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]

Actually, speaking of the Manifest ball, I just looked up their requirements (http://www.manifest.org.au/amaranth.php), and here's part of what they said:

1. No casual street clothing unless cosplaying. (eg. t-shirt, cargos, cut/dirty jeans, etc) [emphasis mine]

So it looks like in their case it's an either/or - formal clothes or cosplay. Semi-formal attire is encourage, but not essential. So at the Manifest ball, something like your Shuffle! costume would be fine.

[sansele.livejournal.com]

Ah, evidently I need to read properly! XD

I agree with your personal comparison. I have a very very fixed idea of "ball" (so I wouldn't wear my uniform there), but on the other hand, as you say, it is acceptable to wear pretty much any costume to Swancon's and Manifest's masquerades (and much more fun). It should be the same for Panic's one as well. No need for very-stringent rules.

And masks... Yeah. :/ I can only imagine the greater amount of work that's going to bring to someone who finished working on their outfit. Perhaps someone could bring that up?

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it probably is about time to bring this up with someone from the committee. I think I can see what they were aiming for by making those rules, but I don't think they've got much to gain by enforcing them.