This is a collection of articles on dress and related topics, most which
have been previously published in various forms, for DLV attendees. Some
have been rewritten and updated for this collection.
Since most of these have been previously published at different times
and under different circumstances, some duplication (and even some
contradiction) may occur.
These are intended for multiple audiences, including:
- Those who are new to public exposure who want some general and
specific information regarding dress, including acquiring a wardrobe,
various styles of dress, what to wear where, etc.
- Those of any experience level who want to know what is suggested
for dress for various DLV activities.
- Those whose style of dress is such that they need to know what is
acceptable and what is not acceptable to wear to the various DLV
activities.
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So, just what is the "Dress Code" for Diva Las Vegas?
The general dress guideline, or "Dress Code" if you want to
call it that, for Diva Las Vegas is that for all DLV activities, dress
must be appropriate for the age, height, and size of the wearer, and
within the bounds for what is usual and customary to be worn to
such an activity.
This guideline has been published in one form or another since the very
early days of DLV. No changes to this general guideline have been made
in the recent past.
But what about that big crackdown just before DLV 2004, and that new
super-strict dress code that went into effect just then?
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Here's the story ... -- First, there's no new "super-strict dress
code" or anything like that. Following DLV 2003 we received
multiple complaints about a small minority within our group whose
dress and behavior attracted unwanted negative attention to themselves
and to the group as a whole in mainstream locations.
The DLV organizers decided to clarify what is expected from the DLV
participants regarding dress, behavior, and restroom usage, the three
items that elicited multiple complaints.
The one principle which emerged is that which forms the philosophy
behind all of our dress, behavior, and restroom guidelines, and that
is:
The purpose of DLV is to have fun -- a lot of fun!
However, do not have your fun at the expense of others!
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The only significant change is that from DLV 2004 forward, it is very
explicitly "un-cool" to intentionally dress or misbehave in
mainstream public in a manner which brings unwanted attention to our
group.
This has, unfortunately, been misinterpreted to mean several things,
one of which is a limitation on your options of what to wear, and
another being a presure to wear more conservative and more casual
styles. These are, most definitely, misunderstandings.
The expectations regarding dress for over 98% of our attendees,
who know how to dress and behave properly, have not changed at all!
The DLV organizers also realized that there is a demand for more
dress-up activities, as well as for those activities where it is indeed
appropriate to dress flashy and trashy, if desired. The current DLV
lineup of activities reflects this.
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If you would like more detail of how our activities are classified, keep
reading below. Otherwise you can skip ahead to the
first chapter in this series on general dress.
Activity Classes
The DLV organizers have divided the activities into four very broad
categories, each which has its own general sets of guidelines,
requirements, and issues regarding dress. These are four very general
categories, and not an enumeration from most-dressy to least dressy,
or most permissive to least permissive.
These categories are:
- "Safe Venue" activities:
Safe Venue activities are those activities held in locations where DLV
attendees will be the only occupants, or in locations patronized
primarily by members of the GLBT community.
In general, the facilities used for Safe Venue activities are the most
T-friendly and the least intimidating to those who are new to going
out in public.
Some examples of Safe Venue activities include:
- Annual Welcome Celebration
- Alternative Bar Crawl
- Dance Night at Gipsy
Dress suggestions will be given for Safe Venue activities, ranging from
casual to dressy, depending on time, place, and circumstance, but no
enforcement of dress guidelines will be made at Safe Venue activities.
- "Major Venue" activities:
Major Venue activities are those activities held in venues which are
general-public in nature, where most of those present will be DLV
participants. Some interaction with the general public may be
expected at Major Venue activities.
Examples of Major Venue activities include:
- Night Of The Soiled Doves *
- Ballroom Dance Instruction
- Milano's Restaurant
- Rocky Horror Picture Show *
Dress suggestions will be given for Major Venue activities depending on
time, place, and circumstance. Enforcement of dress guidelines at Major
Venue activities will occur if one's dress is clearly inappropriate for
such an activity.
* Note that these two (NSD and RHPS) are indeed Major Venue activities,
but dress that is trashy/flashy is usual and customary to wear to such
activities and will be most definitely appropriate in those cases.
- DLV Mainstream activities:
DLV Mainstream Activities occur in venues which are open to and shared
with the general public. It is expected that contact between the general
public and DLV participants will occur at all DLV Mainstream activities.
Examples of DLV Mainstream Activities include:
- Daily Lunch With Ginger
- Limousine Tour
- Production shows
- Golf match
DLV Mainstream Activities will be clearly marked "This is a mainstream
activity" on the final schedule sent out in the Large Final Mailing.
Dress for DLV Mainstream Activities must be age-appropriate,
size-appropriate, and occasion-appropriate.
Dress guidelines will be enforced at DLV Mainstream Activities.
Those inappropriately dressed will be asked to leave or sent back to
change. Anyone who becomes confrontive or abusive when told to go change
will be dismissed from all further DLV participation.
- Non-DLV activities:
These are activities which include DLV participants which do not appear
on our schedule, and those over which the DLV organizers have no authority.
Examples of Non-DLV activities include:
- Casual early-morning breakfast at a coffee shop.
- Late-night gatherings at a casino bar.
- Various recreational and tourist activities.
Although there can be no enforcement of dress guidelines at Non-DLV
activities, we ask all to please dress and act appropriately when in the
general public, and please help to set a good example of DLV and of the
TG community.
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