Thread: Why??? (costume malfunction)

Why is it I can secure the heck out of a costume & get through dress rehearsal just fine, but every costume i have ever owned also needs a 'trial by fire' performance. Everything stays on just fine in dress rehearsals & sweaty living room practices, but, without fail, something comes loose the first time a costume is on stage. last week I was ever so grateful the bra had both a halter *and* regular bra straps 'cause the halter came unhooked & unsnapped- glad I put hooks, snaps, velcro *and* safety pins in on the back strap! and the upper arm band ended up at the wrist. Luckily, for the second set I used a tried & true costume- so only one set was problematic!

no matter how failproof I think a new costume is, there is always something- headbands slipping, despite a million clips & pins, zippers falling, despite extra pins, belts rotating, veils getting stuck on rhinestones that never caught veils in practice, finger cymbals finding new ways to get stuck on fringe. & it never happens a second time- just that debut performance.

So, I really want to know- Is there a safer way to test drive a new cossie? do I just have bad luck predicting what comes loose? do my costumes get stage fright the first time out? Why do they stick together for practices & dress rehearsals & fall apart in the 1st performance???

WHYYYYY?????

LOL - I think it's just part of the dance unfortunately. Malfunctions can happen to anyone - had a beauty of a malfunction on my halter strap last night at a restaurant...spent half the set just trying to "casually" get it hooked back up - and failed. Oh well.
Headbands I almost just don't bother with anymore - they never stay where I want them and I find that they keep me from doing hair flips and the like.
As for the armbands, can I suggest "It Stays?" Awesome stuff. Roll-on clear adhesive that works amazingly!! Washes off with soap and water - really keeps those armbands in place.

I don't have an answer to the test-drive question exactly.

But I've learned new tricks from every costume I've bought used on the swap meet. Here are the costume-security tips I've learned:

Don't hook halter straps. Sew them together.

Don't hook both sides of a 2-part belt. Sew one side.

Back of bra strap gets one trouser hook (two if it's wide enough to put them one above the other) plus a giant nickel-sized snap.

Decorated Lycra skirts that slide down get tacked onto well-fitting nude boyshorts (Target carries the perfect shorts). Security without the muffin-top.

Carry giant safety pins in case of emergency, but they should ONLY be used in an emergency. If you're using them for added security, your costume closures aren't effective.

These kind of barettes are the best way I've found for holding my headbands on. They're not pretty, but I put one behind each ear and it works. I hope to find them in colors -- maybe I should sit down and glue some rhinestones on them?

Sorry you're having costume malfunction problems :( i have 2 suggestions:

1) i've found the more i think about something failing the more likely it WILL fail. so i say, safety pin the essentials (top, halter, skirt, even belt) and then focus on the performance and don't even worry just go with the flow :)

2) and i guess be very selective about the new costumes you do purchase or wear. i don't doubt you where great costumes, but maybe look out for some 'orange flag areas'- tricky arm bands, questionable hooks, velcro etc, head bands.

Hope this helps! and just keep dancing no matter what :)

It's so frustrating when you've worn a costume for 1/2 hour dress rehearsal, jumped around the dressing room like a jumping jack to make sure everything is in place, and having a malfunction 10 minutes later on stage!!

Inspect your costumes before the performance. Maybe the night before, maybe that morning. Look for loose threads, questionable connections, etc.

Take your time getting ready. Don't let the pre-performance jitters get to you. Once you're securely in your costume, as someone else to help you double check everything.

Sometimes, some costume pieces just seem to have a shelf life of X-number of dancing minutes before they're going to break, tear or stretch. I have a green tribal belt made from layers of canvas and covered with sari fabric. I wore it for two performances.

Then, I wore it at an all day event. It was fine when I started, but after about three hours on my body it began to s-t-r-e-t-c-h..... I've had the same problem with lycra costumes, particularly the heavily beaded skirts. After so many minutes of dancing they start to stretch....

Originally Posted by Lauren_

These kind of barettes are the best way I've found for holding my headbands on. They're not pretty, but I put one behind each ear and it works. I hope to find them in colors -- maybe I should sit down and glue some rhinestones on them?

Not super-durable, but spray paint is an easy way to get colored everything.

Originally Posted by steffib

Not super-durable, but spray paint is an easy way to get colored everything.

nail polish.......available in every color nowadays, probably will hold some rhinestones, too, if applied when wet

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Back of bra strap gets one trouser hook (two if it's wide enough to put them one above the other) plus a giant nickel-sized snap.

Carry giant safety pins in case of emergency, but they should ONLY be used in an emergency. If you're using them for added security, your costume closures aren't effective.

I recently discovered the humongous snaps, and I used it with a trouser hook on my costume top re-do. It was easy to get in and everything stayed in place.

I usually put a few pins on the inside of my belt of ghawazee coat just in case someone needs one and we're not near our bags.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

These kind of barettes are the best way I've found for holding my headbands on. They're not pretty, but I put one behind each ear and it works. I hope to find them in colors -- maybe I should sit down and glue some rhinestones on them?

I've seen these kind in multiple colors; I think the brand is Goody. I usually get them at Wal-Mart.

I second all of Laurens tips enthusiatically.

I still experience minor surprises the first night out in a costume, but more often than not it is "Did I loosen the waist too much" and "am I stepping on the back of my skirt?

I think it happens because we have dance habits which only come out when we're not dancing in front of a mirror...so even run throughs in costumes sometimes don't help. I'd suggest a costumed runthrough without a mirror to lessen some of the surprises...and go ALL out.

Ahaha! I feel for you! I am a lazy costumer, mostly I hate sewing. I'm a big fan of diaper pins and giant snaps and double bubble. "snicker"

wow- I thought I was just venting- thanks for all the advice! I think sewing the halter in particular is a good idea at this point (have to see if I can still get it on if I do that tho!) on the arm bands, I am wondering if it is similar to my former flying zill issues- since I do work a little harder when I actually have an audience, maybe my arms get 'skinnier' when working harder & the elastic needs to be tighter? never thought of using roll on adhesive for the arm bands- I use it everywhere else, lol

Lauren- those are my favorite for head gear too (& a few other things) and they do come in these sparkly gel colors now- I pick mine up at Freds (aka Krogers in some areas)

Ahmber- what is double bubble?

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I don't have an answer to the test-drive question exactly.

But I've learned new tricks from every costume I've bought used on the swap meet. Here are the costume-security tips I've learned:

Don't hook halter straps. Sew them together.

Don't hook both sides of a 2-part belt. Sew one side.

Back of bra strap gets one trouser hook (two if it's wide enough to put them one above the other) plus a giant nickel-sized snap.

Decorated Lycra skirts that slide down get tacked onto well-fitting nude boyshorts (Target carries the perfect shorts). Security without the muffin-top.

Carry giant safety pins in case of emergency, but they should ONLY be used in an emergency. If you're using them for added security, your costume closures aren't effective.

Great tips I never thought of the halter and belt sewing. I got to get cracking on my costume. Also I got a whole box of them for $3.00 at a fabric store in NYC. 100 of them will last a long time.

Alrana

Oh, I have lots of costume malfunctions skirt bunched up, veil sticking to rhinestones and tearing it,belt skirt almost gave audience a different kind of show. ..l;,

Alrana

I never thought of sewing the halter straps either! Until I bought a costume on Swap and it came that way. Big forehead slap moment for me. I've been 212% more secure in my halter costumes ever since!

Yeah, I don't understand how I would be able to fasten a non-stretchy bra (on my own) in the back. I know I can't fasten the back first and then put the halter part over my head - everything is too snug for that to happen. I can definitely reach in back and undo a regular, stretchy bra, but maybe I'm not flexible enough for a costume bra? Is there a confused smiley around here?

Originally Posted by Lara L

I think sewing the halter in particular is a good idea at this point (have to see if I can still get it on if I do that tho!)

Originally Posted by kiyaana

Yeah, I don't understand how I would be able to fasten a non-stretchy bra (on my own) in the back. I know I can't fasten the back first and then put the halter part over my head - everything is too snug for that to happen. I can definitely reach in back and undo a regular, stretchy bra, but maybe I'm not flexible enough for a costume bra? Is there a confused smiley around here?

Over the head first, lift breast into cups, fasten in back.

Can you not fasten back-closures?

Originally Posted by ozma

Over the head first, lift breast into cups, fasten in back.

Can you not fasten back-closures?

I can't fasten back closures on a costume bra either- all the beading confuses my poor fingers, even with giant slacks-style hooks and a couple big snaps for back up. I usually fasten in front, rotate & squeeze into the straps (glad my arms are flexible!) or else get help...

Originally Posted by Lara L

I can't fasten back closures on a costume bra either- all the beading confuses my poor fingers, even with giant slacks-style hooks and a couple big snaps for back up. I usually fasten in front, rotate & squeeze into the straps (glad my arms are flexible!) or else get help...

I find getting dressed in front of a mirror helps. All that beading confuses my hands sometimes too. (I'm also paranoid I'm going to attach the hook to a row of beads instead of the closure!)

Originally Posted by kiyaana

Yeah, I don't understand how I would be able to fasten a non-stretchy bra (on my own) in the back. I know I can't fasten the back first and then put the halter part over my head - everything is too snug for that to happen. I can definitely reach in back and undo a regular, stretchy bra, but maybe I'm not flexible enough for a costume bra? Is there a confused smiley around here?

I find the giant snap that Lauren mentions helps with this. The snap is easy to close and once it's done, it's easier to tell where the hook goes without seeing it.

Also, I agree with all of Lauren's tips too.

I also never thought of sewing the halters til a swap meet purchase came that way. Literally a week later, the hook on one of my halters broke mid performance and I went home and sewed them all up!

I find where the hook goes, keep one finger just under it (sort of 'pointing' to it) and then do it by feel.

On my most treasured costumes, I've sewn a little square of fabric underneath the hook closure (the 'eye') to protect the beadwork. That also makes it easier to find with fingertips.

You can always try it, of course. Just hook/pin the halter straps and see if you can put it on that way. Ozma described the technique perfectly. To me, the security is worth the momentary nuisance.

note- I am slightly more competent fastening back straps when I am not pregnant & impatient... maybe I will try again in another 3 months! (after I readjust my costumes *again*) putting a bit of fabric or something to help me identify the hook spot while I'm resizing would be a good idea too.. like i need more post partum chores to look forward to...

Originally Posted by Lauren_

On my most treasured costumes, I've sewn a little square of fabric underneath the hook closure (the 'eye') to protect the beadwork. That also makes it easier to find with fingertips.

That's a good idea!

I don't know why it happens. Tis life. I popped a bra at the end of a set. What tics me off is I had JUST resewn the hook with upolstry thread so that this exact thing would't happen. I now know that I need to lengthen the stap and add more hooks, snaps, velco, sodder, what ever so it NEVER happens again!

no matter how many times i run through something with a costume it can still happen. not only do i pin and use hooks and snaps but i also tape. ive seen it happen where a bra popped in the back but because the dancer had taped herself into the cups, she was able to avoid the bra hitting the floor. at the very least she was covered enough to well, recover!