Thread: Am I the only one who wants to be covered?

So I feel really uncomfortable wearing the standard bra-and-skirt combo that most bellydancers wear. Am I the only one? I'm feeling a little lonely...

I've been putting together costumes out of my imagination, since I haven't seen any models to go on, except the 19th century art depicting Ghawazee dancers.

I've attached a photo of me in one of my favorite costumes; sorry about the monochrome, the lighting was weird and made my skin look red.

Are there any other "dance sisters" out there who have come up with attractive costumes that cover from neck to ankle?

Hi Sasheen! You're certainly not alone. A lot of people don't feel comfortable exposing too much skin. There are many fabulous costuming options available that are a more covered look, especially if you look in a folkloric direction.

Is it just your midriff that you want to cover, or do you also prefer more coverage on your arms and bosom?

A lot of people like to wear dresses for a more covered look. Some go the folkloric route, while others go for more of an evening gown route. The historic-inspired look that you like is popular, too. A lot depends on what dance style you like to do. Here's a photo of me in a costume that is a bit more covered:



Now, this dress admittedly has sheer fabric at the midriff and upper chest, but a more coverage-minded person could easily make something similar that consists of the opaque fabric throughout.

Check out Amaya's web site..she is always covered..except for her legs...

There was another thread, which you might find useful: http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...costuming.html

Shira...can I have that dress when you are done with it?

For me, it really depends on the situation. There was a while when I seriously thought of selling all of my bedlahs because I wasn't happy with how I looked in them. I had gained 40 lbs since I started dancing. Totally unrelated to my dancing.

Now that I have lost almost 15 of those 40 lbs and I am back to between 4 - 6 classes a week, I am happier with how I look in bedlah. I have also taken the time to figure out on a more emotional level what was going on that I was uncomfortable with that much exposure and reconciled it. So now I am wearing bedlahs again.

Does this mean that I am giving up my dresses? No. But it does mean that I am taking every gig one at a time and deciding what is appropriate for each one. Afterall, if I am dancing for a very conservative crowd, I will want to be more covered. If I am dancing for a rock 'n roll crowd, as I am next week, less is more, as it were.

If I had a troupe, would I hold it against a dancer if they wanted to be a little more covered? No. there are many options which can be worked around. The only time it might become an issue is if one dancer is married to a folkloric style of costuming and the troupe is performing something which is in a different style all together.

{{{HUGS}}}

Most definitely not! There are many dancers who feels this way. As an example, I know practically my whole class full of dancers prefer modest coverage, even me! I LOVE the Egyptian dresses, and the folkoric dresses too. To tell you the truth, I don't even look at the bedlahs or bra and belt sets, which some dancers (the ones who prefer the exact opposite) may find strange. Dresses, or at least a midriff cover with a bedlah and skirt set, are all I will wear. This could be due to the fact that I'm more conservative in personality, style, and demeanor.

There's nothing wrong with it. You'll look fabulous!

(I second Anala on Shira's dress!)

BDF

I prefer to be more covered as well. My midriff is in decent shape for a 51-year-old, but the skin is starting to look tired, and I just don't want to worry about it. I'm happy to see confident, good dancers wear whatever they please, however.

I think hobby belly dancers are often encouraged to wear, or at least try, bedleh because exposing the aging or plump belly in our society is hugely transgressive, and the women who do it find it very empowering. But you do eventually "get over" bedleh sometimes and it is nice to be able to wear dresses and tunics etc.

When I first started dancing folkloric was often touted as the good option for dancers who didn't like to show their bellies, but costuming options have become more complex and fluid since then.

Why do you wish to cover from "neck to ankle'? Are you this covered in every day life? Who is your audience? These are the questions that will determine who is really in the same boat as you, and how to appropriately costume you for a given venue. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a desire for modesty, but understanding the why helps others to understand your needs.

Here in my town, I have a number of contacts who organize dance shows involving a variety of dance forms, such as modern dance, tango, hiphop, ballet, and yes, me. For example, there's an annual city-wide dance festival, a university-sponsored Diversity Day, a "Project Art" program at the local hospital, etc.

All of these target as their audience the arts-loving, theater-going type of people. When I perform at these, I like to choose evening gown style of dresses instead of bra/belt/skirt sets, and I do Egyptian style. I identify for purposes of announcement and program that I'm performing "Egyptian dance", NOT belly dance. My rationale is this: I don't want them to make assumptions about what I'm going to do based on a performance they once saw by Suzy Nippletassles at a divy restaurant on a business trip somewhere. I want them to be curious, to wonder just what "Egyptian dance" is. So I don't wear the stereotypical costume or use the "belly dance" term. In these situations, the more covered look is a better fit with the first impression I want the audience to have.

Now, I'll wear a bra/belt/skirt set for a typical private-party show such as a birthday party. So, there are times I'm content baring my midriff. But sometimes it just feels right to go for a different look. One of the fabulous things about this dance is that we do have the option!

If I could only get away with only wearing folk/saiidi dresess......

You are not alone . . . I've always danced with a more covered look. Now I am perfectly happy with dresses and think they free me up a lot more than the other way around. I don't have to worry so much about exposing myself, lol! I've never felt like showing so much of my body was empowering but do agree that the self confidence is helped tremendously by dancing.

But seriously, lots of lovely dress options now and the fabrics available in recent times have helped tremendously . . . no need to make up a tent out of cotton fabric!

I've been at this for 25 years and not one of my costumes showed my belly. I wore a black leotard with a tie-top and big skirt as my first two-piece. I had a bra and belt constructed once because I so wanted one . . . but I constructed a sequinned cap-sleeved dress (fabulous fuschia sequins on black fabric) to wear with the bra-belt . . . I still have the dress and wonder if I should sell . . . but not sure anyone else would appreciate it, hehe .. . . well, it is much smaller than I am now but it was one of my first fancier costumes to sew!

You can see some of my older costumes here: My Dance History . . Catherine Barros Dancing in Dallas . . . but the fuschia sequin one isnt here . . . need to scan and post up there . . . another update task for my website.

you're definitely not alone.............one of my favorite costumes is a black eman zaki dress that has a deep scoop in the front, so a bra will peek thru with the TINIEST bit of skin below, and a slit.....even in a venue that's mostly young folk LOVED that dress, cuz it was so elegant, and streamlined, and sexy without the skin showing..................i have a hard time finding dresses i like, but plan to add more to my costume closet.........they're an awesome addition and GREAT for conservative events, formal cocktail type events, or when i just feel like wearing something different............let me see if i can load a pic of it..........bintbeled knows the one ;D

ok, here it is! (yeah, they caught me in mid blink....oh well :p)it's my favorite......this was taken 2 years ago.....i was a smidge heavier then, but it still fits well, and i LOVE to wear it! i feel so beautiful and exotic in it.........there are lots of other dresses out there, AND i love the more vintage looks as well, it's not a question of modesty, or body image, but cool styles to work and play with :p

Originally Posted by FayrouzFarasha

Why do you wish to cover from "neck to ankle'? Are you this covered in every day life? Who is your audience? These are the questions that will determine who is really in the same boat as you, and how to appropriately costume you for a given venue. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a desire for modesty, but understanding the why helps others to understand your needs.

Yes, I do cover "neck to ankle" in everyday life. I only wear trousers and ankle-length skirts; as for upper body, I'm fine with exposing my arms, and a somewhat lower neckline, but I do not want my midriff to show, and quite frankly I don't have enough in the "bosom area" to show off anyway! ..l;,

I hope this helps explain where I'm coming from. I'm not trying to be prudish, and I certainly don't object to most other dancers' costumes (on them), but I personally find it more freeing to dance and know that the audience is looking at my dance, not my skin.

Originally Posted by ruta21030

ok, here it is! (yeah, they caught me in mid blink....oh well :p)it's my favorite......this was taken 2 years ago.....i was a smidge heavier then, but it still fits well, and i LOVE to wear it! i feel so beautiful and exotic in it.........there are lots of other dresses out there, AND i love the more vintage looks as well, it's not a question of modesty, or body image, but cool styles to work and play with :p

Oh, wow-- that is just gorgeous! Yes, I definitely want to still have cool and beautiful outfits, and yours is just stunning. Thank you for sharing!

I always cover my belly, either with a dress or body stocking. I like the look of colored body stockings, very elegant and it just feels better, especially after I got my battle uhm stretch marks.

I hope the link works, in case it doesn't I mean the Eman Prestige and Gardenia. I just love these costumes. Sleeky and sexy but very covered, you could even sew a modesty panel in the slit and be completly covered.

https://www.dahlal.com/default.aspx?n=1&lpc=1&lpo=1

Ok, it doesn't work, there on page 2 and 4.

Sasheen, Checck out Shahrzad's folkloric dresses at Belly Dance Store.com. She has many nice styles, and since she is in MD, you can check them out in person. I love the Saidi dresses with the dowry necklace style sequin designs on them.
Good luck!
Sandra

Originally Posted by SandraDances

Sasheen, Checck out Shahrzad's folkloric dresses at Belly Dance Store.com. She has many nice styles, and since she is in MD, you can check them out in person. I love the Saidi dresses with the dowry necklace style sequin designs on them.
Good luck!
Sandra

that's EXACTLY where i got my eman dress! she's got amazing stuff for excellent prices

Sasheen, no you're not alone!

I think I have quite the gut, and I just started bellydance, and possibly I'll be less self-conscious about it later, but for now I AM self-conscious, and forcing it won't work. Oh, and I can't do a belly roll yet, either, so ...

Originally Posted by elenya

I always cover my belly, ...especially after I got my battle uhm stretch marks.

Oh dear, that means I'll be covering up forever, if I'm shy about those! lol

Sasheen, I'm having lots of fun with the ghawazee idea. ..g.: I even get to use one of my three dresses (like for the past 25 yrs) for it in my first costume. I am so looking forward to the whole costuming thing, I'm not going to worry about showing skin, since all they get is my arms and face! I'm hoping like heck to get the steps and moves right!!!

I think we have more to offer than skin. It's the dance!

And for all the folks here who can show their skin: more power to ya! Maybe I'll join ya!

I'm just SO glad we can be flexible in BD-land!

I just started bellydance ... and I can't do a belly roll yet, either, so ...

Took me ten years before I finally got it. I wouldn't sweat it.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

Hi Sasheen! You're certainly not alone. A lot of people don't feel comfortable exposing too much skin. There are many fabulous costuming options available that are a more covered look, especially if you look in a folkloric direction.

Is it just your midriff that you want to cover, or do you also prefer more coverage on your arms and bosom?

A lot of people like to wear dresses for a more covered look. Some go the folkloric route, while others go for more of an evening gown route. The historic-inspired look that you like is popular, too. A lot depends on what dance style you like to do. Here's a photo of me in a costume that is a bit more covered:



Now, this dress admittedly has sheer fabric at the midriff and upper chest, but a more coverage-minded person could easily make something similar that consists of the opaque fabric throughout.

Shira, you look beautiful in that dress!!

Originally Posted by ruta21030

ok, here it is! (yeah, they caught me in mid blink....oh well :p)it's my favorite......this was taken 2 years ago.....i was a smidge heavier then, but it still fits well, and i LOVE to wear it! i feel so beautiful and exotic in it.........there are lots of other dresses out there, AND i love the more vintage looks as well, it's not a question of modesty, or body image, but cool styles to work and play with :p

Great dress! Is that Eman Zaki's?

Sasheen, you're not alone. But some people prefer covering just special parts of the body. It also depends on how confortable people feel with those parts.
I prefer costumes with sleeves. I have a few without sleeves, but I feel more elegant and confortable with sleeves...

Originally Posted by Sasheen

So I feel really uncomfortable wearing the standard bra-and-skirt combo that most bellydancers wear. Am I the only one? I'm feeling a little lonely...

I've been putting together costumes out of my imagination, since I haven't seen any models to go on, except the 19th century art depicting Ghawazee dancers.

I've attached a photo of me in one of my favorite costumes; sorry about the monochrome, the lighting was weird and made my skin look red.

Are there any other "dance sisters" out there who have come up with attractive costumes that cover from neck to ankle?

Okay, I'm not covered from neck to ankle, but I put together a page of my costume creations that are more covered than many belly dance costumes. It might spark some ideas.

Dunyah's Costume Gallery

belly dance is a visual art /entertainment. if you want to do folk then you could be coverd. but i would be very disapointed to go see a belly dancer that was not showing skin cause i love to see how the body moves to the music.and the long hair and bare mid drift is the oriental fantacy. the world is shallow and it is not all about the art/talent unfortunatly.
i love your picture and dress very pretty!

Originally Posted by Nadirah007

belly dance is a visual art /entertainment. if you want to do folk then you could be coverd. but i would be very disapointed to go see a belly dancer that was not showing skin cause i love to see how the body moves to the music.and the long hair and bare mid drift is the oriental fantacy. the world is shallow and it is not all about the art/talent unfortunatly.

OK, so that's you. It's true, a dancer's movements show more when you can see her skin. But I must respectfully disagree about the rest of the world; yes, there are some shallow folks, but I think most people are more intelligent than you give them credit for.

Originally Posted by Sasheen

OK, so that's you. It's true, a dancer's movements show more when you can see her skin. But I must respectfully disagree about the rest of the world; yes, there are some shallow folks, but I think most people are more intelligent than you give them credit for.

A lot probably depends on the context of the performance. At a nightclub, one type of audience and expectations for how a dancer should look. At a dancer-run community hafla, a different set of expectations.

You don't really have to see skin to appreciate the dancer's movements. But people do like to see beautiful bodies, generally speaking. Showing too much skin is actually distracting and not as beautiful as a dancer in a flattering costume, imho. There's a balance to be found for each individual dancer. You can dance beautifully and be enjoyed by your audience while covered, if you choose your costume well. The secret is in beautiful movement and confident stage presence.

Ruta - I have a similar dress in blue! It really is stunning - so elegant and classy.

Sasheen - you can definitely cover up more, dresses are an option, as are folk/saidi dresses, or pretty galibayas with a hipscarf. Good luck to you - finding off the rack stuff might be hard, but it sounds like you have a great imagination!