Thread: Conversation about belly covers (spin-off)

I never thought I would be a woman who would wear a belly cover (aka "a sausage casing" as my boyfriend calls it), but I bought one. I want to be more marketable and I just can't loose the extra weight I need to. Anyway, I feel like it would make me more comfortable.

I just go back and forth though. I mean I've never seen a belly cover that didn't screen to me "belly cover!" and one might assume that people wear them because they are self-concious. On the other hand, then are slimming and smoothing...

I love the Pharonix that come with the sequined belly covers that you can choose to wear with the costume. Those make them fun and pretty, but I just can't afford one anytime soon.

My thoughts are that I am an amazon who dances with two very petite thin lady. I wonder if a belly cover would make me stand out more as the big girl, or if it would help me look slimmer next to them. (not asking for advice, just thinking outloud).

How do you feel about troupe directors who require women over a certain size to wear them?

So what are your thoughts on belly covers? Yea or nay? Do you wear one and why? (again, not asking for advice, just trying to start a convo).

I would quite like one or two, but semi-sheer coloured ones that make my costume look like a dress (like some of the ones Souhair Zaki wore) rather than the fake skin ones.

I don't think they really make people look a lot thinner, necessarily, but they do seem to make people who are feeling "fluffy" or otherwise not so comfortable with their belly skin feel more confident.

I would never have started performing if I couldn't wear a belly cover of some sort, so I'm really glad that they exist. That doesn't mean that I don't dream of someday losing enough weight that I could be comfortable performing without one.

I sometimes see curvier dancers performing without them, and my reaction is a combination of "you go girl!" and "I would never do that!". I really respect that they are that comfortable in their own skin, but I guess my head just isn't in that space.

Personally, I think belly covers (especially the powernet ones that hold your bouncy areas in) are empowering to dancers like me, who wouldn't have the nerve or feel that they looked appropriate without one.

not asking for advice, just thinking outloud

Ok, ok....no advice!!!

I wear one occasionally. On stage...no problem, too far away..but next to the tables, sure. But I hate the sausage casing variety cause it does scream..hey look..I'm chubby! I like the loose fishnet kind. It doesnt hold things "in" but it does keep it from jumpin around.

Oh, and as for troupe directors requiring them over a certain size? That makes no sense to me at all. They're not magically going to make a size 14 dancer pass as a size 10. If some dancers and not others are "required" to wear them I think it would be more a matter of skin tone than size. A tiny petite woman can have loose or marked skin on her belly, even if she is really toned musclewise, whereas someone who is big - me for instance - can have pretty good, smooth belly skin that happens to have fat between it and the muscle.

I think if you are wearing a cover that matches your skin tone it should not be a problem dancing with your group.

I think troupe directors should make costuming decisions that make the group and individual dancers look their best, if the troupe is a professional troupe. It is not all about size though. Some dancers are large but firm, others are relatively smaller but may need some jiggle control. Even a very thin dancer could look better with a body stocking if she has stretch marks or loose skin. I think of them as body makeup.

Body stockings that are the same color as the costume can make a costume look more refined and elegant. Some very fit and thin dancers wear them and it can look terrific.

its not just women of a certain size that wear them, slim dancers wear them either out of modesty, or are self concious about stretch marks, or just don't want folds or muffin top.............some even wear them to make a tattoo less prominent..................if you like the way it looks on you and with your costume, then you should wear it.............it's not a matter of internalizing the 'why' (which will of course, be read by the audience......) but the purpose for wearing it..........and your comfort with it.................

I wear them. Partly due to weight and partly due to coming from a rather conservative environment. Even if I magically woke up with a perfect body tomorrow morning, I think I'd probably still wear them because I'm not yet comfortable with being as bare as costumes tend to be.

It never really occurred to me that wearing one might convey a sense of insecurity to the audience. I'll have to chew on that one for a bit.

I wear them with some costumes... I have long legs and a very short torso so some costumes I look very disproportionate. If I wear the light weight mesh in the same color as costume it gives a nice long line and minimizes the munchkin torso look .w.:

When Asifa el-Bah'r agreed to be featured in my Bellydance Plus web ste photo gallery, she asked me to include her philosophy on belly covers. See this link - the comments in question are at the top of the page:

Bellydance Plus! Asifa el-Bah'r's Photo Gallery, Part 1, An Individualist Sense of Style

I like body stockings that contrast with my own skin. For example, I have a cobalt blue bra/belt set, and I like wearing either a black body stocking or a royal blue one with it. It creates an illusion of looking like a dress, rather than like a normal bedleh. It makes the bedleh seem more versatile.

I have noticed that when I wear my mesh midriff unitard in class, all my ab work seems to "pop" in the mirror.

I really how this cover looks on her: YouTube - Oriental dance - Shayma - Independencia del LÃ*bano

Originally Posted by Kiadorin

I wear them. Partly due to weight and partly due to coming from a rather conservative environment. Even if I magically woke up with a perfect body tomorrow morning, I think I'd probably still wear them because I'm not yet comfortable with being as bare as costumes tend to be.

It never really occurred to me that wearing one might convey a sense of insecurity to the audience. I'll have to chew on that one for a bit.

I have seen you - and I LOVE how you make more modest and covered costuming choices. To me, it always suggests "This dancer has picked her costume very smartly to make herself look great." I would not get insecurity from your costumes at all - rather, smart choice.

I love bellycovers, mostly because of how they look on Egyptian dancers and costumes. I like how it makes the costume look like a dress if it's a darker cover. I also would not perform without one. Yeah, it doesn't suck you in, but it keeps it "stable" (like Anala said). I have that cellulite look to my stomach, so I'd rather not put that on display. But otherwise, I love my pleasantly jiggly stomach! It helps me see my shimmies and hip accents better. Plus, I love my body, minus the love handles.

I even where bellycovers when going to workshops, and I'm going to start wearing them to class. Otherwise, I sometimes wear very stretchy, thin tops that hide the belly visually, but all the movements are seen perfectly as if I wasn't wearing a full top.

Ok, off topic, sorry. Point is that I love belly covers, but all the more power to the ladies who don't feel they need one, no matter their size or belly. But I personally like the look better of them than their purpose. To me, it makes the movements looks more defined. Not sure it that's true for others.

To answer your question about troupe leader requirements, that to me is a bit messed up. Why should the bigger ladies have to wear the belly covers? It should be either a choice, or all or nothing. It's a troupe, meaning the group should coincide. I would hope that your troupe leader isn't imposing this on you. It should be your choice.

BDF

Raises hand. Belly cover lover here. I am not overweight but I've lost a lot of weight and carried two pregnancies to full term, so my belly skin is not tight. The only solution is a surgical one, which is not in the cards for me. So I like my belly covers.

I have a flesh-colored one that matches my skin well, a purple one, a black one, a silver, and a fishnet "tan" one that is a bit darker than my skin. I have several pairs of fishnets in the drawer for when I want to make more colored covers - royal blue, red and black. I have some with long sleeves and some that I pin or hook onto my bra. None of them are sausage-casing tight. Nor do they restrict my movement in any way.

If a dancer has a lot of loose flesh on her torso, I like the look of a belly cover. I would not be bothered by some troupe members wearing one and some not, but I'm not a fan of troupe members looking exactly identical. I like to see small variations in the costumes, with an overall pulled-together look.

Psychologically, I have always preferred a covered belly over a naked belly for myself. I feel more free to move and express myself with that extra bit of coverage. Just my quirk, I guess.

I also have two of those crochet beaded dresses to wear for a different covered belly look.

I don't think you need to worry about them screaming 'belly cover' ... I don't think the point needs to be to hide the fact that you're wearing it, and I don't think it says 'self conscious' - unless you are giving off that vibe because that is how you feel about it ... I personally love the look and think it can be very polished and classy - both in colored styles and skin toned ones - as long as they are well fitted (no squeezed sausages and squished bellybuttons) and well matched (either to the costume or to your skin color). My favorite example is sohair zaki - her costumes were beautiful belly covers and all. I will most likely always wear one myself.

Back in the 1980's and early 1990's, Egyptian-style dancers here in the U.S. always wore belly covers because that's what Egyptian dancers did. It was part of the look for that style.

Of course, in today's era of Dina and Randa, belly covers have become rare among Egyptian-style dancers, but they're still a valid option for people who embrace the retro look.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

When Asifa el-Bah'r agreed to be featured in my Bellydance Plus web ste photo gallery, she asked me to include her philosophy on belly covers. See this link - the comments in question are at the top of the page:

Bellydance Plus! Asifa el-Bah'r's Photo Gallery, Part 1, An Individualist Sense of Style

Thanks for this. I just read your "Things that make you go grrr" article and I think you should add:

The troupe director who insists that her plus-sized dancers wear a belly cover, because "no one wants to see that".
LOL! That's a true story BTW.

I wear powernet covers and I have since I started appearing in public. That was many pounds ago, so the cover isn't a weight issue. I just think they make my costumes look more polished, and the darker covers give the effect that dark, sheer stockings give to the legs, smoothing things out and adding contour.

ok I know you don't want advice so I am just going to tell you what I do.
I hate belly covers with big ugly seams. That said...sugar petals has a style called 1.5 It has only one seam up the back and they go a little bit down the thighs. It is powernet only which I think is much more sheer and natural looking. It doesn't have that sausage casing look. They also have a style that has sleeves! So if you get this in a complimentary color to your costume it will look like it actually is a part of the outfit.
I have seen lots and lots of dancers in egypt wear them. I think for a while it was the law.
Also there is a secret thing you can do with tape....

Originally Posted by eshtabellydance

ok I know you don't want advice so I am just going to tell you what I do.
I hate belly covers with big ugly seams. That said...sugar petals has a style called 1.5 It has only one seam up the back and they go a little bit down the thighs. It is powernet only which I think is much more sheer and natural looking. It doesn't have that sausage casing look. They also have a style that has sleeves! So if you get this in a complimentary color to your costume it will look like it actually is a part of the outfit.
I have seen lots and lots of dancers in egypt wear them. I think for a while it was the law.
Also there is a secret thing you can do with tape....

You can dye the Sugar petals ones, I dyed my purple one.

A secret with tape???? Do tell!..l;,

Well I am little embarrassed that I do this and don't want to make it totally public but anyone who wants to know can PM me.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

I never thought I would be a woman who would wear a belly cover (aka "a sausage casing" as my boyfriend calls it), but I bought one. I want to be more marketable and I just can't loose the extra weight I need to. Anyway, I feel like it would make me more comfortable.

I just go back and forth though. I mean I've never seen a belly cover that didn't screen to me "belly cover!" and one might assume that people wear them because they are self-concious. On the other hand, then are slimming and smoothing...

I love the Pharonix that come with the sequined belly covers that you can choose to wear with the costume. Those make them fun and pretty, but I just can't afford one anytime soon.

My thoughts are that I am an amazon who dances with two very petite thin lady. I wonder if a belly cover would make me stand out more as the big girl, or if it would help me look slimmer next to them. (not asking for advice, just thinking outloud).

How do you feel about troupe directors who require women over a certain size to wear them?

So what are your thoughts on belly covers? Yea or nay? Do you wear one and why? (again, not asking for advice, just trying to start a convo).

Funny - I'm pregnant and my troupe director just asked me if I would feel more comfortable wearing a belly cover. I guess I would - if it would make everyone else feel more comfortable. I was thinking about ordering some.

I guess I've grown to like how they look because they strike me as very Egyptian. If you look at Souhair Zaki or Fifi's costumes, they often had a covering over the torso, whether it was part of a dress or just a belly cover, it can be hard to tell. I also have seen in a few Randa videos, she appears to be wearing a sheer yet shiny fabric over her torso, even though she's got nothing to hide.

I like how they look on dancers. They do tighten up the stomach and waist and keep the focus on the dance, rather than the details of the belly - whether it's stretch marks or loose skin or just jiggliness. I don't think "She's trying to hide something" - I think "She knows how to flatter her body."

I love belly covers. I am more modest by nature, and am involved with a Muslim man who has enough issues with my dancing as it is. I think that if they are flesh covered, they need to be a close match to my natural skin color or it can look like I'm wearing a surgical bandage. I mostly wear dyed ones that match my costume.

Here's a wacky clip from a Christopher Walken movie but check out the gorgeous belly cover on the dancer at the beginning. I'm going to try to make one like it.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEH5zmAtLks]YouTube - Christopher Walken sings Delilah[/ame]

Originally Posted by ZohraMostafa

YouTube - Christopher Walken sings Delilah

Is it bad that Im not even paying attention to the dialoge... just listening to the "Ana Hena" in the background and trying to figure out if its a singer I know of so I can find the version somewhere....?

Does that mean Im obsessed?

Is that Nourhan Sharif dancing?????
BTW...I wear belly covers ALL the time and rarely dance without these days...I love the look...LOVE it...I feel polished and finished and I find that, most time, it makes more audience even more comfortable having dancer near to them...a lot of skin can be very threatening to folks...so being covered is a plus...I also ascribe to the notion that less is more and that what you can't see is sexier than what you can...

Originally Posted by eshtabellydance

I have seen lots and lots of dancers in egypt wear them. I think for a while it was the law.

It has been the law since the 1950's, and in fact still is the law. Now, admittedly certain dancers (Dina, Randa) have been kind of rebellious and not worn them, but if you have enough money and power you can get away with things that other people can not. Most performers in Egypt do still wear them because they don't want to risk the consequences of having run-ins with the law.

Originally Posted by kiyaana

I really how this cover looks on her: YouTube - Oriental dance - Shayma - Independencia del LÃ*bano

That's cool. Where can I get one of those.

I have recently decided to wear belly covers more often. I have gained a little weight :-( but I'm still firm. I just feel like I should try to keep things looking slimmer. I like the idea of wearing covers that match my costumes but I don't know how to dye them. I am still hunting for a burgundy colored one to match the costume I just got from Eshta. I like my black one I got from Janie, it has a vest look to it. I love the look of the colored ones with a costume. I still have not found a flesh colored one that is fair enough to match my skin tone, so it ends up being very obvious I'm wearing it.

I think that is Nourhan Sharif. Funny scene. Looks like she is wearing a glissenette body stocking.

Being in a conservative southern community, dancers around here do wear belly covers. I wear power net full body suit (sans arms) under dresses because it smoothes things out nicely