Why do ballroom dancers all look so cheesy?
November 4, 2007 1:59 PM Subscribe
Why is professional ballroom dancing so cheesy?
The bad hair styles, the bad gowns, the bad tuxes-- everything about it is so cheesy. I mean, it's not like these people are all midwestern hayseeds. People from all over the world compete in these things-- yet they all have that same cheesy look about them.
Does anyone know the origins of this strange fashion?
Why don't they update their look (or get a clue, etc..)?
The bad hair styles, the bad gowns, the bad tuxes-- everything about it is so cheesy. I mean, it's not like these people are all midwestern hayseeds. People from all over the world compete in these things-- yet they all have that same cheesy look about them.
Does anyone know the origins of this strange fashion?
Why don't they update their look (or get a clue, etc..)?
Subcultures often develop fashions of their own that are distinct from mainstream norms. Why does it happen? I'm not sure that's really answerable. Fashions are weird, and what looks cheesy to some might be the height of sophistication to others.
posted by contraption at 2:31 PM on November 4, 2007
posted by contraption at 2:31 PM on November 4, 2007
I think edgeways is reaching to say it is not as prevalent as you suggest, or it is a product of your own loaded judgment.
I agree that many ballroom dancers look cheesy. I suspect it is because many ballroom dance judges favour that look as a tradition and because they are older and potentially more conservative.
It has just become the norm, their uniform perhaps, and divorced from fashions.
posted by bystander at 2:32 PM on November 4, 2007
I agree that many ballroom dancers look cheesy. I suspect it is because many ballroom dance judges favour that look as a tradition and because they are older and potentially more conservative.
It has just become the norm, their uniform perhaps, and divorced from fashions.
posted by bystander at 2:32 PM on November 4, 2007
It is probably partly tradition, partly to emphasize the "entertainment" aspect of ballroom dancing. Think about cheerleading or figure skating. Athletically, these are serious and demanding sports--I would hate to get into an figure skater's way when they are careening around a rink at 20mph about to go into some crazy spin, and an improperly exercised cheerleading stunt risks real injury. But the athletic demands of these sports are minimized in favor of upping the entertainment value with crazy makeup and flashy, sequined costumes. Maybe it's because these things are meant to be performances, not necessarily just sports, so the looks are extra-exaggerated to heighten the effect?
posted by Anonymous at 2:35 PM on November 4, 2007
posted by Anonymous at 2:35 PM on November 4, 2007
Performance ballroom dancing is a theatrical tradition, which means, like the actors in a play, they have to make sure their looks and movements register with the audience in the back of the house as well as the front. When you go see a stage play, if you sit in the front row you can see everyone's makeup and their acting may seem over the top. From the middle or rear of the house, it may all look incredibly realistic.
Ditto with cheerleading and figure skating, whose competitions usually take place in big arenas. It's about being as visible as possible from as far away as possible.
posted by hermitosis at 2:46 PM on November 4, 2007 [2 favorites]
Ditto with cheerleading and figure skating, whose competitions usually take place in big arenas. It's about being as visible as possible from as far away as possible.
posted by hermitosis at 2:46 PM on November 4, 2007 [2 favorites]
Why does it happen? I'm not sure that's really answerable.I think there are definitely practical reasons. For instance, the way the first rounds of ballroom dancing competitions work is that a bunch of couples all take the stage simultaneously, and the judges watch and judge all of them at the same time. You really don't want to fade into the woodwork in that kind of competition. The more glitter and skin you show, the more you'll stick out. There's also the lighting issue: the people the dancers need to impress are the judges, and the costumes may look less-ridiculous when you're watching in person from the sidelines than they do on T.V. The judges don't have a close-up lens. But I also think that communities just tend to develop norms, and if you dress outside the norm, it might look like you're rejecting the community. In a somewhat subjective sport with judging, that could send a subtle signal of disrespect to the judges. You're probably safer not doing that. It's the same reason that Irish dancers look ridiculous. Many Irish dancers would like to do away with the Shirley Temple ringlets and the drum majorette dresses, but they can't, because the judges would punish them. Actually, I think the Irish dancing federation passed a rule outlawing a less-ridiculous dress style that was gaining popularity.
posted by craichead at 3:01 PM on November 4, 2007
Ballroom dancing wasn't originally a profession, like medicine or the law; it was an upper-class recreation. The process of imposing professionalism upon it for the purpose of mass entertainment is inherently non-U. Maybe that's what you're sensing when you say it's "cheesy?"
posted by ikkyu2 at 3:03 PM on November 4, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by ikkyu2 at 3:03 PM on November 4, 2007 [1 favorite]
Some people who get into ballroom dancing (like my brother) go for the aspect of "getting it right" as opposed to being inventive or any ineffable nuance that might pertain to creative dancing. They want to learn it, perfect it, and be acknowledged for that. Perhaps they are likewise going to preserve the traditional established fashion practices.
posted by StickyCarpet at 3:30 PM on November 4, 2007
posted by StickyCarpet at 3:30 PM on November 4, 2007
When I was in collegiate Forensics competitions there was a definite "look" the serious competitors had. Everyone looked alike and they all dressed similar. You kind of assimilated the look in order to fit in. Maybe ballroom dancing is similar...you just adopt the look to break into it.
posted by christinetheslp at 3:31 PM on November 4, 2007
posted by christinetheslp at 3:31 PM on November 4, 2007
Men could not do perform many of the competition moves while wearing a standard tux; it would be too restricting.
Women could not perform almost any of the competition moves in a regular evening gown; it would be too restricting (and would probably fall off).
In addition to wanting clothes that will allow the dancers to move, the dancers (especially the women) are going to want clothes that move well themselves.
So you're starting from a place in which you need to have clothes specially made for the sport, clothes that allow for movement and are cut in such a way that they move in graceful, interesting ways during the dance. Which... pretty much describes most of the clothes that professional dancers wear.
As for hair, it's basically the same requirements, especially for women's hair. It can't be styled in such a way that it's going to hit your partner when you spin, you don't want it to get in your face, and -- as others have said -- you want it to look good from a distance and under hot lights.
posted by occhiblu at 4:14 PM on November 4, 2007
Women could not perform almost any of the competition moves in a regular evening gown; it would be too restricting (and would probably fall off).
In addition to wanting clothes that will allow the dancers to move, the dancers (especially the women) are going to want clothes that move well themselves.
So you're starting from a place in which you need to have clothes specially made for the sport, clothes that allow for movement and are cut in such a way that they move in graceful, interesting ways during the dance. Which... pretty much describes most of the clothes that professional dancers wear.
As for hair, it's basically the same requirements, especially for women's hair. It can't be styled in such a way that it's going to hit your partner when you spin, you don't want it to get in your face, and -- as others have said -- you want it to look good from a distance and under hot lights.
posted by occhiblu at 4:14 PM on November 4, 2007
I can only speak to this from my experience with swing dancing. Why do certain dance cultures develop? It has been my experience that when beginning dancers join a social dance scene, they often imitate the dress and style of the more advanced dancers. If you're not sure what the hell you're doing--you might as well at least look like you fit in. So, it is very possible that the current style developed from just a few influential dancers. Dancers often travel for competitions, which then spreads styles from region to region.
As a midwestern girl, I think that throwing out pejoratives like "midwestern hayseed" distracts from your question. I agree with edgeways that no part of the country has a monopoly on provincialism.
posted by moreandmoreso at 4:51 PM on November 4, 2007
As a midwestern girl, I think that throwing out pejoratives like "midwestern hayseed" distracts from your question. I agree with edgeways that no part of the country has a monopoly on provincialism.
posted by moreandmoreso at 4:51 PM on November 4, 2007
It's purpose built clothing for an athletic activity. I mean, have you seen what runners wear? Or ballerinas? Or hip hop dancers?
Any sort of performance activity, which involves a great deal of body movement will have funny clothing. Combine this with a theatrical art - like figure skating, ballet, or really, any form of dance - and tradition, then you've got a recipe for clothing, that in any other context, looks really rather silly. As for the makeup - standard theatrical makeup, really, except rather more sweatproof. Especially as in this particular art form, facial expression is judged along with bodily expressiveness and grace.
Hair has to be tied down in place. Thoroughly. Otherwise it'll come out midway through a dance, and that's a really bad look. Loose hair will hit your partner, or at best, be dishevelled by the end of the dance, which, since it's supposed to be the essense of poise and elegance (and occasionally, sensuality), is really not going to work.
However, if you look over the history of competitive ballroom dancing in say, the last 50 years, you'll see that the costumes have changed with the times - new fabrics and methods of construction have certainly been introduced. Fashions in the dancing world don't change year to year, but they certainly change over the decades.
posted by ysabet at 5:28 PM on November 4, 2007
Any sort of performance activity, which involves a great deal of body movement will have funny clothing. Combine this with a theatrical art - like figure skating, ballet, or really, any form of dance - and tradition, then you've got a recipe for clothing, that in any other context, looks really rather silly. As for the makeup - standard theatrical makeup, really, except rather more sweatproof. Especially as in this particular art form, facial expression is judged along with bodily expressiveness and grace.
Hair has to be tied down in place. Thoroughly. Otherwise it'll come out midway through a dance, and that's a really bad look. Loose hair will hit your partner, or at best, be dishevelled by the end of the dance, which, since it's supposed to be the essense of poise and elegance (and occasionally, sensuality), is really not going to work.
However, if you look over the history of competitive ballroom dancing in say, the last 50 years, you'll see that the costumes have changed with the times - new fabrics and methods of construction have certainly been introduced. Fashions in the dancing world don't change year to year, but they certainly change over the decades.
posted by ysabet at 5:28 PM on November 4, 2007
I think StickyCarpet really has it. It's about adhering to established guidelines (whether stated or unstated) and perfecting them, just like they do within the dancing. I asked my cousin, who is a semi pro competition ballroom dancer, this very question, because I find the look of ballroom dancers (the fashions, the makeup) to be absolutely absurd and drag queen-y. She was, not surprising, insulted, and said something about how it's about creating drama. But I do think it's more about staying within what's acceptable in that world, and being just the tiniest bit flashier, to try to stand out. With everyone trying to outflash everyone else, what you've got is drag queen heaven!
posted by FlyByDay at 5:52 PM on November 4, 2007
posted by FlyByDay at 5:52 PM on November 4, 2007
I used to figure skate when I was younger, and it took a lot of my coaches' time to convince me to go along with the "cheesy" costumes.
StickyCarpet and FlyByDay have it. You're trying to evoke a lot of emotions with very little: the outfit, and a few minutes of movement and music. A lot of these performers develop narratives to their dances, which the outfits conform to. I agree that for someone who is looking at it with fresh eyes, it is completely absurd. But a lot of the movements themselves are absurd by most standards. Just as you may not recognize the importance and difficulty of each move until you become more familiar, you equally won't understand the importance of the costumes.
The costumes will stay cheesy as long as the judges grade artistry and expression.
posted by FuManchu at 6:09 PM on November 4, 2007
StickyCarpet and FlyByDay have it. You're trying to evoke a lot of emotions with very little: the outfit, and a few minutes of movement and music. A lot of these performers develop narratives to their dances, which the outfits conform to. I agree that for someone who is looking at it with fresh eyes, it is completely absurd. But a lot of the movements themselves are absurd by most standards. Just as you may not recognize the importance and difficulty of each move until you become more familiar, you equally won't understand the importance of the costumes.
The costumes will stay cheesy as long as the judges grade artistry and expression.
posted by FuManchu at 6:09 PM on November 4, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
1) not all ballroom dancers exhibit these traits (just image search ballroom dancing)
2) Even if they did, it may well be a matter of what that particular subgroup thinks is stylish, might as well retrofit your question to include any particular group that relies on a particular costume, personally I think suits and ties are ridiculous for day to day activity, but it serves a purpose for those that do wear them.
3) I've known people small to medium cities in the midwest who where much less provincial then coastal large cities denizens.
posted by edgeways at 2:25 PM on November 4, 2007