I do agree that there is no NEED for wigs & expensive costumes... we wore uniforms in Catholic school on the theory that it made everyone equal... though the kids whose parents had money had plenty of ways to show that off.

When I worked with show horses, western classes had gone from wearing clean jeans and shirt to silver studded tack and matching outfits on the riders. Fine for the circus... but by god! it got turned into another status symbol free for all. If you got, flaunt- it taken to the nth degree.

Competition does not always bring out the best in folks... and it takes concerted effort to rein in the excesses that seem so important to some. Put the money into good footwear that won't hurt growing feet and use costumes that enhance their ability to dance... and the heck with the so called visual experience.