[Squaredancing] NSDC Dress Code

[Dee.Hall at EmersonClimate.com]

Nasser, You rock!  My husband and I are new dancers (just finishing up
classes), early 40's in age, and attended the Charlotte convention.
Here's my two cents worth on attire, and please understand I am only
trying to contribute to the advancement of this wonderful activity, not
trying to tick anyone off. Like many my age, I was apprehensive at first
about learning MWSD because of the dress code. I was immediately
relieved when I saw the younger people in my local club were wearing
prarie skirts. Great. Matter of fact, it seemed like the younger the
dancer, the longer the hemline. Cool. So I vowed I would NEVER wear one
of those silly little short skirts, in colors unknown to nature.

Fast forward to the National Convention in Charlotte. We arrived on
Friday and I was immediately caught up in the colors, glitz and
pageantry. Everywhere dresses were whirling, people were smiling. By the
end of the day, I was the proud owner of two froo froo dresses, complete
with petticoats! Hey, when in Rome, you know?  My husband is still
laughing his you-know-what off.

But here's my point. It's taken me several months to warm up to the
idea, and no one had to ORDER me to do it!!  My hobby, my fun, my
choice.  My generation is one that does as  it pleases, or we're gone.
My peers at the dance class want nothing to do with poufy dresses,
that's fine. Let's dance.

I know this is long, but one more thing... We observed a couple of much
younger squares (college age kids) in the mainstream hall on Friday
night.  They were square dancing, alright, but they were cookin'!! The
girls wore full skirts below the knee, with tank tops, boots. The look
was very fresh, hip, and rockabilly. There were flourishes galore,
kicks, hops, twirls, you name it.  It was a blast watching them, and
they were obviously having a blast dancing.

I know folks, that those kids are much younger than the majority of
dancers today.  But I believe I caught a glimpse of the future of square
dancing, IF square dancing survives.  Like it or not, I believe the
future look of square dancing as it relates to attire will have more
flexibility and originality, less polyester (hey, our generation doesn't
mind a few wrinkles, folks, let's lose the polyester of the 70's already
and get into some more breathable fibers), some cowboy boots mixed in
for good measure (and I'm talking about the gals), and a little
rockabilly edge.

And let's give everyone a choice and a chance to be individual. Embrace
change, or kiss this great American pasttime goodbye. 

Dee "I'll still wear whatever I want to" Hall
Charlotte, NC

P.S. Square dancers are the greatest :-)


-----Original Message-----
From: squaredancing-bounces at rbnsn.com
[mailto:squaredancing-bounces at rbnsn.com] On Behalf Of NShukayr at aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 2:09 AM
To: squaredancing at rbnsn.com
Subject: Re: [Squaredancing] NSDC Dress Code

jmaczko at san.rr.com writes:

> There seems to be more support for the "Traditional Attire" than some 
> of dancers are willing to recognize.
 
Are you serious?  The Callerlab market research (especially the focus
group
study) clearly shows that people are turned off by the attire.  This  is
a crystal clear, proven fact.
 
But let's assume the market research is wrong.  Let's assume (for a
moment) that vast hordes of people are clamoring to wear square dance
attire.
 
I say:  LET 'EM.  I have absolutely no problem with people making  their
own choice about what to wear.  Each person chooses their own  clothing.
In today's modern age, do we really have the right to  demand other
people to wear a given style of clothes?
 
What if the National convention allowed people to choose their own
clothing? 
 You'd keep those who prefer full square dance attire, and you'd  also
gain those who cannot tolerate it.  Note that market research shows
more people hate the attire than like it.  So by allowing everyone the
freedom of choice, events can post tremendous gains.
 
What's the drawback?  We might (I said MIGHT) lose some of the people
who insist on dictating what others wear.  Well, this problem has a
solution.  What if the National convention had a hall (ONE hall) where
the  full dress code was strictly enforced?  That way, those who insist
on a  dress code can still have their way, while the vast majority (as
proven by the market research) can be free to enjoy themselves as well.
 
It's time for square dancing to move forward, instead of remaining stuck
in the past.
 
Nasser "let each person choose their own clothes" Shukayr
 



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