backbaydancewear.com) and New York Dancewear (www.nydancewear.com) has some skirts and tops that can work, too.

I dance in gold-level USABDA events and usually wear a plain skirt and a leotard-style top. I make my skirts and tops myself, they aren't difficult if you know how to sew and because you're doing the labor yourself they can end up costing you a very very small amount of money.

I've bought from all the places listed above except for Randall, so I can vouch for them being safe places to order from.

Thank you Laura and Ali

I did go aheasd and cancel my appointment. Laura, I think that you are right, stones or not, this will end up looking like a costume.

Thanks for all the great links. I found something I think could work on F Wongs website... HAve you purchased thru her?

Thanks again.

I've never bought from Farida Wong but I've looked at her web site many times and think she does good work.

Hey Laura,
As a follow up.... I did order a skirt and body suit from F. Wongs site... She called me once I placed the order to make sure I had the right size, ect ... She was just wonderful...(for such a small $ purchase) The merchandise arrived, great quality, and just right for the Amatuar comp...

Now, can highly recommend this site from personal experience. Thanks again for swaying me away from spending way to much money on a non stoned gown.....

Janet

Thanks for letting us know about your experience with Farida Wong. Good luck in your competition, and enjoy your lovely new dancewear. Let us know how things go!

Hi Laura,
With this posting being about comp dresses,it reminded me of an incident that happened a few decades ago: A local amateur dance club booked a well known lady adjudicator to be the solo judge of their annual ballroom competitions. After the results and prize giving the chairperson asked the members present if they had any questions they would like to put to the adjudicator. One of the competitors asked the adjudicator, what did she look for when judging a competition,such as today? The judge replied with a detailed description of what the lady's hair should look like; her dress; the gent's suit and how they walked onto the floor, etcetera. When the adjudicator sat down the chairperson asked the competitor if he was satisfied with the answer? 'Oh!, yes', he replied. 'I've always suspected she never judged a couple on their dancing ability!' A true tale.

I've got to say, after watching a tape called "The Judge's View" that I got from DanceVision, I can totally see this...every single judge mentioned grooming in the first few things they look for. If you can, order the tape. It's eye-opening and will make you think about what I call the "beauty pageant" aspect of dancesport.

I would love to get the contact info for the dressmaker in Hong Kong. Ballroom dancing is such an expensive hobby....

One of them is called Rainbow Shiu or something like that. If you search for that on Google, you'll find places where she's posted contact information on other discussion boards.

Some people I know have loved her stuff, others have been very disappointed. I think it all depends on the garment fitting properly, which depends on taking good measurements. I figure the prices are so good it's worth the risk if you can afford to lose the $100 or so for the dress if it doesn't come out right (her stuff on eBay is often sold "no returns").

Alianna,

I have heard of this woman in Hong Kong and am trying desperately to find her website. Isn't it Rainbow Shiu or something? I just don't know what the exact website is. If you have that can you please provide me with such.

Thanks much,
Dancing in Jersey