Ice dance, Artistic Roller dance, Country or Latin dance dress?

Is this lace and rhinestoned dress an ice dance, artistic roller dance, or a Latin dance dress?

Yes to all three options!  It also makes a great Two-Step or Country Cha dress since the skirt moves so well.

Let’s talk about which dress elements work for all styles of Latin, Country and Skate Dance, and which small items can be changed to better suit either Dancesport fashion or figure skating dresses.

The godet skirt that works for Latin and Country Dance plus Ice and Roller Skating Dresses!

Godet skirts are one of the two best ways to create beautiful skirt movement using almost any fabric.  (The other skirt style which produces a similar fluttering are flared skirts.)

Since godet skirts look equally great with either a symmetrical or asymmetrical hem, this skirt style is all-around awesome for a wide variety of dance and skate dresses.  Check out the Sew Like A Pro™ Pinterest godet board for more fun ideas like using accent color or floral fabrics for the godets.

The blue dress has a slit over the right leg which creates even more movement by allowing the two sides of the skirt to swing differently.  In my opinion, the only dress element anyone may want to change on this skirt is to add crinoline to the hem.

Why add crinoline to the hem?  Crinoline (also called “horsehair braid” in the USA) creates a gentle curl on the bottom that helps the skirt catch the wind and move more.  Also, crinoline has been trending in adult skate dance dresses as well as Country and Dancesport dresses for several years so why not use it on your dress?

The most unusual detail about this godet skirt is the faux “beaded fringe”.

I had never seen this clever trick before filming this dress.  I imagined it to be time-consuming to make, but it turns out to be very simple.  I created a blog post showing you how to make this rhinestoned fringe using ribbon and stones.

The imitation “beaded fringe” looks like it was made of very narrow ribbon rhinestoned solidly on both sides with size 16ss.  You can, of course, use any width and any color ribbon and rhinestones.  Each variation will create a unique look.

Rhinestone fringe is heavy and moves a lot, just like beaded fringe. However, because it’s really glued-on rhinestones instead of beads, it is safe to use for ice dance and roller dance dresses of all kinds!

What about for Country and Ballroom dancers? 

I’d use it in a heartbeat. Beaded fringe will inevitably break and scatter beads all over the dance floor …Talk about a performance hazard.  This clever rhinestoned ribbon lets you practice safe dancing and still have high impact details.

Texture and asymmetry are themes on this Latin & Skate Dance dress.

The body suit (commonly called a “leotard” in the USA and a “body” in Germany) of this dress is a beautiful flocked mesh which is slightly 3-D.  This is cool fabric I don’t get to see very often.  The rhinestone pattern on the mesh is short, horizontal lines of aquamarine that highlight the flowing pattern of the flocked mesh.

Asymmetrical lines of lace appliqués create bold focal points.

I’ve probably said this a hundred times in blogs and live events, but asymmetrical lines make a dress unique and help direct the viewer’s eye exactly to the part of the body you want them to see.  Used properly, asymmetrical design elements enhance a woman’s curves and draw attention away from areas she may not want people to look at such a round tummy or asymmetrical shoulders.

On our example dress, the diagonal necklace and long line of lace appliqués placed across the body forces the viewer’s eye to naturally flow along the entire dress.

This strategy is genius for drawing the viewer’s eye away from undesirable curves we want to hide.

For more design training, you can:

• purchase any of my Sew Like A Pro™ workshops, most of which are design focused
• scroll through my blogs
• attend one of my live events
• enroll in either the Ballroom Dressmaker School or the Latin & Skate Dance Dressmaker School
• P.S.  It is Sew Like A Pro™ 10th anniversary!  Every workshop, course and the university-caliber dressmaker schools are on sale. 
• Check out all the ways I can help you design, alter, or make the dance and skate dress of your dreams.

Wear your best competition dance and skate dress.  Perform better. Thanks to Amy, Harrison and Carlye at Overland Park Ballroom in Kansas for letting me film this and many other Dancesport dresses in your beautiful ballroom studio.