Thread: Two costume questions

I'm a small A (card-carrying member of the IBTC) pondering if I should go with a B cup costume & pad it a lot, or go with an A and just pad that a bit. I'm a pear shape & want to appear more balanced in costume, but not at the risk of my girls being severely crammed up in a padded B that I'd risk them jumping free mid twirl (is this where double sticky tape would come in handy?). Need some advice from others, please, as the only experience I've had previously padding a top was on a low end 2nd hand costume that I had no idea what size it was but likely somewhere in the B/C realm, and I had that thing padded within an inch of my life & was always uncomfortable in it - but, it was also soft cups & no support, too. I'm looking at hard cup costumes now.

Question #2 isn't as important as #1, but I'm having trouble visualizing this so tell me if it sounds like a good color combo - black base with aurora borealis beaded fringe? Or would a blue or navy base look better?

I wear a 34A and generally end up buying B/C costumes. I go by cup measurements...the ideal measurement for me is 5.5 vertical and 7 horizontal. I then pad and it totally evens out my long torso and round booty. If the top is too small I look ridiculously pear shaped but in a bad way. You generally won't find a tonne of A cup costumes anyway...also find out what you need in underbust, that will help you to work with your frame dimensions and will prevent you from buying a costume where the cups extend into your arm pits. and finally, make sure you buy the right shape of bra...a B/C demi style bra will possibly look ridiculous where a flatter more shallow cup with allow you to pad. In the end, it's all relative! Happy shopping :)

Hi Ruya,
I'm 34A with 29" underbust. If possible, I try to buy it a store so I could try the bra on. However, if online like bhuz, ask the sellers what bra size they fit and can the strap be adjusted to fit you? Most are very honest and tell you if they think the costume will fit you and if not, they will suggest other threads. I am not good at sewing so I usually ask if the bra is already padded for A or B cup. If the costume is already padded then it fits me well when I get the costume by mail or courier.
Choosing the color of the costume is really personal choice if it matches your skin tone and hair color. If you are buying on bhuz, ask for pics on a body to help you visualize the costume on yourself.

The absolute most important measurement in costume bras is your overall rib cage. Exactly what Anya says, you're interested in the cup height/length and center connection. If the bra cup is too long and fits under your armpits, it is irrelevant how deep it is, it will never fit you. So, as a fellow A, A and B/C both will work, if you really make sure the cup height/length along with cup spacing will work on your frame.

I'm a barely an A cup with a 33" ribcage, and like you I'm somewhat pear-shaped. Most of the bras I get would likely fit a full B unpadded.

But like the others mentioned, it's the shape, width and depth of the cups that really determines if I can make it work or not. Something that looks like a demi-cup as opposed to round makes me look a little more proportionate. I find the cups on the Abla-like looped costumes are very flattering on me after they've been padded to fit. Like this one here http://www.bhuz.com/forum/bellydance...must-sell.html

Laura brings up a good point as well about certain designers and how they fit.

I can rock a #2 pharaonics like no one's business once I pad it...I end up looking very full on top and proportional to my body. The #3 is a bit harder because it can be to tall for my shape.

I have to be careful with sim's because they are usually deep, the one I have is maybe a B and it came with a padded bra.

I think it's better to have a bra that fits, or at least nearly fits. I can't stand worrying about costume issues while I dance.

With an oversized bra, even with lots of padding, you have to constantly worry that it's going to gap when you move and expose you to the world.

A bra that's a little big and padded can work, sometimes, IF you move the straps inward on the cups, so the inner edges of the cups sit flatter on your chest.

Another way to bring balance to a pearshaped figure is to add visual 'weight' to the top half of the body. A colored underbust vest or U-top (L Rose) can do a lot. (Sometimes a skirt comes with a tie-top that can be converted and worn underbust).

Subtler but helpful -- wide armbands in the same color as the bra, worn at bra-level on the upper arms. This creates a horizontal line of color across the top of the body when the arms are down that's wider than the hipline.

Full sleeves are also good.

If you're pear-shaped, I think it's better to get a B/C cup and pad. I've only ever had one costume bra that didn't need any padding, and the proportions just looked all wrong.

I echo the sentiment that the underbust measurement is probably the most important thing to pay attention to. If you have a small ribcage, finding a smaller band size (with cups that are placed closer together) is important. My ribcage is 28" around, and those "Dina style" bras where there's an inch or more of space between the bra cups just looks terrible on me. My girls look smaller when they're father apart like that...like they're all sad and lonely being so far away from each other, LOL.

Make sure you pay close attention to where the padding looks best. Place the padding in the bottom/outside part of the cup, creating a little "shelf" for your girls to sit atop inside the bra. If you do it right, there won't be any gapping between your breasts and the bra; it'll look like the whole cup is being occupied by breast tissue. :) What you do not want to do is add padding to the entirety of the inside of the cup, because this is just going to squish the girls against your chest.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Subtler but helpful -- wide armbands in the same color as the bra, worn at bra-level on the upper arms. This creates a horizontal line of color across the top of the body when the arms are down that's wider than the hipline.

This tip is GOLDEN. Usually for arm decorations, I either go for that look, or I wear pouffy chiffon sleeves to add visual weight to my upper half.

Thank you! I ordered a stock costume today & based on the measurements it should fit (after padding & adjusting hooks, etc.)

I'd planned on sleeves or armbands as much as possible with costuming anyway, 1) to add that subtle illusion of width & balance, and 2) i have armband tattoos that i'd like to cover during dance

If you wish to balance a narrow shoulder/upper body, side straps (as opposed to halter style) with cups spaced wider and padded for fit will be most flattering on you and create proportion.