Thread: Lycra skirt question

New here and have a skirt question.

I have some great costumes, but unfortunately when I get the skirt it ends up way too short. I purchase a 38" length and I am sorry it ends up at the bottom of my calf. ..l;,

My curves are apparently taking some inches away, because I have no problems with a circle skirt this length. Does this mean I should buy maybe a 40 or 41" skirt? I mean do they even sell them that long? ..c:: How can I measure myself in the future for this?

and

For the skirts I already own is there a way I could make them longer? I am an excellent sewer. I was thinking cutting them into minis or maybe making them into belts. It would be nice to wear them with the lovely bras they came with.

This happens to me too, in circle skirts I wear a 34" length, but in any kind of butt hugging stretch fabric I am at least a 37.

How tall are you? I'm 5'9" and need a 39-40" skirt. (and the curvier you are the more you'll need). Also if the skirt is very tight it will ride up more than if it skims your curves.

Have a friend help you measure by holding a measuring tape at the top of your hip, where you wear your skirt, all the way to the floor or just an inch above. That's your mermaid/trumpet skirt length.

There are costumes with a 40" skirt or longer all over Belly Dance Store.com: Designer Egyptian Costumes at Affordable Prices

After ordering many lycra trumpet skirts from lrose, I have discovered that I get the correct and flattering length when I measure from my hip to the floor and use that as the length measurement.
Since you can sew, it might be worth it to buy some cheap, from the clearance bin, lycra and make a mock up so you can figure the correct length measurement for you.

instead of chopping up your costumes, try adding to them.
a short skirt can have a ruffle or extension of a coordinating lycra/power net / glistenette mesh added to the bottom. you can add a piece of the same mesh to the bra somewhere so it looks like it came that way. i've also added a 1/4 circle (free hanging, just attached at the point) to skirt slits.

these will extend the skirt to the necessary length and can be worked into the existing design. chiffon works too. coordinating lycras work too. georgette & organza are a bit too stiff imo.

good luck with the mods. hope to see them in the "what r u working on" thread

Yes, I guess I will have to do this. Actually, I ordered a mermaid skirt from someone on Etsy and well it is the perfect length. But, it isn't lycra, stretch velvet. I wonder if I should measure the back of my length, because my behind sticks out. (no offense) I really do like my butt, just didn't have another way to describe it. I am 5'9", so I guess I should be purchasing a 40" at best. For now, I will add to it so I don't chop it. As for posting in the other thread. I shall but, without face pictures. Maybe I should explain why in an introduction thread?

Thank you ladies.

I am 5'9", too, and I try not to get anything shorter than 38". That's pushing it, though. I prefer 39"-41" for my skirts. And I'm not very curvy, so if you have more curves to take up the length, then you'll definitely want to look for something longer than 38".

Like Lauren suggested, Bellydancestore carries a lot of costumes with very long lengths. Many of them are Emans and Sahars, the kinds with the simple lycra skirts that have most of the beading along the top and not much beadwork along the length of the skirt.

You can custom order skirts from L. Rose Designs to get longer lengths, since they're made to your measurements. Just be sure to take into account how much length your curves are going to take up when you decide on what length you want to get.

It is definitely more difficult to find circle skirts in lengths longer than 37". That is one of my biggest costuming frustrations. :(

One of the "cheats" I use is to wear a skirt as low as possible under my costume belt. That can buy you a few inches. If you need more length on a skirt that will be worn under a costume belt, you can open up the elastic casing, and add a few more inches at the top in a complimentary fabric, and make a casing out of that. You can even use blanket binding if you are looking for a quick fix. Since it'll be hidden under the belt, it won't much matter what it looks like.

yep, they do make them long which is great for tall gals with a big butt like me :) i feel the most comfortable in a 40" skirt but for chiffon styles i can do 37" or 38" cuz i don't mind when my ankles show a little bit just because the material is so lightweight that with the slightest move or turn, u can't even notice.

and if the costume allows, i like the idea of adding to the costume as well. if the skirt does end up short, there are usually other ways to add lenght by either adding another layer of matching color (or maybe something that would compliment it) or adding ruffles to it, etc.

I'm also 5'9 and I wear a 39" - 41" skirt. My deluxe velvet from l rose is 40. And it fits like a glove. However, I've found it impossible to find circle skirts that are long enough, except for a select few on bellydancestore.com so I tend to make my own.

I've always thought that a bit of fringe -- nylon or beaded -- would be pretty added to the bottom of a skirt for extra length, on the right costume. (flapper style!)

A long fabric ruffle or flounce might be nice, if it's soft and moves. Silk chiffon might be a good choice. If I added fabric at the bottom of the skirt, I'd probably make matching sleeves (or chiffon drapes for the armbands) and bring that fabric onto the bra in the form of a small rosette flower where the strap meets the cup, OR a touch of ruching somewhere, or a small ruffle on one or both bra straps or cups, or a very 40s glam drape over the shoulders and back.

Thank you for more suggestions.

I dance tribal too and their skirts seem to be longer than the chiffon circle skirts.

Have a friend who is 5'10 and curvaceous. She measures hip line, over her hinny, to the floor for total skirt length. If measured hip to floor she loses three inches of length every time.

I have the same problem and use various methods to lengthen skirts. For instance adding a band of fabric to the bottom of the skirt:


Or adding an extra skirt underneath in a matching fabric. In tis case, the skirt was too short and the split too wide. The underskirt adds length and a bit of coverup on the split:


Finding matching fabric sofar proves to be the most difficult part. Your costume is always a different shade then the available fabrics!

Originally Posted by mekyria

Or adding an extra skirt underneath in a matching fabric. In tis case, the skirt was too short and the split too wide. The underskirt adds length and a bit of coverup on the split:

I love how you did that! What a great idea! Thanks for posting. ..g.:

Originally Posted by mekyria

I have the same problem and use various methods to lengthen skirts. For instance adding a band of fabric to the bottom of the skirt:

Finding matching fabric sofar proves to be the most difficult part. Your costume is always a different shade then the available fabrics!

Thank you so much for posting this! I think I will get some sparkly fabric from Spandex House, since I usually don't wear it on the outside!!! Also, I think I will make the slit up more, since it looks a little snug around the rear and might loosen it up a little. I love it! XOXO