Thread: Belly covers

hi all, I'm new to the site. I've been looking at past threads about belly covers, but it seems like the conversations are all about people who are not flabby, but need to cover stretch marks. I am the opposite. I need something to rein in the extra flesh a bit. AT just over 200 pounds, there is a lot of me to love, but maybe too much for my audience.

I know, I know, I should just feel good about myself, blahblahblah....well, I do, but I also am about to have my FIRST performance, in my FIRST costume (bra and belt style) and that is just enough for me to think about without worrying that my flab is bouncing everywhere. I want to be able to enjoy it and not feel self conscious. That said, I do have a great shape--I am very hourglass with ginormous boobs, great legs, and a (comparatively) small waist. I'm basically like a Barbie doll, but with 10 inches added to each measurement. I am not interested in hiding my midriff, just giving the illusion that it is more toned than it really is....
So, I am hoping that ya'll can give me advice about which belly covers/body stockings are good for my needs. I like the fishnet one with rhinestones from England, but they no longer come in the bigger size and the "one size fits most" would not fit me (Maximum stretch is about 5 inches less than I need). Also, I don't want my bellybutton to look all squished and weird. And, I am worried that the shiny ones will make me look bigger. I was thinking of going to Danskin fishnets with the legs cut off route, but wasn't sure if that would mush my belly button or what. Any experienced dancers have suggestions on how to manage the extra flesh without looking like a sausage? THANKS!!!,r:;

Originally Posted by RaksSabah

I need something to rein in the extra flesh a bit. At just over 200 pounds, there is a lot of me to love, but maybe too much for my audience.

I recommend the ones by Sugar Petals. They come in larger sizes, and they are made of PowerNet which helps rein things in a bit. See Sugar Petals Dance Accessories Home Page . Plan ahead - it takes time for them to be made to your size.

Thanks for the tip. I am worried I won't get it from Sugar Petals in time. My performance is less than three weeks away. I emailed them to check on delivery in my size. Whatever, I get, I am thinking I would like to sell rhinestones onto it. I've seen pics and that looks HOT!

Any larger size ladies have feedback on the "Danskin fishnets" method?

So, I am going with the Sugar Petals, but want some input on what size to get. I have been a size 18, but have lost 25 pounds since January and now all my 18 stuff is sort of big. I can fit into some size 16 stuff, but it is really tight. I think i'm like a size 17. The sugar petals sizes are:
B=12/14/16
Q=18/20

any feedback on how their sizes run? I asked them and they said that for a person who is a 16 on top and an 18 on bottom, the B is tight but fine. any other advice?

I think the powernet tends to run small from my experience. I'd get the 18/20 size so you don't feel too squished. If you lose more weight, you can always buy yourself one smaller as a treat/reward.

thanks! I ordered the Q. I want to be held in, but not like a sausage. I am going to try and apply rhinestones to it for added effect so it looks like part of the costume. Can't wait!

If it were me, I'd buy two of them, one in each size. I'd try them both on when they arrive, and resell the extra one on the swap meet board.

RaksSabah-
You sound like you could be my twin! I am a Sugar petals lover myself and just ordered 3 new ones. I had the dilema of size B or Q. I have both and actually they both work. I tend to be more of a size 16 but fluctuate between the two sizes. I am also very curved in at the waist and overall proportionate between my shoulders and hips with a large chest. When I asked them before I placed my last order they basically told me that it depends on the color (ie/ the purple one I have is a denser mesh fabric than the other colors) and where on the "stack" it is when it it cut. The ones on the bottom of the stack are a smidge smaller than the ones on the top that tend to get stretched a little bit by the machine (does that make sense?). My other delima was that I am 5' 4" so petite or not-lol. Here is a copy of what they sent to me (I had a purple one that fit perfect and a red one that was a little big, both I ordered in size "Q")..

"The red one were cut a bit wider to allow for the lack or lesser vertical stretch. You will note on the red, the holes appear more open. It is called soft finish and as those fishnet holes were more relaxed, we cut them a bit wider or they would have been too short. The purple is an old supply of regular finish. It is the only one we have where the holes are quite closed. We did cut them a bit shorter or they would have been too dense of the torso. The purple is the standard width. And though there is always a slight bit of variation on cuttings. it is the standard B width.

All of our fabrics are 4 way stretch. The minimum cut is 24 layers and often we do more like 28-30 layers at the mill. This is why you will find slight fit variations on all mass produced clothing. We will not cut if there is more that 1/2" difference. So that would not alter the size range of each size offered: A, B Q Q+. The lowest layers on the table get the squish. But the top layers get the stretch. So that is life on the cutting table. If you order a size Q it should fit like the size Q purple. You will find they will come out of the bag a bit longer. Those purples are shorter as noted above. thanks"

Oh-lol I decided to go with size "B" this time. Good luck with your first performance! I can tell you I feel so much better and less self conscious because of these stockings. I also like to match the color to my costume, I think it looks smashing and well put together!

:) Heather

Originally Posted by *Shira*

If it were me, I'd buy two of them, one in each size. I'd try them both on when they arrive, and resell the extra one on the swap meet board.

I took Shira's advice and ordered a Q and a B. IF the B is too small, I can always hang onto it until I am smaller.

Originally Posted by RaksSabah

So, I am going with the Sugar Petals, but want some input on what size to get. I have been a size 18, but have lost 25 pounds since January and now all my 18 stuff is sort of big. I can fit into some size 16 stuff, but it is really tight. I think i'm like a size 17. The sugar petals sizes are:
B=12/14/16
Q=18/20

any feedback on how their sizes run? I asked them and they said that for a person who is a 16 on top and an 18 on bottom, the B is tight but fine. any other advice?

Hi,

I am about your size and wear the Sugarpetals Q. Sugarpetals can be a little slow delivering. But Halimedas Oasis stocks Sugarpetals in larger sizes and can ship right away. I dance at Halimedas studio and take a look at what she has in stock all the time. She has both powernet and powermesh types. Powermesh is a little finer mesh but powernet is the stronger sucker-inner.

Website is Costuming Main Page. She specializes in fast shipment.

Souzan

An update on my order: I LOVE the new style I got #3 without arms Sugar Petals Dance Accessories Custom Body Stockings . I am glad I got the size B they fit great. I can't wait to take all the hook off all my bras now. No more needing help to make sure I am all hooked up and costume changes should be way faster! Also they came soooooo fast. I ordered 5/22 night and got them on 6/5 (so 10 business days) I saw that my account was debited and thought I should get them soon but they were already in my mailbox that day. I ordered 3, #3's and a belt form so it wasn't a small order either. I love Sugarpetals.

:) Heather