Thread: Dahlal's American Icon (or similar)

Since the topic of the day/week seems to be breasts... ..g.:

Does anyone own an American Icon (or I've seen one that is very similar at the bellydancestore)? I've been looking at Dahlal's plus other vendors and maybe they are just not the most flattering of pictures... but I can't help but think the way the coins and paillettes are along the bottom of the bra, that it makes for droopy looking boobs.

I was just wondering if that is really the case, or if I am not seeing the costume accurately. Maybe there is the possibility of removing some of the coins so they don't come down so far on the cup?

Any owners out there???

I have two American icons, so I am a fan (one gold and one silver and gold). I just love their look with a circle skirt - it screams belly dance to the general public and looks so retro-cool, I feel like I'm on the cover of a george abdo album.

However, they make for extremely droopy looking boobs. I usually take the straps off and make them halters, as well as sew the cups closer in the middle (they seem to come with a 3 inch gap). This brings the girls closer and lifts them up. But it takes time - I have been playing around with the silver and gold for months and still can't get it just right.

Also, the belts are straight across, and I have a problem with the top gapping out while the butt is snug (I have a big difference in my waist to hip ratio) so it takes a lot of repositioning and adding in a few darts to make the belt fit snug.

I wore one last week and have some crappy photos somewhere, I'll try to remember to upload a few tonight to demonstrate.

I have the american Icon2 and my boobs don't look droopy in it, although I don't have very big boobs.

I love the retro-cool look too! That's exactly why I have been thinking about this one. :)

And I am a terrible seamstress so I didn't even consider the possibility of adjustments other than removing some of the coins so thanks for that!

I'd love to see pics from anyone who would like to share!

I can't speak firsthand as to how they're constructed, as I've never owned one. But it does sound like you could benefit from removing the bottom layer/s of fringe. I'm about to do this with a vintage bedlah that gave me that oh-so-droopy look...even just holding the fringe out of the way, I can see a world of difference. What happens is, long fringe on a bra does have a tendency to draw the eye downward.

Bras with dense, short fringe are like an instant mini-lift. Draws the eyes to the "assets," creates an illusion of volume, and perks the girls right up!

Also, try toggling with the straps and padding (if necessary), as others have suggested. This is the tradeoff to a lot of these economical-but-cute costumes: you will have to invest considerable widgeting time to get that custom tailored fit that "makes" the look.