Thread: *UPDATE!* The Fugly Bellydance Costume SUPERSTORE Has Landed in CT!!!

Too much pictoral evidence to fit in one post, so I'm linking you to my blog: Party Like a Raqs Star

If you're still unclear on the definition of a Turkish Airport Special, you'll soon achieve the revelation. I swear to God, this place had the most UBDC's this side of a Turkish bazaar....and I'm reporting live on the scene!

Scary thing is, there are a good handful of dancers in my region who will probably wipe out their inventory to wear on the performance circuit .w.:

I still can't believe that ANYONE would want to wear a costume with hearts or tassels on the nipples and crotch!
I thought it would be common knowledge that hanging things from the nipples and crotch is beyond tacky.

Your blog is great, Satinworship! Funny stuff and even funnier costumes! LOL!

I know, it was beyond disturbing. I wish I had an actual camera on me so I could have shown a detail shot of the single thin string of beads dangling from the center of the hearts!!!

If I didn't have to get back to the office so soon, I would have stuck around to ask the clerk where they get the costumes, if dancers are their heavy spenders, etc. My only hope is that this is some generic import mall store, like the Chinese shops that sell bamboo plants and jade figurines. Hopefully it was just a coincidence that they got those costumes, like to coincide with Slumdog Millionaire. Hopefully the owners really don't know any better.

If this boutique were conceived with dancers in mind, however, I'd be really, really scared.

I've been wanting a place to put this again, and this thread seemed perfect!

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

..l;,

Crassels? assels?! and sequined Burger King crowns?! Say it ain't so Batman! ..l;,..l;,

This was a rather amusing start to my day!! Even as a baby bellydancer I wouldnt be caught dead in those bedlahs!! They look like they would fall apart just being put on!!!

Let me know where in CT so I can stay away from those airport specials.

Alrana

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

I've been wanting a place to put this again, and this thread seemed perfect!

Haaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!! I KNEW an LOL would find its way into this conversation at some point or another!

This one is frighteningly appropriate. My face probably looked like that when I saw that mannequin!

Originally Posted by mehndidancer

Let me know where in CT so I can stay away from those airport specials.

Alrana

I don't want to publically disclose the name and location of the store - you know, for fear that the Men in Black might find out and haul me off to Area 51.

So put on your tinfoil hat and check your PM's ..l;,

Satin - it's from about a year ago when I was doing bellydance LOLs; this is the one that still makes me laugh the hardest!

We have a store selling equally horrid costumes in my area. The only thing I'd probably buy from there is a hip scarf and even, those are questionable.

Am I the only one who has noticed that it seems to be the Turkish costumes that are usually cheap and tacky-looking?

Obviously someone buys from these places or they wouldn't be in business. The reason none of us would be caught dead buying a costume from them is because we know the value of well-made appropriate costumes and we know where to get them. But a new student looking for a hip scarf or a pretty top to wear to class will be sucked right in. And she doesn't know the difference between an Eman and an airport special. Not to speak of the fact that if she saw the Eman price tag it would suck the oxygen right out of her.

I was at a workshop one weekend where the adjacent ballroom was occuppied by a competitive hairstylist event. Some of the stylists wandered in drawn by all the glitter and the vendors sold lots of jewelry, hip scarfs and other items that were picked up to be props for the hair shows. Quality was not as important as flash.

So here is a question for instructors. If one of your students came to class with an airport special made-in-India butterfly top and hip scarf, would you say anything? Or would you wait until the student as to stop to pick up beads and coins after a couple of minutes of shimmies? Do you talk to students about quality of class or hafla costuming? Do you sell hip scarves and practice wear or send students to appropriate vendors?

For a while I was vending hip scarves, veils, and other class stuff (with teachers blessings) for a local supplier. Despite the fact that the class instructor and I both tended to wear beaded scarves, most of the students were attracted to coins. They liked the sound and coins said "belly dancer" to them. While some happily plunked down $50 plus for a good quality scarf, most looked at them and came back to class with cheapie ones they bought at a local import shop or from eBay. And they simply could not see the difference in quality.

Originally Posted by saheli

We have a store selling equally horrid costumes in my area. The only thing I'd probably buy from there is a hip scarf and even, those are questionable.

Am I the only one who has noticed that it seems to be the Turkish costumes that are usually cheap and tacky-looking?

You know, this was my theory for some time, but upon further exploration I discovered that Egypt produces its share of UBDC's, too. They're notorious for the dinner plate bras!

Unfortunately, Turkey has earned its bad rap due to the derogatory term "Turkish Airport Special" and the ubiquity of those typically uterus-themed Turkish student sets. Then again, the country has also produced the fine work of Sim, Legend and Bella.

I think, bottom line is, if there are tourists and Nipple Tasslers who will buy it, somebody will make it!

Originally Posted by Souzan

So here is a question for instructors. If one of your students came to class with an airport special made-in-India butterfly top and hip scarf, would you say anything? Or would you wait until the student as to stop to pick up beads and coins after a couple of minutes of shimmies? Do you talk to students about quality of class or hafla costuming? Do you sell hip scarves and practice wear or send students to appropriate vendors?

Hmm, this is a tricky question - and thank goodness I don't teach, because I don't know how I'd handle this, either. It's hard to single a student out, because you don't know how they'll react.

I think in general, teachers should make students aware of the difference between tacky and tasteful costuming. Maybe a general costuming How-To lecture after class or in lieu of class? Perhaps, you can make a handout with pictures and costuming tips? I definitely think before any hafla, there should be a costuming check point - obviously, not to impose your standards of "hawt" on anybody, but to make sure everyone plans on looking classy and kosher for the big night.

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Hmm, this is a tricky question - and thank goodness I don't teach, because I don't know how I'd handle this, either. It's hard to single a student out, because you don't know how they'll react.

I think in general, teachers should make students aware of the difference between tacky and tasteful costuming. Maybe a general costuming How-To lecture after class or in lieu of class? Perhaps, you can make a handout with pictures and costuming tips? I definitely think before any hafla, there should be a costuming check point - obviously, not to impose your standards of "hawt" on anybody, but to make sure everyone plans on looking classy and kosher for the big night.

I know that a lot of the teachers here on Bhuz do sell hip scarves. But maybe a list what is needed and give some references to reputable vendors where to get it if the teacher doesn't sell them herself. To me is would be better to wrap a really pretty shawl or scarf around the hips than to use the el cheapo special. You can get those at Target or Ross or even WalMart. A pretty viel for performance, sure, but for class a 3 yard piece of chiffon, hemmed on the cut edges, is great!

Yes, and ironically, it seems that the more you move up the stripes in BD, the less issue you see in tying a simple $15 fringed shawl from TJMaxx around your hips! (Some workshop instructors even forbid coined scarves, and rightfully so).

We're lucky around here to have a good friend who is a vendor. Since she brings all of her scarves, veils and belts to classes and workshops, it's all accessible and students have no choice but to attire themselves tastefully.

Do you have any good vendors in your area that could drop in at one of your classes?

There is always someone or something that is a 'good example of a bad example'.

If the prices are low & you tell them it's a Halloween costume, not a serious dance costume...you can send the ladies who want to be a belly dancer for Halloween there.

Ha. My teacher just told us when we were new "what not to wear". Period. With no apologies.

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

I've been wanting a place to put this again, and this thread seemed perfect!

LOVE IT, i have a min pin and now i want to hold him! ..l;,

If one of your students came to class with an airport special made-in-India butterfly top and hip scarf, would you say anything? Or would you wait until the student as to stop to pick up beads and coins after a couple of minutes of shimmies? Do you talk to students about quality of class or hafla costuming?

I might let someone away with a butterfly top in L2 if they *absolutely had to* wear it but in general I require them to buy or make a bedleh. They can have the style they want. If they like nipple tassels then they can wear nipple tassels. I *do* tend to make suggestions, like if someone turns up with a sturdy job they've bought somewhere and shows me I might suggest shifting a strap here or removing some fringe there, framing it always in terms of *flattering their body*. There are limits to what I can require - I don't run a troupe and, like my own teacher, I'm more interested in my students having pleasure and hopefully looking decent than turning out minions. They're adult women so I can't *force* them to make a skirt that's long enough. I emphasise the need to make your skirt long enough but if someone turns up in a skirt that's an ankle freezer because they like it that way all I can do is sigh inwardly. It's their body and their costume, and they're not working as professional dancers.

We're big on bargains here so the fact someone might have paid very little money for a base costume is not seen as a failing, but rather an opportunity.

Originally Posted by Souzan

So here is a question for instructors. If one of your students came to class with an airport special made-in-India butterfly top and hip scarf, would you say anything? Or would you wait until the student as to stop to pick up beads and coins after a couple of minutes of shimmies? Do you talk to students about quality of class or hafla costuming? Do you sell hip scarves and practice wear or send students to appropriate vendors?

.

I bought an indian butterfly type hip scarf from ebay soon after I started dancing, and let me tell you that I only wore it once!
It was constantly falling apart.

You don't have to tell most students what junk is.... They can figure it out for themselves.

Satin, you are hysterical! I do want to, ahem......clarify something, though. I very well may have been referred to in the linked post, wherein you said someone had previously asked what a Turkish Airport Special was, and if they had to ask chances were they had one. Well, I had asked, and just want to assure you, I never owned anything even close! Fortunately, I had good taste to begin with, and learned even better as time went on. I had always made my own--but they were crafted well, and looked professional. (Just commenting on this part because newbies can't necessarily afford pro-made, but they can still look professional with minimal $$) I have taught, and run troupe, and don't mind so much what is worn to class, but am VERY specific about appropriate performance attire, even including cleavage issues (for pubic/family forum vs. club, and because for troupe we were doing folkloric).

When I started performing Club-style (a while back), I was in despair at the Egyptian costumes I was seeing from vendors, but they were at least wearable--just seemed to lack any depth or creativity. It was actually Turkish costumes I saw with the most extraordinary, mouth-watering beadwork and stylings. I guess we come across everything.

If these weren't so sad/scary, they'd be funny. I don't know WHO would wear them, but as stated, somebody's buying them. I get frustrated with restaurant/club owners who aren't particular about costuming OR performance ability...........

PS--I attended one fabulous workshop by an internationally known dancer who lived/performed in Egypt (but American), and was horrified at one of her costumes for the evening performance. Black dress totally covering her, but sheer and with big neon-pink "hands" grabbing the boobs! (The other costume was extremely classic and elegant, thankfully.)

This is the horrible thing: I once e-mailed a vendor about why she was starting to do the "nipple-tassel" thing and the "dubiously placed designs" on all of her newer costumes. I had purchased from her before and they were quite nice. Her simple answer? "Those are the costumes that are selling out!"

Very sad.

dude that's just scary. i shy away from any extra detailing where the boobs are, how in the world is anyone comfortable wearing something that just screams LOOK AT THESE!?!?

Bwaaahahaa! Satin, I am totally going to drive down there and check out that store.

Originally Posted by yasalem

Satin, you are hysterical! I do want to, ahem......clarify something, though. I very well may have been referred to in the linked post, wherein you said someone had previously asked what a Turkish Airport Special was, and if they had to ask chances were they had one. Well, I had asked, and just want to assure you, I never owned anything even close!

(...)

If these weren't so sad/scary, they'd be funny. I don't know WHO would wear them, but as stated, somebody's buying them. I get frustrated with restaurant/club owners who aren't particular about costuming OR performance ability...........

PS--I attended one fabulous workshop by an internationally known dancer who lived/performed in Egypt (but American), and was horrified at one of her costumes for the evening performance. Black dress totally covering her, but sheer and with big neon-pink "hands" grabbing the boobs! (The other costume was extremely classic and elegant, thankfully.)

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! If you were the original poster of the recent Airport Special thread, then yes, I did make a reference to your post. Rest assured, I wasn't implying that you have a dresser full of them (thank goodness!!!) - rather, that encountering one in the wild is a landmark experience that burns your retinas a little bit and remains in your memory forever. I WISH I didn't know what a Turkish Airport Special was ..c::..c::..c::

Plus, your thread was just the anecdotal segue I needed to establish a definition of the TAS to the general public reader before launching my tirade. Please don't think I've got issues with your costuming choices - because I don't ;-)

You're right on about the scary/funny/sad emotions that go through your brain when seeing a TAS. If our lives were sitcoms, it would be far easier to distance ourselves from the anger. Unfortunately, we've all either been undercut by someone who attires themselves in a sketchy fashion or borne the brunt of stripper stereotypes that are exacerbated by these eyesores.

And yes, I HATE that hand-boobs costume. If it were an Airport Special instead of a Sahar, we'd all buy one and burn it in effigy - but somehow, people actually like it because it's "avant-guarde" and "whimsical." ,r:;

Originally Posted by stardancer

Bwaaahahaa! Satin, I am totally going to drive down there and check out that store.

Road trip, anyone? ..g.:

Actually, we should get someone to film us, go in there posed as "Suzy Nippletassels" and "Nancy No-Pants," and do some hardcore undercover journalism as a short film to post on YouTube. We could ask the clerk such provocative questions as:

"Umm, I kind of like this bra, but my boobs aren't falling out enough. Do you have the same thing, only smaller?"

"Could you show me how to twirl my tassels? My teacher says real Egyptian dancers don't do that and I know she's lying."

I would totally do an undercover expose....lol!

We should do an expose and submit it to The Daily Show. I think I would die if I got to dance for Jon Stewart!