Thread: Help

I don't know what to do.

I got the padding in the costume top I'm adjusting. I then got the back hook adjusted. I was starting on the straps trying to determine where & how I wanted them (halter, x-cross, etc.) when I realized my girls weren't staying on top of the pads. The bottom isn't laying flat against my skin. I snipped the pad out of one cup & tried it. The cup lays flat without the pads, however, I noticed the bottom side strip is a hair long - the sides come away from the cup in two strips that join together into one to go around the back. If the bottom strip were a little shorter I think it would better hold the bottom edge of the cup against my chest.

So I took out the lining on just that cup to see about detaching the strip & reattaching it tighter/shorter. The bottom strip extends almost all the way across the inside of the cup & is sewn down really tight. The first 2-3 beaded fringe/drapes are attached to it as well.

I'm wondering if it's worth it do start disassembling when I really have no experience attempting costume surgery like this, or, if it's really just meant to fit a larger ribcage (I'm roughly 29-30") and therefore I should trudge over to the Swap Meet & gauge interest in selling my brand new never worn bedleh ..cr.: before I potentially muck it up and/or get in way over my head. ..c::

Couldn't you just add another hook to the lower strip to make it tighter?

(I'm not a sewer, so if this isn't a feasible option, sorry)

Clearly, bellydancers need adjustable boobs ;)

Yaalini, no it's only two pieces on the side. The two pieces become one as it goes around to the back. It's on Dahlal as 'Grecian Goddess' if you look you can see it a little on the first picture what I mean.

Bella, in my case I think I need an adjustable rib cage to go with the boobs ..g.:

I'm soo bummed over this. It's no Eman, Sahar, or Abla, but it's mine and I like the 'classic' style of it. I don't know if or how I can make it fit.

Can you fold over the strip on the edge of the cup under the lining and tack it down to make the adjustment - thereby leaving the original stitching?

I did think of that, but the bottom of the V attaches to the bottom of the cup almost at an angle - it's not straight on. It is a possible alternative however. I've already listed the costume in swap meet, though. If it doesn't sell then I guess I'll be keeping it & will have to try something. Really I'm just too narrow-chested for the costume. I'm afraid if I somehow did manage to adjust the strap & re-secure it, it still wouldn't fit well once I got pads in it (though in theory it should).

By chance is it the white costume with silver coins that you have photos of in your gallery?

This one:

Originally Posted by ssipes

By chance is it the white costume with silver coins that you have photos of in your gallery?

Yep, it's silver & shows up white under regular lighting or with camera flash, but that's it. Not the best picture, but just to show it on a body for swap meet.

Here is the problem: the bra band is placed so it meets the center of the cup rather than the bottom of the cup. Honestly, I think it is never going to really do what a costume bra is supposed to do, which is support and lift the girls and create a nice cleavage. Instead, it is going to clamp down and squish them, yet not lay flat against the body, due to the way that it is put together.

Its not you, its the bra.

Ozma had a long, detailed thread about this exact problem. In her case she gutted and redesigned the bra because she loved the costume so much. I will try to find it because she shows with pictures what I am trying to say.

So, how much do you love this costume?

Here is Ozma's thread about this problem. Her pictures explain better. Look at the beginning and then on the last page for the before/after. Also read her posts on the first page.

http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...-cheering.html

That sounds similar, but I didn't notice a flattening problem. Unless I pulled the strap too tight across the back without pulling the shoulder straps up enough, but of course that'd flatten anyone. Probably part of why I look flat in photo, and also because the pads are out in the picture & on a good day I'm an A. So I am perpetually flat, lol.

When I had the padding in and had it on & then realized the side bottom strip of the V wasn't taut and not holding the bottom edge of the cup against me like it should if it were tight/flat, I inhaled deep, and that immediately seemed to solve the problem. That's why I keep thinking it's that I'm just not big enough around for it.

If it did require major reconstructive surgery like Ozma's...I do like it, a lot, but...w.: I dunno...

edit to add: I keep looking at Ozma's & then mine. Some of it seems similar, but not quite. I don't know. I need to sleep on it.

You might be able to cut the strappage off and reposition it. That is what I would do (may need to pick off some beads, tie off beading threads, and replace a few after the surgery). I do think it is the same issue as Ozma's.

Your bra:


Ozma's bra before


What most costume bras look like. Notice that the band supports from the bottom of the cup, not the middle or top:


Ozma's bra with repositioned straps:

How much surgery have you done so far? Did you buy the costume new? I would try to send it back and explain that there is an issue with the bra. If not you may have some major bra strap surgery ahead of you!

Ok I think I understand the problem... the side straps are attached so that when the cups fit your front properly, the back strap rides up way high in the back.

In other words, the back strap will sit much higher and closer to your shoulders than an ordinary bra back strap.

Look closely at the rear view of the costume, you can see how high the back strap sits on the model here https://www.dahlal.com/ctl/showcostu...25_back_lg.jpg

Compared to the position of the back strap on this costume https://www.dahlal.com/default.aspx?n=1&hs=goddess

Or this one https://www.dahlal.com/default.aspx?...1&s1=1157&s2=0

A **Possible** quick fix might be to shorten the shoulder straps and wear it with the back strap up high. Depends on your body and the angle of the straps. It may not fit no matter how high that back strap goes. Or it may be extremely uncomfortable. Or you may not like how it looks..

Another **Possible** quick fix might be to shorten that bottom piece in the center front of the bra, pulling the lower part of the cups closer together. This will change the angle of the back/side straps, pulling the back strap lower on the body. But it might also mess with the way the cups fit and shoulder straps sit.

I've seen a lot of inexpensive Turkish costumes made like this; when the back strap sits where a bra back strap normally sits, the bottom of the cups are pushed away from the body. When the back strap is worn unusually high with short shoulder straps, the cups sit flat against the body in front.

I'm surprised and a little disappointed to hear that an expensive costume from a reputable vendor is constructed like this. I wasn't too upset when the bra from a $100 bra/belt set fit this way - but for $400 I'd expect a better fit.

Originally Posted by nitewindz

Ok I think I understand the problem... the side straps are attached so that when the cups fit your front properly, the back strap rides up way high in the back.

In other words, the back strap will sit much higher and closer to your shoulders than an ordinary bra back strap.

Nope, that's not the problem at all, actually but thanks for the suggestions. ..g.: If you read my first post again you'll see what the trouble is. Thanks though.

Originally Posted by ssipes

You might be able to cut the strappage off and reposition it. That is what I would do (may need to pick off some beads, tie off beading threads, and replace a few after the surgery). I do think it is the same issue as Ozma's.

Your bra:


Ozma's bra before


What most costume bras look like. Notice that the band supports from the bottom of the cup, not the middle or top:


Ozma's bra with repositioned straps:

I'm in such denial right now, but you're right. Guess I should start with trying to adjust just the sides (I see what you mean now) & see if that'll make a difference before trying anything else. I really don't want to get into messing with the cups, but I'll burn that bridge when I get to it ..l;,

Originally Posted by _Tanya_

How much surgery have you done so far? Did you buy the costume new? I would try to send it back and explain that there is an issue with the bra. If not you may have some major bra strap surgery ahead of you!

I can't send it back, I've had it 2mos now and have already removed lining from one cup & detatched the shoulder straps.

To be honest it looks as if you could almost take the shoulder straps and attach them to the bottom of the cups and have a better fitting bra. Kind of like the bra cups are upsidown.

After a day of letting it sit in the drawer, hoping it'd fix itself, I took it out tonight and put it on upside down to see if the cups would fit better that way. Not really. But, I think if I flip the side pieces upside down then it should look more like Ozma's. Basically, take the left side piece, turn it upside down & attach to the right cup & vice-versa.

Means detatch both shoulder straps completely & both sides completely. And some rebeading of sides & some fringe.

I'm feeling braver. I think I can do it.