DWTS-Season 10: Week 4 Costume Critique

Satin Stitches | Apr 14, 2010 | 2

Pamela's costume doesn't flatter her

Technique and performance were highlighted this week, on Dancing With the Stars. And with CRABBY judges!

I will, once again, talk about technique and performance from MY perspective on the costuming. I have been designing performance costumes for more than 30 years, here at Satin Stitches. Oh, and you KNOW I can be crabby, too!

Cheryl's costume DOES flatter her

Oh my! NOT a good look for either Tony or Kate!

First of all, kudos to Brooke. Brooke was tasteful and stylish with a unique banded blush dress on Monday night and a tastefully sexy in a bias-cut red satin gown last night.

This week I witnessed some stunningly beautiful gowns and some yucky draped messes of dresses. For the boys, lots of boring outfits, but a few highlights.

I read somewhere that Randall mentioned that everyone works nicely with him and his design team, because he has the power to make them look ugly. Well, I guess Pamela and Nicole must have ticked him off somehow!

What the heck? You know that I do not like embarrassing too-nude looking outfits! But I DO appreciate a beautifully toned and oiled body, as well as anyone else. Why were Pamela and Nicole wearing billowing sheets over their glitzy undies? Yuck! Too much non-sheer fabric was hiding, not accenting their dancing.  

Meanwhile, last night, Sade and her singers and band were definitely not costumed by Randall. Maybe they can hook up with him, for some new duds! Chelsie danced during her first song, in deep-red rhinestoned encrusted, backless bra and briefs with a short, deep red chiffon caftan, looked fabulous. Clue. If a big, billowing sheet of fabric is see-through, it looks fine. If it is NOT see-through, then it is NOT attractive. Too me, anyway. What do YOU think?

I guess I am following in the judges footsteps this week, and listing lots of negatives. OK, I will get the bad stuff listed first, then I will get to the good stuff! And end with some more bad stuff.

Nicole, Nicole, Nicole. You must have lost your confidence BECAUSE YOUR COSTUME LOOKED YUCKY. Too much cleavage, and then all I saw, besides the nicely rolled strap, was a big light yellow THING! There was a little glimpse of her stoned undies, but really, if you did not know she had a body to kill for, you would have no idea.

And then a few dances later, out strolls Pamela wearing an even worse getup! A caftan-style, light aqua sheet was draped over her bodacious body from neck to knees. There was a hint of a glitzy bikini peeking out. But with the big-boobed girls draped with volumes of non-sheer fabrics, it is just not a good look! Ladies, if you are slim with minimal bustlines, maybe your silhouette will not be bouffant. Obviously I was really disappointed with both of these lovely ladys looks. They must have not been nice to Randall this last week!

So who was really nice to Randall? Definitely Anna and Cheryl. And Maks! Ooh, Maks in his black banded, white silky shirt with the three-quarter length sleeves, black cummerbund and high waisted, nicely cut pants. VERY NICE! No, men do not need to be decked out to look great. Include some detailing to liven up the boredom.

Anna. I LOVED the back of her dress! The front strapping with peek-a-boo sections right above the bustline was just a little weird. But I LOVED the rhinestone encrusted belt at her natural waistline, at the back-at the bra-strap location, and then the neck straps. And dare I say-NO NUDE ELASTIC! The stoning matched the collar of Evans shirt. The colors of the stones, at least what they looked like on my screen, were purple, gold and hematite. A really classy combination! The limited glitz on her basic black dress, and Evans basic black shirt and pant was extremely attractive.

Cheryl and Chad were stunning in their peachy-pinky chiffon costumes. Drapes done RIGHT! This was the BEST dress this week. The glitzy under bodice was beautiful, and all the drapes that covered Cheryls arms and body were sheer enough to see her exquisite silhouette. The glitzy hip detail drew the eye down her body, creating a beautiful flow for the eye. Chad in his simple, yet sheer matching shirt was a treat for the eyes. Keeping his pants brown instead of black, created a more monochromatic color scheme, a favorite of mine. They looked stunning together. Well done, Randall and company!

Those who kept on Randalls good side, but must not have been his favorites, included Erin with her red tango gown. It had a nice silhouette, especially with the high boat neckline on the front and a repeat of her deep V on the back neckline. The slight black edging to set off the tiers of her skirt was a nice touch, and the rhinestoning was exquisite. Oh, and the gloves attached to the sleeves, with black bracelets, I enjoyed.

Niecy had a sort of Retro forties look going on. I liked it. Many diagonal, asymmetrical features keep your eye loving the flow of the dress. The satin belt at her natural waistline was a nice touch. The banding at the hem of her angled skirt was nice. The combination of the sheer and solid stretch and woven fabrics, all in a brilliantly bright blue was a feast for the eye.

Chelsies tango dress, I also liked. The black mesh, cap sleeved bodice was the background for black passamentary trim, a cliche Tango and Latin touch, along with firey red accents. The texture of her skirt, I could not quite figure out, but I liked it. Perhaps it was little tufts of feathers or 3-D embroidery on a mesh or lace overskirt? Her dress was modest, yet edgy. Her short lace gloves fit her style.

Then a couple of dancers may have started a spat with Randall! Edyta and Aiden, who unfortunately are going home, were sort of so-so. Pairing a loin cloth with a big aluminum foil dolman sleeve. Hmmm. And Aiden was stuck with boring gray!

And then Kate and Tony. Tony seemed to be trying to channel my American Idol, Adam Lambert! And not in a good way. I LOVE Adam Lambert, and I adore his stage costumes. They are incredible. But Tonys? Not so much! The couple did the Tango to For Your Entertainment, one of Adams new songs. The faux leather vest with chains and Goth detailing just looked a little silly to me.

I liked Kates silver-gray charmeuse skirt. It moved and flowed well, but the bodice just DID NOT work. She had some miscellaneous glitz and then chain details. OK, fine. But a better fit for channeling Adam, would have been a nice dominatrix black bustier for her. Why not? The whitish bodice was just really blah. Randall, did you chicken out? It would have been really fun! And I am serious. Now everyone, just picture Kate as a dominatrix, what do you think?

Oh, but another week to kick around Kate! Tony, you are such a good sport! We will have to wait until next Monday to see who is in good graces with the costume crew, and who is not!

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Jazz, Tap, Broadway, Ballroom, Teacher, Enthusiast, Parent, Studio, Costume Design, Costumes, Dancing With the Stars, Reality TV Shows (all tags)