Thread: Quality of Costumes for the amount of $$$

It seems lately that the quality of workmanship in costumes I have purchased is not quite what I would expect it to be. For instance I just received a brand new Eman that I had on layaway and the beading on the skirt is really loose. I purchased a Mamdooh a few months ago and the same thing happened. The cheaper costumes although not as sparkly seem to have better workmanship. My Hannan and Joharah costumes have no loose beading compared to my more expensive sets. What can we do as a community of dancers to expect better quality for the price we pay? I know I am not the only one out there especially when we are paying $650 for a new Eman and $500 for a new Mamdooh. I love my costumes but having a seamstress re-sew loose beading is just more money out of my pocket - I wouln't mind as much if the costumes were a bit cheaper but lets face it ladies we spend a lot of $$$.

I remember reading someone elses thread about disappointing quality/finish work on a custom Eman recently. I only own one Eman and it was something I picked up on Ebay and it's perfect.

One would think we would have a better voice with the high end designers since we're the ones keeping them in business. It drives me crazy that Pharonics has been using those el-cheepo plastic beads that peel and chip when you wear them. When I plunk down $825 for a new pharonics, I would think that they would use a better quality bead for that price. Bhuzers have complained about their plastic beads endlessly and yet they continue to use them.

has anyone tried returning them, either for repair or refund?

Originally Posted by shahla

I remember reading someone elses thread about disappointing quality/finish work on a custom Eman recently. I only own one Eman and it was something I picked up on Ebay and it's perfect.

One would think we would have a better voice with the high end designers since we're the ones keeping them in business. It drives me crazy that Pharonics has been using those el-cheepo plastic beads that peel and chip when you wear them. When I plunk down $825 for a new pharonics, I would think that they would use a better quality bead for that price. Bhuzers have complained about their plastic beads endlessly and yet they continue to use them.

I have wondered this, too. And I had bad sequins on a Pharaonics, too.
Surely they have gotten feedback on the beads. But maybe they haven't.

Originally Posted by Lara L

has anyone tried returning them, either for repair or refund?

My costume (Eman) from Dahlal was on layaway and they do no accept returns. I had a seamstress work on it since I needed this specific costume for a weekend event.

Originally Posted by Reinaa

My costume (Eman) from Dahlal was on layaway and they do no accept returns. I had a seamstress work on it since I needed this specific costume for a weekend event.

honestly I would try anyway- especially through a 3rd party vendor, they should be checking their merch as it comes in! My business is not in MED supply, but I have successfully negotiated returns with no return policy companies for shoddy workmanship, & I have always had great responses from Dahlal. It helps if you say 'you can fix it for me' or let them know you are willing to exchange- maybe just ask if they will refund you the amount you had to spend on repairs. but not sending you what you thought you were getting is false advertising- something most companies try to avoid! I know it's too late in your case, but if more people complain it is more likely to get fixed. Even if you don't return it, register a complaint so they know there is an issue. That is one frustration for me- people will tell me months later their friend had a problem with a product, when I would have been happy to replace the item had I known there was a problem.

I agree - I had a Pharonics that was literally falling apart, everytime I wore it I had to sew the skirt back into the base, or restring a strand of beads that popped off. And ALL of the once-green beads had chipped to white. Thankfully I purchased this costume for only $450 on Bhuz, but as a costume that is originally $800, there should be none of these issues unless the costume is not well taken care of (and this one was).

I only have one Pharaonics, but it is vintage and made like a tank. Most of my expensive costumes are Madame A and of course are made to last several lifetimes. But when I've looked at Pharaonics for sale at vendor's tables the quality is spotty. Some costumes well made, good fabric. Others in same style not so well done. The answer is probably entirely in who actually constructs and decorates the costume and who, if anyone, inspects it. I think the Egyptian designers created the minimalist fringe and sleek lycra look as a way to save time and money. Less fabric, less beading, less decoration, lighter weight so cheaper to ship. And upon that created a belly dance fashion trend.

Other than the one Pharaonics with the peeling beads (which is gorgeous otherwise), the ones I've gotten have been great. I had to redo a crappy hem on an Eman, but I needed to shorten it anyway, so it wasn't a big deal. If I had special-ordered it, though, I would have been disappointed. And nothing beats the quality of a Sim Moda Evi costume.

Sigh...Got my Eman back from my seamstress. She told me that whoever made the costume did a terrible job(she doesn't know about bellydance designers) as also what I didn't see before actually pen marks from the pattern cuts. I love my costume it's hot but the workmanship is not. Depressing me.

The standard business practices in bellydancewear astound me.

Vendors selling $500-800 products based on two or three postage-stamp sized pictures and no returns even if the product is DEFECTIVE???? That's insane.

So are custom orders that come in 8 months later in the wrong size and a different color combination than you ordered.

When you're able to buy in person, and have a body that can be fitted off the rack, you can inspect first and refuse to accept shoddy work. But buying over the net, I'd look for a good return policy.

Many are made like Halloween costumes not a dance costume! We put these garments thru a lot of G forces and they are made like we stand around in them and look pretty.

I swapped for a brand new Eman and every time I pick it up something falls off :(. Im going to add a lot of stuff to it so it will still be wearable. It sucks because her older stuff lasts forever, I still wear one that was made 5 or 6 years ago and it looks brand new.

At least there are a few designers who are worth the money. I have never had trouble with my costumes from Bella, Sim, or Sahar. I dont know what glue Sahar uses but ive never seen a crystal fall off of one of her designs.

Ive noticed the Pharonix costumes seem to be getting flimsy. The plastic beading also annoys me!!! Bella, Legend (Shimi) and Sim have never disappointed me. Made to last!!! Id confidently put money down for them.

Legend costumes are awesome! Ive never seen a bead come loose.

I only have one Pharonix costume. I love it but some of the fringe falls off every time I wear it. Never buying Pharonix again!

Originally Posted by monsoondancer

Ive noticed the Pharonix costumes seem to be getting flimsy. The plastic beading also annoys me!!! Bella, Legend (Shimi) and Sim have never disappointed me. Made to last!!! Id confidently put money down for them.

Yes, from what I've seen, the best workmanship seems to be found in older
Pharonix (2005 and earlier), Madame Abla (legendary workmanship there), Bellas and Sims.