Blackpool Dance Festival:
What to Wear, Dress Guide
& BDC Rules

What Is the Blackpool Dance Festival?

The Blackpool Dance Festival has been held at the Winter Gardens Empress Ballroom since 1920, making it the world's first and most celebrated international ballroom competition. Over a century later, it remains the benchmark event in competitive dance — attracting thousands of couples from more than 60 countries every year.

The festival runs across five separate events throughout the year: the main Blackpool Dance Festival in May, the Junior Dance Festival at Easter, the Sequence Dance Festival in October, the British National Dance Championships, and the newer WDSF DanceSport Festival. Each event has its own categories, age groups, and dress requirements — but all Ballroom and Latin competitions run under British Dance Council (BDC) rules.

If you are competing at Blackpool for the first time, or preparing for any BDC-governed event in the UK, understanding the dress rules is not optional — it is essential.

BDC Rule 54: What the Rulebook Says

The British Dance Council's core dress rule for Ballroom, Latin, Sequence and Formation competitions is clear: the only dress permissible is that normally associated with present-day competition dancing. No costume changes during a routine, no props, and no alteration to a costume mid-competition — though changes between rounds are permitted in an emergency.

Sponsorship logos are allowed: up to three sponsors per couple, with each logo not exceeding 40 square centimetres. The sponsorship may appear on either competitor's costume.

For Adult and Professional competitors, the BDC does not prescribe specific dress styles beyond the general rule above — which gives significant creative freedom. The restrictions become more specific for Juvenile competitors and Beginners, where Appendix 4 of the BDC rules applies in full detail.

Juvenile Dress Rules — The Full Detail

Juvenile competitors (under 12) are subject to the most specific BDC dress regulations, governed by Appendix 4 of the BDC rulebook. These rules apply to Ballroom, Latin and Sequence categories alike, and are strictly enforced at Blackpool and all BDC events. Here is a clear summary:

For boys competing in the Juvenile category: plain black trousers (block material only — velvet and velour are not permitted), white long-sleeved shirt (tucked in, no additional detail, no wing collars), black bow tie or regular black tie, plain black belt, and black leather, nubuck or patent shoes.

Beginner Class Rules — Adult & Junior

Beginners competing at BDC events — including at Blackpool's beginner-level categories — have their own specific restrictions under Appendix 4:

The beginner rules exist to keep the focus on technique rather than presentation — and to ensure that newer dancers are not disadvantaged by the cost of elaborate competition dress. As a dancer progresses beyond beginner grade, these restrictions fall away and full competition dress applies.

What to Wear for Latin at Blackpool

For adult and professional Latin competitors, the BDC's general rule applies — dress normally associated with present-day competition dancing. In practice, this means a fitted, body-conscious dress that allows full range of movement and reads powerfully under stage lighting.

The Empress Ballroom at Blackpool is large, ornate, and illuminated by warm, dramatic stage lighting. Colours that photograph and read well from a distance include deep jewel tones (emerald, sapphire, deep red, royal purple), rich metallic shades, and bold contrast colours. Pale pastels tend to wash out under Blackpool's lights.

Stonework matters more at Blackpool than at almost any other event. The scale of the ballroom means that a dress needs to sparkle from across the floor. Swarovski crystal placement should be generous, strategically placed to catch light through turns, extensions, and hip movements — drawing the judges' eye to the lines of the dance.

Fabric choice should prioritise movement: stretch velvets, chiffon floats, and power mesh all perform well on the floor. The dress must move with the dancer — not against them.

What to Wear for Ballroom at Blackpool

A Ballroom gown for Blackpool is one of the most technically demanding garments in competitive dance. The skirt must travel beautifully through Waltz, flow through Foxtrot, and hold its shape through the energy of Quickstep — all while fitting the body precisely in hold.

Skirt construction is the heart of a Ballroom gown. Layers of chiffon, georgette, and floating panels create the signature sweeping silhouette of competition Ballroom. The weight and drape of the skirt should complement the dancer's movement — too heavy and it fights the technique; too light and it loses the visual impact Blackpool demands.

Colour for Ballroom tends toward the classic and dramatic: ivory, champagne, deep navy, black, burgundy, and rich golds all work beautifully under the Empress Ballroom's lighting. Full-length gowns with a train or float are standard at this level.

Stonework on Ballroom gowns is typically concentrated on the bodice, neckline, and upper skirt — creating impact at the top of the body where the judges' attention falls in hold. The overall effect should be one of controlled glamour: elegant, powerful, and unmistakably Blackpool.

How Early Should You Order Your Dress?

Blackpool is one of the most anticipated events in the dance calendar — and that means dressmakers' schedules fill up months in advance. We strongly recommend beginning your commission at least 4 to 8 weeks before the competition date, and earlier if your design is complex or if you are ordering for the May festival, which is our busiest period of the year.

Our bespoke process starts with a video consultation — typically 45 to 90 minutes — where we agree the design, fabrics, and stonework together. Measurements are taken during the call. From there, your dress is handcrafted by Renata and dispatched via tracked, insured delivery in time for your competition.

If you are competing at Blackpool Junior at Easter, we recommend getting in touch no later than January. For the May festival, February or March at the latest — though earlier is always better.

What Works on the Blackpool Floor

Watch any Blackpool final and you will notice a pattern: the dresses that stand out are not necessarily the most heavily decorated — they are the ones that feel completely right for the dancer wearing them. Colour, silhouette, and movement all work together as a single visual statement.

For Latin, bold and body-confident works best. Strong colour, strategic stonework, and a dress that moves exactly with the dancer — never pulling, never restricting. Asymmetric hemlines, flutter skirts, and mesh panels are all popular design choices at the highest levels.

For Ballroom, think sweep and drama. A gown that floats through the changes of weight in Waltz, travels through Foxtrot, and sparkles under the chandeliers. The best Ballroom gowns at Blackpool look effortless — which is, of course, the result of enormous craftsmanship.

For Juvenile within BDC rules, the focus shifts entirely to elegance within the restrictions. Clean lines, well-matched colour, and a dress that fits perfectly — because at this level, it is entirely about the dancing.