Overview of the Dress Code for Juvenile Competitors
By Elaine Davis

I have been asked to write this article as a general easy to understand overview of the dress code and restrictions for Juvenile competitors taking part in open competitions run under British Dance Council rules. This is intended as a guide only and the full code can be obtained from the BDC if required.

We will start with the boys (as they are simpler) and unless otherwise stated the code applies for Ballroom, Latin and Sequence: In one or two cases where perhaps a rule is unwritten or unclear I have used my own interpretation as to what I believe would normally be acceptable or otherwise.

Boys Girls Dress styles Sleeves Skirts Shoes Hair & makeup Accessories Beginners

BOYS
Trousers - Plain Black Trousers with either a normal waistline or a high waistband and made from a suiting type fabric or similar. Underfoot straps are acceptable. A narrow black belt can be worn for latin. No decoration is permitted.
Shirts – Plain White Shirt with a normal collar and no pleats or ribbing. Wing collars and extra full sleeves are not permitted. Fabric must be plain. No satin or shiny fabrics are allowed and again no decoration in any shape or form.

Ties
A Plain Black Tie should be worn for ballroom and sequence and a Plain Black Bow Tie for latin.

Sponsorship Logos
These are permitted up to a maximum of 40 square centimetres

Shoes
Plain Black Shoes, leather or patent. Small Cuban heels are often worn for latin.

Onto the girls, which I am afraid are slightly more long winded!
(typical! - webmaster)

GIRLS

Dresses
A simple dress of one colour only or a leotard or plain blouse and full wrap over or circular skirt both of the same colour. Pleated skirts are permitted. Skirts must be above the knee with the exception of Sequence dresses where they may be one inch below the knee. Skirts should have a maximum of three layers and the top layer can be wired with fishing line wire but rigilene or hem stiffeners are not allowed. Although I cannot find any guidance in the rules I believe that finishing the dress hem with bias binding or ribbon is acceptable as long as this is the same colour as the dress. A frill on the bottom of the dress is permitted up to a maximum of three inches in depth. No Sequin, Diamante or other similar decoration is allowed.

Dress Fabrics
Must be of one colour throughout the dress and metallic threads or fabrics with lurex or glitter patterns are not permitted. Stretch lace fabric is allowed as is colour co-ordinated mesh or power net. However any see through materials used on the bodice must be fully lined from the waist to the shoulder line. See through fabrics are permitted to be used unlined on sleeves only. Body stocking or similar see through material inserts are not allowed nor are straps.

There must be no decoration in any form such as sequins, lace diamantes, rhinestones, beads, fluorescent paints, feathers, fringe, bows, buttons, braids or similar trimmings. Small bows may be used as a fastening for a belt or sash and buttons may also be used for fastening purposes only.

Dress Styles

Permitted Front Necklines:

• Round
• Boat
• High
• V Neck
• Sweetheart
• Simple Collar
• Square Neck
• Peter Pan Collar
• Frill up to a maximum of 3inch depth

None of the above necklines should be “low cut”
Permitted Back Necklines:

• Round
• Boat
• V Neck
• Square Neck
• Small Keyhole cut no lower than armholes

I am unable to find any real guidance as to how low the cut can be on the back neckline but would suggest that no lower than the armholes would be acceptable.

Unapproved Necklines:

• Off the shoulder on one or both arms
• Any shoulderless dress with straps
• Any backless dress
• Low cut back either round or V
• Cut outs other than a small keyhole as mentioned above

Permitted Sleeves:

• Long either loose or fitted
• Short
• Elbow Length
• Sleeveless
• Short Puff Sleeve
• Cap Sleeve

Unapproved Sleeves:

• Dolman
• Tiered
• Slashed
• Frills on Shoulders
• Frilled or Layered
• Frilled Cuffs
• One Sleeve
• Belled

Permitted Skirts:

• Full circle
• Full wrap around
• A line with full hemline

back to top

Unapproved Skirts:

• Fringed
• Fringe Trim
• Feathers or Feather Trimming
• Tiered Frills
• Godets or Fabric Inserts
• No splits at Front, Back or Sides
• Slashed Thighs at Front or Back
• Skirt made from Strips
• Frills longer than three inches on hemline

Shoes
Block Heeled Shoes only with a maximum heel height of 3.5 cm. As far as I am aware there are no restriction as to colour and gold, silver, white, flesh shoes can be worn. Strictly no high heels. White ankle socks are normally worn.

Hair & Make Up
Parents are asked to be sensible in regard to hair styles and the amount of make up worn by juvenile girls. A small hair decoration such as a flower in the same colour as the dress is normally acceptable.

Accessories
Armbands, Wristbands, Chokers or Headbands worn around the forehead are not allowed.

Sponsorship Logos
These are permitted up to a maximum of 40 square centimetres


DAY WEAR/LOUNGE DRESS FOR BEGINNERS COMPETITIONS
I am often asked about the rules concerning the dress code for beginners competitions, particularly junior as well as other competitions where day wear/lounge dress is required. As far as I am aware there are not actually any formal guidelines available as to what is or is not permitted. I believe the philosophy is that a plain simple dress or skirt and blouse of the type which are available in the High Street should suffice. Most practice wear is also suitable for example a leotard/body and a skirt. However I would not recommend wearing anything with decoration in the form of diamantes or sequins (even if purchased in a High Street store). Some years ago I discussed this issue at length with a Professional who advised that to be absolutely certain of being suitably dressed for beginners competitions, the most sensible course of action is to follow the same guidelines as laid down for the juveniles.

With thanks to Elaine Davis for writing the article, and DSI for the photos.