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

[yiji-chan.livejournal.com]

*nod nod*

Reading stuff like this, it does seem rather problematic. I mean, a LOT of cosplayers out in the scene don't really have enough time to whip up something that's black-tie standard. I know that a lot of the normal cosplayers I've talked to over the Wai-Cons have said they've barely had enough time as it is making their Wai-Con ones. Which leads me to worry over the fact that you might be right in the notion that it'd put people off.

Hopefully the event will allow semi-semi-semi-formal cosplays in as well, otherwise the numbers are going to dwindle really rapidly. As for the masked part... Well, I'm just going to be adding a simple mask to my dress, but I know how offputting that might be.

On the good side (?), though, I predict there will be quite a number of Tuxedo Kamen at this thing. XD

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Sounds like we're not the only ones worried about this then. What I don't get is why we need a dress code at all - surely it could just as easily be 'formal dress or cosplay'. I mean, is there anything preventing the organisers from relaxing the rules a little? Are we even sure everyone *knows* about the rule and isn't going to show up in whatever they like? It all just seems so counterproductive to getting more people into the event.

A room full of Tuxedo Kamen though... XD That could be worth it just for the lulz.