Thread: I'm genuinely curious: How do you afford expensive costumes?

OK, so let me start with a disclaimer, I realize that everyone has different financial means and situations, understood. I'm not judging anyone who has expensive taste and can afford it. I happen to be single, living on my own and I work at a nonprofit (low salary)...so this thread is really about my financial situation...

I adore expensive costumes. I've become obsessed with them lately...I just plain can't afford them, not even the used ones. The most expensive costume I own was $385 (down from $565) at a warehouse sale, the other expensive one was about $250 and the rest were a little over $100. That's all I can rationalized spending based on my finances. Some or part of them had to go on my credit card, along with the rest of my mounting debt....

So everytime I see a beautiful costume for sale I am always thinking, "Man, I wish I could afford that." ..cr.: But I can't see the practicality of it and I doubt it would ever be worth it to me. For instance, I keep track of my belly dance credits and debits on a spread sheet and I have to make $160 before I break even. There is no way I can afford a costume right now (even with my "stimulus" check)

So my question is: how do you/I afford expensive costumes?
Buy it on credit assuming it will be paid off later?
Save until you have enough money?
Only buy used costumes?
Is it really an investment? Is it really worth it?

Some of you might suggest making my costumes...I tried that and the three I've worked on are the most hideous things in the world. I have saved money by making my own skirts though, which is an easy cost-saving option for me.

I guess, I don't really know what I want from this thread. But I just get overwhelmed and a little jealous that so many people can dish out some big bucks for costumes. I guess I should just cut myself some slack, because I've been trying to do the pro thing for less than a year...so I have plenty of time to start saving for costumes in the future. I know if I had a solid career belly dancing (or even a better paying job) I wouldn't be this heartbroken about the lack of high quality costumes in my life.

One dancer told me that when she decided to go pro she maxed out all ther credit cards to buy pro costumes and then took a long time paying them off.

i've only bought pro costumes in Egypt. I can't pay $800 for something here that's just $200 there. But if I could believe me i totally would.

I only teach and collect unemployment now so i've decided to only spend on workshops and videos and class wardrobe (i'm in love with melodia). But hopefully later I can have a big pro costume stash.

I TRULY understand where you're coming from! In my personal opinion, you don't always need the Bellas, Raqia Hassans, Ablas, etc, unless you're top professional. I like to convert regular dresses into spectacular ones and galabeyas are my friend (for Egyptian style). Also, I'm lucky enough to have someone can make really nice costumes, and charges cheap because we're in the same dance class. Also, I'm taking a risk because she's a new business (not at what she does, just the business).

It depends on what you're taste is and where you are in your dance career. If you're dancing in high end venues, then yes, you want to have those more expensive costumes. Otherwise, use some creativity to make/buy/assemble costumes you would love to wear on a low budget. Costumes aren't always Designer.

You're not alone, dear! I'm right with you. I hope you find the answers you're looking for. This all easier said than done.

Best Wishes!

Originally Posted by rakgirl

One dancer told me that when she decided to go pro she maxed out all ther credit cards to buy pro costumes and then took a long time paying them off.

i've only bought pro costumes in Egypt. I can't pay $800 for something here that's just $200 there. But if I could believe me i totally would.

I only teach and collect unemployment now so i've decided to only spend on workshops and videos and class wardrobe (i'm in love with melodia). But hopefully later I can have a big pro costume stash.

I realy wish I had the courage do what you're doing. ,f:: To dedicate all of my time to something I truly love. I respect you for that.

http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...0-costume.html

Originally Posted by Bellydancefanatic

I TRULY understand where you're coming from! In my personal opinion, you don't always need the Bellas, Raqia Hassans, Ablas, etc, unless you're top professional. I like to convert regular dresses into spectacular ones and galabeyas are my friend (for Egyptian style). Also, I'm lucky enough to have someone can make really nice costumes, and charges cheap because we're in the same dance class. Also, I'm taking a risk because she's a new business (not at what she does, just the business).

It depends on what you're taste is and where you are in your dance career. If you're dancing in high end venues, then yes, you want to have those more expensive costumes. Otherwise, use some creativity to make/buy/assemble costumes you would love to wear on a low budget. Costumes aren't always Designer.

You're not alone, dear! I'm right with you. I hope you find the answers you're looking for. This all easier said than done.

Best Wishes!

Thanks. I think you are right about not needing the designer stuff unless you are a top professional. It just seems to be the fad these days. A lot of women around here show up to hafla's in these blinged out costumes and I can't help but feel inadequate in my Alba knock-off.

I *never* buy on credit.

My very first costume I bought with an income tax refund. It wasn't a smart financial move at the time, I had no paying gigs or anything. Although... the fact that I was committed enough to buy a pro costume may have led to my teacher & her troupemates taking me seriously, asking me to join the troupe, and including me in their restaurant gig at some point.

Anyway... since then I've saved for every costume. I mostly buy used or find *great* deals -- I rarely pay more than $500, often less than $300. Used costumes hold their value *very* well. If I pay $500 for a used Pharonics and wear it several times over the course of a year, I can probably still sell it for $450 and be offering a great bargain to the next dancer -- if I take very good care of it.

I own about 8 costumes, and I've been dancing for 8 years, so that tells you how long I save up for each one. I probably buy & sell four or five costumes per year, but my collection is slowly growing by about one costume per year.

Dancers who get to have whole closetsfull of costumes are the ones who do three shows a night, 6 days a week. The rest of us can't justify it & don't need them.

I'm forever reminding my students - when they get sparkle-envy -- that there's no real reason to own a pro costume if you don't dance professionally and won't earn that money back. Of course it's tempting and they're fun to look at! But if they took ice skating lessons for fun, would they buy professional costumes to wear to the rink? Or take ballroom dance lessons and buy a $1200 pro costume to wear to the chicken & beer dance at the VFW? Of course the costumes are lovely & tempting, but I hate it when my students start feeling like they 'should' buy one.

OTOH, if someone has the money to spend, and buying costumes makes them happy, I think they should go for it!

Originally Posted by kiyaana

http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...0-costume.html

Thanks I must've missed that thread or something...

i dont buy them on credit either. my costumes usually pay for themselves... through performing. i used to pay for them with money i made teaching bellydace, but lately i'm more or less able to pay for them through gigs.

Well it's from waaaaay back in January, but it accumulated four pages with lots of opinions on it, so I thought it might be interesting to you.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Thanks I must've missed that thread or something...

Oh Andalee, we all get jealous of each other's costumes! But please remember that a sparkly designer costume doesn't make a gal a better dancer. Only practice and experience can do that.

As for affording costumes, for me it's all my husband. I'm a stay-at-home mom and belly dancing is my hobby. Yes, I make money off of it, but let's be serious. Not a high percentage of dancers can actually make a good living from dance alone.

My best advice to you, don't go into debt over this. Save the cash ahead of time and then when you're ready (and only when you're ready) browse swap meet, ask dancers in your area and find something used. Though it is better to take that $600-700 and put it in a retirement account or high interest savings account (or pay off debt). ..g.:

And as someone who used to also be a single woman working in a non-profit organization, I highly recommend reading the book "Women and Money" by Suze Orman. She's a financial guru and will stop you from making those $800 credit card purchases in a heartbeat, and you'll feel good about not spending money! She's all about being financially responsible and securing your future.

Good luck and keep your head held high! Good dancing comes from good practice, not good costumes

......

Hi ! I understand how you feel and here's my take, for what it's worth. When I started dancing in '99 I was working at a book & music store making less than $10 an hour and also going to school full-time. My husband was working in a guitar shop not making much either. Needless to say I couldn't afford any of my dream costumes. The first time I spent a lot was a $400 Joharah that I came home from a workshop with - I thought my hubby was going to pass out, and over the next few years some of our biggest arguments were over what I spent on costumes. I tried making my own and buying less expensive stuff when I could and I was never happy with it. If I had saved all the money from the cheap stuff and bought one or two nice costumes I think I would have been happier.
In the past few years our financial situation has improved and here and there I've sprung (via MasterCard) for some really nice, custom high-end cossies. I also keep a tally of how much I make from dancing vs. how much I'm spending and prefer to keep it even. While that usually doesn't happen, it's a little easier thanks to the swap board here on Bhuz. I haven't been custom-ordering much in the past year but rather purchasing used. Typically you can buy a nice used costume, wear it a few times, and pass it along, without losing too much $. Plus, the custom orders can be such a pain - spending a lot of money, waiting so long (sometimes only to have them arrive and not be the right size, etc). If you can be patient and watchful, your dream costume(s) will likely appear on the swap board eventually. For much less than new.
You almost have to think of these like cars or something - they're not going to increase in value or even stay the same - as soon as you drive it off the lot the value goes down. ..g.:

If you dance well and from your heart, your costume is truly secondary. The costume is supposed to enhance the dancing, not the other way around, right?

Some pro dancers are really good at buying high-quality costumes, even used, wearing them a few times and keeping them immaculate and then selling. So the initial investment gets turned back into new costumes. Certain popular, well-known brands like Bella, Sahar, etc. retain a lot of their value when they are resold.

This is a smart and savvy thing to do and it works for some.

Myself, being the quirky little gem that I am, enjoy the challenge of creating costumes for not much money. But I like the process and I like a little more casual style costumes, which are appropriate for the venues where I dance (haflas, community shows, etc.) Right now I am creating a belt and bra to go with a Sharifwear skirt and top that I traded for here on Bhuz swapmeet. But that's me, I enjoy doing it that way. If you are a young up-and-coming pro dancer, you would probably want to do things differently.

Some thoughts:

Most of my pro costumes have been in the $300-500 range, either because they are a lesser known (like Yasser) or unknown designer, or because they are used. I did purchase one brand new Pharonics for $720 a couple of years ago, which I will likely be buried in. There are so many gorgeous costumes on the swap meet board, or available through vendors who trade in lesser known designers that I hardly feel tempted at all by the Dahlal catalogs anymore.

I also am a fan of having several mix-and-match bedlahs and skirts sets (especially L. Rose trumpets) - you can give a bedlah a whole new look by pairing it with a different style or color skirt.

A lot of times, if I want to buy a new costume, I make myself sell another to help raise funds for it.

To be honest, I make most of my dance money through teaching - my income is about 75% from teaching and 25% from performing. In my neck of the woods, there simply are not enough gigs for me to afford more than a couple of pro costumes.

Hiya, Andalee & Lovely Ladies of Bhuz! We're totally "rak'n the same boat", in that my most expensive costume is just under $350. I constantly suffer from costume-envy (someone please explain this phenomenon to me!) & wish I could afford the gorgeous yet outrageously expensive costumes I lay eyes upon, but I simply can't...and this, Even though I do have some paying gigs and am what my teacher calls "a working gal" of bellydance. One way that I'm personally able to quell those obsessive desires to have this blingy cossy or that blingy cossy is by stalking the Tanyas:))--Naiyahayal/Kadoodle & TanyaLV--who have the most amazing designer costumes (some used and some never worn!:)) that they so generously share here on bhuz! I think without them, I'd never have a Bella or Pharaonics!

Originally Posted by maliam

Oh Andalee, we all get jealous of each other's costumes! But please remember that a sparkly designer costume doesn't make a gal a better dancer. Only practice and experience can do that.

As for affording costumes, for me it's all my husband. I'm a stay-at-home mom and belly dancing is my hobby. Yes, I make money off of it, but let's be serious. Not a high percentage of dancers can actually make a good living from dance alone.

My best advice to you, don't go into debt over this. Save the cash ahead of time and then when you're ready (and only when you're ready) browse swap meet, ask dancers in your area and find something used. Though it is better to take that $600-700 and put it in a retirement account or high interest savings account (or pay off debt). ..g.:

And as someone who used to also be a single woman working in a non-profit organization, I highly recommend reading the book "Women and Money" by Suze Orman. She's a financial guru and will stop you from making those $800 credit card purchases in a heartbeat, and you'll feel good about not spending money! She's all about being financially responsible and securing your future.

Good luck and keep your head held high! Good dancing comes from good practice, not good costumes

Good advice. I have Suze Orman's "Young, broke and fabulous" book. Haven't gotten around to using it yet. My boyfriend has money, but we're not married or living together yet...and of course he wants me to pay off my debt before we do get married and he thinks 4 costumes is enough. Nevah!

For my expensive costume I saved cash from gigs and put it in a special place. I still had to shell out $85 on my credit card but that was much better. And I logged it on my spreadsheet. A costume warehouse sale is coming up in a month and desprately want to go but I spent all my saved cash in Istanbul!

The truth is we all make choices about our money. I choose to travel, attend workshops and buy stuff. I have to live with the consequences.

Great idea about the ledger. I do the same thing to keep myself in check money-wise with dance stuff.

I prefer to have the money first instead of purchasing on credit. Often a vendor will negotiate with you on the price especially if you have cash.

It works to go without buying coffee for months, to fish out all of the loose change from the laundry or couch in order to save up. I know this from personal experience.

I am also shameless and when I see a dancer, workshop instructor or teacher who is a similar size to me I introduce myself, talk to them and ask them where they get their beautiful costume and if they ever consider selling it or anything that might fit me to keep me in mind as I have a hard time finding things that fits and wears well. It has worked for me and I have met some nice people that way and in turn when they have shopped at an event and saw something that might work for me from a vendor they have let me know.

Try looking for a seamstress or designer who makes theater & opera costumes, ballroom gowns or pagent gowns; when you have something very specific in mind sometimes that turns out to cost less.

My friend in Texas had one made by a theater costume designer from the local university and it looks JUST LIKE an Eman... but with a better shaped bra and made with stronger material. It fits her like buttah!

As for quality... in general I have found that SIM Moda Evi costumes have worked well for me because they don't fall apart easily. Even the used ones, I can't sew well at all nor do I have the 'eye' for cutting or beading.

[QUOTE=gretchendances;169697] I am also shameless and when I see a dancer, workshop instructor or teacher who is a similar size to me I introduce myself, talk to them and ask them where they get their beautiful costume and if they ever consider selling it or anything that might fit me to keep me in mind as I have a hard time finding things that fits and wears well. It has worked for me and I have met some nice people that way and in turn when they have shopped at an event and saw something that might work for me from a vendor they have let me know. [QUOTE]

Ha! I've done that too. I've sent women in my community e-mails that are like, "we're about the same size, ready to get rid of anything?" LOL. I also am keeping track of the bhuzzers who have similiar builds body styles. Size 12/14, 5'8, 38D, 42 hips...please raise your hand...

I have been dancing for 12 years and I don't have nearly as many costumes as it seems like most dancers of my experience do. I have three pharaonics costumes (two purchased used), a real coin set, a beledi dress, and the rest of my stuff is misc. homemade or otherwise inexpensive stuff I've accumulated over the years.

I have paid for some of my costumes through my silk veil sales. But for the most part, if I buy something, I have to sell something. I bought my most recent acquisition (the coin set) by selling my Madame Abla.

One other thought, sometimes dancers are willing to do lay-away if you don't have money up-front. Granted, I still think it's best to save until you have the cash, but it's an option

Also, working odds-and-ends jobs can help too. Craigslist always has someone looking to pay you an extra $50-100 to pull weeds or watch their kid for a day. I will sometimes work retail hours during holidays or back-to-school for extra cash. Just a thought!

Let me know how you like your Orman book. If it's any good I might buy that one too. My sis and I are hooked on her!!!

I also agree with what the other gals said... unless you are working 6 nights a week regularly performing in a 5 star resort why do you need so many darned costumes in your closet?

Also.... FYI if you do have that many... your renters insurance or homeowners insurance does not cover them to the full value that you paid for them. I discovered this after Hurricane Katrina.

I'd like to pipe in and in addition to Suze Ormond, I highly recommend David Bach's "Smart Women Finish Rich." Use your "latté factor" to save up for the costumes of your dreams. Manifest them. Envision yourself wearing them, post photos of them on your fridge. They'll come to you in unexpected ways, either as used costumes, someone who makes amazing knock offs, or your own elbow-grease in earning them.

On a flip note: you can become a vendor and get amazing costumes at wholesale. I ended up with a boxful of Emans that fit perfectly by vending her costumes with my partners b/t 2003-2004. I have since sold them all and have become a proponent for what Simon Doonan has termed "Eccentric Glamour" by steering away from (or at least not having to purchase at full price) designer labels, brand names, and designing costumes just for me. You can manifest a seamstress who works on the same creative vibe as you.

No doubt the fortunate performers who can afford the top designer costumes look very beautiful and have worked hard to accumulate their wardrobe. But we're all on a spectrum and you can claim an elegant and high-end looking style all your own without having to resort to huge debt.

You can dooo eeeet!

The girls in these parts joke about how large my costume closet is, but the truth is - I'm not floating in costumes OR cash. It's just that I don't like wearing the same dress to the prom twice (so to speak).

I buy most of mine used and sell off costumes to make up the cash. You won't ever catch me in a $1500 Sahar, no matter how beautiful they are. There are other things I would prefer to do with that kind of money.

I'd agree with Azhia... how about finding an affordable, good seamstress, show her/him some pictures of what you have in mind and have one custom made? That way you could take as long as you needed to save up for the costume and order it when you're ready. Who cares what the label says, so long as it's well made and is beautiful?

I love to ritz it up too.. but I tell ya. I feel QUITE glamorous in my Emans. Just love her stuff. One of them I purchased via layaway on her website. That was really nice...

Some of the girls here (ie Bhuz) perform at well-paid gigs frequently. I couldn't get over the fact that dancers not too far from here in bigger cities are getting $450/pop for wedding. (I only charge $200 which is on the high side for my city). So, if you are dancing at higher paid gigs like this, it only takes one or two to earn the funds to buy a higher end costume.

Hi Andalee,
When I was gigging constantly, I could justify spending gazillions on costumes, but even then I never had more than six in my closet at a time. Recycling was how I kept my closet fresh without breaking the bank. Order a Pharaonics for $450 straight from Amira, and resell for $350. Some friends of mine have closets bursting at the seems with sequins, but I am so durn picky that I can never find loads of costumes to drool over at once. So, I guess my advice is to find costumes you love, at a price that doesn't make your stomach churn, and hold on to them for dear life, or at least until you really know you are totally sick of them. I still regret selling at least 4 of my old costumes...boo-hoo Have you looked at bellydancewithk and the more economical selections on dahlal? They have some great stuff!
good luck!
Hannan

Originally Posted by Bellydancefanatic

I realy wish I had the courage do what you're doing. ,f:: To dedicate all of my time to something I truly love. I respect you for that.

Thank you. I alternate between being deliriously happy and scared as hell. Today i'm happy.

I'd love to buy used costumes but i'm a strange size. I'm 5"11 and a size 2-4 with a small B cup. It seems that costumes that are for sell are not long enough or have a big bra. I'm thinking of using the seamstress idea.

I have always had expensive taste and would rather have a few high-end costumes (as opposed to many low-end).

I have 6 costumes in circulation now, and 2 that need some work before their debut. I've only been dancing professionally for 6 months, but I knew it was coming so prepared by building up my costume wardrobe for a year prior. The past few months I've been dancing almost every weekend and each night is 2 costumes so they all get used.

It'll take a while to get that "investment" back but I have a job that enables me to buy things if I really want them. I know my billing cycle and when to put it on credit so that I'll have maximum time to save (if I don't already have the cash).

Out of the 8 total costumes I have, I bought 3 of them new. The rest came from the bhuz swap meets. You can get up to 50% off and it makes the designer costumes more affordable :)

I made an initial investment in costumes when I went pro 8 years ago. Since then I get new costumes by selling an old one first and occasionally I will save up my gig payments to buy a new one or put something on layaway. Never on credit!! So I have been recycling that initial investment, for the most part. I try to keep 4-6 at a time. I dance 3 nights a week most weeks so any less than 4 is too repetitive. Also the pro's in my area tend to wear pharonics, bella, eman and sahar so I need to keep up with everyone else. lol!

You are all very sensible ladies.... ehem....

Originally Posted by rakgirl

Thank you. I alternate between being deliriously happy and scared as hell. Today i'm happy.

I'd love to buy used costumes but i'm a strange size. I'm 5"11 and a size 2-4 with a small B cup. It seems that costumes that are for sell are not long enough or have a big bra. I'm thinking of using the seamstress idea.

Ooh! I'm just over 5'9" and a size 2-4. We should keep each other in mind for costume swaps!