- Freddie Brock
New NDCA Rules for Dress – 2018
The Fordney Foundation wants you to enter as many competitions as you can and take pride in your dancing. It is very important to rack up good solid points and be aware of meeting regulated dress guidelines for your future success. This is also a note to parents or coaches of Pre-teen and Junior couples. We want you to be updated and aware there has been an adjustment made to the costuming guidelines for these age categories. If you have any questions, you can find an updated NDCA rulebook on the NDCA website. NDCA.org.
JANUARY 2018 NDCA RULES FOR AMATEUR COMPETITORS:DRESS AND/OR COSTUMING – PRE-TEENS
1 Pre-Teen
1 a. Boys
2 (1) Trousers
3 (a) Black or dark blue color only
4 (b) High waist optional
5 (c) Underfoot strap optional
6 (d) Satin stripes are allowed.
7 (2) Shirts
8 (a) Plain white or black long sleeved collared shirt only (no wing collars)
9 (b) No pleats or ribbing
10 (c) Sleeves to be worn at wrist length
11 (3) Black or dark blue vests are allowed, but sweaters and jackets are not allowed.
12 (4) Tie – Black color only, may be either straight or bow
13 (5) Socks – Black or dark blue color only
14 (6) Shoes- Heel height not to exceed 1.5 inches (must be black)
15 (7) Materials – Fabrics must be plain, ie: cotton, polyester, cotton/polyester blend, wool blend
16 (a) No satin or shiny fabrics
17 (b) No rhinestones, glitter, metallic thread, patterns or sequins allowed
18 (c) Decorations – not allowed
19 (8) Makeup – Not allowed
20 (9) Hairstyle – Long hair must be worn in a pony tail
21 b. Girls
22 (1) Skirt with top or simple dress with attached under garment or leotard top with full skirt
23 (2) Skirts
24 (a) Plain or pleated with minimum 1 to maximum 3 half circles. Only three panels total may
25 be used in the construction of the skirt, regardless of how many half circles. One plain
26 simple underskirt allowed which is no larger or longer than top layer, and is the same or
27 similar color as the outer skirt
28 (b) No godets or extra panels may be inserted into the skirt.
29 (c) No uneven hem lines, frills, splits, openings, lace, or sequins. Horsehair/Crinoline may
30 be used as part of the construction but not as a trim.
31 (d) Length of skirt must not be shorter than 3 inches above the knee cap and no longer than 3
32 inches below the knee cap
33 (e) At least one of the layers of the skirt must be solid (not sheer).
34 (3) Bodice
35 (a) Necklines: Boat, high neck, v-neck, sweetheart, ‘peter pan’ collar, and regular collar are
36 allowed. Edging or trim of any kind, including ribbon, satin, lace, sequins, etc, is not
37 allowed on the neckline
38 (b) Belting, as well as gathering or shirring is permissible from the waist down for a
39 maximum of two inches, provided it is part of the dress itself and not an accessory
40 (c) Edging or trim on the bodice is not allowed
41 (d) No backless bodices allowed.
42 (4) Sleeves
43 (a) Long, short, elbow length, cap, puff. or sleeveless styles are allowed
44 (b) Cannot be replaced by trimmings, frills, or edging on the shoulder line
45 (c) No “finger loops” allowed
46 (5) Materials
47 (a) Fabrics MUST be only one color throughout, and the color must be continuously the
48 same.
49 (b) No rhinestones, glitter, metallic thread, pearls, patterns, sequins, or similar materials
50 allowed.
51 (c) No use of feathers, fringes, bows, belts, frills or sequins
52 (d) No flesh color fabric
(e) Any use of color coordinated ‘see through’ fabric must be lined from waist to shoulder;
2 for use on arms no lining is needed
3 (f) Lace and/or burnout (also called Devoré), or similar fabric, is not allowed. Lycra,
4 spandex, polyester, plain velvet, satin or jersey is encouraged.
5 (6) Shoes and Socks
6 (a) Shoes – Heel height not to exceed 1.5 inches, and must be block heel style if a dance
7 shoe. If the shoe comes with rhinestones on the buckle then they are allowed. If the shoe
8 comes with glitter on the shoe then it is allowed.
9 (b) Socks: White ankle socks (may have a small amount of lace), flesh colored pantyhose, or
10 light pink or white tights must be worn.
11 (c) No Fishnet Tights
12 (7) Accessories, jewelry, and makeup
13 (a) No use of arm bands, chokers or headbands
14 (b) No decoration is allowed on dress or in hair
15 (c) No jewelry is allowed, other than one small earring in each ear
16 (d) No makeup allowed
17 (e) Use of fake eyelashes, fake fingernails, colored or glitter hair spray is forbidden
18 c. For pre-teen one-dance or two-dance events, competition organizers may require that the
19 shirts/tops be white and the trousers/skirts be black.
DRESS AND/OR COSTUMING – JUNIOR, YOUTH & ADULT
22 1. Definition of “Syllabus Dress”.
23 a. Gentlemen. Ballroom and Smooth Divisions: Dress pants, plain shirt and tie, and optional
24 cummerbund or vest or black sweater or tuxedo. No tail suits. Latin and Rhythm Divisions:
25 Dress pants, plain or ruffled shirt, optional tie and or vest.
26 b. Ladies. Ballroom and Smooth Divisions: Cocktail dress without excessive adornment. No ball
27 gowns. Latin and Rhythm Divisions: Leotards and wrap skirts or party/cocktail dresses without
28 excessive adornment.
29 2. Definition of “Open Amateur Dress”.
30 a. Gentlemen. Ballroom and Smooth Divisions: Tailsuits. Latin and Rhythm Divisions: Latin
31 costumes.
32 b. Ladies. Ballroom and Smooth Divisions: Ball gowns. Latin and Rhythm Divisions: Latin
33 costumes.
34 3. For “Syllabus” competitions competitors must wear “Syllabus” Dress.
35 4. For “Novice” competitions competitors may wear either “Syllabus” or “Open Amateur” dress. The
36 competition organizer may stipulate one or the other for this category.
37 5. For “Pre-Championship” and “Open Amateur” competitions competitors should wear
38 “Championship” costumes.
39 6. Competition organizers may establish alternative dress and/or costume guidelines if they desire for
40 Juniors, Youths or Adults.
Thought Of The Week:
Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them – Bruce Lee
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