Dress for Success: Ballroom Dance Costumes. Dance studio Boston

Italian model and actress, Elisabetta Canalis, may not have won the fan votes to keep her spot as a competitor on Dancing with the Stars this season, but she was absolutely stunning as she performed her quickstep routine in her glamorously flowing, full-length, ice blue satin ball gown. Ballroom Dance Costumes

The sexy, form-fitting bodice studded with sparkling Swarovski rhinestones was a perfect foil for her dark, dramatic beauty and the gracefully flowing scarves drifting romantically from her bare arms enhanced her sophisticated elegance. Ballroom Dance Costumes

Spectacular costumes play a large part in presentation in the world of competitive ballroom dancing, as appearance is important to the judging process and greatly affects the scores. It is important to stand out on the dance floor, and a great costume can draw attention to your technique as it enhances your performance. Designers present dancers with an innumerable variety of styles, drawing from a wide range of fabrics and decorations to create dresses to specifically suit a particular dance's mood, style and pace. Ballroom Dance Costumes

Different from party and evening dresses that are usually made of non-stretch fabric not suited for dancing, ballroom competition costumes are specifically designed to show off the movements and positions of the dance to the best advantage. For instance, long, full skirts accentuate the gliding movements of the lady for smooth and standard dances, while fringed or ripped short skirts show off the hip-work and fast movements in Latin dance. The costume not only enhances the movements of the dancers, but as in any theatrical performance costumes also assist in expressing the story behind the music. Ballroom Dance Costumes

Even the colors of the ballroom dancers' costumes speak volumes for the particular style of a dance. A dance of love such as the rumba or tango is complimented by warm color tones, while a fun and hip swing dance is better shown in cool colors. Red and black are expressive during a passionate paso doble, but a jive really pops in a hot pink dress. While you always want to avoid dull colors, you should still be sure to choose colors that suit your complexion and compliment your figure. Pink can add the appearance of extra pounds, and while black is always elegant and sexy it needs accessories or sparkling stones to stand out. Ballroom Dance Costumes

A ballroom dance costume can't just look good on you, but has to keep looking great while you are actually dancing. The outfit shouldn't impede your movements during the dance, and should emphasize your technique and figure. The right costume design can even give you the appearance of a much better dancer by helping to conceal certain technique flaws. A slouched spine can be disguised by chiffon scarves attached to the neck or shoulders that float dreamy "wings" behind you. A weak frame can be concealed with wide sleeves and layers of flimsy, drifting fabric. Spinning actions can be accentuated with fringed or flounced skirts, and an A-shaped skirt creates a waving impression around the hips and knees that enhance weak hip movement. Ballroom Dance Costumes

With such a wide range of costume accessories and enhancements available, dancers can truly outfit themselves in a way that brings spectacular style and flare to their performance. Adding fringes to a costume is very popular, as it emphasizes movements and can be attached in several different ways to suit any body type. Bring extra splash with beaded bugle fringe or sequined fringe. Drapes and floats lend elegance and a touch of class to ballgowns, and require soft stretch materials such as mesh, angelskin, or thin, stretchy satin to hug the body in a natural manner. Patterns such as animal prints and abstract designs look hot and daring, while fur and feather trimming looks chic and sassy. And shine, sparkle and dazzle with penny sequins and hand-sewn crystal and rhinestones. Another neat feature available in ballroom costumes is the convert-a-dress, for when a performer has many routines with very little time to change, or a medley routine that calls for smooth dress unraveling. Easily detachable, flaring skirts, floating scarves and flirty ruffles accessorize a sleek, form-fitting body suit dress. Ballroom Dance Costumes

While some ballroom gowns can be fairly simple, many are spectacularly embellished. Stoning is part of the expense incurred in creating these breathtakingly glamorous ballroom dance costumes, requiring intensive labor by a talented seamstress. Some of the most well-known name brand ballroom dance gowns can cost in the neighborhood of $3000, but gorgeous gowns can also be purchased from websites such as Amazon for as little as $200. A ballroom dress seamstress will custom fit your figure and give professional advice on what style will best suit you, but pre-owned gowns and designer-sponsored dresses are often available at discounted prices. Your dance teacher will usually know good tailors or ballroom dance shops in your area, as well as the dress code for competition.