Thread: Talk to Me About "Covered Up" Costuming

Until today, nobody has ever asked me to cover my midriff for a performance. But I guess there's a first for everything, right?

What are your favorite ways to cover up without compromising bling?

I just sold my only evening gown costume and I'm afraid a galabeya wouldn't exactly cut it for a big corporate event. And I can never seem to find beautiful evening gowns in petite sizes. Would it make sense to go the bodystocking route?

Advice and pictures would be greatly appreciated!

I think a colored bodystocking that matches your costume might be just right.

That's what I was thinking. Sugar Petals has some nice ones.

Also, maybe some gauntlets on the arms would help offset the bare skin, too.

What might work would be to bling up a body stocking with appliques or sew on crystals. Even dyeing a body stocking to match the color of the bedlah and then adding some bling. SugarPetal body stocking will take Rit dyes.

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

That's what I was thinking. Sugar Petals has some nice ones.

Also, maybe some gauntlets on the arms would help offset the bare skin, too.

If you used mesh gauntlets dyed the same as the body stocking, then you could add some rhinestones to those as well and get covered but glittery at the same time.

I have some evening gowns for sale. I think the lavender sparkle gown I am selling would make a great "covered up" costume. You could easily take it in / hem if needed. http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/p...A/IMG_2604.jpg

Another option would be an L. Rose beledi dress with an underbust cut, which you can then pair with an existing bedlah.

Originally Posted by Souzan

What might work would be to bling up a body stocking with appliques or sew on crystals. Even dyeing a body stocking to match the color of the bedlah and then adding some bling. SugarPetal body stocking will take Rit dyes.

This is actually a great idea, especially with the gauntlets. (Or maybe I can just get a sleeved bodystocking). I remember a Britney Spears music video where she wore a nude stocking with tons of crystals all over it. I'd love to do something similar, only, minus the effect of being naked....because that, of course, would defeat the purpose of wearing a stocking

That is a great idea.

When I wear a body stocking, I like for it to have straps. Pinning it to a bra is just too fussy for me. I like the See Fit ones (does she still sell those on e-bay?) because the straps are already on them and they come in lots of colors. Sugar Petals are nice, but be sure you're getting something from stock.

I cover the straps and back of the body stocking by wearing an underbust vest (L Rose U-top) with sleeves or matching gauntlets... OR I wear a tie top (like Nourhan sells) as an underbust vest.

i once got offered a last minute gig needing a covered belly. it was too late to order a body stocking or dress, so i just went to the local cheapie store and bought a sheer teddy that was one size too small (so that it wouldn't bulge). then i quickly fabric glued some sequins to it. it looked like it really was part of the costume and everyone was happy with the effect.

this is the quick-fix solution but i like everybody else's ideas better!!!

Zobeida, those are some serious Costume MacGyver skills! That's nothing short of amazing.

Also, fishnet tights are good in a pinch. I bought some hot pink ones with silver accents to go with a certain costume of mine. They were $4 at Walmart. :) (Avoid fishnets with seams too)

Andalee, how did you use them exactly? Sounds like a fun idea.

I'm intrigued by the fishnets, too. I think I saw exactly the type you mean, with a fairly small mesh, and they were available in some fun neon and bright colors.

I also like the loose beaded crochetted dresses. I will wear one over a 2 piece costume on occasion.

love the beaded crocheted dress. i just feel so nifty (for lack of a better word) dancing in one of those.

also, love the fishnet idea but never had the b@!!$ to wear it. If you have a pic, i would love to see it. it might give me the inspiration to do something with the crazy fishnets i bought with the purpose of converting but never got around to.

tops made out of tights are an old ballerina's secret. Cut out the crotch and cut off the toes. Put your head through the crotch hole and your arms in the leg holes (in other words, put your tights/fishnets on upside down). Pull the waistband down low and pin or stitch to a pair of underwear briefs. Now you have a mesh top with sleeves.

Or--just step into the tights and yank the waist band up to your chest. Pin to bra. Now you have a mesh midriff cover. The top method works better. IMO.

Sugar petals sells long sleeved body stockings. You could stitch crystals, beads, or sequins to it. I would avoid gluing anything to a sugarpetals--they're nice quality & not cheap. Glued shiz always pops off and leaves crusty spots on your fabric, save the glue for cheap quickies like fishnet tops.

I use fishnets from capezio, I believe it is style #206? They come in white on some websites to dye. I put hooks in under my bra to attach it. (just cut off the legs of the tights. (you can use the legs to make gaunlets to match.) Just make sure you out stop fray on the top edge then cut that really thick elastic off leaving a thin edge to hook up under your bra. (they are MUCH cooler than body stockings!) I know they come in flesh and black at most stores, you have to order (in my area) to get the white.

OK, I think I'm sold on body stockings now!

Do you guys typically get nude, or do you prefer to match the color to your bedlah?

Body stockings - I love the look of matching to your bedlah. It makes the whole thing look like a complete costume.

That said, I want to order a nude because one can't afford one for every costume.

i have a sugar petals body stocking and it's nice. it's in my avatar pic and u can see a bigger pic on my profile page. the only problem i had with it was that it was too short for my long torso. i actually had to cut out the crotch so i could feel comfortable and move in it haha. then i had to pin both ends which kinda sucked, but hey it worked out

I've used the fishnet tights both ways. I use black ones upside down as an underbra choli for tribal, and I make midriff covers out of the nude ones sometimes. I don't think the nude one as a midriff cover gives a "covered" look, though. (I'm wearing one in my profile photo.)

the danskin pro fishnet tights are the best kind of fishnets imo cause they dont sag or bag. this trick will work for petite/vertically challenged dancers.
cut the legs off to boyshorts length (not shorter or they might cut into you) pull the waist band way up into your bra and secure with little hooks around the inside of the bra. instant body stocking. if they want you really covered, leave the legs on.
Danskin®*-*Women's Professional Fishnet Backseam Tight - Style 104 *-*Fitness, Dance and Yoga Clothes for Women and Girls

I totally love this Eman Zaki. Covering up can be so alluring!

The only reason why I wouldn't wear it bc already sleeves are hot for me when dancing, I am glad about every square millimeter that is uncovered

Sugar Petals sometimes takes a while to ship your order. If you need something in a hurry, Halimeda has Sugar Petal body stockings in all styles in stock. Costuming Main Page She ships quickly. She has the ones with arms as well as sleeveless and has the kind that pull up under the bra. The ones with arms in nude would be neat to decorate.

Originally Posted by Nouria

I totally love this Eman Zaki. Covering up can be so alluring!

The only reason why I wouldn't wear it bc already sleeves are hot for me when dancing, I am glad about every square millimeter that is uncovered

I love this look too. Could easily be achieved with a black body stocking and black bedlah or costume.

Originally Posted by Souzan

I love this look too. Could easily be achieved with a black body stocking and black bedlah or costume.

Now THAT would be a hot idea...get a black velvet trumpet skirt, a black stocking, and I have just the right black vintage bedlah for this, too!

Another fishnet option for construction, and handy- cos fishnets come in all sorts of colors.
Cut off the legs right at the crotch and cut the crotch open. Trim so it's straight across. So you are left with the "body" part of the fishnets. Turn it so the seams that were front and back will now be on the side- and sew the bottom part to matching costume panties or boyshorts. So, you'll step into it and pull it up Steve Urkel style. lol. With the waistband elastic still at the top it's SO easy to either sew hooks (and eyes in the bra on the inside) or even tack it in at a few key points. You can't sew it all the way in though. I usually leave the back open most of the way then once I"m all in I safety pin the back.
Sturdy, reusable, easy in/out and available in any color fishnets come in.
I wore this for an Afghani wedding just this past weekend. I wore it with Pharaonix "harem" costume (Pharaonix website name) that has pants with it....so I was quite covered...and thankfully didn't need to use the ladies room at all once in all those layers! lol

Samira and others who have tried the fishnet trick, could any of you guys spare some pictures for me? I'm a noob when it comes to belly covers and would love to see what this looks like!

This shows a fishnet belly cover and gauntlets made out of the Danskin fishnet tights:



I have an idea for a top w/sleeves and a belly cover made out of two of those inexpensive sparkly fishnet tights that you can find at Walmart right now. I want to make the "ballerina" or "tribal" style top where your head goes through the crotch and the legs become the sleeves, and attach it with snaps to another pair that have been cut into boy short length and pulled up over the belly. Haven't tried it yet but I've got two pair and some snaps, just need the time to do it.