Costume Rules

DRESS AND/OR COSTUMING – PRE-TEENS

Pre-Teens must dress as listed below.

1. Pre-Teen.

a. Boys
(1) Trousers
(a) Black or dark blue color only
(b) High waist optional
(c) Underfoot strap optional
(d) Satin stripes are allowed

(2) Shirts
(a) Plain white or black long sleeved collared shirt only (no wing collars)
(b) No pleats or ribbing
(c) Sleeves to be worn at wrist length

(3) Black or dark blue vests are allowed, but sweaters and jackets are not allowed

(4) Tie must be worn – black color only, may be either straight or bow

(5) Socks – Black or dark blue color only

(6) Shoes- Heel height not to exceed 1.5 inches (must be black)

(7) Materials – Fabrics must be plain, ie: cotton, polyester, cotton/polyester blend, wool blend
(a) No shiny fabrics
(b) No rhinestones, glitter, metallic thread, patterns or sequins allowed
(c) Decorations – not allowed

(8) Makeup – Not allowed

(9) Hairstyle – Long hair must be worn in a pony tail


b. Girls
(1) Skirt with top or simple dress with attached under garment or leotard top with full skirt

(2) Skirts
(a) Plain or pleated with minimum 1 to maximum 3 half circles, including godets and/or extra panels. One plain simple underskirt allowed which is no larger or longer than top layer, and is the same or similar color as the outer skirt
(b) No uneven hem lines, frills, splits, openings, ruffles, or sequins
(c) Horsehair/Crinoline may be used only inside the hem of the skirt
(d) Ribbon on the skirt is acceptable, but no other trim is allowed
(e) Length of skirt must not be shorter than 3 inches above the knee cap and no longer than 3 inches below the knee cap
(f) At least one of the layers of the skirt must be solid (not sheer)

(3) Bodice
(a) Shoulderless bodices are not allowed
(b) Necklines: Boat, high neck, v-neck, sweetheart, ‘peter pan’ collar, and regular collar are allowed. Simple edging or trim, as well as a simple ruffle around the collar of not more than two inches, is allowed on the neckline
(c) Belting, as well as gathering or shirring is permissible from the waist down for a maximum of two inches, provided it is part of the dress itself and not an accessory
(d) Edging or trim on the bodice is not allowed
(e) No backless bodices allowed
(f) Piping is allowed provided it is no larger than 1/8 of an inch across
(g) Top stitching is allowed

(4) Sleeves
(a) Long, short, elbow length, cap, puff. or sleeveless styles are allowed
(b) Cannot be replaced by trimmings, frills, or edging on the shoulder line
(c) No “finger loops” allowed
(d) Piping is allowed provided it is no larger than 1/8 of an inch across
(e) Top stitching is allowed

(5) Materials
(a) Fabrics must be one constant color throughout
(b) No rhinestones, glitter, metallic thread, pearls, patterns, sequins, or similar materials allowed
(c) No use of feathers, fringes, bows, belts, frills or sequins
(d) No flesh color fabric
(e) Any use of mesh, lace, or any other ‘see through’ fabric must be lined from the waist to the top of the bust line, as well as a corresponding height in the back. When mesh, lace, or any “see-through” fabric is used on the arms no lining is needed
(f) Burnout (also called Devoré), or similar fabric, must be lined with a fabric of the same color. Lycra, spandex, polyester, plain velvet, satin or jersey is encouraged

(6) Shoes and Socks
(a) Shoes – Heel height not to exceed 1.5 inches, and must be block heel style if a dance shoe. If the shoe comes with rhinestones on the buckle then they are allowed. If the shoe comes with glitter on the shoe then it is allowed
(b) Socks: White ankle socks (may have a small amount of lace), flesh colored pantyhose, or light pink or white tights must be worn
(c) No Fishnet Tights

(7) Accessories, jewelry, and makeup
(a) No use of arm bands, chokers or headbands
(b) No decoration is allowed on dress or in hair
(c) No jewelry is allowed, other than one small earring in each ear
(d) No makeup allowed
(e) Use of fake eyelashes, fake fingernails, colored or glitter hair spray is forbidden

OPEN COSTUME SPECIFICATIONS FOR:

ADULT AMATEUR
YOUTH
JUNIOR I
JUNIOR II

Below are the costume specifications for all amateur costumed events. 

WOMEN
Shoulders
1. Each shoulder must use one of the following options
    a. cover the shoulder with fabric or decoration
    b. a minimum of one one-half inch strap over the shoulder
2. Flesh-tone fabrics require heavy use of rhinestones or similar decoration

Bodice
1. Bust must be fully covered with no plunging necklines
2. Front and sides of the bodice must be covered with a fabric or decoration that does not reveal the skin or create a similar effect
3. Open backs must taper “inward” from the back of the shoulder line to no lower than three inches above the waistline

Skirts
1. No shorter than mid-thigh
2. No transparent fabric above mid-thigh for the Latin and Rhythm styles
3. May be broken or slitted from the trunk line down, but must cover the legs when not in motion

Trunks/Legs
1. Regular cut dance trunks (no flesh tone fabric)
2. Fishnets must be worn for the Latin, Rhythm and Smooth divisions

MEN
Shirts
1. Front of shirts must be of a non-transparent fabric
2. Latin shirts may be open to bottom of the sternum

ATTIRE FOR SCHOOL SYLLABUS EVENTS – GIRLS

Girls entered in all School Syllabus events must dress as listed below.

1. A black skirt and a black top must be worn

2. Skirts
(a) Plain or pleated with minimum 1 to maximum 3 half circles. One plain simple underskirt allowed which is no larger or longer than top layer, and is the same or similar color as the outer skirt
(b) No uneven hem lines, use of boning, frills, splits, openings, fishing line, horsehair, or edging (including “lettuce edging”). Edging or trim of any kind, including ribbon, satin, lace, sequins, etc, is not allowed. A simple hem is required.
(c) Length of skirt must be at least knee length.

3. Bodice
(a) Necklines: Boat, high neck, v-neck, sweetheart, ‘peter pan’ collar, and regular collar are allowed. No lowcut necklines.  Edging or trim of any kind, including ribbon, satin, lace, sequins, etc, is not allowed on the neckline
(b) Gathering or shirring on the bodice is not allowed
(c) Edging or trim on the bodice is not allowed

4. Sleeves
(a) Long, short, elbow length, cap, puff. or sleeveless styles are allowed
(b) Cannot be replaced by trimmings, frills, or edging on the shoulder line
(c) No “finger loops” allowed

5. Materials
(a) No glitter, metallic thread, or fabric creating pattern effects’
(c) No use of feathers, fringes, bows, belts, frills or sequins
(d) Any use of color coordinated ‘see through’ fabric must be lined from waist to shoulder; for use on arms no lining is needed
(e) Lace (or similar fabric) is not allowed. Lycra, spandex, polyester, velvet, satin or jersey is encouraged.

6. Shoes and Socks
(a) Shoes – Elementary School girls must wear shoes with heels that are no higher than 1.5 inches, including if they dance up a level. Junior High School and High School girls are not restricted by any heel height.
(b) Socks: White ankle socks (may have a small amount of lace), flesh colored pantyhose, or fishnet tights.

7. Accessories, jewelry, and makeup
(a) No use of arm bands, chokers or headbands
(b) No decoration is allowed on dress or in hair
(c) No jewelry is allowed, other than one small earring in each ear (no dangling earrings allowed)
(d) Neutral or lightly shaded lipstick is allowed for Elementary School girls, as well as mascara and blush. Elementary School girls are not allowed to wear eye liner, eye shadow, false eyelashes, lip liner, and severe or extreme colors of lipstick (including, but not limited to, hot pink, red, black, brown, etc). Competition makeup is allowed for Junior High School and High School girls.

ATTIRE FOR SCHOOL SYLLABUS EVENTS – BOYS

Boys entered in all School Syllabus events must dress as listed below.

1. Trousers
(a) Must be black
(b) High waist optional
(c) Underfoot strap optional
(d) Satin stripes are allowed.

2. Shirts
(a) Plain white long sleeved collared shirt only (no wing collars)
(b) No pleats or ribbing
(c) Sleeves to be worn at wrist length

3. Sweaters and vests are not allowed.

4. Tie – Black color only, may be either straight or bow

5. Socks – Black only

6. Shoes- no restrictions

7. Materials – Fabrics must be plain, ie: cotton, polyester, cotton/polyester blend, wool blend
(a) No satin or shiny fabrics
(b) No rhinestones, glitter, metallic thread, patterns or sequins allowed
(c) Decorations – not allowed

8. Makeup – Not allowed

9. Hairstyle – Long hair must be worn in a pony tail