Dancing With the Stars-Season 8: Week 2 Costume Critique

Satin Stitches | Mar 23, 2009 | 2

Beautiful choice for Dancing With the Stars!

So is the reason that Edyta wears such extremely sexy dance costumes because it is her style? Or is it because the Dancing With the Stars costume designers create this style for her?

Does a dancer wear trashy costumes instead of classy costumes because of her taste, or the taste of their costume designer?

I have not heard much about how the costumes are designed on Dancing With the Stars, so I can only wonder. I know that when I work with my clients, it is a partnership. My client has a certain taste level and has certain likes and dislikes with her costumes. She also may know what silhouettes, design features or colors look best on her, or maybe just what she thinks looks best on her.

For Season 8-week 2, there were some winners, some losers and some yawners, in my opinion.

I have my own likes and dislikes for particular design features, colors and silhouettes. It is my job to marry my ideas and preferences with my clients ideas and preferences for a result that my client loves, their peers like and that I am proud of. Dance costumes must also dance and move well, in addition to looking good.

I know that when my clients ideas and desires clash with my sensibilities, it makes it more difficult to blend everything and make everyone happy.

So, my question remains. Who is responsible for the costume designs-the good ones, the so-so ones and the not-so-good ones? Especially the ones that did not work out so well? Were they caused by the melding of two completely different ideas and taste levels? Did the dancer or star win out, and get their way, to the detriment of the costume designers? Maybe the costume designer missed the mark?

Not so beautiful-choices for Belinda and Karina

Oh Tony, what were you thinking?

The winners included Cheryl with her beautiful green gown with beautiful back strapping. No elastic straps, all fabric and trim! Her partner was very debonair with this suit and matching green tie, with the surprise Superman logo revealed at the end of the routine. Yes, it fit the Clark Kent-Superman music theme!

Two more winning themed costume pairs were Denise Richards modest white tie-top and natural waistline, belted skirt with rhinestoned boy shorts. This was a stylish and classy look. Lacey, with her black and white funky short jacket-shirt-tie and short skirt ensemble was adorable. The costumey-cutesy jacket outfit was not elegant, but fit the routine. Steve-O matched nicely. Both couples outfits worked and were very attractive.

Julianne, in her orange and yellow fringed top and pant, fit her perky, youthful style and the outfit was a pleasing feast for the eyes. I was only disappointed in the lack of continuation of color across the back. But there was an interesting use of diagonal color blocking on the two-toned fringe. Her partner went safe with basic black, with the pop of orange and yellow in the lining of the jacket.

Lil Kim wore a yummy bright red, forties-inspired gown that flattered her compact hourglass figure. She looked elongated, not squatty. It was stunning, with only one minor nude elastic across the back. The shoulder treatment of the dress was very nice. Her partner wore an elegant tuxedo that suited the dance.

Holly wore a beautiful, uniquely styled purple gown. It was elegant and sexy, but not overly bare, with asymmetrical bodice styling that minimized her ample bustline. Her partner was elegantly attired.

Shawn, the young gymnast had on a cute, print little dress with ruffles lined with a pop of solid-colored purple-nice touch! It was a little skimpy, but with the middle-connecting piece, it stayed tasteful. I LOVED the rhinestoned straps-none of those naked, nude elastic straps! Thank you!  

Kym wore a luscious tan gown, which matched her spray-on suntan, with lots of glitz and fun fur-feathers at the hemline. Her giant bracelets are a current fad that I am over. Lose them, please! Unfortunately, her partner-comedian David Alan Griers outfit was really lacking. I am not a fan of retro tuxedo shirt ruffles, but they were not so bad. The cream-colored polyester-doubleknit-looking vest and pant outfit looked a little corny and the pant fabric was too thin for Davids physique.

Karina chose a comedy routine with Steve, who had to participate in the dance-off. Her costume was cutesy, but trashy. Stitched ruffles in a circle on the boob, is not a favorite detail of mine. Her frothy dress was cute, except for this feature. Steve was supposed to look dorky but he really looked pretty stylin!

Chelsie carried off her lovely print gown with a low-slung rhinestoned belt and buckle, that I found a little weird, but all-in-all looked nice. Her partner was Ty, the rodeo guy who wore a custom westernized tuxedo. Apparently the costume designers think you cannot take the cowboy out of Ty! It did not look stylish or sophisticated or classy. The western yokes on this jacket made it look trashy. Ugh! I have done my share of western looks, and I have always tried to keep them classy. I think my designs were more successful than Tys jacket!

Edytas black, or was it brown? sheer gown was generally really pretty. The best feature was the bright color under the black skirt. It created a fun, interesting look. The large flower motif was tasteful, except the sheer mesh bodice that was over a half-way visible bra was distracting, and a little weird to look at. And of course all those nude elastic back straps to hold it all together. Is it Edyta that insists on looking so naked, or is it her costume designer that is pushing the envelope? In any case, Lawrence looked dashing!

Melissa was cute as a button in her print two-piece bra and skirt. Both pieces were lovely. Oops, except for the lack of a visible strap on the back. Come on, a rhinestoned fabric back banding would have been really pretty. Instead we had the visual of a bra stopping at the armpit. Too weird for me! My least favorite guys costume was Melissas partner, Tony. He wore a brown undershirt with print trim, paired with brown tuxedo pants with the same print striped on the sides. Oh my! As they say on What Not to Wear-it was too matchy-matchy, and not in a good way!

Belinda had the misfortune of having to participate in the dance-off, and then lose. She chose the aqua and teal-fringed number to wear and dance in. Or was it chosen for her? This was a very unattractive and unflattering outfit for her. Unfortunately it accentuated her thicker-through-the-middle figure. Why? It called attention to this area, with the contrasting corset style. There were diagonal lines under the bustline, but at her waist, it was nearly straight across. Horizontal lines at a thick area on the body-not a good choice. Additionally, the aqua fabric used on the bodice was too thin, and showed some lumps and bumps that a thicker or more structured fabric could have glossed over, and it would have looked better. When Marie Osmond was still loosing weight, a couple of seasons ago, she had very structured bodices that did NOT show any untidy lumps, bumps or bulges. And her partner-boring. Come on, lets keep with fun, interesting guys costumes, please!

Generally, the women looked really good, with just a few miscues. I was disappointed with the guys costumes this week. Several looked sophisticated and stylish, but many looked rather insignificant-not not even worth mentioning, and some, as mentioned, looked bad!

So that is the scoop this last week! Some winners, some losers and some yawners. Oh, the drama! Will costumes meet our high expectations in this weeks new competition?

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Ballroom, Teacher, Enthusiast, Parent, Studio, Costume Design, Costumes, Dancing With the Stars, Reality Television Shows (all tags)