Figure skating dresses - spot quality before you buy

How can you tell if you are going to get your money worth from a more expensive skating dress. How do you spot quality before you buy? Brand name is one way, but not the only way. Sharene, Del Arbor, Mondor, etc. are always a quality buy if you don't mind having the same dress as somebody else at a gepetition or your rink. There are a lot of high quality dresses out there made by private parties, but you do have to be a educated buyer. I buy dresses from other seamstress and tailors all the time and have gained experience in buying quality and avoiding the lemons.The first thing you should look for is lining in the dress. Lined dresses don't stretch out of shape, are warmer, and give more support. Seamstresses that line their dresses take the time, effort, and extra fabric to make sure the dress is made correctly. These dresses take longer to construct and have higher material costs, so you will probably have to pay a little more.If the dresses have crystals, make sure they are SWAROVSKI crystals. Other crystals cloud and don't sparkle like the other crystals. If sequins are used, make sure they are anchored individually. If they are sewn in a line, it inhibits stretch and you will probably break threads when you stretch the dress. Sequins will fall off. If you buy a dress with a lot of sequins or crystals, I regemend requesting a few extras be sent with the dress. Dresses with "bling" that you buy in department stores for every day use gee with extra buttons, beads, etc.