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..