Square Dance styles?

I agree about the fun, but some clubs are headed the less foofy route. More's the pity.

If you know the name of the club, perhaps they have a website or contact info that would net you their dress code without mom finding out.

Joy wrote:

Hey, wonder woman, Modern Western Square Dancing (MWSD) has evolved. Used to have a dress code: ladies wore outfits that matched their male partners' long-sleeved shirts which were worn buttoned up and down (with a sweat towel hanging off a decorative belt clip). Women's costumes consisted of that traditional one-piece dress that we've all seen swishing around dance demos at (ahem!) state fairs (often constructed of the finest broadcloth, to better hold all the pin-on badges) with a short (knee-length) full skirt, worn over a "clown wig" petticoat. Pettipants underneath. Dress is usually princess-style from the waist up, with a peasant neckline and pufy sleeves. Observers of my acquaintance speculated that the dresses were designed to be full and "bigger" than the usually-heavy bodies holding them up, the better to present the appearance of looking a bit smaller. However, in recent years, the MWSD community realized that they were scaring off new recruits by a) requiring weeks and weeks worth of lessons and b) these get-ups (always promoted by the senior retirees who find square dancing so much fun). So they truncated the teaching, and added "permission" for "country line dance" attire. At the MWSD events I've been to, those under a certain age (or without partners to wear matching garb) wear denim. Almost anything goes, but denim. You could go to your mom's club and check it out, or try some of the locals to see what current styles are. (Birmingham Quadrille Club is near you, and there are others--check the Egocentric newspaper for listings.) Please don't perpetuate the clown wig style unless that's what her club wears. HTH (you knew I'd reply!!)

--Karen M. who once dated a MWSD caller who refused to take me square dancing because I hadn't been through The Lessons to learn the 64 basic figures...although I'd been calling traditional square dances for several years and could teach about 12 of those special maneuevers to my dancers over the course of an evening

I went last night to watch their dance. There was some of the old fashioned full flouncy dresses (which to me seem more practical on a ventilation stanpoint) and lot's of the longer skirts as well. I just think they look hotter. The majority were made of a denim fabric. Lot's of western shirts - mostly long sleeved - which seemed surprising since I would have been sweating bullets. The best part was each of the dancers going to the audience and getting a partner - and one very, very short lady asked my husband who is 6'3". I have spent nearly 20 years trying to get him to square dance. It was worth it! They all looked great! The caller was VERY GOOD! I can't wait to come to one of your dances. I have all my old dresses and petticoats - too bad the styes change, I liked them so well. You have not convinced me that change is good. Joy

Karen (who uses the naughty "clown-wig" phrase in reference to my favorite item of clothing wrote)

I dunno. I might try it if I didn't have to do the "Shirley Temple" look, which would definitely not be flattering to my figure, but I would never do it if I had to do the "Shirley Temple" bit to participate.

Maybe they are loosening their rules so as to attract more people, perhaps of a younger generation (although I'm not in a younger generation) who don't find the specialized costumes as appealing.

Or chambray, which is lighter than denim. N.B. the short dresses pretty much require pettipants (which are covered with layers of ruffles). A calf-length broomstick skirt requires many fewer layers. At the modern contra dances I attend, some guys wear skirts for coolness and comfort. Kilt-length or longer, prints, florals, stripes, tie-dyes, or solids. They could relate to my pettipant comments.

Required in traditional MWSD.

Now you know why your mom is giving it a go!

Civil War dances coming up in December, in Ypsi and Brighton. All are welcome.

The foufy outfits are fairly identifiable and require a bazillion yards of fabric (and the stylish dancer owns a "clown wig" in several colors). However, if one is driving oneself to a dance, and intends to go out afterwards (whether to Meijer's or Big Boy), the CWLD style is a lot more practical. Let alone for pumping gas or (knock wood) changing a flat tire.

--Karen M. who actually got rid of a MWSD pattern when I split up with that idiot

KAREN WROTE -

I have NEVER been known for my practicality in ANYTHING. If I was, I would know how to cook, and I would keep an organized house and fold my piles of laundry and sew practical clothing ......etc. The "beauty" of the old fashioned square dance outfit was that it was so rediculously impractical, so frivolous, so incredilbly over the top! It sort of had a life of it's own...swishing this way and that - lending itself to hip shakes and wiggles that an ordinarily shy person might never muster. And, the sheer bizaar presence of it is enough to bring a smile to the face evn if the dance is going poorly. It's volume lends a greater surface area for design. It attracts attention wherever it goes. I can't say enough wonderful things about the nearing extinction, old-fashioned square dance attire. That being said, I don't know of a single other person who wants to wear one but me.

So, for my 43rd birthday I will have a square dance party and everyone else can wear what they want - but you will easily know who the birthday girl will be.

Joy ps - Karen, you did say you call for parties? Can you manage to come without laughing at me or calling my skirt bad names?