Wai-con ball and dress code

[rallamajoop]

Just got word the Wai-con cosplay ball is confirmed after all! Whew, was worried for a while there. ^^; But apparently numbers are not so bad as they were thought to be.

On the topic of the ball: I was really quite surprised when I first went to the sign-up page to see the black-tie standard dress and mask requirement. We haven't been following the plans that closely for a while, but we were expecting something more along the lines of a simple chance to get out some of our dressier costumes, socialise outside the usual Wai-con crush and dance around for an evening. The dress code isn't a problem for me or pinneagig based on what we were planning to wear, and it's definitely a great idea to have a theme for people who won't be coming in cosplay, and which will fit in with the Wai-con theme this year. But that said, does everyone think it's really necessary? Isn't there a danger that a restrictive dress code could even be putting people off?

The sad fact is, most cosplay costumes aren't going to be black tie standard by any stretch, and not everyone has the time or dedication to design and make something new for one event - especially with Wai-con looming on the horizon. I know of at least one cosplayer who'd already put a fair amount of time and money into a costume before discovering that it wouldn't fit the dress code and wouldn't be allowed. The mask requirement could be even more problematic - only a small minority of anime/game characters wear masks, and finding one that would be appropriate to a lot of costumes could be tricky.

So, obviously I don't want to start a rebellion here or anything (we're still very much looking forward to this ball), but I'd like to hear other people's thoughts. Does this really need to be a formal ball for people to enjoy it? And particularly if we're worried numbers might be low, couldn't it be a good idea to try and broaden the appeal of this event out as much as possible?

Comments

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

well, last i spoke to the organiser, the masks technically shouldnt be too much of a problem well....only if you want to cosplay. Accordingly, any old mask would work.

I'm not quite sure what you're saying there. Sure, any old mask might be acceptable, but why would we want to wear a mask that doesn't match the rest of the costume? It just seems a bit of a waste.

I guess when someone says ball, they do indeed mean its to seem somewhat formal but I don't think that would be too much of an issue considering that this is after all anime-related.

But... that's exactly the problem. When I heard ball, I thought 'dress up and dance'. Anime costumes aren't necessarily formal - many are quite the opposite. I do like the idea of encouraging people to make more formal styled costumes for this event, but I just don't really see how making it a requirement for entry will add anything.

On that note....if its a ball....does that mean those going ought to find some kinda date for this?

Again, I think you're working on a interpretation of the word 'ball' to me here. ^^;

[cigerfei.livejournal.com]

long story short:

i think i read too much into things....again