Thread: HELP! I need to know what other costuming options for floorwork?

Okee dokee, I hate circle skirts. Why did I take a look and notice that I do not look good in them. Says it on Shira's page that big on the bottom=no circles skirts, and well I guess I just don't listen. .p::

I love the mermaid/flare skirts, but haven't found one on Bhuz in my size yet. I don't know if I would be able to do floorwork in this type of a skirt.

Sooo, what do you wear for floorwork if you don't do a circle skirt? Plan on using a sword, so floorwork will be a definite for me if I can hack it.

Would a tribal skirt work? They aren't so well, puffy. Seems too heavy, I dunno. The one's I have fricken weight a ton.

What to do, what to do... .w.:

Like I always say HELP!

I wear flare pants with a panel skirt to do floor work with sword. I like the pants because it makes it easier to stand without worrying about getting my skirt caught on my feet. If the pants are flarey enough it may just look like you're wearing a mermaid skirt anyway. :)

Thanks lilya, I think you answered one of my other help threads yesterday. =P

I didn't think of that. I will look for something like this I know I have seen it on the Swap Meet somewhere, this panel you speak of. Otherwise, I will make one. =)

The pants, I have some that I bought in red. Yay!

If I'm not wearing a circle skirt, I wear the flare pants. LRose bellbottoms or modified bellbottoms. Usually I wear a long fringe skirt or a shorter hankerchief skirt over it.

After looking at old pictures, I have just worn harem pants, too. That is a more classic look, I think, than the flare pants.

I like a lightweight circle skirt (well at least a circle - or more) split into 2 panels, with opaque, flowy, poofy harem pants underneath. And typically I would be wearing a belt with long V-shaped fringe. And I am VERY big on the bottom, so there!
R

Melodias? Or a gypsy skirt? There is so much fabric in the gypsy, for me it almost makes it easier bc the air poofs it out in a drop. I guess it also depends on how much movement there is in your floorwork~ like, are you staying in mostly one place or rotating yourself around, etc.?

I wear harem pants with a skirt with side slits or panels

i do not own a pair of pants of anykind.not even street wear.i only wear circle skirts, but none are "puffy".i tuck my front panal behind me before floor w/ or w/out prop.

I occasionally wear a beledi dress with side slits at least up to my knees- I think it works out well for floorwork, but slits on both sides to the knees is very important! A mermaid skirt with a slit might work, as long as it's not too tight- maybe a good stretch velvet- you need a little more room in the thigh area when working on the floor, & I haven't tried it in a mermaid skirt.

I've used a stretch velvet trumpet skirt with a slit for floor work. It works well but you have to be even more mindful than usual about your angles and managing exactly what the audience is seeing (or think they might be seeing).

Harems with no skirt are always an option. A nice opaque pair, with or without slits, can be glammed up with a sparkly bra and belt set.

I'm not too sure what you're referring to when you say a "tribal" skirt. To me that brings to mind the big, tiered, ruffled, for lack of a better term "gypsy" skirts. Those--to me at least--are much more puffy than a simple circle skirt. You'd also want to be mindful of the style you're dancing--if it's not tribal, a tribal costume isn't really what you'd want to aim for.

You'd also want to be mindful of the style you're dancing--if it's not tribal, a tribal costume isn't really what you'd want to aim for.
AMEN

I agree with the posts about pants. Depending on the style and look you're going for, you can choose harems or more modern, melodia style pants.

Aside from more traditional panel circle skirts and harem pants, I've also done floor work in a straight skirt with a slit. The skirt wasn't tight, it's made of this faux-sari fabric that I picked up cheap at Joanne's. The slit gives enough room to move, but definitely wore some boy shorts with it.

They might look good on everyone else. But, they don't look good on me.

Goodness grief.

Thread "FAIL" once again.

Thank you others for your suggestions.

Originally Posted by bdaddiction

They might look good on everyone else. But, they don't look good on me.

Goodness grief.

Thread "FAIL" once again.

Thank you others for your suggestions.

Huh? What's that about? Sorry we "failed" you.

Originally Posted by zamora

i do not own a pair of pants of anykind.not even street wear.i only wear circle skirts, but none are "puffy".

Originally Posted by Rosette

And I am VERY big on the bottom, so there!
R

^^^^^
Apparently when you talk about what things look like on you it applies to everyone else.

Then, how do they know what type of style I am doing or learning?

I am so sick of arguing with people on this forum, because they have their own NEGATIVITY in their lives that they need to bring someone else down. I would not do that to people. Now I know why people say bad things about Bhuz and don't come back. That it is why it is "FAIL".

Originally Posted by bdaddiction

^^^^^

Then, how do they know what type of style I am doing or learning?

I'll let others respond to the issue of what looks good on people of various figures, though I don't think anyone who responded along those lines meant to offend, only to offer another way of looking at versatile costume pieces.

But the "what type of style" comment does seem to be likely directed at my initial response, so I will comment on this. My post was intended to point out the fact that any dancer should take into consideration the type of dance she is doing and costume herself appropriately. You did not mention what style of dance you're doing, so naturally I have no idea. However, mention was made of mermaid/trumpet skirts, which are most often associated with a more cabaret style. Floorwork, in fact, though not restricted to cabaret (tribal and fusion dancers employ floorwork sometimes as well), is also typically associated with that style. Tribal costuming, in most cases, would not really work with cabaret dancing and vice versa. The comment was meant as a constructive point, and to be honest I didn't see anything that should have become offensive. I stand by my advice; however, if I have somehow upset you I do apologize for that.

In all fairness, I think people were just trying to be helpful. I took Cory's comment as her saying that some circle skirts are pouffier than others, which is true, depending on the fabric. For example, a circle skirt made of very lightweight chiffon will pouff to kingdom come, whereas a the same skirt made out of lycra will be liquidity and slinky and not puffy at all.

Likewise for Rosette's comment, I think she may have meant it more as a "rules can be broken" kind of statement, not as any sort of pejorative/negative comment.

Anyhoo, to get back to your original question, I'd try a lycra skirt. Using a rectangle of fabric that is the same length as your hip measurement (plus a bit for hemming/finishing), then split it 1/3 - 2/3 vertically.

I find this kind of skirt to have the most versatility and ease of movement and you can finish it quickly bc it's all straight lines.

HTH

Originally Posted by bdaddiction

^^^^^
Then, how do they know what type of style I am doing or learning?

I am so sick of arguing with people on this forum, because they have their own NEGATIVITY in their lives that they need to bring someone else down. I would not do that to people. Now I know why people say bad things about Bhuz and don't come back. That it is why it is "FAIL".

I've been on Bhuz non-stop since 2004 and I'm really mystified by this great negativity permeating the boards. Maybe I'm just to dumb to notice?

I don't understand why you can't just ignore any advice that you feel is inapplicable or you don't feel like is meeting your needs. *shrug* There's really no need to argue with anyone about anything.

Personally, I think anytime you ask for advice on a forum, you're going to get advice that ranges from great to indifferent to terrible. Just take what's helpful and leave the rest behind. No harm, no foul, IMO. YMMV, of course.

I know Gaylenes Boutique used to sell these harems with ruffles and they are comfy and spin like a skirt. I am not sure if they are made anymore. I got them a few years ago. I use also harem pants with my circle skirt for floor work. Wear what ever makes you feel comfortable.

Alrana