Here's another thing for the discussion.
Personally I see the "superficial" side of ballroom as extremely important to it's survival and growth as a sport.
I think if someone shows up to a ballroom event and sees youthful, handsome (or beautiful) and athletic dancers, they'll probably come back. This goes for any activity. If you see people you'd like to be more like, the natural assumption is "if I dance, I can look/be like that too". On the other hand, if you walk into a place (celebrating a performance art, no less) and immediately get asked to dance by 3 guys who haven't seen a barber/gym/mall in 4 monthes, you're gonna leave.. I've seen it happen more times than I can count. My college's team lost a lot of new recruits that way.
So I take dancers appearence fairly seriously.
On the other hand, I believe the 90's have replaced the idea of what you wear with how you wear it.
Someone in a solid t-shirt and jeans that takes care of themselves (hair, complexion, ect) can look a heck of a lot more presentable than that wierd guy in the shirt and tie.
Of course, a place like the Ohio Star Ball, or other more or less formal events require appropriate dress.

Well, it takes all kinds to make a world. Different places have differing levels of formality -- the east is more formal than the west, I have found. Different professions have different levels of formality -- the bookkeepers and secretaries here dress better than the technical people. Kind of sad, since they can less afford it.

At any rate, don't mistake formal dress for a sign of respect. There is a wide spectrum of dress at the opera. But plenty of the better dressed crowd gab and snore through the music; many go just to be seen and leave at the first intermission to go party; and a shocking number leave while the last notes are still being sung, to avoid the post-opera traffic-jam. Not exactly respectful of the performers.

If you're going to nit-pick about dress, you should also address those who wear too much perfume, or those who reek of tobacco smoke (or stand around doorways smoking), or who are generally unwashed (we have lots of foreign visitors, etc etc etc. But it seems more constructive to simply ask for a bit of tolerance, if you want the sport to have broad appeal.

Peggy,

The issue of dancesport dress code is a difficult one. With the latin dances they've just about given up a dance code... and it looks awful!

I must say I am 29, and also in the computer business, but I think as a society we are in desperate need of pageantry. I've got a Master's degree and just wish I had more opportunities to wear my Master's robe and hood and appear to be a true scholar! But to work, I wear a nice shirt, casual slacks, black or brown shoes, and belt. I rarely wear a tie, although I think the fact that ties are less prevalent is sad... there is no other distinctively male piece of fine fashion anymore!

The fluffy dresses are ridiculous and wish the ladies wore pants if for no other reason than it would be easier to see both their and their partner's footwork. People should dress nicely when in public. (You yourself must admit how much more attractive a man is if he is dressed nicely rather than average!) But I agree that times change and fashions change. The 1950's were a curse upon the USA and trying to affect a dress code from that era isn't really where we want to be in the year 2000.

I am sure the situation is different in Europe where young people don't equate dressing nicely in tail suits and ball gowns with snobbishness. Americans on the other hand have always been relative slobs when it comes to clothing, mostly because of our own "rough and ready no-nonsense" culture -- Even the illustrious Ben Franklin wasn't one for dressing up fancy.

Dave

Well, if you are trying to attract more young people to ballroom dancing, you're not going to do it by setting a 19th century dress code. Oh sorry, just 1950s. This attitude smacks of "And keep those young ladies out of pants too!"

Frankly, I go to my lessons straight from work, where I am very well paid to sit in front of a computer all day. Wearing jeans and t-shirts has nothing to do with not respecting oneself, it has to do with being comfortable while one is being paid to be smart, not fashionable. Substance is what's important. In the case of dancing, it should be good technique that counts -- certainly if it ever expects to be recognized as a sport, rather than a leisure activity of the well-to-do. Dancesport will never get respected as long as it remains superficial and snobbish.

You are right, Len. I went Friday night wearing a toned down formal wear(?). From what I've observed, I don't think one would be totally out of place even if they wear a formal attire on Friday night (semi-finals). I agree with your suggestion about dress code when they attend the OSB or competitions of the same level. Of course, enforcing it is another story.

Jonathan- The most elegant evening at OSB is on Saturday pm. Black Tie/Formal wear is expected. Fiiday pm, would be (was) the dress code that you had described. While we are on the subject of dress codes at comps, I feel that tee-shirts, jeans, and sneakers should not be allowed in any comp at any time-except when part of a routine. One, in my opinion, who dresses in jeans, tee-shirts, and sneakers at a comp has no respect for themselves, their instructor, partner, studio, or organizer of the comp. Don't forget that a comp is a high-class affair (we spend enough to be there, whether we are competing or spectating) and not an outdoor sporting event (baseball, football, etc.)- so please dress neatly (nice shirt, tie, and/or jacket for men, and nice blouse, slacks, and or skirt/dress for the ladies). Hopefully, these same people don't dress the same way when taking a lesson, or at a social event. Please have respect for yourself and others.

Rice,

Friday is the most formal of all nights, but it's not black tie. Elegant evening wear such as a suit for a man or full-length dress for lady is probably most appropriate. Although you could probably get away with just a vest (man) or cocktail dress (lady) without feeling too out-of-place. Just remember that you might end up on TV!

I hope this helps.

Sincerely,
Jonathan Atkinson