Thread: Clueless about costuming

I'm just frustrated because I feel like the costumes I have just suck fish eggs. I'm also worried about when I might not have a job anymore in the fall, wanting to stock up on costumes. I have seen all the cool very gorgeous costumes on this site and now feel completely clueless about costuming. I'm feeling pretty desperate about advice on costuming...how to purchase good costumes for low prices without looking cheap. My instructor told me she has been known to make costumes for people for as low as $10 and all she requires is love for the dance. I have thought of paying her more than that to make me some things. Not sure how to ask, though. Perhaps you need to be established as a dancer before purchasing costumes...any suggestions? .w.:

This is a broad question. What would you use the costumes for? What kind of audience? What style of BD do you do?

For example, if you say you are doing egyptian style at haflas, I'd say a skirt and top combo from L. Rose with some sort of belt is fine and affordable. If this is only for class, then get a bunch of cheap yoga pants and a few hip scarves. And if you are doing professional shows, then I'll let a pro answer this question! LOL

Not sure if this will help...but I wrote an article on the subject not too long ago.

Andalee Oriental Dance -

Don't worry about stocking up on costumes. Work on building up pieces you can build with, depending on your dance style or styles, and how/where you're performing.

For example, I've been in dance class for 5 years. Most performances tend to be ITS, and I'd been buying pieces to work with that (still need some items but I have plenty to work with as is). We also have some folkloric pieces, which can use the ITS costuming in a pinch (no time to change), or simple tunics and harem pants. For recitals, we have more student costuming, such as velvet tops and chiffon skirts. I only just bought two costumes that could fall into professional, and I have no intention of dancing professionally.

I feel your pain about checking out the Swap Meet though. Lucky for me, most things posted wouldn't fit anyway!

So - first think about how many times you'll be performing and in what context. Then invest in some quality pieces (L. Rose is mentioned frequently for great basics) that you can add to and work with.

There's always borrowing from your dance mates as well - I loan out belts and skirts all the time.

Originally Posted by kemintiri

This is a broad question. What would you use the costumes for? What kind of audience? What style of BD do you do?

For example, if you say you are doing egyptian style at haflas, I'd say a skirt and top combo from L. Rose with some sort of belt is fine and affordable. If this is only for class, then get a bunch of cheap yoga pants and a few hip scarves. And if you are doing professional shows, then I'll let a pro answer this question! LOL

Okay, sorry. I haven't really decided on a style yet. I started with interest in tribal (because that was how I was exposed to belly dance) but I have developed an interest in Egyptian folkloric as of late. I have 2 pretty okay costumes, but one top I have doesn't fit me right. From what I just read, I will probably just have 3 basic costumes. I would like to get at least one Egyptian costume since my primary interest at this point is Egyptian. Will have to do research on what is considered Egyptian style. I've seen people doing Ghawazee dances wearing harem pants with coin belt and a top with long flowy sleeves. But to be honest, I don't know what my exact style will be yet, so I'm just looking for something basic that I can feel beautiful in but that isn't married to a particular style and can be more versatile but is more on the Egyptian side. I'll be going to festivals and workshops with vendors, so might end up purchasing a few pieces there.

About not worrying about costumes...thank you for saying that. Definitely takes the pressure off. Lol.

Then def. check out L. Rose. You can get either a half top and harems (or a skirt) and/or a dress. Get those in basic black (black harems can be used with almost any style) or one color you're sure you won't tire of. Later you can add a silver or gold bedlah and it will go with what you have.

If you have any sewing skills, you can get stuff at the thrift stores that can be transformed in BD gear. I have made practice belts out of Salvation Army materials for less than 10$.

HTH,

Kem

In your financial situation, unless you're honestly planning on performing a bit, I wouldn't invest much money in costumes.

Even if you're planning on performing at a hafla, you'd be surprised how far a hipscarf, pair of jazz pants, and some kind of top (L.Rose is an excellent recommendation) will take you. There's that stunning clip of Elizabeth Rom dancing in a rather casual outfit.

Most of our time dancing is in class or practicing at home. A couple of comfortable pairs of yoga pants and a some kind of top (based on what appeals to you and your body type) and a nice hip scarf is all you need. You could also wear harem pants to class.

You really don't need to worry about performance costumes until you are ready to perform. If it is with a student troupe, your instructor will dictate what the costume is. Check out Welcome to L. Rose Designs and SharifWEAR.com - Original designs for divas who dance - Perfect for clubs, classes and performances - Salsa, Gypsy, Tribal, Oriental, Egyptian, Belly Dancing for ideas for costumes that you can use for haflas or student showcases. A lot of times these are sold at the Swap Meet here on Bhuz. Right now there are several LRose and Sharifwear costume pieces for sale.

There are lots of different Egyptian dance styles with different kinds of costumes. You mention Ghawazee in a lot of your posts so I take it you are drawn to that. Check out Habibas articles on her website. She includes costume photos and descriptions. Her site is www.habibastudios.com. Modern Ghawazee costume is a heavily fringed dress, hip scarf, and headpiece. But most people who present Ghawazee as performance dance wear the slightly older costume with distinctive skirt, belt, bodice, jewlery and headpiece. Habiba shows that in detail. They don't wear harem pants. They show their legs.

For raqs sharki you would be talking a bedlah with skirt or a fancy lycra dress or lycra bra with skirt (fringe sewn on the skirt), sleeves or armbands, and a headband. For raqs assaya (cane) is would be a saidi dress but you could also wear cute pants and folksy belt for a halfa. If you look at my gallery you will see me wearing gallabeyas, a lurex coin saidi dress for cane, and a very fancy heavily beaded Egptian dress. All for Egyptian dance styles.

Save you money and invest now in classes and some excellent and pretty class wear that you can take to the next level.

Souzan

Thanks so much, guys! I'm feeling a lot better after reading your responses. I actually did 1 recital and the instructor just had us wear some kind of form-fitting black top or leotard with a skirt and a coin belt. I have 2 coin belts and a fringe belt that I wear to class in order to understand what my hips are doing.

Unless you are a performing professional and have an image to uphold, you are better off spending your money on what you need to advance as a dancer--classes, workshops, learning about the music, etc. Worry about the costuming as you need it. It's fun to play dress up, but technique is more important. If you can become a really solid dancer, you will impress people if you're dancing in street clothes. On the other hand, if you have the dance technique of an amateur, it doesn't matter if you're wearing a Bella original made out of spun gold and diamonds.

Originally Posted by smuse33

Thanks so much, guys! I'm feeling a lot better after reading your responses. I actually did 1 recital and the instructor just had us wear some kind of form-fitting black top or leotard with a skirt and a coin belt. I have 2 coin belts and a fringe belt that I wear to class in order to understand what my hips are doing.

I've seen a few photos you posted a while back and I'd say, and I mean this nicely, make sure that what you use to adorn your skirt is pinned/tucked cleanly in place so you dont have skirts or layers escaping from the top of your waist adornment. It's the one thing I remember from your pictures is that your layers were shifting. Same goes for tops. If you have a top that goes over a bra, make sure straps are tucked away, things fit well, and so on.. (I don't remember anything about your pics in regards to your tops)

A clean presentation of basic costume items always looks better than more professional costumes that are shifting/bunching.

I think there were also two threads about costuming last time you asked which should be worth review...but the bottom line is right now you shouldn't worry about what to buy, you should focus on study.When you do have to perform in student recitals, ask your teacher (and Bhuz) for recommendations about where and what to buy if you're asked to wear somethign you don't yet have.

I second what everyone else has said. Focus on learning & invest in that first and foremost. Don't worry about costuming right now, learn technique, music, etc. Enjoy and learn from student recitals and haflas and workshops. ..g.:

Great tips!

I don't dance pro and I didn't own anything really expensive at all. I did splurge once on a long hip scarf, that I love! I agree no need to get fancy unless you are dancing professionally. Most of the items I wear I have made on my own, or purchased bits and pieces that I could make something to go with. I was a college student when I started dancing, so my budget was tight.

Although, when I do my first solo at my recital next year, I would love to have something that was made for me.

Originally Posted by ozma

I've seen a few photos you posted a while back and I'd say, and I mean this nicely, make sure that what you use to adorn your skirt is pinned/tucked cleanly in place so you dont have skirts or layers escaping from the top of your waist adornment. It's the one thing I remember from your pictures is that your layers were shifting. Same goes for tops. If you have a top that goes over a bra, make sure straps are tucked away, things fit well, and so on.. (I don't remember anything about your pics in regards to your tops)

A clean presentation of basic costume items always looks better than more professional costumes that are shifting/bunching.

I think there were also two threads about costuming last time you asked which should be worth review...but the bottom line is right now you shouldn't worry about what to buy, you should focus on study.When you do have to perform in student recitals, ask your teacher (and Bhuz) for recommendations about where and what to buy if you're asked to wear somethign you don't yet have.

Thanks for the advice. I knew something wasn't right when I looked at those photos of me. My whole life I have always not had clothing pinned right/not fitting right, etc. I'll have to meet with someone who has been dancing for awhile and understands how to pin so it doesn't look all bunched up. I am envisioning a disaster with pinning. Would have to learn to do it effectively.

I went to L.Rose and decided just to purchase a basic pair of jazz pants and a basic top for now. I could envision those being a lot easier to deal with than a bunch of layers when I'm just practicing and/or performing at a recital (though the recital was pretty easy, since all I needed was a few basic items I already owned). It's excellent advice for me to just focus on learning technique and music. Since that's what I'm doing now, I guess I'm on the right track!

About hip scarves...I always have difficulty tying them the right way so they stay in place. It's like I either tie them too tight or they are too lose. Lol. I'll be meeting with someone from BHUZ in person for a hafla in about a month, so I'm going to ask her for advice about tying and not letting things bunch. Also ask my teacher about it. Right now, my biggest mishap is learning the veil dance for the first time and the veil is falling off me when it's tucked into my costume. My teacher and I had to keep tucking it back in because it kept falling off when I was dancing (plus it has to be easy to pull off for the part of the dance where we take the veil off and begin performing with it). So frustrating. ..c::

Originally Posted by smuse33

About hip scarves...I always have difficulty tying them the right way so they stay in place. It's like I either tie them too tight or they are too lose. Lol. I'll be meeting with someone from BHUZ in person for a hafla in about a month, so I'm going to ask her for advice about tying and not letting things bunch. Also ask my teacher about it. Right now, my biggest mishap is learning the veil dance for the first time and the veil is falling off me when it's tucked into my costume. My teacher and I had to keep tucking it back in because it kept falling off when I was dancing (plus it has to be easy to pull off for the part of the dance where we take the veil off and begin performing with it). So frustrating. ..c::

I can tell you my veil falls out sometimes. It just takes practice. ..g.: I have stepped on it too.

As for the hip scarf during class mine has fallen off, but during recital I pin it onto my skirt, body stocking, etc. There is a thread here about better ways to keep it on. ,r:;

There are many hip scarves I no longer wear in class because they fall right off. I'm not pinning for class!

One instructor I had basically sewed a belt inside the hip scarf - it was a sturdy fabric (don't remember what kind, sorry) with trouser hooks, about 1/2 inch , maybe an inch, below the top of the scarf. This way she could get it on and be reasonably sure it would stay even if it came untied! I am so doing this to my heavy (and slippery!) velvet coin scarves...when I get around to it!

And having a veil fall out is good practice for what to do when things aren't going right!

Will sound like a complete dork, but here's what I do. Remember those little leather braid thingies that we used to hold our girl-scout's scarves? That what I use to keep my hip scarves in place. Bonus: it keeps the scarf from getting damaged at the tying points and it cost me zero.

I suppose that a scrunchie could also be used in the same manner if the ties are long and coin free.

I almost always pin my hip scarves and if I'm feeling really fancy, I'll pin them with a pretty junk jewerly brooch. (But usually just a safety pin.)

I have an excellent way to tie rectangular hip scarves so they stay put, but I don't think I can explain it! Maybe I'll take some photos?

Dahlal has a great area on their website "Dancer's Designs". You can design a great costume with items many beginners have on hand. My dance partner has minimal money to invest - we have created many duet costumes from their ideas. Like Philly, one costume design involved using brooches to pin scarfs. It was my favorite! Good Luck.

The Costume Goddess has tips too. I have made her arms wings for a classmate of mine.

Dina's Bellydance Costume Galleries

ITA with Dahlal Dancer Designs, they have some great ideas!

The other thing to think about if you HAVE to have a bedlah - soem of the mass produced Egyptian or Turkish costumes in silver or gold are great inexpensive work horses which can have long lives especially if you are creative. Many of them come up on a regular basis on the swap boards for less than retail.

{{{HUGS}}}