Thread: Costuming no's?

Hi all,

I pass out a little sheet for my students telling them what not to wear for costuming (eg, butterfly tops). I was wondering what your votes would be! ..g.:

no sheer harems or skirts!!!

Hm.

I'd probably include the following:

1. No thong underwear -choose either nude briefs or dance briefs that match the costume.

2. No hairy armpits or legs.

3. No nipple tassels, mini skirts. Anything stripper-esque.

4. No stains, rips, "balding" coin scarves or costumes (i.e., falling apart or in poor repair).

I'd also include a list of "dos" - as in, DO your research about vendors and ask other dancers about quality and cost. DO ensure your costume's hooks and straps are reinforced (and use safety pins as backup!). DO repair any damage IMMEDIATELY after performing. DO wear shoes, especially in restaurants or outdoors. DO rehearse in your costume, makeup and hair before the performance (with someone you trust to watch for "wardrobe malfunctions"), to work out any bugs.

These things are less about taste and more about logistics and decency and I think any education we can give students about these things is excellent.

Sometimes I think we forget that not everyone hangs out in Buzz.

Ohhhh... my friend was teaching a class and some girl didn't shave her armpits. That is a personal choice while in class but she didn't shave for the end of year show
She didn't know what to tell her. What would all of you do? How would you approach her?

As for butterfly tops, I usually do not like them but I know a girl who can pull it off. Well, she wore it when we were beginners and it looked fine. Of course, it's not a pro costume but it was fine at the time. However, it looks weird on most people!

I think I wish somebody would have advised me to spend my money more wisely with my first costumes. Rather than buying x amount on cheaper items, invest in 1 higher quality one.

Also, it might be helpful to add a few photos/examples of nice costumes in your handout to give them more ideas & inspiration

I think butterfly tops are cute on the right dancer...say, a young A or AA girl on the slender side.

But everything needs to either be well-lined, or worn with special underclothing. If your students want to wear chiffon skirts, they need to wear leggings or bike shorts under them. I'd say bring the brightest light you can find to dress rehearsal, and have the dancers do a full turn with the light fully on them, and another turn while completely backlit.

Give whys as well. A butterfly top is re-enforced for busty issues and additional coins added, so it's not sparse, isn't half bad. Give whys so that students who may have excitedly bought something you are now telling them NO on know how to shop more wisely or how to fix what they have so that not all is lost.

-Costumes they can't be danced in. It's important that you look both standing still in your costume and moving. You don't want your boobs to fall out when you start dancing. Another one is that I've been told silk veils love velvet, so people should consider that if they want to wear velvet for a silk veil piece.

-Not doing a modesty check. Make sure that the skirt or pants aren't too transparent, that you don't flash the audience inadvertently, etc.

-Not thinking about the entire look. Costuming should include what your hair and makeup will look like

what ever the costume, NO wearing it without a vigorous test drive first. many students don't know how important it is to make sure your skirt stays up and your top stays down...before the show.
(and how to fix it so it stays in place)

A pet peeve of mine in general is fitting issues.

*circle skirts that are not hemmed properly -- either too short, or long enough in the front but too short in the back (because of booty), or circle skirts that were not hung out and reshaped.

Taller than average people, and people with bootyliciousness generally can't buy circle skirts off the rack. Length in the back can sometimes be recovered by pinning the skirt inside the belt lower than the hip line.

*hip belts that are not worn at a flattering level, and/or that do not conform to the shape of the body. Often these two problems are interrelated. Cheap costumes are often ill-fitting costumes, and I have seen many low-end Egyptian bedlahs worn hiked up in the back almost to the waist because the dancer doesn't understand the concept of the upper hip line, and because the back of the belt is not cupped at all to conform to the booty.

Skirt waistbands that show from underneath the belt or hipscarf. Pin them in place!

Bras that don't fit well. Bras with overly long bra straps that are worn too low on the torso, thus not sufficiently lifting the girls. Those with large bosoms may not be able to buy off the rack, or make certain styles work.

All-in-all new student dancers often don't understand how much nit-picky hand work has to be done (even with high quality costumes) to make everything fit correctly.

Be well groomed and maintained hair,makeup, manicure,pedicure, shave pits and legs, wax the lip mustache(some women don't)

No thong panties, briefs that match your costume
Don't go commando no one wants to see your hoo-ha.

Practice in your costume and do any repairs,adjustments and extra safety pins. to make sure "all is secure" and no costume malfunctions

Always wear shoes-never know whats on the floor

No sheer chiffon skirts or harems-if you do make sure you have something underneath such as solid color skirt, matching harems or bike shorts
If slit in costume is too high sew it/safety pin it down a bit(I personally don't like my slits that high)

Turkish airport specials-enough said

Make sure if you use the prop you know how to use it really well. Dance with it in your costume in rehearsal to be comfort with movements
velvet skirts,rhinestones on skit or belt and silk veils don't mix(Kling-on effect)

These things is what my first dance teacher told us when we performed for the first time as a troupe.

Alrana

Also, the overall color balance and continuity of the outfit. This can be an issue sometimes in homemade costumes, for example, a decorated bra top made of different materials and decorations than whatever is at the hip (unless it is a tribal costume but then you have a whole other set of aesthetics for insuring mismatched pieces are balanced). Or, a skirt that is just not the right color for a particular bedlah.

And this may be a little off topic, but student groups really look best to me when there is some attempt at coordination within the group. It doesn't have to be matching costumes. But there should be some kind of color theme (limited color choices, everyone in a different color, everyone in the same color), and some kind of boundaries on the style (e.g. everyone in a straight skirt and a half top and a coin hip scarf).

I do not like student group costuming in which some members are wearing nice expensive beaded bedlahs and others are wearing broomstick skirts and tank tops and others are wearing tribal-y stuff.

Originally Posted by mehndidancer

No thong panties, briefs that match your costume

Well, except for the costumes that have mesh-covered cutouts in places that the briefs would show. No one wants to see your briefs through the "naked" cutouts.

No halter-style bras because of the stress they place on the vertebrae at the back of the neck and the risk of injury that comes with it.

No "harem girl" costumes sold by lingerie shops or Halloween costume makers.

No jewels in the navel. (This is referring to the glue-in type such as those sold by lingerie shops and theatrical shops as being part of a "harem girl" costume, or those sold in a craft store for use in decorating T-shirts and tote bags. I don't have a problem with pierced navels and the jewelry that people wear in their piercings.)

Originally Posted by *Shira*

No jewels in the navel.

You'll have to pry mine (once I buy it this weekend) from my cold, dead, hands.

I am also one who thinks you should not only make a negative "don't" list but mostely give positive "make sure that..." advice. Much more constructive.

I'm surprised nobody has mentionned the most popular mistake (or I haven't seen it): Too short skirts!

Your skirt must cover your ankles! Preferably your feet.

I think you have heard every single student on this planet say: "But I will step on my skirt!" ..g.:
I know that I had some too short skirts myself!

Another rule: Your belt/hip scarf must cover the upper hem of your skirt (is there a proper word for this in English?), you need to put it on high enough.

And bring safety pins wherever you go!

MEISSOUN

And bring safety pins wherever you go!


YES!!!! you won't believe how useful they can become!

Originally Posted by Athenaserpent

And bring safety pins wherever you go!


YES!!!! you won't believe how useful they can become!

Affirmative!!! ..g.:

I put out a very long list with reasons several years ago when I was with a different troupe and submitted it to be published with the local MEDA magazine and they didn't like how conservative it was and wouldn't publish it.
The big part was the hairy armpits. The complain there was Unmata (who I hadn't heard of back then). My answer was the GP does NOT want to see anyone's gorilla pits. Yuck.
I also made a big deal about underwear, side boob slippage, and mani/pedicures.



I HATE HATE HATE the navel decorations!!!

I don't think I've ever said anything about the skirts peeking out from the top of the belts-very important! It's so messy looking.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

No halter-style bras because of the stress they place on the vertebrae at the back of the neck and the risk of injury that comes with it.

Really? That's a shame. I have large breasts but halters seem to flatter me best. I can never get regular straps to fit me correctly. .w.:

GTK about the skirt length issues. I have long legs and I pretty much have to make my own skirts. NOTHING off the rack is long enough for me.

Originally Posted by meissoun

I am also one who thinks you should not only make a negative "don't" list but mostely give positive "make sure that..." advice. Much more constructive.

I'm surprised nobody has mentionned the most popular mistake (or I haven't seen it): Too short skirts!

Your skirt must cover your ankles! Preferably your feet.

I think you have heard every single student on this planet say: "But I will step on my skirt!" ..g.:
I know that I had some too short skirts myself!

Another rule: Your belt/hip scarf must cover the upper hem of your skirt (is there a proper word for this in English?), you need to put it on high enough.

And bring safety pins wherever you go!

MEISSOUN

I am guilty of the short skirt faux pas, but for crying out loud I am 5 ft 11" and have a 36" inseam and its a challenge to keep me damn ankles covered!! ..l;, LOL! I have found a few extra long skirts but I've had to hunt diligently for them.


Mavi

I like Meissoun's sentiment - it is better to use positive advice.

I would add - make sure that whatever you wear looks like costuming pieces, and not like street clothes or underwear. E.g., bra hardware and Victoria's Secret labels should not be visible.

And, wearing things repeatedly is OK, one does not need a completely new outfit for every event, which makes investing in a few better pieces more desirable to novices.

In general, make sure that all private details remain private.

Also, check the backside of the costume. Don't just be beautiful from the front, but be beautiful from the back, too.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Really? That's a shame. I have large breasts but halters seem to flatter me best. I can never get regular straps to fit me correctly. .w.:

For a petite bust, the halter style is also the most flattering. It' is also the most secure to avoid gaping and peeking. On some of my halter bedlah's I turn them into "T" straps that offer the benefit of halter-style but reduce pressure on the neck. Here's a picture:

http://www.bhuz.com/index.php?cmd=/p...amal/id_18706/

As for advice on costuming for beginners/students (and sadly some emerging pro's too), I'd add the following:

- ALWAYS cover up when you are not actually performing. Unless your music is playing and you are out there performing your show, DO NOT be seen in your costume, even among colleagues. Wear your cover-up (galabaya, kaftkan, etc) or at the very least cover yourself with your veil. When the show is over, it's over, hide the goods and save the mystique (and Middle Eastern Dance's reputation too).

- DO NOT think a regular bra, even with decorations, can pass for a costume piece. Although we build costume bra's from actual bras when making costumes, they undergo major surgery and hardly resemble your daily bra. All elastic is cut off (this means back and shoulder straps) and replaced with thick upholstry-type fabric and the whole thing is covered with new fabric. Wearing a regular bra as a costume item is super tacky.

- DO wear your costume to dress rehearsal. Your teacher should be able to guide you, approve of your choice and offer alternatives if needed. Dress rehearsal means you wear everything you plan to wear for the performance: jewelry, hairstyle, veil, etc. Afterall, a dress rehearsal is for the dress (the outfit) not the dance steps! ..l;,

As a student, I salute you for thinking about this in advance. Too often it seems like the only feedback new dancers get is after-the-fact admonishment... or worse, behind-the-back snarking!

I actually would suggest two sessions in class -- one a "runway show" at the beginning of a class where everyone gets corrective notes on their costume and a dress rehearsal the next time. (I think one thing that people don't think about is that 99% of students don't have a full length mirror at home such that they can see the whole costume while it is MOVING.) Keeping this a positive experience means your students will come back to you for more advice.

I like tigerb's suggestion the best. Talk modesty/support, have a costume approval/fashion show day, and another day for dress rehearsal.

I personally think some of these suggestions are overkill for a student show. If your students paid $80 - $120 for a round of classes, they should not be expected to buy matching outfits, or pay for professional alterations on skirts that are modest to begin with. Their costuming could easily outstrip the cost of their classes. Please keep the economy in mind.

I do think it looks better to have a theme in costuming (all hipscarves over black yoga pants, all full peasant skirts, that sort of thing), but I think it might be too late to set that up for this year. Honoring students' individuality is cool, too.

Nothing see-through
No Nipple Tassles
No Regular Bras (like actual lingerie)

Originally Posted by da Sage

I personally think some of these suggestions are overkill for a student show. If your students paid $80 - $120 for a round of classes, they should not be expected to buy matching outfits, or pay for professional alterations on skirts that are modest to begin with.

Neither of these have been suggested in this thread.

Originally Posted by SandraDances

The big part was the hairy armpits. The complain there was Unmata (who I hadn't heard of back then). My answer was the GP does NOT want to see anyone's gorilla pits.

I wrote a whole article about armpit hair for my web site: Dear Shira: Can I Perform With Hairy Armpits?

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Really? That's a shame. I have large breasts but halters seem to flatter me best. I can never get regular straps to fit me correctly.

Yes, I've known some long-time dancers who have suffered numbness or pain shooting down their arms as a result of long-term pressure on the neck from halter bras. Even small-busted dancers put themselves at risk by wearing halter bras, because the decoration on the cups (beaded fringe, coins, etc.) can be quite heavy and place stress on the neck.

Hala's T-strap approach is one option. Another is straps which criss-cross in the back - they look very similar to halters from the front, but are much safer for your neck. A third option, similar to Hala's T-strap suggestion but providing even more support to the neck, is to run two straps in the back from behind the neck (attached on either side of the halter closure) down to the band, making an upside-down V in the back.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

A third option, similar to Hala's T-strap suggestion but providing even more support to the neck, is to run two straps in the back from behind the neck (attached on either side of the halter closure) down to the band, making an upside-down V in the back.

Here is a picture of this. I used the anklets that came with this great loop to keep the halter neckline while pulling the weight off my neck. It made the costume very comfortable and improved the way it fit in the front too.