Thread: Harem Pants

What is commonly worn under sheer harem pants (for performance) nowadays? Shorts? Panties? Other? And would it be too risque to use for performing in a restaurant or nightclub?

I personally would not ever wear sheer harem pants on their own, especially not for a restaurant performance. Even with the fringiest Fringe Monster belt, and the most modest of boy shorts underneath, I wouldn't feel good about it. I know that as an audience member, if I saw someone wearing what looked to be like just sheer harem pants and nothing else (even if the dancer was very clever about strategically placed fringe or boy shorts), I'd feel very nervous for the performer, wondering when she might accidentally flash too much.

If I weren't going to wear a full skirt over sheer harem pants (which is what I always opt for), I would at least wear a smaller accent skirt like this one, in an opaque fabric:
Products for Patterns of Time

It's really easy to make--just a square with a hole cut out of the middle for a waistband.

You don't ever want your audience to spend more time analyzing your costume than enjoying your performance. If they are too busy thinking that they might catch a glimpse of something they shouldn't, then you might as well go home.

Besides, you need a complete costume for professional work.

Since you are in MD, you should go visit Shahrzad at Belly Dance Store.com: Designer Egyptian Costumes at Affordable Prices.

Sheer harems worn on their own, IMO, look like a harem girl costume from a lingerie catalog.

I would expect any dancer professional enough to have a restaurant gig to be wearing either a beaded lycra costume like this Belly Dance Store.com: gallery or a bra/belt and full skirt combo like this Belly Dance Store.com: gallery

To say "never" is a bit extreme. There are contexts where sheer harem pants would be appropriate--for example, as an underlayer to a retro costume. If you like that older style of lots of thigh, but don't want lots of YOUR thigh showing, sheer harem pants are a good compromise. Did you look here for ideas? http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...-costumes.html

The important point is to avoid underwear that is distracting--either distractingly visible as undies (e.g., white granny panties) or distractingly not visible enough that the audience is wondering if they're going to see something they shouldn't (e.g., thongs). Not everybody likes or is flattered by the modern Lycra outfits, and some dancers really enjoy working the vintage "Hollywood Fantasy" style of costuming.

It also depends on how "sheer" your sheer harem pants are. You'll have a lot more leeway with a metallic-threaded gauze than a lightweight chiffon.

I have a pair of endless wave chiffon harem pants that are not suitable to wear on their own, but I thought putting some bike shorts underneath would be good enough as the chiffon is a dark navy. I think it depends on the color of the pants and the design.

I will say though that for nightclub or restaurant performances, I would stick to my lycra or full skirts. IMO, pants can look super cute, but most of the GP expects the skirt look unless you're doing a specialty piece like sword or heavy floorwork.

These are not only sheer, but dangerously slit open :)

I think they look fantastic - someone else might wear this skirt with no harem pants underneath. The harem pants do not provide much (any?) coverage, but give a nice touch I think.
Leg showing is ok with many costumes, incl many dangerously slit evening gown style dresses or skirts from Egypt.. I find the flowing skirt with see through harem pants no "worse" skin wise, actually slightly better because you still see less skin.. and they look damn cute in my opinion! But of course I can see why someone will NOT wear them for a restaurant performance. I think I'd rather wear them than a dangerously slit tight skirt with nothing underneath. But I'd still much rather wear a non see through non slit pair of harem pants (or moderately slit ones..)!

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS8d0H3MYQg]YouTube - Sandra - By Dancers For Dancers Volume 2[/ame]

what about wearing them with an opaque skirt with hight slits like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaU_OVei-8M]YouTube - Amina Salah Belly Dance, finger cymbals solo

I have some part-opaque (top and bottom), part-sheer (thigh to calf) harem pants I just got from Dahlal, and I plan to ONLY wear them under a big ol' skirt, so that the only glimpse of my curvy gams will be in a twirl.

Of course I have yet to test this theory!

I'll give my 2 cents' worth - I wear sheer chiffon harems split on the sides with chiffon circle skirts that have splits on each side. The 'old skool' 'retro' 'classic' or whatever you want to call it look, is what I like & I feel comfortable with pulling off.

I wear matching colored workout/bike shorts with about a 5-6" inseam under my harems (short, but not too short. gives coverage & GP can see I'm wearing them), which are split from hip to ankle (L Rose). I also tack sew the split together at the knee about 1/4" long and that pulls it together enough to still show a little leg yet I don't feel (or look) totally exposed either.

I prefer sheer harem pants when worn with a circle skirt as some other people mentioned. I totally adore that look!

I did once see someone wearing a pair that were super, super full (yards and yards and yards of fabric had to be in each leg these things) and there was so much fabric that they didnt end up looking terribly sheer (and they were worn with a really heavily fringed belt). I've never seen another pair that full though. . . In most cases, sheer harem pants without a skirt can remind me of the harem pants that go with cheap halloween costumes.

That being said, I would recommend color coordinated boy shorts if you were to wear them!