Thread: Question about those short skirts and belled bottom tight pants.

These are new to me and I'd like to find out more about them. Where did they come from? When? etc?

I started dancing back when you wore baggy harem pants underneath your skirt, though they could have slits in legs. I've been out of the fashion scene for a while, noticing both those short skirts and extreme belled bottom pants (with tight thighs).

I've seen people dancing with them calling themselves "tribal", but usually are solo dancers, so I am really confused. They strike me more of a goth-fusion thing, thinking of my offspring's friends dress.

Any enlightenment would be appreciated. Thanks.

i where pants with over skirts & i'm cabaret.

yes people who wear them tend to be fusion.

it's not a goth thing per say. tinah

Originally Posted by tattood1

i where pants with over skirts & i'm cabaret.

yes people who wear them tend to be fusion.

it's not a goth thing per say. tinah

Do you know where they started from (short skirt over pants and/or belled bottom pants)? Not goth per se, but it reminds me of my kid's goth-wear. I said that to someone wearing them and they told me they were NOT goth, just wearing the same clothes.

I think you're thinking of the Melodia pants, perhaps. Are these what you mean?
Melodia

Originally Posted by jaziri

These are new to me and I'd like to find out more about them. Where did they come from? When? etc?

I started dancing back when you wore baggy harem pants underneath your skirt, though they could have slits in legs. I've been out of the fashion scene for a while, noticing both those short skirts and extreme belled bottom pants (with tight thighs).

I've seen people dancing with them calling themselves "tribal", but usually are solo dancers, so I am really confused. They strike me more of a goth-fusion thing, thinking of my offspring's friends dress.

Any enlightenment would be appreciated. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Shalimah

I think you're thinking of the Melodia pants, perhaps. Are these what you mean?
Melodia

Those are them (they?). I'm used to baggy pants that hide what your knees are doing, and these are different. Looks like they have those little skirts too.

Are they new? I mean I've seen them for the last yr or so, but not much before. Did someone famous start these (a suhalia thing or something)?

I think Melodias were the earliest ones and many many others were born from the Melodia style--Suhaila's, Tribal Evolution, Phoenix Somethin' or Other (Rising?).

They've definately been around for a few years at least, the tribe forum for Q&A was created in 2004.

I blame Rachel Brice for making them popular, not because of any reasonable evidence but Rachel is rarely very far from a pair of Melos. They are lovely though, and my faux melos (I am cheap) are so comfy and funky. The little skirt bit is good for hiding your bum or for wearing vintagey coin belts without a scarf underneath.

I haven't been around long enough to know how new they are. I first encountered them a couple of years ago, when I started taking Tribal classes, in addition to my Egyptian-style classes. My tribal instructor was the first person I saw wearing them, and she also has pant/skirt combos that are by Suhaila.

I do know that Melodia sells at tribal dance festivals and such. For instance, some of my dance buds were at Tribal Fest near San Francisco last month, and they bought some (more).

Some of the Melodias have little skirt thingies attached, but even with those, the dancers I know often add another, contrasting or patterned skirt, layered under the attached bit. One company I know of that makes the little skirts that go well with Melodias is rosehips - Home

As Mish Mash says, there are other companies, too. Phoenix Rising has partnered with Melodia to make Melo-Phoenix pants--like Melodias, but with cool patterns. I have a pair of the leafy ones, myself, ~Phoenix Rising Designs~ Fine handmade Clothing and Jewelry, and I lurves them. Next, I'd like a pair of plum garterstripes.

Originally Posted by jaziri

Those are them (they?). I'm used to baggy pants that hide what your knees are doing, and these are different. Looks like they have those little skirts too.

Are they new? I mean I've seen them for the last yr or so, but not much before. Did someone famous start these (a suhalia thing or something)?

Originally Posted by jaziri

Those are them (they?). I'm used to baggy pants that hide what your knees are doing, and these are different. Looks like they have those little skirts too.

Are they new? I mean I've seen them for the last yr or so, but not much before. Did someone famous start these (a suhalia thing or something)?

I think it is just part of the general trend of body-skimming costumes worn by Egyptian dancers in Cairo and the general trend (at least in the US) for dancers elsewhere to follow the Cairo scene -- the straight or trumpet lycra skirt or even tight mini skirt has mostly replaced the circle skirt here (its virtually gone in Egypt). Harem pants have never really been featured prominently in Egyptian costuming.

In terms of exercise wear for dance class, the tight pants are far better than harem pants or skirts because they don't hide your knees and feet. The instructor needs to see what the knees and feet of the students are doing.

my theory is:
they are a hybrid of traditional boot cut jazz pants or yoga pants mixed with rave pants [the little skirtings and uber-flares], and belly dance [hip hugging and fringey]

i like 'em too :) flattering to most figures

I wear flare or boot cut pant with a mini skirt for teaching-its a good look for me.The pants mean my students can see what I'm doing the skirt hides my large butt.I teach Egyptian style and when I perform I wear an Egyptian style costume but for class, trousers and mini suit me fine.

Originally Posted by mish_mish

I think Melodias were the earliest ones and many many others were born from the Melodia style--Suhaila's, Tribal Evolution, Phoenix Somethin' or Other (Rising?).

Phoeniz Rising pre-dates Melodia's, and are specially designed for fire dancers, fire retardent fabric etc. They collaborated with Melodia and they make her design pants, but with their fabrics and designs. Also, you can only get basic style of Melo Phoenix pants (meaning no skirt, fringe or sash styles).

I think the Phoenix Rising are based on yoga pants.

I love melodia pants, but will go with fauxlodia's for teaching or practice, they are tooooooo pricey

Oh, she also makes them in speciality fabrics which tend to be luscious.

melodia is from san diego i believe.

the first time i saw the "look" of more stream lined cossies it was urban tribal dance co. NOT say they invented the look*glares at lurkers*.

pre dates rachel brice. obviously a take off of salsa flares.

i know me personally i like wearing over skirts so people don't see my crotch dancing around =:0.

also it's just fun to layer different fabrics.

i wouldn't read to much into the pantzz craze personally. tinah

Thanks all, very interesting how things change and evolve. Thanks for humoring me and my wonderings also.

Originally Posted by sabrinabellydancer

my theory is:
they are a hybrid of traditional boot cut jazz pants or yoga pants mixed with rave pants [the little skirtings and uber-flares], and belly dance [hip hugging and fringey]

i like 'em too :) flattering to most figures

I think you've got it. And like Tinah, I've heard reference to Urban Tribal Dance Co getting into a simpler, more streamlined look, including such pants, because they wanted to get more mobile on the floor and not be tangled in giant pantaloons and tassel belts.

I think their popularity rose in the tribal/fusion world but they've been wearing pantsuits in Cairo for ages. To me it's simply more likely that your average TF-ista is in her twenties-early 30s and likes clubbing, considers her dance a personal expression not a cultural one, and therefore likes to wear stuff for dancing that she can also wear out and around. What she's wearing is also cultural, but it reflects the culture she belongs to, not an imagined ethnic culture, if you get me.