Thread: i was run over by the lycra train

Enjoyed a wonderful show with local dancers last night (Hawaii) but dang I have seen enough lycra to last a few months.

Don't get me wrong i do think some of the lycra costumes are lovely and who wouldnt want to own one, and i'm also glad it's acceptable to not have a perfect set of abs to wear one..i can join the club

but I'd really love to see more split skirts and fringe again. Sigh. I enjoy well made handmade costumes too. My eyes like to dance over layers or collections and shtuff.

Again not bagging on lycra and i know it's the in thing but please bust out the circle skirts and bra/belt sets

ps watched a costume mishap last night, lycra skirt split open in the back..I won't go into details but the zipper started opening to the point of seeing thong. I'm wondering again if those powernet bodysuits allow costume slippage? I know a dancer mentioned hooks? It's a good idea, I could no longer focus on the dancing since we were waiting to see if the skirt would fall

now i'm very outspoken on blogs and boards and such but when it comes to haflas, shows, i will resort to being a panty police-er.p::

I'm really digging the full chiffon skirts with Bedlah! The lycra is pretty and easy to wear, but I think the general public's idea of what a bellydancer should look iike is someone in a full skirt and bedlah. I know that's what I remember first about bellydancing ;) So I have a few of each and wear the lycra to shows where I know more bellydancers will be at, and the bedlah and big skirts to restaurant performances. And finish off my costume with a gorgeous Akai silk veil :)

i agree with you completely..and do think the lycras are show stoppingly beautiful but when the whole show is full of them it starts to look like a dahlal catalog:)

and funny you bring up veils as I was really studying costuming last night ..in the past have really enjoyed doing some brilliant contrasting color designs but would like to do some now that are just two tone or very simple..like the turquoise and white or burgundy and peach..at least for the rectangles

i must admit it was a treat to see many akais floating last night, and the visual gives new ideas :)

I MISS FRINGE!!!!! ..cr.:

And the versatility and security of a sturdy bra/belt set.

My cheapest and most out-of-date costume -- a gold *heavily* fringed bra-belt set from Johara -- remains one of my faves. I can pair it with everything from a sleek black trumpet to a fluffy white chiffon and get a ton of different looks.

And I *never* have to worry whether the audience can see my smaller moves or not. Or if my skirt is sliding down,

Lycra can show cellulite through it (especially cheapie stuff)...I'm over lycra too. Now stretch velvet is a completely different story. i'll never get tired of that.

The bedlah with its many possible skirts is so much more versatile for those of us who are hobbyists and can't really justify having more than a couple of costumes.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Lycra can show cellulite through it (especially cheapie stuff)...I'm over lycra too. Now stretch velvet is a completely different story. i'll never get tired of that.

stretch velvet is indeed God's gift to those of us with cellies

Jes, just tell me which dance event you will attend in the next few weeks and I will wear the chiffon skirt for you
Your choice:
May 30 - Global Café at the Living Room from 7 to 10:30 PM
June 5 - Hawaii State Art Museum "First Friday"

I only sent over 1 multicolored bra/belt set, but have 3 different skirts to choose from....
Talk about versatility!

See you soon!

MEISSOUN

Originally Posted by catwomyn

The bedlah with its many possible skirts is so much more versatile for those of us who are hobbyists and can't really justify having more than a couple of costumes.

SO true. It's also a much better deal for a restaurant dancer who's supposed to show up with a new look every day of the week, maybe even two per night!

Two per night? The dancers here on the weekends change every set (I've seen as many as 4 costumes in one night).

Anyhow, count me in the fringe and chiffon group. Lycra is a horror if your over a certain age or weight. However, I do agree with the stretch velvet.

Originally Posted by Najida

Lycra is a horror if your over a certain age or weight. However, I do agree with the stretch velvet.

It can be bad for those of us not over a certain age or weight. Lycra is not a forgiving fabric, even on women with fabulous bodies. I will never give into lycra. I prefer my chiffon and velvet and my bedlahs.

Show I was in this weekend was lots of pants (Melodias and Sharifwear), tiered skirts, cholis, sari fabric skirts, fur skirts (topping what looked like jeans). A few chiffon circle skirts with bedlah. Saqra and I wore beledi dresses. Not a modern Egyptian lycra costumes in sight (except at vendors' tables!)

Thanks! That's actually very comforting to know.

What was it I read somewhere? "Lycra (like spandex) is a priviledge, not a right."

I too would like to see more "old skool" bedlah costumes out and about. I do like the old lycra, haven't tried stretch velvet yet but probably will given what you lot are saying though!

After years of lycra, this year I went back to bra and belts with chiffon or velvet skirt when I want something tighter.
My lycra costumes stayed in my closet and I keep reaching for the bra and belts in the last months.

I am not much of a fashionista anyway, classics are timeless if they are well made and you have to wear something that flatters your body and suits your taste even if it means fringe and chiffon in a world of lycra.

I have one lycra costume I swear by, but it's not tight or restrictive. Minimalist (no fringe) and easy to pull on and take off. This is the costume I reach for when I have to drive to multiple gigs in one night (sitting on beads is no fun.)

But my favorite costume in my arsenol is a bella fringe monster that may possibly be older then I am. I always wear it when I need to show up as a BELLYDANCER to an american party :)

I think it also depends quite a bit on the dancing - for an Egyptian style dancer with smaller, more internal movement, a sleek costume is a good match. For an Vintage Oriental or Turkish dancer, esp. one who does lots of turns and kicks and runs around the stage in circles, chances are that sleek lyrca is not the ideal choice, and a chiffon or silk skirt is probably more suitable.

Where's Mish Mish to rebel with me? ..g.:

I get so jealous when my friends can go out and buy beautiful tie-dyed, pouffy, pleated and ruffly skirts off the rack and wear them with fringe-fest bedlahs and not look like a cupcake in drag! Unfortunately, being vertically challenged, I just can't seem to carry off the classic look as well as many others can.

"Lycra is a privilege, not a right." FUNNY stuff. And, sadly, true. Just goes to show that on all sides of the spectrum, it's about wearing what looks flattering on you, whether or not it's trendy.

Here's tiny Eva Cernik in beads and chiffon: Dance classes by Eva Cernik: Turkish Oriental Cabaret, Gypsy and Egyptian (including Ghawazee) styles

Aszmara, my occasional teacher, is my height (4'11") and rocks the fringe like nobody's business. She can pull it off and it's very complimentary to her style of dancing.

I think in my case, the aversion is partially psychological. Many of us, for instance, can't go back to drinking a particular type of alcohol if we had a horiffic experience with it. Just the smell alone is enough to make your stomach turn. Similarly, I went through this phase where I OD'ed on chiffon fluffies. We're talkin' 2, 3, 4 layers at a clip, with harems, with deep V-belts and tons of fringe. THEN, I'd layer scarves at my hips to make me look more "hip-py!" Thus, I effectively concealed what little curves I do have on my hips, derriere and thighs and made myself look more like an Oompa Loompa.

One day I had this revelation that I looked ridiculous dressed like that. So I didn't just phase out the chiffon that looked bad on me. I sold it all off, did a sacred cleansing ritual with sage incense, and purged those pouffy spirits out of my being. Now, I can only tolerate fluff in minute doses.

Don't get me wrong, though - I LOVE the look on others! Just not on lil' ol me. Yeah, I've got issues

Sorry I wasn't there to represent the bedlah brigade Jes. You know I love me a 70's album cover look. I'll be back on island soon.

I think shorter dancers can wear fringey bra/belts just fine!

uber-long fringe, too many colors cutting you apart into horizontal pieces, and dinner-bell skirts might be bad.

But thick, shorter fringe, tonal matching of bra/belt to skirt, and either a split skirt revealing lots of vertical legline or a sleek trumpet/sarong/etc skirt can add a nice long lean (yet curvy) look. One long narrow bit of fringe coming down from the center of the bra adds a nice touch.

Originally Posted by Freddie

I too would like to see more "old skool" bedlah costumes out and about. I do like the old lycra, haven't tried stretch velvet yet but probably will given what you lot are saying though!

I've got a bit of everything!

Originally Posted by jesennia

and funny you bring up veils as I was really studying costuming last night ..in the past have really enjoyed doing some brilliant contrasting color designs but would like to do some now that are just two tone or very simple..like the turquoise and white or burgundy and peach..at least for the rectangles

I just bought your turquoise and white veil! ..l;,

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Where's Mish Mish to rebel with me? ..g.:

I get so jealous when my friends can go out and buy beautiful tie-dyed, pouffy, pleated and ruffly skirts off the rack and wear them with fringe-fest bedlahs and not look like a cupcake in drag! Unfortunately, being vertically challenged, I just can't seem to carry off the classic look as well as many others can.

"Lycra is a privilege, not a right." FUNNY stuff. And, sadly, true. Just goes to show that on all sides of the spectrum, it's about wearing what looks flattering on you, whether or not it's trendy.

I think it might not work for you, but floofy working on tiny people can be a reality. I dance with many petite, tiny, thin hipped Japanese women who can go with some rather over-the-top ruffly skirts and layers that would make me looks like a poorly designed pastry.

It's a complex equation of body shapes and height, of trial and error.

Originally Posted by ozma

It's a complex equation of body shapes and height, of trial and error.

That pretty much sums it up to a T. There really are no hard and fast rules, only what looks good on you. Monochromatic, well balanced fluff isn't a complete catastrophy on my odd figure...only a minor abomination

Poorly designed pastry....LMAO. Or a Pop Tart in a wedding cake's clothes.

I love Lycra on someone that looks excellente in it! ..l;, I can't do it, unless I would wear a full body body stocking. Plus, I have too much bootee in the pants that would just accentuate the bootee too much. TMI... Then, my mother would say, "You know Lycra just isn't for you." and the whole blah, blah, blah how to dress for my body type speech.

I haven't tried stretch velvet yet, but I am getting a used L. Rose beledi dress in the mail that I purchased from EBAY. Yay! I am reconstructing it into something fabulous! Anyhow, I usually do the chiffon, sequin, coin thing.

lol, at the panty police... .p:: I must say we had panty police in nursing school with our white uniforms. They surely could have it for bellydance. But, I notice that many dancers wear thongs. One time I was watching Saturday Night Live and one of Ciara's dancers they were wearing spandex pants , and all I saw wear the straps in the back. .w.:

Personally, I would feel a little bit too breezy wearing a thong with any of my dance costumes. They also say thongs aren't good for you??? Not sure if their is any research behind it, just something a midwife told me. Especially, when you are exercising, which I would think dance is a form of working out.

I miss the fringe and chiffon too. Don't really *get* the fascination with the minimalist look - no or v. sparse fringe on skirt and top. I like to see the fringe showing the shimmies.

I do like the old lycra, haven't tried stretch velvet yet but probably will given what you lot are saying though!

After my costumes were stolen, I had to reinvest and it gave me a chance to figure out what I really want. I have a beautiful stretch velvet Eman that I got from Morgana's Bellydance Bazaar which is great for changing in tiny bathrooms. I highly recommend these. They tend to be simple but not necessarily minimalist. I spent $12 on giant AB crystals and the costume will look like I paid twice what I did for it (well once I get around to sewing them on :)

I've been borrowing a fringe monster green Egyptian bedlah from a friend until I can replace the other one that was stolen, and it really is fun to dance in. Flattering, eye-catching, shimmy-inducing but it takes a lot more work to get in and out of than the zipper on my other skirt.

I like to see both but I make more tips in the fringe-monster.

Originally Posted by adeylah

After my costumes were stolen, I had to reinvest and it gave me a chance to figure out what I really want. I have a beautiful stretch velvet Eman that I got from Morgana's Bellydance Bazaar which is great for changing in tiny bathrooms. I highly recommend these. They tend to be simple but not necessarily minimalist. I spent $12 on giant AB crystals and the costume will look like I paid twice what I did for it (well once I get around to sewing them on :)

I've been borrowing a fringe monster green Egyptian bedlah from a friend until I can replace the other one that was stolen, and it really is fun to dance in. Flattering, eye-catching, shimmy-inducing but it takes a lot more work to get in and out of than the zipper on my other skirt.

I like to see both but I make more tips in the fringe-monster.

I have this in black and gold. I<3 it! Yes, it is harder to deal with than lycra, but it is so much more FUN! to wear!

Although I admit to at times choosing slinky dresses instead of bedlah because of the need for a quick turn around!

{{{HUGS}}