Thread: Underwear for male performers?

Not sleazy voyeurism, I promise


I'm writing an article for my forthcoming website (ha ha) about the importance of appropriate costuming and the need to avoid Raqs Beaver and also displays of old grey granny pants on stage (though obviously this is preferable to giblets and ladygardens). Its hopefully going to be a bit of a light hearted look at the issue, combined with some good basic advice.

I think I've got us girls fairly well covered (* winces at pun*) but I don't want to leave the fellers out. Obviously, I'm guessing that male dancers suffer slightly less from the on-stage-skirt-flying-up phenomenon but I have both seen and heard reports of some unfortunate 'flapping about in the breeze' from male performers.

So guys, what's the way to get around this? What other sort of costuming issues do you come up against in terms of 'wardrobe malfunctions'?

While I am not a male, I did dance in a company once that had male dancers. All of them were required to wear a "dance belt". It's sort of like a jock strap to keep the, ahem, parts in place. I believe that is what male ballet dancers wear.

The last time I shared the stage with male dancers in my troupe, they were converts to the sports/exercise version of the boxer brief.

In the ballet world, with those form-fitting tights, men wear dance belts. These are special briefs that are designed for the purpose of controlling wobble. Here's a link to show you some examples: Discount Dance Supply

Dance belts or custom designed underwear (yup, I actually have a tailor for that). Another option is sown in underwear.

Regular briefs or boxerbriefs wont hold you "in place" enough.

A trick I learned from a dancer friend of mine was to ALWAYS wear two pairs of underwear if I wanted a more "naked" look. This way, the inner one holds you in place - the top one is part of the costume - and there is no "helicopter" tendencies....

Pardon the BAD hair... it was a phase, I swear lol

http://www.orientaldancefestival.no/...d/DSC_0177.jpg
http://www.orientaldancefestival.no/...d/DSC_0180.jpg
http://www.orientaldancefestival.no/...d/DSC_0170.jpg

DaVid

I like the hair.

I think most ballet dancers stuff those belts with salami.

When I saw this thread title, my first thought was, "Yes, PLEASE!!!!" ..l;,

Allow me to eloborate. A local male dancer performed at an informal hafla a few months ago with a kind of overskirt made of strips of fabric. He wore nothing underneath except a thong. Apparently when he was standing still everything was covered, but the minute he started moving...

Now, I wasn't there, but I heard about it from one of my students and later the hafla organizer herself, who apparently had quite a talk with him. I saw him wear the same costume at another show about a month later, but with full pants underneath.

well thank god he was at least wearing a thong and the trouser snake wasn't waving at you from the stage!

There was a male belly dancer in my hometown for several years and he was a big fan of wearing light-colored satin pants that didn't leave much to the imagination. My mom still refers to him as 'little gherkie'' ;)

I just wear a thong because its very low on the hips. It works fine for my 'boy bits', no wobble here!

However, I ALWAYS wear lots of "stuff" at the waist, so I don't have to worry about bulge, wobble, or anything. Regardless of whether my pants are tight or loose (mostly loose), there's plenty of coverage - just my personal costuming preference.

I also wear harems under my skirts when I do wear skirts.

When I was in University and teaching Jazz, part of the criterion was that all dancers - male and female - had to wear properly fitted and supportive undergarments. I then gave them a list of resources. Most of the guys felt that dance belts were more supportive than the run of the mill athletic supporters which are commercially available.

This was also the era of the beginnings of the jog bra. talking to women about eliminating jiggle was also (and still is) important.

{{{HUGS}}}

Yup, dance belts. They have backless styles like jock straps and they also have some full rump styles as well. If you're writing an article about how to costume appropriately, please do all the male dancers out there a favor & do not suggest regular underwear or thongs. The proper undergarment for a male dancer is a dance belt. They sell them at dance suppliers & online. They cost about $13, get over it, buy one.
Sorry--pet peeve when guys don't wear dance belts. Unless you're in street wear, we can ALWAYS see your ding-dong bobbing around.

Here is a link to a thread that pretty much explains dance belts, why they are superior to underwear & even how to shop for, fit, and wear a dance belt
dance.net - Everything you need to know about Dance Belts (3887430) - Read article: Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, Tap, Irish, Disco, Twirling, Cheer: Photos, Chat, Games, Jobs, Events!

Originally Posted by nayastrance

Here is a link to a thread that pretty much explains dance belts, why they are superior to underwear & even how to shop for, fit, and wear a dance belt
dance.net - Everything you need to know about Dance Belts (3887430) - Read article: Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, Tap, Irish, Disco, Twirling, Cheer: Photos, Chat, Games, Jobs, Events!

I just read the thread. I agree the original post is well written.

But as I read it, a thought "popped up" (so to speak) in my mind. I don't think I'd hesitate to tell a male student he should buy one. However, I think I might feel hesitant to tell him everything that was in message that began this thread - ie, how to position the family jewels and which direction to point the, uh, mouthpiece of the skin mizmar.

Originally Posted by nayastrance

Sorry--pet peeve when guys don't wear dance belts. Unless you're in street wear, we can ALWAYS see your ding-dong bobbing around.

Not true. Not to put too fine a point on it, but different guys are built differently down there. It really depends on the individual - AND what they're wearing.

I've been doing this long enough - AND have had plenty of instructors who wouldn't hesitate a MOMENT to point out problems in this area, that I know what works for ME. What works for other me may not necessarily work for others - and vice-versa. I was rather nervous about the whole thing until I figured out what works on this body - not only do I not want my junk moving around - I don't even want the audience to see "the bulge"!

Originally Posted by *Shira*

I just read the thread. I agree the original post is well written.

But as I read it, a thought "popped up" (so to speak) in my mind. I don't think I'd hesitate to tell a male student he should buy one. However, I think I might feel hesitant to tell him everything that was in message that began this thread - ie, how to position the family jewels and which direction to point the, uh, mouthpiece of the skin mizmar.

I think I was equally as, uh, "enlightened" as you Shira, to read how much is involved with wearing a dance belt properly. ..l;, So much for thinking guys are lucky because they don't have to wear bras - it sounds like they've got plenty of issues of their own to deal with!

Originally Posted by *Shira*

I just read the thread. I agree the original post is well written.

But as I read it, a thought "popped up" (so to speak) in my mind. I don't think I'd hesitate to tell a male student he should buy one. However, I think I might feel hesitant to tell him everything that was in message that began this thread - ie, how to position the family jewels and which direction to point the, uh, mouthpiece of the skin mizmar.

ROTFL!!!..l;,

by nayastrance
Sorry--pet peeve when guys don't wear dance belts. Unless you're in street wear, we can ALWAYS see your ding-dong bobbing around.

Originally Posted by zorba

Not true. Not to put too fine a point on it, but different guys are built differently down there. It really depends on the

Ah, I always have that problem :P ,r:;

I would imagine ALL men would want to wear a dance belt, so as to imply they have that problem.

Originally Posted by zumarrad

I would imagine ALL men would want to wear a dance belt, so as to imply they have that problem.

Actually, they're ridiculously uncomfortable - many of them - especially the ones that dont bring added attention to the crotchular region...

There is always tape.....

New phrases abound in this post. Now how do I find a way to introduce them in daily conversations with John/Jane Q Public?

giblets and ladygardens - controlling wobble - "helicopter" tendencies - trouser snake - 'little gherkie'' - 'boy bits', no wobble here - position the family jewels and which direction to point the, uh, mouthpiece of the skin mizmar - junk moving around - crotchular region.

Gotta love Bhuz.

Originally Posted by david

Actually, they're ridiculously uncomfortable - many of them - especially the ones that dont bring added attention to the crotchular region...

Not a huge surprise...as a majority of us are female bellydancers, we know the world of absurdly uncomfortable garments.

Originally Posted by david

Dance belts or custom designed underwear (yup, I actually have a tailor for that). Another option is sown in underwear.

Regular briefs or boxerbriefs wont hold you "in place" enough.

A trick I learned from a dancer friend of mine was to ALWAYS wear two pairs of underwear if I wanted a more "naked" look. This way, the inner one holds you in place - the top one is part of the costume - and there is no "helicopter" tendencies....

Pardon the BAD hair... it was a phase, I swear lol

http://www.orientaldancefestival.no/...d/DSC_0177.jpg
http://www.orientaldancefestival.no/...d/DSC_0180.jpg
http://www.orientaldancefestival.no/...d/DSC_0170.jpg

DaVid

DaVid you are generous with your advice (and a sense of humor ta-boot!) We are so lucky to have you around. And who cares about hair when you dance as great as you do.

Tammy

Originally Posted by stardancer

well thank god he was at least wearing a thong and the trouser snake wasn't waving at you from the stage!

i can't get over that line!! ..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;,

This is off topic, but I just had to share.

I have danced at a nudist's birthday party, and I invited audience members to dance with me. One of them was a man wearing only a cap and shoes/socks, nothing in between. Imagine hip twists being done by a naked man. Vigorous hip twists. VERY vigorous hip twists, in fact. Thwack! Thwack!

Yes, a dance belt is an important garment for a male belly dancer...

Originally Posted by *Shira*

This is off topic, but I just had to share.

I have danced at a nudist's birthday party, and I invited audience members to dance with me. One of them was a man wearing only a cap and shoes/socks, nothing in between. Imagine hip twists being done by a naked man. Vigorous hip twists. VERY vigorous hip twists, in fact. Thwack! Thwack!

Yes, a dance belt is an important garment for a male belly dancer...

Oh my. I would think discomfort would be an issue. Apparently cap/shoes/shocks guy enjoyed himself.

Originally Posted by blksunwyn

DaVid you are generous with your advice (and a sense of humor ta-boot!) We are so lucky to have you around. And who cares about hair when you dance as great as you do.

Tammy

Awwwww, thats very sweet of you Tammy :) I do my best, I'm happy you like it.

Originally Posted by anala

There is always tape.....

OUCH