Thread: Bedleh for the Well Endowed

I really need some help, ya'll. Now I am a baby belly at this point, but I want to buy a bedleh set sort of to give myself something to work towards. Inspiration to get out there and dance for an audience. Here's the problem: I wear a D cup regular bra, and in talking with my teacher, she recommended I get a DD cup costume bra. I trust her implicitly, and most certainly do not want these puppies getting loose while I'm dancing and traumatizing everyone in a 10 mile radius. Okay, not a problem, right? Except when I look on the web, find something I like that is not too expensive, it's not available large enough to fit. Or worse yet, the bra will fit but the belt is 2, 3, 4 inches too small (I have a 40" hip)...cr.: I've seen some companies that will make me a custom set for a reasonable price, but then I come over here and read horror stories about people being ripped off or getting the wrong item and not being able to exchange it. Ebay scares the bejusus out of me-I have nightmare visions of buying something from a seller that comes too far away from my size to alter much less wear-I can do some simple by hand sewing, nothing complicated.
I'm confused as all getout, and have been seeing beaded bras in my sleep from trolling the web. Now all of these websites are starting to turn into one big blur. ..c::
So, give me some recommendations on where to go for a seller who is above board and has nice merchandise that will last me for a while in supersize, please!

go to Belly Dance Store.com: Designer Egyptian Costumes at Affordable Prices

you can than go to the search tab and search for SPECIFIC measurements and it will pull up everything they have in your size.

Good luck. Prices aren't to bad either.

P.S. I feel your pain, I'm a DD cup; 9 1/2 " x7".

Dahlal has a great selection, usually carries items in a range of sizes and offers custom orders. Of course you have to realize that custom orders come from the designers "over there," so Dahlal has little control over what happens between the time the order leaves her shop and when the costume arrives back in the U.S. I'd suggest e-mailing her directly if you don't see your size on the site--often she has additional costumes that aren't shown on the site.

Eshta Amar, who is on Bhuz, makes gorgeous costumes, and she's right here in the U.S. You can check her out on the retail swap meet.

Welcome to Bhuz, NativeDancer. Your measurements aren't as hard to fit as you might think. I would recommend going with a basic silver or gold set that you can pair with different colored skirts to make it more fun.

You can go the the "In Search Of" forum and post your request there. You might find someone who can sell you a nice used costume for less money than buying new. Most Bhuzers are great sellers and will help you to the extent they can make sure you get something that fits.

The other places I would look are Dahlal and The Belly Dance Store.

Here is a link to the Bellydance Store: Belly Dance Store.com: Designer Egyptian Costumes at Affordable Prices
If you click on the link "Affordable Costumes" you should find something there.

Here is a link to Dahlal's web site: https://www.dahlal.com/default.aspx
Do a search for "Beyond the Basics" and "American Icon". These are nice entry level costumes for a reasonable price and are very popular with alot of Bhuzers.

Also, the regular swap meet and the ISO boards here on Bhuz are a tremendous resource. I'm a professional dancer in an unusual size (38DD/E, 45" hip) but between Dahlal, Joharah, and the fabulous taste of my friends and colleagues here, I've never yet had to go custom. Though I would love to have an Eshta original, custom orders from Egypt or Turkey feel a little too risky for me.

One thing to be careful of, just as a reminder: always include your band size when you describe what you're looking for, and make sure you ask for it when you're shopping. People sometimes forget that in US and European sizing, the cup size is proportional to the band, so a 32D and a 40D hold two verrrrry different amounts of bosom! This fit quirk works in your favor, too: if you normally wear a 36D, most 38Cs should fit your "frontage" and just overlap a bit extra in the back. Things to keep in mind.

Happy shopping!

Dahlal, Dancing Rayhana, The Belly Dance Store are all very helpful and can not only guide you to what in their inventory will work, but also keep you updated when something you might be interested in comes in. Sometimes it takes a while (a looong while) for something that really speaks to you (& is in your price range!) comes in. Don't be afraid to call!
Lucy at Scheherezade Imports doesn't list all her costumes online, but she is great about finding something that will work for you if you call her, and she, too, will update you when something new comes in that might work for you. (of course, if you are anywhere near when she has her annual sales, it is better to go browse for yourself! Just don't bring more money than you budgeted for- I got in so much trouble the one time i made it there- she had 2 costumes that fit perfectly, even tho I only budgeted for one...)

PS: It occurs to me that I have an inexpensive, very gently used silver paillette set I haven't gotten around to posting on the Swap. It's too small for me and might very well fit you. Similar to this: Purple Fringe & Paillettes Egyptian Bra & Belt Belly Dance Costume - At DancingRahana.com
If that appeals at all, drop me a line at info at suzanadance dot com and I'll get you photos and deets. If not, no worries!

Lara L, Lucy is my teacher! She's on the hunt for something in my size, but the D and DD sell out as fast as she gets them in. She had 2 last time she opened the warehouse for us students-neither one in a color I wanted. I hope on her next buying trip she'll find something for me, but she can always sell it if she does and I have already ordered from somewhere else. I'm working on a neutral color scheme-Silver, Black or White, since I have skirt and veil sets that my Mom gave me before she passed away in Black & Silver and lavender & silver. I kept another couple of skirt thats were hers-two are green, but her bra and belt were waaayyy too big for me (at least I get it honestly!) and we gave them to another friend who dances that they would fit. The Turkish sets on Dancing Rhana (I think that's the right site) are where I'm leaning, I like the shapes of the fringe and belts-I think the V-shape may work best for me as I have very little space between where my ribcage ends and my hip bones start. And I'm short-5'6" but my legs are are short. Any advice there?
I guess I'm just leery of getting burned, and all these websites are starting to get mixed up in my brain I've looked at them so much. I thought I'd ask here so I could weed out the sellers who are reliable from the ones who just take peoples money. I want just one good set that I can mix and match-the odds of my ever going pro are slim to none.
I'm in no big hurry-don't need it yet, just really want one! Must be the addictive personality trait.

You are not short, I'm 5'6ish, 34DD and 38" hips. I do have long legs and a short waist, though.

Finding a costume which fits is a challenge. I personally believe that we should all have to make at least one costume ourselves if simply to understand the mechanics and the time / effort which goes into the process.

The other thing, which has been touched on here, is to keep an eye open at swap meets and community events. I don't know about DC, but here in LA there are a couple of Swap meets a year where you can pick up second hand costumes fairly inexpensively and you can try them on! And if you have a dancer in the area who is built like you, you can also talk to her about when she is turning over costumes. I know that I have one dancer here in LA who I have agreed to give right of first refusal to.

As for style of costume, once again, you might want to take a chance when you get it - usually at area festivals - to just try on different costumes. Even if they don't fit properly, you will get an idea of what looks good.

Long waisted dancers can get away with more fringe and drapery stuff then us short waisted girls. IF your legs are short, though, you might want to avoid too long of fringe on the belt.

{{{HUGS}}}

i see costumes too in my dreams when i have a fever!!!
anyways, another good and very reasonably priced one is Costumes

I have an extra basic silver bedlah from a troupe order that actually may work for you. If you'll PM me the measurements you're looking for, I can check it when I'm at the studio tonight or tomorrow if you'd like.

Ah Tahira, in a family of women who average 5'8" or taller (my baby sister is 6') I'm short, lol.
Can anyone explain the top hip and bottom hip measurements I keep seeing on some websites that do custom orders? This is something else I've been wondering about. Tried to figure it out on my own, but I guess I don't think like other people sometimes-I tend to seriously over complicate stuff.
I'd love to make my own costume, but the sewing machine hates me. Every time I go to use it, thread explodes all over the place and then it stops working altogether. It likes my husband just fine, though. He can make just about anything, but I think a bra might be too much to ask even of him.

Very little machine sewing is necessary for a bra. Most of it is by hand! But, we can go into that at another time.

High hip is the top edge of where you want the belt to sit. Usually a couple of inches below your belly button. Different people wear their belts at different levels. I originally got my tat where it is on my lower back because it was covered (I wore my belts high.) Now my belts go along the lower edge of my tat. When I wore my belts high, the high hip measurement was 34, and the low was 38. When I lowered the belt, came closer to 38 / 40.

Does that help?

{{{HUGS}}}

Yep-I was over complicating it. So that made me get out the tape measure and the difference is only 1"! Now I realize that I'm shaped something like a fence post, but is this normal? How wide is the average belt-3" or so? Or wider?
The belt I wear with my Native American regalia is 3" wide so I have something to kind of give me an idea of what it might look like, weird as that might sound. You can see it fairly well in this photo.

I would highly recommend against having something custom made unless you went with someone like Eshta, or Invokethe goddess or someone else in the here in the U.S. If you could meet in person for personal fitting that would be good.

Custom orders are a serious pain in the butt and they never/rarely come out exactly right. I've been waiting for 7 months for a Pharonics. (Why do I do this to myself.)

For your first costume, especially if you don't think you'll turn pro, buy something inexpensive or a nice quality used one.

Actually, it's not weird. The size and shape of most belts varies. Remember that many Egyptian belts are narrower in the front than the back, and the back is designed to cup the bum. Most are one piece although some are going with a two piece design, the back piece longer than the front. This allows for easier adjustments.

Most Turkish belts are two pieces which are identical.

Good one piece belts also have a curve to them, so you don't get a tuna can effect. (gapping at the top.)

3 inches is probably a good starting place. Once again, I would suggest just trying on different costumes when you have a chance.

Oh, and an inch different isn't really that unusual. Because many times we wear our belts at the widest point of our hips.

{{{HUGS}}}

P.S.: Are you completely confused yet?

{{{HUGS}}}

Actually, I think I understand! But I have class tonight, so I'll get Lucy to show me, just to make sure I got it.
But, Tahira, thank you for answering all of my goofy questions. This is so much more complicated than NA regalia. I'm used to throwing a dress over my head and then loading on the accessories. Nothing is form fitted, you adjust everything by tightening a tie or a buckle and off you go.

Oh, now I'm envious! Yes, Lucy can help you TONS on this!

I generally plan on making alterations no matter what- even when the measurements supposedly match up online, there is *always* some adjusting to do, because those measurements don't take into account individual curves. the belts that come in 2 pieces are usually the easiest to adjust since you can angle and overlap however you need to for the right fit. straps are another biggie for me-I have only had one bra ever where I didn't have to move the straps to either angle the bra correctly or provide adequate support. a couple times I had to completely remove & reposition the bra straps, both front & back. The nice thing is that once you do have it adjusted, you can just throw it on & accessorize away! I just wish I could find a nice stretch dress that is short enough for me to really just throw it on & not worry... Oh, Lucy... Oops, out of funds! ,f::

wow, NativeDancer, I'm so glad you posted! Your figure is similar to mine.

I'm 5'6", my waist is not far from my bust, and I have a 29-inch inseam, and a 49-inch booty, so I have issues. I did get the comment that the hip belt is "usually" worn 2 inches below the navel, but honestly, mine would be falling off if it were that low!

I gave up on the purchasing a costume from the get-go and just made my first costume, but I and my sewing machine are friends, lol.

I'm loving the response you're getting; I think I'll save the whole thread for future reference! I spent at least two full 40-hour weeks (over 2-3 months) on my costume, and I really didn't count every time I worked on it. The good news (for you, should you decided to make your own at some point) is there was Very Little on done with the machine.

The other good news is that its very satisfying, lol, to have it done!

Okay, here's the latest on the Great Bedleh Hunt. Lucy, bless her, told me last night that a shipment came in last week with 3 DD bedleh, and she immediately thought of me. The bad news-when she checked her deposite list all 3 had deposites on them, so they were sold...cr.:
However MaryRaks is checking on the one she has for measurements, so fingers crossed, I may just be in luck!
I have to say that until I started this thread I really didn't think I was going to find anything already made, I was sure that I'd have to go the custom route. Nor did I think that there was so much to consider when buying a bedleh set either. Now that I'm armed with all this great info though, I feel much more confident about shopping for costuming! Granted, I'm dancing to make myself happy more than for any other reason, but part of the fun and allure of this dance is the costumes!
And Lara L, I do know what you mean about Lucys warehouse. The first time I went, I was there for 3 hours, with my husband pulling things out for me to look at the whole time. What was originally a trip for "a few CDs" got out of hand in no time! So many hipscarves, so little time!

Nadyasidhe,
I feel you girl! My inseam is 27"-I usually wear mens jeans or womens hiphuggers, otherwise they dig into my navel or squeeze my waist so bad I can't sit for long without my legs going numb. Thankfully there are yoga pants! Victorias Secret is a godsend-stretch legging for dance practice, yoga pants for every day, low rise jeans, and I love the Pink line boyfriend pants that can trimmed to the right length and have a drawstring elastic waistband.
I'm really square-41" bust, 35" waist, 40" hips. And my shoulders are sort of wide, but with all this boobage, it's more or less balanced. I'm short across the shoulders vertically though-I usually have to tighten bra straps amost as far as they go to keep them from falling down. Facing front, I have a slight curve to my waist, but turn me sideways, and there isn't really an "S" shape, except up top. My butt is pretty flat-which is unusual for Native women, we tend to have more of a curve. Add to all of this, very thick legs, all the way down. My calves are 18" at the largest point-the result of a lifetime of dancing and Martial Arts. Shoes are another problem-size 7, D width. Once again, I usually buy mens tennis shoes, or boys size 6. I go to Zappos for dress shoes. The maccasin boots I wear with my regalia have to be custom made-my feet are too wide for the correct size in ready made.
Like I said before, I fully expected to have to order a custom made set, and then try to do simple aterations (accompanied by begging Lucy or another dancer to PLEASE HELP ME!) My Mom always said I was "not a crafty person". I can visualize things (a piece of beadwork for example), put together colors and textures, but I can't actually make what I see a reality. I've always depended on family to do the craftmanship part; I just wear it and look good.

Hi there. I've been on Bhuz hiatus for a couple of months so am just know getting to weigh in here.

You should not custom order at this point in your middle eastern dance career. Custom orders are expensive and often don't turn out to be what you really wanted. And there is usually no return policy for custom orders.

Honestly your size is not hard to fit. If you go to Belly Dance Store.com: Designer Egyptian Costumes at Affordable Prices and click on plus size costumes you will find plenty of D and DD cup bedlah. Bra bands and belts can usually be overlapped a couple of inches without any problem and with the minimal sewing skills of putting a extra hook or two on each. Cups that are slightly too large can be padded.

As others have mentioned, the hip belt sits a few inches below your navel on your hips. The high hip measurement is at the top and the low hip around your booty. Belts are generally straight across in the front or have a gentle V shape. In the rear they are wider and cupped around the butt by way of darts placed along the top of the back of the belt before the embellishment is added.

If you need this for troupe performances, trust your teacher to tell you exactly what style and color you need. If is for personal pleasure, you might chose something in silver, gold, or a combination as these will go with just about any color of costume pieces.

As Zana mentioned, check out the Bhuz swamp meet frequently. There are often bra and belt sets in your size.

Good luck

Souzan