Thread: WHY did lycra become so popular for costumes???

I like to know the why...not the when, where or how. LOL. I'm just curious what are your opinions on lycra costume and WHY they became so popular? Jus' wonderin'...

My opinion is that it is easier to use...doesn't ravel, stretch provides room for more than one size, easy to cut and sew...
,r:;

They're just so darned easy to wear. Great for costume changes, a whole lot less pinning involved, easy to stuff into a gig bag. And they're like Geranimals for belly dancers! No need to worry if you don't match, because it all looks so slick and neat and monochromatic.

They're not flattering on everyone, and some of the fringeless ones are way too blah for my taste - but they're a godsend for women like me who like to appear a little taller I know fancier looks are coming back into style, but I hope the tight skirts don't go away!

From a historical standpoint, I'd want to know who was/were the first to sport this look. It came into vogue during the early '90's, right?

I don't know but I don't really like them. I much prefer the fluffy, multi-layered skirts like Ansuya wears rather than the lycra so many others are wearing.

Because they move WITH you and is so comfortable you can almost take a nap in them.

Agreed. It's like wearing your favorite pair of yoga pants, only with a lot more bling. As if my two favorite things in the world mated and produced a lovechild of penultimate glorious stretchy-shiny beauteousness.

Bet yer chiffon fluffies can't do that! j/k

Yep, when you're driving 45 minutes to a gig, a belt/fluffy skirt combo is uncomfortable and can look rather rumpled when you get there. Driving in a lycra skirt is not much different than everyday driving.

Now there's an idea for a jingle. "Lycra! The Garanimals of Bellydancers!" ..g.:

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

And they're like Geranimals for belly dancers!

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Agreed. It's like wearing your favorite pair of yoga pants, only with a lot more bling. As if my two favorite things in the world mated and produced a lovechild of penultimate glorious stretchy-shiny beauteousness.

Bet yer chiffon fluffies can't do that! j/k

One of those things in life that are too good to be true but they ARE in fact true. ,r:;

Thanks for posting Andalee. I was wondering about this myself. As sufferer of chronic saddle bags, lycra skirts are not my friend. But some of them do look pretty.

They are not flattering on a lot of figure types though.

On the other hand, wearing a chiffon skirt makes me feel like a princess ..l;,

And they are flattering to all body types

yes I'd agree with the ease of pulling them on ..it's very nice to have a complete costume with accessories ready to go..

as an opinion I've seen some women just rock these costumes but for my taste personally i like old skool fringe or layered garb.

I have become a switcher from someone who was so into the chiffon skirts.

I still love them, don't get me wrong. Once I find a great bedlah that doesn't shift up the back of my rear to my waist I am good.

Originally Posted by Fotia

And they are flattering to all body types

Not on me! Unless it's a heavier chiffon and it's slit all the way up to the hoo-ha - requiring, of course, proper boy shorts underneath Too much volume below the waist is catastrophic on somebody under 5'0".

Or, better yet, I love those mermaid skirts that are tight at the waist and have chiffon swooshy gores. Those skirts are like the true diplomats of the belly dance costume world ..g.:

From a manufacturing standpoint, lycra costumes are just easier to produce quickly and easier to fit a range of sizes when you are selling to people who mostly mail order.
If you look at a catalog of jazz/tap/lyrical dance costumes, they are almost all lycra or stretch fabric of some type.

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Not on me! Unless it's a heavier chiffon and it's slit all the way up to the hoo-ha - requiring, of course, proper boy shorts underneath Too much volume below the waist is catastrophic on somebody under 5'0".

Or, better yet, I love those mermaid skirts that are tight at the waist and have chiffon swooshy gores. Those skirts are like the true diplomats of the belly dance costume world ..g.:

Oops, forgot about those! But then again, I am the queen of suckage in Illinois.

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Not on me! Unless it's a heavier chiffon and it's slit all the way up to the hoo-ha - requiring, of course, proper boy shorts underneath Too much volume below the waist is catastrophic on somebody under 5'0".

Satin, are you saying that photo on your webpage is almost lifesize? ..g.:..g.:..g.:

Originally Posted by tigerb

Satin, are you saying that photo on your webpage is almost lifesize? ..g.:..g.:..g.:

Someone was bound to crack that joke eventually... ..l;,

Actually, you guys have all seen the popular disclaimer, usually on a box of Wheaties:

"Product pictured has been enlarged to display texture."

I'm really like, half that size. I use a napkin to do veil! ..l;,

Or a merkin. . .<ducks>

ONLY when I commit improbable acts of fusion to Lady Gaga!

Satin, I bet you're like a friend of mine - so much larger-than-life stage persona that you actually look taller from far away than you do up close. I used to joke that she was the only person I knew who actually got tinier the closer you got to her!

Originally Posted by Fotia

On the other hand, wearing a chiffon skirt makes me feel like a princess ..l;,

And they are flattering to all body types

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Not on me! Unless it's a heavier chiffon and it's slit all the way up to the hoo-ha - requiring, of course, proper boy shorts underneath Too much volume below the waist is catastrophic on somebody under 5'0".

Or, better yet, I love those mermaid skirts that are tight at the waist and have chiffon swooshy gores. Those skirts are like the true diplomats of the belly dance costume world ..g.:

Me neither, my butt lifts the back of it, so it ends up shorter in the back than in the front.

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

Satin, I bet you're like a friend of mine - so much larger-than-life stage persona that you actually look taller from far away than you do up close. I used to joke that she was the only person I knew who actually got tinier the closer you got to her!

I felt like a giant when I met the BDSS. The only person my height was Sharon Kihara. Except Rachel Brice wasn't there.

Coincidentally, I recently read an article by the owner of Satin Stitches (a custom couture dance costume designer) that thoroughly answers the question "Why lycra?"

My Dance Place - Dancer Universe Blog - Blog

Thanks for posting that!