Thread: Coin & mirror/bell costumes

I've figured out that for some reason the 'retro/classic' BD look seems to work for me, much moreso than lycra glam (tho I really do like the way lycra looks).

I'm considering either a coin or mirror/bell set (like Cost-Less or Dahlal). I dance Egyptian/AmCab & have to wonder if either would come across to GP as more tribal or (Gypsy?) looking than the standard cabaret beaded/crystal set? I've thought if I do get one, then maybe mount it on either a matching metallic base or even on a bright colored base, like gold on emerald green base, to give some pop instead of mounting on black. Though black is a good basic...I dunno...

Any AmCab/AmClassic dancers here own either of these sort of sets?

I have the Middle East Manufacturer coined set which I then blinged up. I also have a vintage Cost less and a Vintage coin set. The MEM is mounted on a tapestry upholstery fabric. The Costless is on a silvery grey satin. I have found that mounting them on something which either matches the coins or the skirt which you are planning on wearing it with is more likely to make it feel less tribal - y.

Now, that having been said, I have noticed that my coin costumes are usually the best received of all my costumes by the American GP. it's kinda what they expect.

{{{HUGS}}}

I purchased this set on ebay - I believe the dealer still sells these sets for $225 approx. I mounted it on sparkly black with a sparkly black trumpet skirt to make it more cabaret.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...bd/Final27.jpg

Just for fun - here is Artist Nikki's version of it!
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...starblade2.jpg

Surida, I love it! Which dealer was it? I've looked on eBay recently and never saw those under "coin belt" searches.

Originally Posted by kemintiri

Surida, I love it! Which dealer was it? I've looked on eBay recently and never saw those under "coin belt" searches.

I don't think this is the same seller but it looks like the same set. Use the words mirror belt as it looked like there was another seller out there with these.

BELLY DANCE BRASS Mirror COSTUME DRAPE BRA BELT - eBay (item 110367864060 end time Apr-22-09 03:30:31 PDT)

I have a silver one and mounted it to a base covered with silver lame fabric - it definitely looks very cabaret, and like Tahira said, it's a lot like what the GP expects.

Not the best shot, but an example of mine =

thanks so much, Surida.

By the way, what's the sturdiness of this one like, if you don't mind my asking?

I bought mine from this seller. They was made by a company called Middle East Manufacturing. I was happy with the quality and the sturdiness. You will have to change out the jump rings upon occasion. But I have had to do this with all of my coin costumes.

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by phillyraqs

I have a silver one and mounted it to a base covered with silver lame fabric - it definitely looks very cabaret, and like Tahira said, it's a lot like what the GP expects.

Not the best shot, but an example of mine =

That's fabulous.

imo, I think the Mid East sets look much more Am Cab or Cabaret (or whatever we're calling it this week) than tribal/tribaret. Especially with mirrors. The Cost Less and all vintage coin sets can seem to go either way depending on the mounting, skirts, etc. Somewhere, there is a great picture of Ozma in her Mid East set with a paisley backing.

I have several coin costumes- some I made and drilled myself- some I sell on my site. (same ones Dahlal sells). ON my site you can read about how I made them.



Brass coin costume | Shakemyday



Mirror costume | Shakemyday



Silver coin costume | Shakemyday



Copper coin costume by Sarah Skinner | Shakemyday



Bi-metal coin costume | Shakemyday




Copper duet costume | Shakemyday

Originally Posted by DancingRuya

I'm considering either a coin or mirror/bell set (like Cost-Less or Dahlal). I dance Egyptian/AmCab & have to wonder if either would come across to GP as more tribal or (Gypsy?) looking than the standard cabaret beaded/crystal set?

I don't think the general public would give a damn. Especially the non-Arab general public.

I have a Cost Less coin set, a Cost Less crystal set,and a Cost Less mirrored set. I've worn all of these for general-public gigs such as bellygrams. The non-Arab public sees a woman with a bare midriff wearing a bra/belt set over a skirt. They don't really care what the bra/belt set is made of so long as it looks sort of ethnic-ish.

Do what pleases you.

Here's the shot


And one that shows the bra I build and fabric I used.

Thanks Ozma! Whoops, not paisley. But cute floral in paisley-ish colors.

I have a Costless set and I think it "reads" bellydancer to the GP very well. Its mounted on velvet. I wear it with chiffon circle skirts for a cabaret look and with tribal gear, coats or linen circle skirts for a more tribal or fantasy "gypsy" look.

I have mine mounted on matt antiqued and textured shantung silk so it blends in with the brass coins. I love mine. It is a MEM as well.

Yes, mine is Middle East Manufacturing also. I felt that it is a nice quality but as stated above, jump rings need maintenance. When I sewed it on my bra I tacked the chain in numerous places which helps to hold it in place even if a jump ring falls off.

Here's me in a brass mirror set over a black bra and skirt. I think it looks very cab, not tribal at all! I think it's all in the way you accessorize.

That is why I like my set so much, it is so adaptable.

Sarah, I often look at your costumes on your site for inspiration! Excited to see your post!

How did I miss this thread? I am looking for a coin/mirror costume (gold) that has mirrors like Ozmas's, Sarah Skinner's mirrored set (red), and Deelight's. But is it possible to find them already sewed onto a bra? I don't sew AT ALL. (all thumbs). They are soo beatiful and I want to start saving for one.

Where is a reputable place to buy them?

Originally Posted by HOOKEDNOVICE

How did I miss this thread? I am looking for a coin/mirror costume (gold) that has mirrors like Ozmas's, Sarah Skinner's mirrored set (red), and Deelight's. But is it possible to find them already sewed onto a bra? I don't sew AT ALL. (all thumbs). They are soo beatiful and I want to start saving for one.

Where is a reputable place to buy them?

Some bhuzzers part with used ones still sewn on bras and such, so posting in the In Search Of is always a start...but I'd suggest finding a sewing-able friend and talking with them about comissions or a trade for a skill you have.

I have a set of real coins, mostly diamond shaped copper coins. I bought it back in the early 80s, don't remember where. It's very heavy and very "earthy". I dressed it up with some kuchi jewelry when I replaced the first base bra, but it's still more Tribal than Cabaret. It makes a loud rattling sound.

I also have the mirror and bells set. It's much more sparkly. I mounted the belt on a strip of webbing, the kind used for backpack straps. Looks great with chiffon skirts. It quietly jingles a little bit.

In this photo I'm wearing it with the bra cover sewn onto a fitted choli (I'm the person standing in back)

Art on the Bridge Day 3 - tribe.net

I also have a couple of bras covered with fake coins and beads. Very inexpensive and easy to do, comfy to wear. Looks sparkly and sounds nice. Dancers know it's just a hipscarf sewn onto a bra base with new straps, but the average person just sees and hears a shiny, jingly costume.

And yes, it looks cool to use a different or vibrant color under neath the coins.

One of my inexpensive coin bras is covered with a maroon velvet and gold coin hipscarf. Here is a photo of my niece wearing it, even tho it's too big for her.

Picasa Web Albums - Scott T. Morrison - Belly Dancing...

Beauty-Full costumes! Good work

People will not assume you're tribal. Aziza has what looks like a cost less costume:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWz5SwheE-8]YouTube - Belly Dancer AZIZA[/ame]

It was this costume that sent me a quest for a full coin costume of my own. I got this one on the swap meet page from Deelight. Everyone loves the vintage orientalist vibe of this costume, the GP and other dancers...everyone!. It just says belly dance. They're also incredibly versatile costumes, this set goes with just about every skirt I have. Well worth the investment!

I have one of the gold-mirror sets, and it's great! especially since dancers on this side of the ocean haven't discovered higher end coin costumes yet. The set looks completely different depending on how you stitch it down and what fabric you use to back it up.

Don't worry about your sewing skills: you can use those tiny safty pins in the same color as the costume to pin everything in place. If you're happy with it, ask a seamstress to tack it down in several places.

Here's mine:

Originally Posted by mekyria

I have one of the gold-mirror sets, and it's great! especially since dancers on this side of the ocean haven't discovered higher end coin costumes yet. The set looks completely different depending on how you stitch it down and what fabric you use to back it up.

Don't worry about your sewing skills: you can use those tiny safty pins in the same color as the costume to pin everything in place. If you're happy with it, ask a seamstress to tack it down in several places.

Here's mine:

Love it!

So it's really a matter of just tacking it down to a bra backing? I think I can do that. But you don't just use any ole' bra off the rack do you? Don't you have to cover a bra with fabric etc. Seems I read a thread about covering a bra once...

Originally Posted by mekyria

I have one of the gold-mirror sets, and it's great! especially since dancers on this side of the ocean haven't discovered higher end coin costumes yet. The set looks completely different depending on how you stitch it down and what fabric you use to back it up.

I love yours. Looks like there is some black enamel mixed in with the mirrors etc? Where do you find the mirror/bell/coin sets? (Thanks for the post about ISO forum too by the way) But when I am shopping, what should I look for as far as quality of metal and workmanship?

My MEM is a coin & bell. One some of the front medallions it had black beads. I popped those off and replaced them with flat backed acrylic crystals and also put these on all the other medallions.

I attached the belt to the base with safety pins. I got that idea from my vintage Cost less. Works well. As for the bra, it really is about whip stitching it into place. the main frustration can be getting the two cups to be symmetrical.

{{{HUGS}}}