Thread: the skinny on skirts

ok part of this is market research and part is curiousity..no need to answer all questions below if you don't want to, I just figured I'd lump all skirt questions together in one post

1) do you buy skirts separate from costumes..if so , what type of skirts and from where? (chiffon, petal, L Rose velvets, etc)

2) do you buy separate skirts to go with a costume you already have? and if so do you have a hard time matching up the colors?

3) or do you only buy skirts that are sold with the costumes such as Bellas, etc

4) if you buy separate skirts to go with costumes, how much do you pay for a skirt? for example do you pay $40 for a basic chiffon on ebay or more for a sequined double layer from Dahlal?

5) what kinds of skirts would you like to see MORE of? and in what price range

6) do you own any silk skirts for dance, what do you like and not like about silk for dance skirts (be honest if its an akai thats fine..I'm learning)

7) what style of silk skirt is it? full circle, or split circle skirt? how much yardage? do you layer them, do you wear them with cabaret bra/belts or tribal sets?

8) what's a fair price for a full silk skirt

9) do you wear silk skirts for everyday use and what price was it (do you remember)

10) do you prefer to buy matching skirt and veil sets, if so do you like chiffon or silk

11) none of this applies to me since I don't wear separate skirts and only buy costumes that are already put together


*** Reason I'm asking about chiffon..I just picked up a chiffon skirt that I'm very pleased with, I like being able to dye silk that will go with the veil but I love the stiffness of the chiffon..not much yardage to it but it's sheer enough to let the light filter thru but sturdy enough for floor with harems. Am still trying to figure out a way to perhaps layer the chiffon and silk so that it's stiff but flutters

I've been MOST impressed with the silk charmeuse skirts that I dye but they are really expensive to make. Supplier requires a large min order and I have to order three sizes to even come close to having available what dancers need. Working with a seamstress to customize the measurements would require me to mark the price up so far I don't know if anyone would have interest. The silk charmeuse skirts I sold in the past sold quickly at around $99 which was a lot of work and expense but they are fun to make and the results are excellent.

thanks in advance for any feedback, may also post this questionaire on the blog and / or newsletter..or you can email me privately if you prefer

I buy skirts, preferably full chiffon ones with slits, here on Bhuz of course :). I own one silk bellydance skirt I bought on Bhuz, but I've never worn it because I don't like the cut of it (made from large panels rather than bias cut). I prefer chiffon skirts because I believe they're sturdier than silk and don't have the problems with static that silk has, and I like the more sheer look. When I make a circle skirt, I use 7.25 yards. I prefer skirt/veil sets, but it's because I use the veil fabric to make other matching costume components (I prefer to dance with silk veils). The pharoanics arabesque skirt is my favorite, but I'll sacrifice their extra fullness and sparkle for a lower priced skirt.
I currently have my eye out for two chiffon full circle skirts (to layer together or with another color) in nude. It would cost me about $70 to make them, and take me a day or two. So I would consider that compared to how close a pre-made skirt is to being exactly what I want when deciding what I'd pay for one. I plan to look into buying and dying white ones, as perhaps it may turn out to be the easiest and cheapest route.

1) do you buy skirts separate from costumes..if so , what type of skirts and from where? (chiffon, petal, L Rose velvets, etc) yes, your silk layered (2), l. rose silk circle and velvet, arabesque from dahlal or audrena, vintage and other cool skirt here on bhuz.

2) do you buy separate skirts to go with a costume you already have? and if so do you have a hard time matching up the colors? yes and sometimes yes

3) or do you only buy skirts that are sold with the costumes such as Bellas, etc no, not necessarily. I buy skirts to go with my bedlahs

4) if you buy separate skirts to go with costumes, how much do you pay for a skirt? for example do you pay $40 for a basic chiffon on ebay or more for a sequined double layer from Dahlal? I like expensive, nice skirts, I'd pay alot for a nice one

5) what kinds of skirts would you like to see MORE of? and in what price range I'd like to go to your website and buy a layered silk skirt and matching gypsy top once in a while, or a silk circle skirt in that heavy heavy silk. I'd like to buy more arabesque skirts instead of having to order them.

6) do you own any silk skirts for dance, what do you like and not like about silk for dance skirts (be honest if its an akai thats fine..I'm learning) I'd have a lot more of yours if you made more, but I'd rather see them and buy instead of custom ordering, I don't know why that is though.

7) what style of silk skirt is it? full circle, or split circle skirt? how much yardage? do you layer them, do you wear them with cabaret bra/belts or tribal sets? I like super full, it's fun to tuck stuff in the sides of the belt and have lots of twirly fun. I like my legs to peek out.

8) what's a fair price for a full silk skirt whatever the material cost is, plus markup on the material, and your time for dyeing and the sewing person. I think that's fair.

9) do you wear silk skirts for everyday use and what price was it (do you remember) in the summer I do

10) do you prefer to buy matching skirt and veil sets, if so do you like chiffon or silk I prefer silk veils, but for entrance to the stars, I like abla chiffon with beading, it moves better

11) none of this applies to me since I don't wear separate skirts and only buy costumes that are already put together what do you wear with your bedlahs???

hope this helps!

My answers may not be useful because I am cheep cheep cheep... but here goes

1) do you buy skirts separate ..
Yes. Usually from Tribe, Bhuz, Ebay and thrift stores.

2) do you buy separate skirts to go with ... matching up the colors?
I look for bargains. A skirt that looks like it might go with stuff I already have is a better bargain that a skirt that looks like it will match nothing. If I'm looking for a specific color to match, then I guarantee I'll never find it!

3) or do you only buy skirts that are sold with the costumes such as Bellas, etc
I have never bought a "complete" bra/belt/skirt set. Although I am seriously considering a used bra/skirt set (the kind with no belt).

4) if you buy separate skirts to go with costumes, how much do you pay for a skirt?
I pay as little as possible .. I am cheep cheep cheep! My last skirt purchase was a chiffon skirt/veil set for $25.. My troupe decided to buy new, matching cotton Tribal skirts, we paid $50 for them.

5) what kinds of skirts would you like to see MORE of? and in what price range
Well, my next skirt is a home-made panel double circle skirt with a double ruffle, made from a stack of $5 thrift store skirts.. I think I paid about $30 for the stack of skirts.

6) do you own any silk skirts for dance, what do you like and not like about silk for dance skirts (be honest if its an akai thats fine..I'm learning)
Yes I have one full circle silk skirt, it was a b-day gift. I love the way it flows and ripples. I just wish it were a bit fuller.

7) what style of silk skirt is it? full circle, or split circle skirt? how much yardage? do you layer them, do you wear them with cabaret bra/belts or tribal sets?
Full circle, no splits. I like to layer it with split skirts, usually silkessence or chiffon. I wear it with both Tribal and Cabaret style belts, I think it looks best with coin belt.

8) what's a fair price for a full silk skirt ...
I am too cheep to pay a fair price!

9) do you wear silk skirts for everyday use and what price was it (do you remember)
Not anymore. Back in my corporate days I loved silk suits and silk sheath dress/suit jacket sets.

10) do you prefer to buy matching skirt and veil sets, if so do you like chiffon or silk
not really. When I do buy a matching set the veil often ends up being something else, like a top or harem pants.

1) do you buy skirts separate from costumes..if so , what type of skirts and from where? (chiffon, petal, L Rose velvets, etc)

Yes, I do on occasion. I have purchased from Lygia's which I don't even think is open anymore , I have ordered from my instructor's costume vendor (she gets the catalogs for ballet, jazz, tap, etc - which has a selection of skirts sometimes), Ajanta Enterprises, and EBAY.

2) do you buy separate skirts to go with a costume you already have? and if so do you have a hard time matching up the colors?

Yes. No, I have a ton of black. I didn't start buying colors till recently. Oh boy!

3) or do you only buy skirts that are sold with the costumes such as Bellas, etc

I have done this with a fushia costume I purchased before. It came with the bra, hip scarf, head piece, arm pieces, skirt, and harem pants.

4) if you buy separate skirts to go with costumes, how much do you pay for a skirt? for example do you pay $40 for a basic chiffon on ebay or more for a sequined double layer from Dahlal?

Up to $100, sometimes they come with a free veil.

5) what kinds of skirts would you like to see MORE of? and in what price range

Silk or something that is double layered. I have split skirts and I find when I dance my bootay ends up showing. lol... I don't want to have to wear Harem pants underneath all the time. I have spent up to $100.

6) do you own any silk skirts for dance, what do you like and not like about silk for dance skirts (be honest if its an akai thats fine..I'm learning)

No, but I would love to have one!


7) what style of silk skirt is it? full circle, or split circle skirt? how much yardage? do you layer them, do you wear them with cabaret bra/belts or tribal sets?

This doesn't apply to me, because I do not own silk skirts.

8) what's a fair price for a full silk skirt?

I would spend up to $100.

9) do you wear silk skirts for everyday use and what price was it (do you remember)?

No, but good idea.

10) do you prefer to buy matching skirt and veil sets, if so do you like chiffon or silk?

I buy chiffon skirts this way. I would do the same with silk.

11) none of this applies to me since I don't wear separate skirts and only buy costumes that are already put together

I'll cheerfully buy skirts separate from the bra/belt set. It allows me to vary the look of the bra/belt set, so even if a skirt comes with them I sometimes like to substitute a different skirt.

I recently had two Bellas custom-made for me, and I was disappointed when the costumes arrived and the skirt for one of them was just plain chiffon without the little fabric roses that the model in the showroom had had. So I bought an L Rose deluxe trumpet skirt to wear with that bra/belt set, and I'd also be interested in buying a silk skirt from you if you offered them long enough for my long legs!

The length issue is my primary deterrent to buying skirts. Because I'm so tall, I need a longer length than most people.

I really like matching skirt/veil sets!

I am not particularly representative, I am afraid ;-) But, anyways, maybe an outlier may still be useful.

> 1) do you buy skirts separate from costumes..if so , what type of skirts and from where? (chiffon, petal, L Rose velvets, etc)

Yes, I have lots of BIG skirts - from many sources, including Bhuz, Ebay, Moondance, a local store. I love 25 yard skirts, I have several rayon brocade circle and circle-and-a-half skirts. I love recycled sari things, too, so there are a few of those skirts in my stash. Also love satin circle skirts.

I don't do well with more fitted skirts, I don't like petal skirts.


> 2) do you buy separate skirts to go with a costume you already have? and if so do you have a hard time matching up the colors?

I buy separate, but matching colors is not too much of a problem - with the exception that dark blue is hard to find.

> 3) or do you only buy skirts that are sold with the costumes such as Bellas, etc

My costumes are bra/belt, with one exception.

> 4) if you buy separate skirts to go with costumes, how much do you pay for a skirt? for example do you pay $40 for a basic chiffon on ebay or more for a sequined double layer from Dahlal?

You know what I pay for silk ;-) In general, when buying my toys, I try to get bargains/buy used, and I'd say that the median price for a skirt in my bin is $50. I like the Pharaonics chiffon skirts, but by and large, I prefer my ecclectic collection of stuff, which allows me to have my own style.

> 5) what kinds of skirts would you like to see MORE of? and in what price range

Apart from the obvious ;-) I would like more soft satin and I'd love to have rayon challis circle skirts. And, on point for you, my desire is for HUGE skirts (2+ circles of fabric). Price range is hard - I'd pay $100 for an undecorated skirt, if necessary. Hand dyed - hard to say.

> 6) do you own any silk skirts for dance, what do you like and not like about silk for dance skirts (be honest if its an akai thats fine..I'm learning)

I like the flow, the fullness without bulk, the shine. The colors.

Don't like that they can cling, don't like the price, because makes me worried about damage etc. - not trying to say you're too expensive, really - but it is a consideration. Don't like the bias stretch - that drives me bonkers.

> 7) what style of silk skirt is it? full circle, or split circle skirt? how much yardage? do you layer them, do you wear them with cabaret bra/belts or tribal sets?

Full circle and more, I am not too keep on slits. I have lots of broomstick silk skirts to layer. I also always wear pantaloons under my skirts (cotton, rayon, or silk essence), in colors that match the overall costume, and look a lot like another layered skirt.

> 8) what's a fair price for a full silk skirt

Depends on the features. I'd say everywhere from $5 (Goodwill) to $200.

> 9) do you wear silk skirts for everyday use and what price was it (do you remember)

Of course ;-) I have a whole bunch of broomstick skirts (I have not counted recently - at least a dozen) - from $3/Goodwill finds to $20/25 from Ebay. Sadly, it is hard to find them where I live, or I'd have more. I also made a silk noil circle skirt myself, and I LOVE that fabric, it feels like the rolls royce version of cotton, it is soft and flies in spins like nothing else.

> 10) do you prefer to buy matching skirt and veil sets, if so do you like chiffon or silk

I don't do a lot of veil, but the option is nice to have the more I decide that I should really work on that skill. But, I love having matching other things (you know I love my tops). Would love to have the option for sleeves.

I am not into chiffon, but LOVE charmeuse.

1) do you buy skirts separate from costumes..if so , what type of skirts and from where? (chiffon, petal, L Rose velvets, etc)
I do buy skirts seperate from costumes and I'll pretty much buy them from anywhere reputable (or here on bhuz) if they're nice and fit my budget at the moment.

2) do you buy separate skirts to go with a costume you already have? and if so do you have a hard time matching up the colors?
I do, but I like versatility in my skirts and so probably would buy only those that can work with a few costumes, not just one.

3) or do you only buy skirts that are sold with the costumes such as Bellas, etc
I love having a skirt that comes with the costume, but the option to change things up is important to me and separate skirts allow me to do that.

4) if you buy separate skirts to go with costumes, how much do you pay for a skirt? for example do you pay $40 for a basic chiffon on ebay or more for a sequined double layer from Dahlal?
I'd probably pay more for the one from Dahlal. All my recent skirt purchases have been in person because I want to be sure I'm getting quality for my money and want to know the sheerness of the item (particularly chiffon) since I don't have a wide selection of harem pants to wear under sheer skirts and don't really "do" that look very often.

5) what kinds of skirts would you like to see MORE of? and in what price range
For some reason, that one is difficult for me to answer... I love non-straight skirts as separates (usually mermaid or full). Unique but versatile? Preferably in a price range where they're less than a costume?

6) do you own any silk skirts for dance, what do you like and not like about silk for dance skirts (be honest if its an akai thats fine..I'm learning)
No, but in part it's because I'm worried about leg cling. I have a satin-y type skirt that clings to my legs with just a slight breeze and doesn't look flowy at all.

7) what style of silk skirt is it? full circle, or split circle skirt? how much yardage? do you layer them, do you wear them with cabaret bra/belts or tribal sets?

8) what's a fair price for a full silk skirt

9) do you wear silk skirts for everyday use and what price was it (do you remember)

10) do you prefer to buy matching skirt and veil sets, if so do you like chiffon or silk
Matching sets are fun for either style, but I always prefer silk for the veil. Actually, I think I prefer the look of a chiffon skirt and a silk veil so you don't get super matchy-matchy although if the skirt and veil were dyed with a bit of a contrast then that works too.

11) none of this applies to me since I don't wear separate skirts and only buy costumes that are already put together
I buy those too... but am actually looking to expand my current skirt selection.

wow, so ah, you ALL buy your skirts?
wow
i can not answer any of this poll ! sorry, boo hoo.

I tend not to buy separate skirts. This is because I am short and a true circle is

a. often too long and

b. flared out directly from the waist, which makes me look even shorter (think cupcake with a head).

I have always hankered after a silk skirt that would have 'extra bits' on it that you could pick up when you were dancing and treat like a veil, esp. when spinning, and one that would be fitted over the stomach/hips.

ah..ok, mine are made for me.i am not even allowed to cut them out.i mess it up!i do all my own beading, hand work etc., but suck on a machine unless it is a pillow case.
i am charged from $20.00 to $40.00 for the labor, especially if it one made from a sari, which has a special process to use all of it.

Originally Posted by zamora

wow, so ah, you ALL buy your skirts?
wow
i can not answer any of this poll ! sorry, boo hoo.

I have made some too. ..l;,

yea! bdaddiction, i dont feel so outta it!

I'd be interested in 25 yard tiered skirts made of silk habotai...the kind you can raise up a side with each hand and still have plenty of material to not be indecently exposed.

Originally Posted by zamora

wow, so ah, you ALL buy your skirts?
wow
i can not answer any of this poll ! sorry, boo hoo.

If you pay someone money to make a skirt for you, aren't you "buying a skirt"??

1) do you buy skirts separate from costumes..if so , what type of skirts and from where? (chiffon, petal, L Rose velvets, etc)

I buy mostly velvet and satin skirts from L Rose and local vendors, or I make them myself when I have the time/have fabric I want to use. I am not by and large a chiffon person.

2) do you buy separate skirts to go with a costume you already have? and if so do you have a hard time matching up the colors?

Generally I will buy a skirt to go with a specific costume, and I'll try to make sure it is a versatile color that could go with other bra/belt sets. Right now I am having the devil of a time matching a bra/belt set, I'm sure I'll end up making that one.

3) or do you only buy skirts that are sold with the costumes such as Bellas, etc

My full costumes are all Egyptian lycra types or folkloric, so this question is not really applicable.
cont...

guess I am wordy...


4) if you buy separate skirts to go with costumes, how much do you pay for a skirt? for example do you pay $40 for a basic chiffon on ebay or more for a sequined double layer from Dahlal?

If I want something that is beyond my ability to make, I'll pay upwards of $75-100 for it (velvet trumpet skirt with chiffon godets, for example--I *could* make it myself but L Rose's is much much nicer). But I would not pay that much for a simple straight skirt that I could make myself in a reasonably polished way.

5) what kinds of skirts would you like to see MORE of? and in what price range

Right now I am searching for a flowy but opaque circle skirt, so that's what I'm looking for! I'm not really willing to pay more than $100 for a skirt and would prefer to pay $75 or less.

6) do you own any silk skirts for dance, what do you like and not like about silk for dance skirts (be honest if its an akai thats fine..I'm learning)

I have one, a silk charmeuse circle skirt, and I do not like it at all. It clings where I don't want it to, i.e. the thighs, I think because its weight isn't enough to hold it out and it just drops straight from the widest points. It's pretty in motion, but I hate me in the mirror in it. Also, even though it looks opaque, it can't be trusted to stay opaque under stage lights. But because of the way it clings and hangs, there's really no room for harem pants or another skirt underneath. (It's not an akai :-)

I do have a pair of silk-rayon-poly blend harem pants that are really nice and comfy, though. They're heavy enough to provide a nice drape but poofy enough to have movement.

7) what style of silk skirt is it? full circle, or split circle skirt? how much yardage? do you layer them, do you wear them with cabaret bra/belts or tribal sets?

Full circle, but not very full--just two half circles, I think, with no slits. No idea on yardage, can't layer, wore with matching silk accessories (it was part of a troupe costume).

8) what's a fair price for a full silk skirt

I don't really know--twice as much as a veil, maybe? The same as a pair of double veils?

9) do you wear silk skirts for everyday use and what price was it (do you remember)

Everyday as in daily life? Yes, more like heavier raw silk or silk blend, and knee length or so. All different prices but mostly cheap, I'm a bargain hunter.

10) do you prefer to buy matching skirt and veil sets, if so do you like chiffon or silk

I like to be coordinated, but not necessarily matching. I strongly prefer silk veils to chiffon veils, but don't really care for silk or chiffon skirts.

You know what I do really like in the floaty skirt department and would buy in a minute if they had the right color are the new pleated organza skirts at Dahlal, the ones that match their Isis wings.

Originally Posted by zamora

wow, so ah, you ALL buy your skirts?
wow
i can not answer any of this poll ! sorry, boo hoo.

On the contrary .. I actually make most of my stuff. But I am not the sort to pass up a bargain -- or turn down a b-day gift :)

Originally Posted by zamora

ah..ok, mine are made for me.i am not even allowed to cut them out.i mess it up!i do all my own beading, hand work etc., but suck on a machine unless it is a pillow case.
i am charged from $20.00 to $40.00 for the labor, especially if it one made from a sari, which has a special process to use all of it.

I think this counts as buying ... sort of... after all you are exchanging $$ for a skirt ... the difference is ... your skirts are made to your specifications.. when I buy a skirt, it's whatever it is!

When comes to DIY vs. buying: If I can't find the fabric for a reasonable retail price, or if I do not have the skills or patience to do it myself, I will purchase. If I have easy and economical access to the fabric, and if I can and enjoy making the particular piece myself, I will do so. Everybody who enjoys 10 yards of feeding silk into a rolled hem foot after correcting for bias stretch is a better person than I am ;-) When it comes to Jes' pieces, she is an amazing artist whose work is worth the price to me.

1) do you buy skirts separate from costumes..if so , what type of skirts and from where? (chiffon, petal, L Rose velvets, etc)
Yes, usually chiffon or velvet from LRose.

2) do you buy separate skirts to go with a costume you already have? and if so do you have a hard time matching up the colors?
Yes, and yes. It's hard to find a good skirt period that's not terribly expensive.

3) or do you only buy skirts that are sold with the costumes such as Bellas, etc
Nope.

4) if you buy separate skirts to go with costumes, how much do you pay for a skirt? for example do you pay $40 for a basic chiffon on ebay or more for a sequined double layer from Dahlal?
Not really into the double layer, I'd rather get a few less expensive basic skirts and layer them myself to allow for more possibilities.

5) what kinds of skirts would you like to see MORE of? and in what price range
I would love to see some more chiffon or whatever fabric skirts that have the surging on the edge that makes it all ruffled. And some more metallic fabrics.

6) do you own any silk skirts for dance, what do you like and not like about silk for dance skirts (be honest if its an akai thats fine..I'm learning)
I have at least one silk skirt I bought from LRose. It wasn't the exact color I was looking for, but it works. I wear it under my non-sheer panel skirts as sort of an accent color. I haven't worn it by itself yet. I don't like the elastic in it, it tends to get all twisted and bunched up at the top, not sure if there's a way around that...

7) what style of silk skirt is it? full circle, or split circle skirt? how much yardage? do you layer them, do you wear them with cabaret bra/belts or tribal sets?
Split circle, not sure on the yardage. I layer it with other skirts, and with cabaret bra/belts.

8) what's a fair price for a full silk skirt
Not sure on this one.

9) do you wear silk skirts for everyday use and what price was it (do you remember)
No, I'm sorta a tomboy when I'm not dancing.

10) do you prefer to buy matching skirt and veil sets, if so do you like chiffon or silk
I actually would prefer just the skirt, unless the colors were really out of the ordinary. And I like all kinds of fabrics for veils.

11) none of this applies to me since I don't wear separate skirts and only buy costumes that are already put together
This is sometimes the case, but usually those put-together lycra costumes are too tall for me, and it's usually expensive or a huge hassle to hem them with the all the sequin and beadwork, so buying a less blingy skirt is in my best interest usually.

Originally Posted by zamora

wow, so ah, you ALL buy your skirts?
wow
i can not answer any of this poll ! sorry, boo hoo.

I make some as well! Actually, the one that's been on the heaviest rotation recently is a black mermaid velvet I made recently when I was re-learning how to sew. ..g.:

thank you so much for the responses so far..it's been a busy day at the dye farm but am reading all the responses and will come back and add more as soon as i get caught up

was it Ezma who asked if I wore silk when dancing (on those rare occasions)..I'll go into more detail about it but it may surprise you that no I don't usually pick up silk skirts first unless I'm wearing a costume and want to layer the colors. My tastes have changed considerably (and my body parts) ..still love circle skirts and the multi yard tiered skirts and things like that but (if I can find it and if it still fits) the first costume I'd grab to go dance in is the teal Sim..because it's all ready to go. No pinning and dicking around with different length skirts. Don't get me wrong I love the pile on costume style (will post a pic in a bit so you can see what I'm talking about) but if it comes down to dancing a show I'd go with ease..zip zip button ready to go.

With that said, I'm drooling over the skirt style TanyaLV is wearing on the cover of the new Dancers for Dancers dvd..I'll have to look again but it looks like a straight panel skirt over another skirt. Making a straight panel skirt would be EASY with silk and I wouldnt have to mess with biases (they annoy me too its why i stopped with habotai) ..and a panel skirt could fit neatly over a pair of harems or a chiffon skirt. But for a panel skirt I'm very tempted to go with CREPE DE CHINE which is a marvelous silk

crap..veils gotta be tended to..will be back probably tomorrow to continue this since LOST is on soon and hub is home tonight = cuddling and not as much bd watching / gabbling ..l;,

ps now that i have a butt i LOVE L Rose trumpet velvets and i like the ones that are slit to show leg..a few years ago i hated my legs , see it all changes

Whoa! Check out your stars. Never seen that many before

.p::Okay back to topic

Originally Posted by zamora

yea! bdaddiction, i dont feel so outta it!

But, they don't come out so great, so I wear it under the ones I buy. I need so much practice!

1) do you buy skirts separate from costumes..if so , what type of skirts and from where? (chiffon, petal, L Rose velvets, etc)
I buy chiffon circle skirts, and some trumpet skirts from Lrose and Dahlal.

2) do you buy separate skirts to go with a costume you already have? and if so do you have a hard time matching up the colors?
I only wear bedlah, so I just buy skirts that go with them, it is usually easy to match.

3) or do you only buy skirts that are sold with the costumes such as Bellas, etc
Nope, no skirted costumes.

4) if you buy separate skirts to go with costumes, how much do you pay for a skirt? for example do you pay $40 for a basic chiffon on ebay or more for a sequined double layer from Dahlal?
I usually buy basic chiffon from Lrose, but when I can afford the nice double layer I buy them.

5) what kinds of skirts would you like to see MORE of? and in what price range
Nice circle skirts that are a little more modest.

6) do you own any silk skirts for dance, what do you like and not like about silk for dance skirts (be honest if its an akai thats fine..I'm learning)
I don't. I wish I did!

7) what style of silk skirt is it? full circle, or split circle skirt? how much yardage? do you layer them, do you wear them with cabaret bra/belts or tribal sets?
N/A
8) what's a fair price for a full silk skirt
$ 60-100

9) do you wear silk skirts for everyday use and what price was it (do you remember)
N/A

10) do you prefer to buy matching skirt and veil sets, if so do you like chiffon or silk
No, I generally buy my skirts in solid colors and my veils in patterns. I prefer chiffon for skirts and veils in silk.

11) none of this applies to me since I don't wear separate skirts and only buy costumes that are already put together

1) I make most of my own, but I have bought some from LRose. I would buy others if they had something special that I couldn't do.

2) Yes. I don't have a problem with colors because I believe everything matches in the BD world!

3) no
4) I wouldn't buy a $40 chiffon skirt, but I would spend $200 or so for a really nice pleated, embellished, or otherwise different skirt.

5) Just something new and different.

6) no

7) I like 25 yard skirts for a full skirt.

8) I don't know, but probably over $100 just for the material, so close to $200

9) no

10) both. Chiffon is studier and cheaper, silk is lovelier.

I am confused. Chiffon is a weave, silk is a fibre. They're not mutually exclusive. Do you mean polyester chiffon vs. silk habotai (your standard plain-weave silk, often used for veils)? Silk chiffon is not what I'd call 'stiff' or 'sturdy'; it's very light and airy.

Or perhaps what people think is chiffon is actually polyester georgette, which has the same crepey texture but is a bit more substantial than chiffon.

I don't perform cabaret so don't have any costumes for that, but if I did I would probably go with silk habotai and/or silk chiffon for everything as I love the way it flows. Can't comment on price since I make most of my stuff myself.

Edit: Argh, sorry for necro-posting. Didn't notice the date.

1. Sometimes. I like L. Rose's skirts, though I haven't yet bought one. One separate skirt I have, I bought on eBay. Another was made by a dance classmate of mine. Another one I bought from a classmate who received it by mistake with an order and was told to just keep it, but it didn't fit her. I've also got one that used to be a skirt of my mom's, which needs a top to go with it. I will likely get more when I eventually acquire a decent bedlah that fits me.

2. Previously, my bedlahs were either black or white, so the skirts I bought to go with them didn't match, but coordinated with either color. The rest of the time, I've been looking more for tops to match the skirts I already have: the skirts have been the base for the costume.

3. No, but I did buy a complete bra-and-skirt costume most recently.

4. It depends on the material and the style. L. Rose's prices seem reasonable to me. I've paid less for the ones I have, but I recognize that I've been very thrifty and very lucky!

5. I love trumpet skirts! I'd like to see more of them in stretchy fabrics other than velvet, too. I'd also like to see more circle skirts made for layering.

6. I don't own any silk skirts.

7. See #6.

8. Not sure. I suppose it would probably depend on how much fabric is used and whether it is hand dyed.

9. No.

10. Not necessarily. I like coordinating, not necessarily matching. I prefer silk veils by far. I'd probably even get a silk veil if I were wearing a chiffon skirt!

11. N/A