If you simply gush and swoon at the outfits on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, you are not alone. These hand-crafted outfits are glamour from head to foot, and every inch is pored over with intricate detail, with thousands of crystals used in each piece. It certainly creates some inspiration for making your own Strictly-style outfit at home. While you may not match the expert level of the costume designers on the show, you can glitter it up just as much.
In the following guide, we show you how, with our hotfix mixes, you can easily apply glitz and glamour however you want.
Create Your Own Rhinestone Ballroom Gown at Home
Choosing your pattern
Choosing the right pattern for your ballroom gown is pivotal not just for the aesthetic appeal, but also for determining the rhinestone application process. Patterns with intricate designs or detailed embroidery can offer natural placements for rhinestones, enhancing their elegance. Conversely, simpler patterns may require a more creative approach, integrating rhinestones in ways that create movement or highlight the body's contours.
The fabric's texture and the gown's overall design will also influence the size and type of rhinestones you choose, as well as the adhesive method. Investing time in pattern selection ensures a harmonious blend of fabric and sparkle, so do not skip this step.
Why Hotfix crystals
When it comes to Hotfix vs non-Hotfix crystals, Hotfix crystals and rhinestones come with a heat-activated adhesive backing, making them a top choice for ballroom dresses. Firstly, their application is more uniform and secure compared to non-Hotfix alternatives. Given the dynamic and vigorous movements in ballroom dancing, this ensures that each stone stays firmly in place throughout a performance.
The Hotfix method is also more time-efficient, allowing for quicker gown embellishments. Hotfix crystals provide a cleaner finish too, with no need to deal with visible glue residue or potential mess. For elegance that lasts and stands up to the demands of ballroom dancing, Hotfix is the way to go. Browse our range of Swarovski Hotfix crystals for premium options ideal for performance wear.
Hotfix applicator is the best tool
If you are completely new to Hotfix crystals, you will need a Hotfix applicator. It is not as complicated as it sounds, and you can find the right tool in our guide to the best rhinestone applicators. Hotfix crystals should only be applied to soft, absorbent materials like cotton or polyester. It is a good idea to use a scrap piece of material to practise first, but it will not take long to get the hang of it.
Choose the correct size applicator for the Hotfix crystal you want to apply, fit it in the nozzle and wait a couple of minutes for it to heat up. Then add the crystal to the applicator. You will see the glue begin to melt and become soft. Keeping the applicator at a 90-degree angle and the material on a flat surface, gently but firmly apply the Hotfix crystal. Then play with different designs and patterns for your ballroom outfits. For a deeper guide to applying Hotfix crystals across different fabric types, see our complete guide to applying Swarovski Hotfix crystals to fabric.
Swarovski Hotfix crystals for maximum sparkle
You can sample a range of sizes with our size mix of Swarovski Flatback Crystals Hotfix. These come in a pack of 250 or 500 in round, multi-faceted Swarovski crystals in Crystal AB, an iridescent crystal colour that works against any material. From as small as 1.4mm to 4mm in size, these crystals make a subtle but brilliant adornment along the hem or edge of a costume. Line the bottom edge with the largest size crystals, create a row above with a smaller size, then another with a smaller size, and so on, creating a rippling effect as large or small as you want.
What about the Shaped Hotfix Crystals?
We also carry a Shapes Mix of Swarovski Flatback Hotfix Crystals, which come in navette, pure leaf, flame, drop, raindrop, starlet, rhombus and fan shapes, ranging in sizes from 6mm to 10mm. Shape mixes are great for cluster patterns on your outfits, for example as a detail on the shoulders. Tessellate some of these shapes to make a beautiful pattern that catches the eye, and is easy and fun to make.
Why Rhinestones are Perfect for Ballroom Dancing Dresses
Dazzling movement
When it comes to ballroom dancing, every spin, twirl and step matters. Rhinestones, with their innate ability to catch and refract light, amplify these movements, creating an eye-catching shimmer with every move. The sparkle of rhinestones complements the fluidity of dance, ensuring that the dancers are always in the spotlight.
Elevated costumes
The elegance of ballroom dance costumes is further elevated by the application of rhinestones. Their versatility allows them to be incorporated into intricate designs, patterns or borders, adding depth and sophistication. Rhinestones can also be tailored to match or contrast the fabric, offering endless design possibilities. Similar techniques work brilliantly for other dance disciplines too: see our guide on adding sparkle to Irish dance dresses for more inspiration.
Durability under duress
Ballroom dancing demands durability from costumes, as they undergo strain during performances. High-quality rhinestones, especially when properly affixed, can withstand the rigours of energetic dance routines. With correct application they will stay firmly in place, ensuring that the dancer's appearance remains impeccable throughout the performance.
FAQs
What crystals do Strictly Come Dancing dresses use?
Strictly costumes use Swarovski hotfix flatback crystals as the industry standard for ballroom dance gowns — chosen for maximum brilliance under stage lighting and secure heat-activated bonds that survive vigorous routines. Each gown typically uses 5,000 to 30,000 Swarovski hotfix crystals depending on coverage. Serinity hotfix crystals are an Austrian-made alternative at around 10% below Swarovski pricing with matching brilliance for at-home Strictly-inspired projects.
How many crystals do I need for a ballroom dance dress?
Full Strictly-style coverage gowns use 10,000-30,000 hotfix crystals per dress in mixed SS10-SS20 sizes. A partial design (bodice and hem only) uses 3,000-6,000 crystals. An accent design (cuffs, hem trim, shoulder detail) uses 500-2,000 crystals. Multi-size packs of 250 or 500 are ideal for sampling sizes before committing to bulk packs for the full design.
What size hotfix crystals are best for ballroom gowns?
Use a graduated mix of SS6 (2.0mm), SS10 (2.8mm), SS16 (3.9mm) and SS20 (4.7mm) for the most dynamic Strictly-style finish. Larger SS20 stones along the hem catch the most light during spins; smaller SS6 and SS10 stones build dense coverage and define detail. Multi-size hotfix mix packs in Crystal AB are designed exactly for this layered ballroom dress effect.
Can I apply hotfix crystals with a household iron?
Yes — a household iron works on cotton, polyester and most ballroom dress fabrics. Set the iron to cotton setting with steam OFF, place crystals flat-side down, cover with a thin cotton cloth and apply firm pressure for 10-15 seconds. A dedicated hotfix applicator wand gives faster, more precise results for large projects — see our guide to the best rhinestone applicators. Do not use steam, which weakens the hotfix glue.
Will hotfix crystals stay on during ballroom dancing?
Yes — correctly applied hotfix crystals withstand the spins, lifts and vigorous movement of ballroom dance routines. The keys are: 1) Use Swarovski or Serinity hotfix (not cheap unbranded). 2) Apply with full heat for the recommended 10-15 seconds. 3) Allow to cool completely before flexing the fabric. 4) Hand wash only, never machine wash. Properly applied hotfix on suitable fabric lasts the lifetime of the costume.
What crystal colour is best for a ballroom gown?
Crystal AB is the most popular ballroom dress crystal colour — its iridescent rainbow coating flashes red, blue, green and gold as the dancer moves under stage lights, creating maximum visual impact. Pure Crystal works for traditional white and ivory gowns. Coloured AB effects (Light Rose AB, Sapphire AB, Olivine AB) coordinate with coloured fabric. For Latin numbers, bold solid colours like Siam, Sapphire and Emerald deliver dramatic stage presence.
Where can I buy crystals for ballroom dance dresses?
Bluestreak Crystals is an Authorised Swarovski Distribution Partner stocking the complete Swarovski hotfix range, alongside Serinity hotfix crystals (Austrian-made own brand at around 10% below Swarovski) and Preciosa and Estella hotfix at more accessible price points. Browse our complete range of hotfix crystals with same or next working day dispatch on the majority of orders.
