Satin Stitches, Ltd. | Designed For a Sensational Performance

DWTS-Season 11: Week 9 Semi-Finals Costume Critique
© Deborah J. Nelson/Satin Stitches Ltd.
November 17, 2010

The dancing is now another one of the STARS on Dancing With the Stars. With the judges awarding 9's and 10's, to many of the dancers, it is really exciting right now–besides the costuming!

The Semi-Finalists

But opening the show, it's always Brooke and her evening gowns. I seem to love one each week, and hate the other. This week, I really liked her black short gown – very classy and elegant. Her frou-frou long, white gown on Monday night just wasn't right for her. It was too ‘pretty’. It didn't suit her.

I really enjoyed watching Brandy and Maks dancing their encore Argentine Tango. A special note – I'm glad that hosiery is finally making a comeback. I really don't think that naked legs are all that pretty. Of course, a few women have gorgeous legs. But if you really look, most women's legs are just not very attractive – especially their knees. I'm sure that hosiery companies – those that have survived the last decade or so, will appreciate the new textured and patterned hose that Brandy wore.

All the STARS and professional dancers did really well, this week. One of my favorite costumes of the week accompanied my favorite song of the evening…"You've got me begging you for mercy" performed by Jennifer. I really liked her costume, with the tufts of ostrich feathers. The basis for the costume is what I've sometimes called the "middle connect" dress. This is such a flattering silhouette. Why? Well, it has the open back but it covers up the front midriff area that might be a problem area for many dancers. It is more modest by covering up, and if an older dancer has some slightly sagging skin in this area, it won't show. It also helps to create some diagonal lines, and helps the visual flow, drawing your eye from the dancers' face to their hips.

Her golden costume had lots of glitz and the white feathers added lots of wispy movement, emulating layers of fringe. Her partner, Derek, looked like he might be a little uncomfortable, wearing his extremely tight outfit. He wore a tight white shirt with some vertical banding, a tie and tight gray pants. How could he move in them – let alone show off his incredible dancing ability? I wonder, because I don't think the fabrics stretched, they appeared to be woven fabrics.

My other favorite costume, this week, was Lacey's black tulle and lace design for Kyle's ‘bionic bum’ Samba dance! Her costume was also a "middle connect" dress. It was VERY reminiscent of her white Jive costume from last week, but without the weird shoulder caps! This week's costume was sophisticated and stylish! The shoulder details on this Samba costume were ‘right on’. I loved the pattern in the mesh – I couldn't tell if it was lace or just an interesting pattern in the weave, but I LOVED it. The rhinestones and decorative stars ‘jived’ with her fluffy tulle skirt.

Kyle wore a nicely tailored, golden-mustard, silky shirt with black leather detailing on the collar and cuffs, and a black leather tie. I have to say, I really LOVED those details – they really added a lot of style to the outfit. Sometimes it IS all in the details. I’m thrilled that Kyle is in the finals!

Another one of my favorite costumes this week, was Brandy’s Argentine Tango costume. Her rhinestone-encrusted red bodice had real straps that criss-crossed across her back. This beautiful, simple silhouette for her velvet skirt, lined with red satin, was classic. There was a sort of hip-band that had a deep ‘V’ in the back. It was sexy and elegant. Her sheer lace gloves, and patterned, sheer black hose (as mentioned in my opening remarks) were perfect accessories for her themed costume. Maks wore a burgundy brocade tie layered on top of his bright red satin shirt. A black velvet blazer and tuxedo pants completed his look.

I will be very disappointed to not see Brandy and Maks competing next week. Most of her costumes, all during this season were impeccable.

For their Paso Doble, I enjoyed Brandy’s Renaissance styled outfit with white peasant blouse, red corset, and black leggings and boots. But I regret that she took off her jacket right away, as it was really stylish. Maks wore some sort of Cossack-looking black pants with wide, belted leather cummerbund, tucked into – were they black leather high-top tennies? He also wore a Henley-styled knit shirt with some epaulettes stitched to the shoulders. It was a little visually disturbing, as it seemed to be an outfit of disjointed parts.

Jennifer’s second costume for her other perfectly-scored dance performance was a pretty light blue, with white-trimmed Waltz gown. It was simple and elegant, with lots of rhinestoning. The skirt had several layers of double-georgette and no details except for a stoned, back belt at her natural waist and some transitional rhinestoning, so that the bodice blended with the skirt. Per usual, the nude elastic straps were disappointing.

Derek was bland in another gray outfit. He had a gray vest, pant and tie, and requisite white shirt.

Lacey’s second outfit was interesting, with an interesting use of black and blue feathers. It had a similar silhouette to her first, funky black costume. I didn’t like it as much, though, but it was OK. I was also disappointed with Kyle’s coordinating outfit. It seemed like it was just thrown together. A blue satin shirt to color-coordinate with the blue in Lacey's costume, and then his black jacket looked like it had white band uniform braid, just stuck on. It appeared as if the costumers tried to turn a basic black jacket into a ‘costume’ – not a good look. In fact, it was tacky.

Bristol and Mark wore black for both of their dance performances, this week. I enjoyed Bristol, all during the show, but I’m really disappointed that she displaced Brandy in the finals. But I know that rules are rules, and call-in and text-in votes are what wins the mirror-ball trophy!

Bristol wore a very covered-up Paso Doble costume. Long sleeves and a high neckline, with a long skirt, was Bristol’s costume. Her skirt was split, so she could use it as a cape, revealing lots of leg. The trim on the top of her costume included lots of silver metal studs, all over the bodice, outlining the collar and on her shoulder epaulettes. The same epaulettes were the only detail work on Mark’s coordinating, all-black outfit. Mark’s dolman sleeved jacket was open, revealing his bare chest, and accented with a leather cummerbund. Their dance performance was dramatic and bold, as were their visually effective costumes.

For the couple’s Waltz, they again wore black. Black lace with once again-long sleeves and fully covered bodice. For this costume the modest bodice was paired with layers of black chiffon for the skirt, along with her dramatic hood, which was dropped into place, near the beginning of her routine. Mark wore another fashion-forward jacketed ensemble with black velvet piping on the asymmetrical, frontal styling that created a ‘V’ design. They were too covered and too dark for my taste.

The highs and the lows of this week’s show included many highs with the dancing and the costuming. The low was not being able to see Brandy and Maks in the finals. I heard someone ask if Brandy and Maks would dance their free-style presentation next week. I assume that they had already been practicing their routine. I hope that this is the case – as I think that this would be a wonderful addition to the show!