Thread: The Bum More Fabulous Than the Front

I was curious about what you all thought of a particular costuming design concept wherein the motif is repeated around the hips:

Should the bum be more fabulous, have more decoration, an extra row of [insert name of decorative element here], larger, wider, stronger, faster than the front?

Or do you think the design should be evenly distributed around the entire hip circumference in the same manner?

What circumstances for either/or?

Clarification: belt only, not addressing the top.

It really just depends on the costume style- I generally like having more decoration in the rear, just cause there's more to cover, but I had one costume I used to love that essentially just had a 3 inch band or decoration all the way round with an ornamented skirt. for a wider band, I think I do like the more bum coverage tho. On decorated skirts (as opposed to bra & belt) I do like having it more evenly distributed.

I'd follow more or less the shape of an Egyptian belt, I think. So yes, deeper decor on the booty. The same amount of decor as on the front runs the risk of looking skimpy on the larger 'backyard' real estate, and could make the bum look ginormous.

The only exception might be on a very petite dancer who WANTS her butt to look larger/curvier. Even then, I'd follow a curve with the decor to create a visual curve at the tukkus. Less of an increase in decor, maybe, but still an increased area.

i like asymmetrical designs. the placement kind of depends on what you are doing for the top, cause they have to balance each other.

if fabulous booty decor, then probably top should have most design in front.

or balance larger decor on right hip and left side of top.

I'd definitely put a larger design in back, like an Egyptian belt with the curve in back. I remember Aunty Rocky saying that she always puts a part in her choreographies where you have your back to the audience, looking over your shoulder, specifically to showcase the larger, more intricate design on the back of your belt.

You may want to try on the costume and then tie a soft hip scarf on until the angle/swoop looks flattering, then have someone chalk off that part as your design zone.

Originally Posted by Candide

I'd definitely put a larger design in back, like an Egyptian belt with the curve in back. I remember Aunty Rocky saying that she always puts a part in her choreographies where you have your back to the audience, looking over your shoulder, specifically to showcase the larger, more intricate design on the back of your belt.

Along that reasoning, if you know you are the sort of dancer who doesn't do a lot of turning away from the audience when you dance, you can get by with a less elaborate design on the back. Not all dancers feel comfortable facing away from their audience, and some simply tend to forget to do it when they're performing because they're so busy interacting with the crowd.

I generally like to have lots of fancy for the rear view ;)

I generally like to have lots of fancy for the rear view ;)

Amen! Never let'em forget you, coming or going ;)

Nice everything, Najla! ..g.:

I decided to beef up the bum area a bit more, since I do like to dance with my back to the audience often and would like to create the illusion of more badonkadonk (still loving that word, apparently).

Thanks for polling in!