2023 Black & White Ball Dress Code

Please note: The Dress Code will be strictly enforced – we will be denying entry to individuals wearing inappropriate attire. Individuals who repeatedly disobey the dress code after entry will be asked to leave the event.

The dress code for the Black and White Ball is formal.

Cosplay and lolita are allowed, as long as the attire fits within the guidelines listed below.

As stated in the FanimeCon 2023 Code of Conduct, face masks will be required.

Please note that the Black & White Ball lessons and events, located in the Marriott San Jose Ballroom will require a valveless high-filtration mask – NIOSH approved (N95 minimum) or equivalent (KN95/KF94). We will have a limited number available at the door, but please be prepared to bring your own.

Thank you for your understanding and for helping us ensure the safety of staff and attendees! If you have any questions, please email us at: bwball@fanime.com.

Please note: There will be a coat check available outside of the ballroom. Please store your valuables (large bags, props, etc.) in a safe location before coming to the Black & White Ball. See Fan Storage for more information.

Allowed	Not Allowed
Tops
Button-up long-sleeve shirts Button-up short-sleeve shirts Blouses Dress jackets, evening jackets, suit jackets	T-shirts Tank tops Muscle shirts Tube tops Crop tops Ripped shirts Not wearing a shirt
Bottoms
Dress pants Slacks Khakis, chinos Leggings worn under appropriate dresses/skirts Lolita ouji-style formal shorts that meet the dress/skirt length requirement	Jeans/denim of any kind Shorts and cutoffs Ripped pants Athletic pants Sweatpants Leggings not worn under appropriate dresses/skirts
Dresses / Skirts
Evening gowns Dresses/skirts that reach the top of the knee cap Dresses/skirts with a sheer (see-through) layer that reaches to the top of the knee must also have an opaque (not see-through) layer that extends to fingertip length (at minimum)	Dresses/skirts that are higher than the top of the knee cap Dresses/skirts with a sheer (see-through) layer that reaches to the top of the knee but does not have an opaque (not see-through) layer that extends to fingertip length (at minimum)
Accessories
Ties Gloves Jewelry Formal hats Masks	Weapon props Accessories with excessive dangling objects
Shoes
Dress shoes Ballroom-dance shoes Dress boots Flats Clean shoes with no visible logos Character shoes (Musical theater shoes that have either short, wide heels or are similar to Oxford-style dance shoes) Formal sandals with straps to secure the heel Cosplay shoes that meet the shoe guidelines If your shoes have heels/platform of any kind, they must be… Heels that are 4″ or lower (including any platforms) Heels that are the size of/larger than a nickel in diameter at the tip Note: Stiletto/narrow heels with heel caps that make the heel tip the size of/larger than a nickel in diameter are allowed. Heels must still be 4” or lower.	Shoes with large, visible logos (ie. Nike “swoosh”) Athletic sneakers/tennis shoes Birkenstocks Uggs Crocs Clogs Flip flops Bare feet If your shoes have heels/platform of any kind, they cannot be… Heels over 4″ (including any platform) Stiletto heels (narrow-tipped heels that are less than a nickel in diameter at the tip)

If you have any medical issues that may affect your ability to follow the dress code, please contact the Black & White Ball staff.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding the dress code, please email us at bwball@fanime.com.

Don’t have something that fits within the dress code? Can’t find anything to wear? Want to donate any old formal wear to help out a good cause?
Head on over to Idris’s Closet to find whatever you may need at an affordable price!
All proceeds will go to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.