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[le_momo]

The 9th annual Black and White Ball is returning better than ever! The dance floor will be huge, the playlist will be extraordinary, and the night will be one to remember!

2016 Black & White Ball Dress Code

The dress code for the Black and White Ball is formal.
For more details as to what formal attire entails, please follow the guidelines in the dress code below.
Cosplay and crossplay are allowed, so long as the attire fits within the following guidelines.

Please note: The Dress Code will be strictly enforced — we will be denying entry to individuals wearing inappropriate attire.
Individuals who repeatedly disobey the dress code after entry will be asked to leave the event


Allowed Tops:

• Button-up long-sleeve shirts
• Blouses
• Dress jackets, evening jackets, suit jackets

Allowed Bottoms:

• Dress pants
• Slacks
• Khakis

Allowed Dresses/Skirts:

• Evening gowns
• Opaque (not see-through) dresses or skirts that extend to the top of the knee cap at its highest point (including slits and asymmetrical hems)

Allowed Accessories:

• Ties
• Gloves
• Jewelry
• Formal hats
• Masks

Allowed Shoes:

• Solid-colored, clean-looking shoes with no visible logos
• Dress shoes
• Dress boots (another example)
• Flats
• Ballroom-dance shoes (another example)
• Character shoes
• Formal sandals that have straps securing the heel

If your shoes have heels/platform of any kind, they must be…
Allowed Heels

• Heels that are 4” or lower (including platform)
• Heels that are more than a nickel in diameter at the tip
• Suggested: Heels with some kind of strap to support the foot

Not Allowed Tops:

• Men’s button-up short-sleeve shirts
• T-shirts
• Tank tops (another example)
• Muscle shirts
• Tube tops
• Crop tops
• Ripped shirts
• Not wearing a shirt

Not Allowed Bottoms:

• Jeans (and denim of any kind)
• Shorts and cut-offs
• Ripped pants
• Leggings
• Athletic pants (another example)
• Sweatpants

Not Allowed Dresses/Skirts:

• Dresses or skirts that go higher than the top of the knee cap at its highest point (including slits and asymmetrical hems)
• Dresses or skirts that are see-through above the top of the knee cap (including asymmetrical hems and lining)

Not Allowed Accessories:

• Weapon props

Not Allowed Shoes:

• Shoes with large, visible logos (ie. Nike swoosh, Adidas logo, etc)
  
  • Sneakers/tennis shoes
  • Informal Sandals and Sandals without straps on the heel
  • Birkenstocks
  • Uggs
  • Crocs
  • Flip-flops
  • Dance sneakers
  • Clogs
  • Bare feet
  
  If your shoes have heels/platform of any kind, they cannot be…
  Not Allowed Heels:
  
  • Heels that are higher than 4” (including platform)
  • Narrow-tipped heels that are less than a nickel in diameter at the tip
  
  
  
  This event was wonderful last year and we are expecting a great turn out this year as well. We hope that everyone will enjoy the Ball and have a great time, so that is why this thread is being posted.
  
  If you have any questions or concerns over your outfit for the Ball, post them here. You can even post a picture of your outfit/cosplay here and we will let you know if it will be acceptable for the Black and White Ball.
  
  If you would like your outfit to be a surprise until FanimeCon, you may also send us an email at bwball@fanime.com and we will get back to you with an answer as soon as we are able to.
  
  - Rebecca

[Furrat]

Will medieval tunics (long sleeved and fancy, think prince) be allowed?

[le_momo]

My apologies for the delayed response. I thought I had already posted! 

Yes, formal medieval tunics will be allowed!

[fanimefreak]

Ultimately I don't think the black and white ball attire really matters. It seems it always starts off with strict rules regarding attire and as the night goes on people in storm trooper costumes, brightly covered cosplay, or large prop items get allowed in eventually.

[le_momo]

Ultimately I don't think the black and white ball attire really matters. It seems it always starts off with strict rules regarding attire and as the night goes on people in storm trooper costumes, brightly covered cosplay, or large prop items get allowed in eventually.

All cosplay that fits within the dress code is allowed. Uniformed cosplay like the storm trooper (I clearly remember the storm trooper wearing a button-up under the chest piece and a tie/bowtie over the uniform) are therefore allowed. We have no restrictions on colors, either, so brightly colored cosplay within the dress code guidelines are permitted.

Large props are also allowed if they are not weapons as long as they are not on the dance floor. Most of the large props we have had at the Ball include large walking staffs or wings, which are typically set at the table/chair the person is using, anyway. We have had people try to bring weapon props in the past, but they have never been allowed and have never gotten passed the dress code check.

Thank you for your feedback! We will do our best to make sure that the dress code applies to everyone equally throughout the evening to ensure the formality of the event.

- Rebecca

[MrsMiroku]

Ok so, in regards into formal wear for women, how much cleavage is to much cleavage? Just need to know if I need to alter my dress for the ball.

[Red_Eye]

I'm trying a new cosplay this year.  Would this qualify enough to be acceptable?

http://fav.me/da2ge25

Or should I look into renting a white tux to make it more formal? 

[Linfalgamo]

Is there an age limit to the ball? Or as long as they're dressed classy can a 4yo waltz in with her parents?

[le_momo]

Ok so, in regards into formal wear for women, how much cleavage is to much cleavage? Just need to know if I need to alter my dress for the ball.

We have no rules regarding cleavage at this point, so as long as it covers what needs to be covered, it should be fine. I would recommend using fabric tape to support the top of your dress, as dancing may move parts of the dress in a way that may become uncomfortable for you.

I'm trying a new cosplay this year.  Would this qualify enough to be acceptable?

http://fav.me/da2ge25

Or should I look into renting a white tux to make it more formal?

My major concerns are the following:
The part of the scarf which covers your face may be difficult to breathe while dancing in, especially when the dance floor gets crowded. The head covering itself is long, so that could be another challenge in itself on the dance floor.
I can't exactly tell what kind of top it is from the angle of the picture. What kind of top is it? If it is something like a white button-up, it would be fine, but I don't want to give you a definite answer without knowing for sure.

Is there an age limit to the ball? Or as long as they're dressed classy can a 4yo waltz in with her parents?

There is no age limit! As long as the child has a badge for entry and is dressed up, they are welcome.

- Rebecca

[kit rose]

are corsets acceptable as a top?

[le_momo]

are corsets acceptable as a top?

Corsets are perfectly fine to wear!

- Rebecca

[CherryStrange]

What about blood? If I show up as Carrie, will I be able to get in?

[le_momo]

What about blood? If I show up as Carrie, will I be able to get in?

Pre-bloody Carrie's dress would be appropriate for Ball. Unfortunately, the blood-covered dress may not be appropriate.

It's a difficult line to find between it being formal and not for something like this, but the horror aspect of it may not be suitable for the younger audience we are expecting at this all-ages event.

I appreciate your question! We have not had the gore aspect of cosplay addressed at Ball before, so it is helpful to get questions like this.

Thank you!

- Rebecca