General Guidelines
- Safety guidelines
- Participating in dancing will require freedom of movement for anything you choose to wear.
- However you choose to move, your ensemble should stay attached. Utilize those safety pins!
- Tidy appearance guidelines
- No matter what you choose to wear, please keep the image of a “formal” night out in mind.
- Whatever you wear, ensure there is no slippage.
Formal Attire
- Bottoms must be no shorter than mid thigh or a few inches above the knee. Think: does this reach the bottom of my fingertips?
- Slits must not show anything inappropriate.
- No mesh or sheer materials in inappropriate areas.
- No extremely low cut or plunging necklines. When in doubt, test to make sure your neckline is well-fitting at all times as you move without a possibility of slippage. Think: a neckline that would not require the use of double-sided tape.
- Strapless tops are permitted as long as they are well fitting.
- Avoid or bustle trains on dresses as they can be stepped on.
- Jeans and cargo pants are not permitted.
- T-shirts and tank tops are not permitted.
- Undergarments should not be visible.
- Avoid trains on dresses as they can be stepped on.
Shoes
- The flooring for this event may be mostly carpet, so please plan accordingly.
- The following are considered appropriate formal footwear: dress sandals, pumps, flats, boots without thick or scuff-making soles, high heels, and dress shoes. Please make sure the footwear does not come off when dancing, or wear shoes with a strap or ties.
- Sneakers, tennis shoes, outdoor sandals, combat boots, and flip flops are not allowed.
- Stiletto or platform heels are STRONGLY discouraged.
Cosplay
- You are not required to cosplay at this event, but we do love to see them!
- Cosplay must follow the dress code as listed above. If a fictional or nonfictional character wears an outfit that “almost but not quite” follows the guidelines (a character that wears a tuxedo with tennis shoes), the cosplay must be modified until it meets the dress code.
- No props that will get in the way. This includes swords, wings, staffs, tails, horns, hats, or guns. This also includes full-body armor.
- Whole-head latex masks will not be permitted on the dance floor for the safety of all dancers. You may be admitted to the event, but unless you remove the whole-head mask, you will be asked to leave the dance floor.
- Eye patches over one eye are permitted as long as the other eye is unobscured and has peripheral view.
- Body paint and face paint must be sealed.
- If wearing a wig, please be sure to keep it secure with hair pins, bobby pins, or a velvet band for safety purposes.
- Japanese clothing, Lolita, and other cultural formal wear is also welcome as long as it meets the guidelines above.
- Dress Military Uniforms are welcome as long as they are formal Military Uniforms.
Fursuits
- Fursuits will be permitted if attire is dressed over the fur suit and follows all of the above rules. (For example, a fox fursuiter has a gown or tux over the fursuit that matches the formal guidelines.)
- The only rule that will be waived is the no shoe rule.
- It is highly recommended that if you wish to dance, you should dance with a handler or have your handler nearby if your headwear restricts your vision in any way.
Casual Half-Hour
- The dress code will be relaxed for the final half hour of the Fantasy Ball, aka Casual Half-Hour. It is from 10:30pm to 11pm.
- Tennis shoes, sneakers, and trainers will be permitted.
- Dressy jeans and khakis will be permitted in addition to dress pants.
- Polo shirts will be permitted.
- More casual military uniforms will be permitted.
- Other portions of the dress code will be unchanged and remain in effect for Casual Half-Hour.
Other
- Changing your attire after you enter with approved attire is not permitted.
- No obscene graphics, including “parody” images, are permitted on any item of clothing.
- Decisions made by staff are final.
