Thread: waist straps..

.. what type of body figure do they look best on?

I think they look best on curvy girls with a long torso.

by 'curvy', do you mean, (what's the politically correct term for this?) large and curvalicious? or does it also work on thinner gals with well defined waist/hips?

Originally Posted by Kathiya

by 'curvy', do you mean, (what's the politically correct term for this?) large and curvalicious? or does it also work on thinner gals with well defined waist/hips?

I think it could work for both. I meant thinner girls with well defined waist/hips. I think it could work for larger girls depending on the thickness of the waist strap and how well it fits. It wouldn't look good if the waist straps are digging in and making any extra bulges.

ok thanks :)
does the width of the straps also depend on body shape?

I am short-waisted, and I don't think they look good on me. I think if you have a short torso, it looks better to keep the waist area uncluttered - no long bra fringe or waist straps.

I don't think waist straps are particularly flattering on dancers with disproportionately short torsos, particularly if the strap is high or the costume's bra has fringe so long that the fringe is obscuring the waist strap. Otherwise, I think the only hard-and-fast rule is that they don't look good on dancers when the costume doesn't fit properly. Regardless of your body type, if the strap is so loose it is sagging or so tight it is digging into you, it isn't flattering. LOL--This reminds me of an old riddle...

Q: What did the Zero say to the Number Eight?
A: "I like your belt!"

Thin waist straps can actually work for short-waisted dancers. The "V" towards the center of the skirt creates a longer line and the strap itself allows for the skirt to be worn lower, thereby creating a longer torso line.
A good friend of mine with a very short waist bought one because it looked incredible on her for this reason. She had worn heavily beaded bedlahs up until this point and hasn't looked back since.
I am smallish but I have no waist and am not a fan of the "trussed ham" look for myself so waist straps are off limits to me.

ok, are you guys talking about the "kotex belt" look of having straps from the waist band, pulled up high, like a thong in sweats ?
dont want to get this wrong, like i did the "shorts" under a skirt.

trussed up ham!..good, but kotex belt is spot on!

I don't like the way these look on me personally. I have a fairly long torso and curves, but whenever I wear one I just feel like it detracts from the way the waistline looks so I remove them from all of my costumes.

The dancers I find it most flattering on are average torso length with less waistline definition because it gives the illusion to me that there is a bigger waist to hip ratio.

Part of it is going to be personal preference. Try a few and see if you like them on you. :)

Originally Posted by zamora

ok, are you guys talking about the "kotex belt" look of having straps from the waist band, pulled up high, like a thong in sweats ?
dont want to get this wrong, like i did the "shorts" under a skirt.

I *think* the look in question is the single strap that is attached to the belt in the front and comes around the body in a loop - but it seems to be a common theme these days so there are lots of variations on number of straps and specific attachment placements.

ok, so yes...the "kotex" belt.thanks, (find something else of interest on these boards!)

The way the straps sit on the body can make a difference. Some come up from a raised center portion forming a T, and some come up from central point but on the belt so they form a V. If the straps are long enough, you can change the look a bit by bringing them around and attaching them to the back of the bra rather than just haing them meet in the middle of your back. There are so many varieties that it really does depend on the costume. No matter what the style, if they are so tight that you get muffin tops they're not flattering at all.

People always told me that they would look good on me because I have a small waist and big hips (or did prior to pregnancy!), if that helps.

Originally Posted by Azhia

Thin waist straps can actually work for short-waisted dancers. The "V" towards the center of the skirt creates a longer line and the strap itself allows for the skirt to be worn lower, thereby creating a longer torso line.

I also have found on short-waisted me that a waist strap that attaches off to the side has a lengthening effect in the way it cuts diagonally across the body. I think one of those T-shaped straps would definitely shorten my torso even further, but the diagonal thin strap is flattering. Minimal bra fringe is a must, though (generally true for us short-waisted dancers anyway).

Here's an example of the type of strap I mean:
Belly Dance Store.com

thanks for your answers girls! :)
and i agree with you Andrea, the way the straps and put affects the visual effect too...

what kind of body shape does the T-straps look good on? long torso?

Kathiya, I think the T does look best on a long torso. It's really the only one that won't look bad if it gets cut in half. Sometimes the straps can make your hips look wider, so if you don't have a ton of curves you can get the illusion of them. If you are already curvy, they can make your hips seem disproportionately large. Of course, there isn't a hard and fast rule when it comes to straps. If possible, try the costume on. You might be surprised!