Thread: What about these cheapies at bellydancestore.com?

These: Belly Dance Store.com

They are inexpensive and come in lots of colors. I'm tempted to buy one because they are a great price and could easily be embellished, but I wonder about the quality. Anyone have any idea about them?

They look like great student sets or sets just waiting to be decorated. I don't know about the quality of the materials used though, perhaps someone who owns/or helped unpack these can chime in, I've been eyeing them myself.

I'm wondering if they might have put the model in a belt that was the wrong size, but the first thing I noticed was the cylindrical "tuna fish can" shape of the belt around her hips.

Most belts have a slight curve to them when you hold them out in front of you, but a lot of cheap Egyptian belts are built straight across. This can theoretically be fixed, but I'm not sure it's a task for the faint of heart

Other than that, it could be a decent fixer-upper!

It would definitely be a fixer upper....but at the same time I wouldn't want to put all the money and effort into fixing it up and it end up being more than just buying a good quality costume in the first place.

On the other hand...it would be fun to get creative and make something totally unique out of one of these.

I've seen them in person and never asked about the price. I assumed they were over $100, so at $75, I think they're a great deal.
There are easy ways to add a little curve hugging ability to the top of the belt- angle the edges where you put the hooks, and also put a thread casing with elastic in the back. You can usually bring it in by another inch or inch and a half (depending upon the belt of course) without bunching up.

Thanks Samira! I may end up getting one. For some reason I'm just really diggin' the orange, though I don't usually wear that color. At that price, I suppose I can afford to experiment!

I cant wait to see pics of it on a real person, and to also know about the quality. I too have been eyeing the cheapies on bellydancestore.com. I am liking the 125 sets, just trying to decide if its worth the chance, or if i should just wait and buy a more expensive costume.. .w.: Good luck!

I think orange would look good on you. If you have an idea of how you want to fix it up/bling it up, maybe price the crystals or fringe or whatever you have in mind & add it to the cost of the bedleh to get an idea of what you'll be spending in the end. Depending on what you're doing, those can really add up sometimes.

The orange one looks better than the others of the same price - there's a pink one where one of the cups are sewn on 'off'/crooked & several of the others have a weird shaped piece connecting the cups together, lol.

For $75 I think it's a good deal. You would have to make the belt fit your body, meaning have the front and back meet at an angle, instead of a straight line, that would probably fix it.
All you need it a few appliques, some crystals, maybe some large chunky beads - depending on how much work and money you want to put into it, but it looks to me that for $25-50 you can create a beautiful costume. Especially if you are looking for a weird color combo to match something else.
The fringe looks Turkish (I may be wrong) which I believe means that the you can take it apart and have individual strands (they're crocheted together). You can have them hang in 2/3s from random places - I like that look, especially on the bra. If you just do that, and nothing else, it already looks good.

I'm sure by the time I put in the time, money, and effort I could have just bought a ready-made costume, but I think it would be kind of cool to make something that would end up being totally unique. Hmmm, decisions decisions!

Yah, if you customize it to make it your own, then you know it's OOAK. ..g.:

I totally agree on revamping it! I love the color and it is a great starter to make into something fabulous.

Grrrr, I'm still debating...there's a more expensive costume at Dahlal that I have my eye on. Can't decide if I want to go for the "project" or the costume that's ready to be danced in. Decisions, Decisions!

As far as the orange costume goes....I would absolutely have to go with a dreamsicle theme! It would be perfect for summer!

That is a hard decision Sariah.

But, if I could get a costume from Dahlal, that would be my first choice. That is because I don't have anything from there, although I love their products.

Every time I planned on ordering, it was too late. Hopefully, someday.

I'd love to know how it fits in the cup! that would be my biggest worry with a cheap bra.

Originally Posted by 0Adara0

I'd love to know how it fits in the cup! that would be my biggest worry with a cheap bra.

That's one of my worries as well. And I NEED a bra that has excellent support.

I've been debating the $75 issue too; I was going to order one and then I got sick and then busy (don't have long distance phone at home and I don't use Paypal, but that's another topic), but after reading this I am itching to order one. I think maybe with the economy they are trying to get more people familiar with their stuff. . .?

I've decided that if I can get my desert swirl costume to sell, I am defintiely going to take the plunge and get one of these.

Originally Posted by Sariah

That's one of my worries as well. And I NEED a bra that has excellent support.

If you end up going through with it, please let me know how the girls fit! I'm so curious! I was thinking about doing the same thing with one of the pink ones ( i think orange would make me look ill unless i wore it during the summer with a good tan going) >_<

Originally Posted by Sariah

That's one of my worries as well. And I NEED a bra that has excellent support.

You can revamp that too. I have done that with many bras. I just take it off the bra they give me and put it on another, add some more material, and dabbles...

I have spent $100 on a costume, just because I loved it and made a bra that fits me perfectly.

Sadly it looks like I'm going to have to pass on it. :( I went bra shopping at Victoria's Secret today and after getting a fitting, it turns out I'm a whole cup size bigger than I thought. And since the orange cossie that I wanted is a C/D cup, there's no way it would fit my DDDs (omg...that still shocks the crap out of me, but explains why I can never find a bra that fits perfectly, both dance and everyday.)

Originally Posted by Sariah

Sadly it looks like I'm going to have to pass on it. :( I went bra shopping at Victoria's Secret today and after getting a fitting, it turns out I'm a whole cup size bigger than I thought. And since the orange cossie that I wanted is a C/D cup, there's no way it would fit my DDDs (omg...that still shocks the crap out of me, but explains why I can never find a bra that fits perfectly, both dance and everyday.)

I can't even fit into a Victoria's Secret bra right now! lol... I just had a baby and am breastfeeding. They don't sell anything with a back size over 40! Neither does Frederick's of Hollywood.

Well, I guess you will be getting from Dahlal! Woo! ..g.:

With my personal experience with Victori's secret..they can be a bit "vanity sized" at times. also, they measure you while your still wearing a bra ( or they have with me at least) I know it's more polite and everything..but i think it's rediculous and can't be that accurate. I'd suggest googling how to measure yourself and have a friend/spouse/close familly member help you and then compare the measurements.

Originally Posted by 0Adara0

With my personal experience with Victori's secret..they can be a bit "vanity sized" at times. also, they measure you while your still wearing a bra ( or they have with me at least) I know it's more polite and everything..but i think it's rediculous and can't be that accurate. I'd suggest googling how to measure yourself and have a friend/spouse/close familly member help you and then compare the measurements.

Yeah, I have noticed that they tend to run a little small. However, no matter what brand of bra I try (not just VS), I can never find a good fit. Bless the girl's heart at VS though, she was really trying to find something that would work and when we figured out I was a DDD, she gave me suggestions of other stores to try.

Another thing I never really liked about VS bras is that they just don't offer enough coverage!

aww, that sucks. sorry to hear that. most of there bras try to expose as much boob as possible more for wearing when you want to show a little cleavage than for every day wear.

Exactly! I just want a pretty, dependable bra that will keep the girls up and happy. Unfortunately, that's not possible unless it's one of those ugly industrial strength bras that look like sling shots for cannons. Oh and they always cost an arm and a leg!!

Originally Posted by 0Adara0

With my personal experience with Victori's secret..they can be a bit "vanity sized" at times. also, they measure you while your still wearing a bra ( or they have with me at least) I know it's more polite and everything..but i think it's rediculous and can't be that accurate. I'd suggest googling how to measure yourself and have a friend/spouse/close familly member help you and then compare the measurements.

ITA, I like Bare Necessities. I measure myself for my nursing bra and it fits to a tee. I did have to spend the moola to get something that was supportive yet durable. :D They have everything in every size. Thank goodness. ..l;,

VS bras have never lasted me more than a year, even with washing by hand or delicate cycle. I swear their prices are about the brand and not quality. Same goes for their panties.

Originally Posted by bdaddiction

ITA,

VS bras have never lasted me more than a year, even with washing by hand or delicate cycle. I swear their prices are about the brand and not quality. Same goes for their panties.

yyyyyep. the elasticity in the straps are not meant for 'carrying the weight' more than a year...the girls never look as perky in the bra a year later than when i first buy them, but the cups are still good so i recycle them into belly dance bras once the straps die.