Thread: Dance costume trends?

Hi all,

My friend is looking to start making costumes again and is wondering what is currently in or out in the bellydance fashion world. What do dancers like to see, what does the general public prefer, and what would be a good compromise between the two? I have my ideas but I was interested to hear what others had to say.

I've noticed a hellova lot of rusching lately!! I think it could be because it looks so good on just about anyone..

I am very disgruntled by the prevalence of bra/skirt sets. My credit card is delighted by the lack of bra/belt sets.

I have my own personal costume trend:
Bra and belt sets with various accessories - multicolor, a bit of fringe but not too much.

Reason: I am a travelling dancer and rather than carry 3 heavy costumes I will take the bra/belt and 3 different skirts (plus gauntlets etc.) in different colors.
I want fringe because I (and the audience) like it, but not too much because it makes the costume heavy.

When I go to Istanbul in October I will have one or two new sets made, each in 3 colors.

See how my Legend-set worked in different places with different accessories this year:
Galerie Raks Sharki (row 2 and 3)
I even had 2 kinds of arm-decoration made:
Galerie Raqs Sharqi (bottom of page)

Also note what I am wearing in the Live-gallery in Tijuana and Uster - same bra and belt, totally different look!

MEISSOUN

One of the things I have noticed is that designers seem to be doing fuller skirts again, which as far as I am concerned is a good thing!

{{{HUGS}}}

personally i love the old school fringe monsters...sadly there are very few of them in the market

I prefer to make my own fashion and not follow trends. Like the above I prefer a bra and belt set. Usually in 2-3 colors so I can mix and match. I do like jewels and a lot of fringe. I prefer the traditional 3 panel skirt.

Here's a basic black with AB jewels with 2 different skirts for 2 different looks.

Black Costume with Ruffle skirt and wings - tribe.net

Black and Silver Costume - tribe.net

Shira did a recent servey on Facebook among dancers to know if we prefer the 2 pieces bra/skirt minimalist new fashion costumes;

Or

The traditional bra/belt/skirt 3 pieces...

Majority went for bra/belt/skirt 3 pieces, fringes, sequins, coins, etc. (me like to! ..g.:)

Qamar

Norma...I now have breast envy!

There's a thread about this on tribe somewhere.
For me it depends upon my audience (and my dancing).
For American general public- they really enjoy bedleh with full skirt...and so do I. ..l;, I love the swirl of the chiffon, I love the fringe (lightly fringed is better proportioned for me). In addition for American gp I'm usually doing sword, which means a split, so I have to.
For Arabs and Turks- they like either, but I get the most comments (mostly from women, but sometimes men) when I'm wearing the really fashion forward lycra skirt costumes. I love the ease of these and find the variety is refreshing.
I also really like the ones that have lycra hugging the hips and chiffon starting just below. They have the ease of a two piece yet still have all that addictive swirling fabric. Some of them have an old world Samia Gamal look to them, appreciated by all types of audiences, I think.
:)
BUT- the most important thing is fit and flattery for the individual dancer.

The most noticable trend I am seeing is "OMG the economy is tanked, mad need to sell/make do/make"...I'm gonna guess that bad economic times might equal the revival in popularity of workhorse bedlah that can be worn with different skirts for multiple looks and an increased interest in reliable craftmanship and sturdy costumes.

I prefer costuming my body type.....stick to what looks good on your frame. I think I look better in a straight skirt than chiffon, and my torso is short so I don't hang too much from the bra down.....etc, etc.
As far as trends go......if you go to a bellydance competiton, what I've noticed in the last couple of years is that 7/8 out of 10 finalists in the solo categories are all wearing Bella's. They are very popular right now....
I would rather be different, and choose not to go with the current trends....
Another trend I am also noticing right now is.......prints....costumes with printed materials. I'm really digging them right now.....do it now and you might be a little ahead of the curve....I think they are going to be the next popular trend....(IMHO;O))

Ozma, you're right on. Since I lost my job (and, therefore, most of my "fun" money), I've traded in a lot of my edgier, less fringe-y costumes for more classic, crowd-pleasing looks. Now, more than ever, feels like the best time to give clients what they want - and they sure love the fringe and sparkles.

There are some areas in which I haven't compromised, however - I'm still showing lots of leg, wearing straight skirts and avoiding anything overly floofy like the plague, in the interest of flattering my figure.

I throw in my two cents....I'm short, curvy, and have a short torso. I love the 3 pc costumes....mostly because they really suit my figure, and my audience loves them. I can't wear too long of a fringe on the top as it ends up nearly hitting my belt line, but I love how lots of fringe on the belt really swings out during turns! I usually have slits in my skirts, and love the old school slit to the belt look.

I really admire the way the bellas and eman zakis look on Samira Shuruk, and all the other elegant willowy dancers....but I'm just not built like that, and wouldn't do the costume justice!

i would have to say that fuller lycra skirts are becoming increasingly popular so that there is some swoosh (for lack of a better word) when the dancer turns.

also, i have noticed this more prevalent among russian dancers - the introduction of narrow harem pants costumes. not the poofy genie pants but ones that are catered to the shape of the leg and tied just below the knee. also, not a personal favorite but i see it more and more - bell bottom pant costumes like jazz pants.

besides that, i would have to say that strappy costumes are always sexy. cutouts with straps as well. a well placed strap over the hip or across the chest is nice, just so it doesn't look like you're in bondage gear....

Originally Posted by Zobeida

i would have to say that fuller lycra skirts are becoming increasingly popular so that there is some swoosh (for lack of a better word) when the dancer turns.

also, i have noticed this more prevalent among russian dancers - the introduction of narrow harem pants costumes. not the poofy genie pants but ones that are catered to the shape of the leg and tied just below the knee. also, not a personal favorite but i see it more and more - bell bottom pant costumes like jazz pants.

besides that, i would have to say that strappy costumes are always sexy. cutouts with straps as well. a well placed strap over the hip or across the chest is nice, just so it doesn't look like you're in bondage gear....

Hey! You've got a new fusion to try.

Thanks to this post http://www.bhuz.com/forum/rest-belly...anas-blog.html, Princess Farhana reports in her July 19 blog entry:

"Both Randa and Soraya (and later, Dina) wore costumes embellished with HUGE paillettes… the latest trend in Cairo costumes."

Freakin' love paillettes!

Don't have any though.

Originally Posted by deelight

Freakin' love paillettes!

Don't have any though.

I've got about a thousand of those little beauties in gold ovals just waiting to be beaded into a costume!

Deborah

Originally Posted by anala

Norma...I now have breast envy!

Easy to achieve. Make the bra 1-2 cup sizes then you really are and stuff with sofa cushion foam! LOL!

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

Thanks to this post http://www.bhuz.com/forum/rest-belly...anas-blog.html, Princess Farhana reports in her July 19 blog entry:

"Both Randa and Soraya (and later, Dina) wore costumes embellished with HUGE paillettes… the latest trend in Cairo costumes."

The latest trend??? Retrograde you mean. Observe...this is me in the late 80's or early 90's wearing a used costume made in the late 70's!

Pink and Turquoise Palletes - tribe.net

Originally Posted by Zobeida

i would have to say that fuller lycra skirts are becoming increasingly popular so that there is some swoosh (for lack of a better word) when the dancer turns.

also, i have noticed this more prevalent among russian dancers - the introduction of narrow harem pants costumes. not the poofy genie pants but ones that are catered to the shape of the leg and tied just below the knee. also, not a personal favorite but i see it more and more - bell bottom pant costumes like jazz pants.

besides that, i would have to say that strappy costumes are always sexy. cutouts with straps as well. a well placed strap over the hip or across the chest is nice, just so it doesn't look like you're in bondage gear....

Did I say I follow my own fashion? Back when I was in superior shape I had a harem pant costume, not tapered at the knee but a sheer chiffon, open on the side and gathered at the ankle. Blue Silver and White - My First Custom made costume - tribe.net

Originally Posted by deelight

Freakin' love paillettes!

Don't have any though.

I remember about a couple weeks ago there was a thread about where to get large paillettes. They have been impossible to get for a almost 20 years. If they are coming back in style there must be a resource?

Originally Posted by norma

The latest trend??? Retrograde you mean. Observe...this is me in the late 80's or early 90's wearing a used costume made in the late 70's!

Pink and Turquoise Palletes - tribe.net

See, I have been investing in Vintage costumes since I first started belly dancing. They were the only one's I could afford and would fit me! So I am now in vogue? Cool!

Now to just get my hips to agree to fit in these again. . .

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

See, I have been investing in Vintage costumes since I first started belly dancing. They were the only one's I could afford and would fit me! So I am now in vogue? Cool!

Now to just get my hips to agree to fit in these again. . .

{{{HUGS}}}

I know what you're talking about girlfriend!

Originally Posted by norma

Did I say I follow my own fashion? Back when I was in superior shape I had a harem pant costume, not tapered at the knee but a sheer chiffon, open on the side and gathered at the ankle. Blue Silver and White - My First Custom made costume - tribe.net

I really enjoyed looking through your pics on tribe. What great costumes!

Norma I'm really enjoying looking through all your costumes on Tribe. You are one gorgeous lady!

Originally Posted by norma

Did I say I follow my own fashion? Back when I was in superior shape I had a harem pant costume, not tapered at the knee but a sheer chiffon, open on the side and gathered at the ankle. Blue Silver and White - My First Custom made costume - tribe.net

hot stuff.

please tell me you still own this costume. it seems too precious to sell.

Originally Posted by norma

I remember about a couple weeks ago there was a thread about where to get large paillettes. They have been impossible to get for a almost 20 years. If they are coming back in style there must be a resource?

i know several stores in new york carry all sizes of paillettes, including huge. if anyone is interested, i can look into it more.

Originally Posted by Zobeida

i know several stores in new york carry all sizes of paillettes, including huge. if anyone is interested, i can look into it more.

I found 40mm paillettes on ebay, but I'd be interested to know what you can find in NYC!