Thread: dressing 'as a belly dancer' for Halloween?

Hey, here's a weird problem that maybe doesn't belong in the costuming thread per-se...

My (relatively new and thus not yet well-trained) boyfriend invited me to a big Halloween party/pagan ritual next weekend, which should be a good time. Turns out a belly dance troupe I've been wanting to see will be performing, so even better!

Trouble is this, I don't have much of anything to wear costume-wise, and my boyfriend suggested I wear some of my "belly dance stuff." Translation: "would you please go as a belly dancer because I want to show you off to my friends." OK, I don't mind being arm candy for my geeky guy once in a while, but in this case I'm not sure what to tell him.

My hesitation stems from the following questions/concerns of mine:

1.) Since this isn't a halfa/dance-specific event, would it be rude (to the troupe performing) to show up in bd-related costuming?

2.) Should I be giving my boyfriend a lecture about respecting my art form? (and, is "going as a belly dancer" further degrading us in the eyes of the GP?)

On one hand I would like to go wearing something from my dance costuming collection, simply because I love wearing it (and it saves me money/time). But...if it would be objectionable to members of the middle eastern dance community, maybe I'd be better off springing for a a non-dance-specific costume.

What do you think?

People have brought this up to me about Halloween. I tell them that dressing up for Halloween is something that you are NOT. I am, however, a bellydancer so I can't dress up like one. I am also a legal secretary - should I dress up like that too?

I don't have too much of a problem with non-BDers dressing up as belly dancers on Halloween, just so long as I don't have to see boobage, butt cheek or anything else inappropriate seeping out of the costume (in other words, no pasties and no see-through pants with thongs). In the same way, I have no problem seeing people dressed as doctors, firemen, police officers, etc. It's all in fun. However, I'm with Fotia--a belly dancer is something I already am, so I don't choose to dress up as one on Halloween.

As for your BF, keep in mind that lecturing usually does very little to convince a man. ;) Unless he's asking you to parade around in pasties, I'd stick to the subtle and longer term approach of helping him see what a beautiful art form this is.

Good point Genevieve - but I kinda think it's fun to go to a party as something you are not. But dressing up as a bellydancer is okay too, as long as it's done like you stated. However, I wouldn't be surprised if people came dressed up as strippers with a veil across their nose and mouth <sigh>

I can understand the impulse because it *is* easy, since you already have the costuming. I wouldn't do because I'd be sure to spill wine on it!

Maybe there are folkloric pieces in your collection that could work to help you create a sort of Middle Eastern persona, not necessarily a dancer?

I'd be afraid of some bozo spilling beer on my costume personally. How about the "sexy witch" or "kitty cat" type costumes?

You can get kitty cat ears and tail pretty cheaply at Walgreens, then if you have a black leotard, stockings and high heels, you're ready to go. And still look cute for the bf.

Totally agree with you, Fotia! In my early dance days, I often considered going to costume parties dressed as a belly dancer. It was a fun new obsession and an excuse to drag out my BD stuff! Now, I wouldn't costume up unless I were actually performing. Last year, though, I did use a few pieces from my BD wardrobe (mermaid skirt and long, sparkly green hip scarf) to put together a mermaid Halloween costume!

my friend just wore a thobe (of course with stuff underneath), and she said it was met with good reviews.

I wouldn't mind going as a flamenco dancer though!!

I think it's fine. I wouldn't wear a $600 pro costume to hang out at a party, of course, but my first several years as a student I wore my costuming stuff every Halloween. It gave me a chance to wear it, talk about my new passion, etc. I usually wrapped up in a see-through veil to add just a little air of mystery.

Unless you're showing up in a rhinestone-encrusted Sim, I don't think the performing troupe would be bothered at all, but you can always wrap up in a veil or something if you feel at all uncomfortable.

I also think its 'fine' to do, but I am with Lauren in that I wouldnt wear some very pricey and delicate piece. I actually was considering being a bellydancer for the first time for halloween this year (I wasnt going out, but now have the opportunity) . . . I have a costless set that is indestructable and figure I could pair that with a simple skirt thats washable and call it a day.

I have alot of other costumes, but they tend to be either the too-blah-for-Halloween Historic types, or very, very sexy ones (yeah, way sexier than a bedlah), and I dont think either would work for where I will be going this year ;-)

You can always Halloweenify further by going as a zombie belly dancer.

Originally Posted by zumarrad

You can always Halloweenify further by going as a zombie belly dancer.

I think the sexy black kitty cat idea is cool, and would be easy to do. You could add rhinestone jewelry, too.

My man found me a killer Marie Antoinette costume when he was shopping the other day - I think he was trying to tell me something ,r:;

I thought about piecing together some stuff and going as Mata Hari. It's not quite BD, and a little bit bad-ass, but it's still doable with various costume components ..g.:

Oooo, I like the Mata Hari idea!

I was going to suggest "zombie belly dancer," but I was beat to it! Perhaps you could go as a specific, famous dancer so you can keep up with the idea of being someone you’re not.

I wore my galabeya last year and made my husband a mummy costume because our party's theme was "Arabian Frights."

Originally Posted by GenevieveOfAtlanta

Oooo, I like the Mata Hari idea!

Yeah, I was gonna do a really bad-ass vintage-style skirt with high slits, plus my coins-and-mirrors set, and do my hair in some sort of elaborate braid. Of course, you can get away with all sorts of bindis and tikkas and other non-bellydance contraptions that convey exotic fantasy....since Mata Hari technically wasn't a BDer ..l;,

Ya know a couple years ago at Halloween I was super broke but also attending a costume party. I wore a sign that said "NUDIST ON STRIKE"... thus I got to wear whatever regular clothes I felt like and most everyone got at least a chuckle out of it.

Clever!

I once considered dressing up as a Tribal style belly dancer for Halloween. I mean, if the point is to go as something you're not...

Originally Posted by laura 2

I once considered dressing up as a Tribal style belly dancer for Halloween. I mean, if the point is to go as something you're not...

I like that. ..l;,
The last time I dressed up for Halloween, I dressed like Freud and wore a full length slip.

I like the zombie belly dancer idea.

Originally Posted by diyung

Ya know a couple years ago at Halloween I was super broke but also attending a costume party. I wore a sign that said "NUDIST ON STRIKE"... thus I got to wear whatever regular clothes I felt like and most everyone got at least a chuckle out of it.

I was similarly lacking in cash and time for a costumed "America" party so I put on a sleeveless top and went as the right to bare arms.

One of my friends tweaked her costuming and went as a Star Trek character. She was a big hit.

My plan this year is to put together a white trumpet skirt, a bunch of sparkly scarves, and attach chiffon streamers to a clear umbrella... to be a jellyfish.

I normally wind up as a bellydancingypsypiratewench (as a friend of mine put it). This year I'm torn between being a fairy (using one of my bellas as part of the costume) or a victorian vixen (of the fox variety).

I got a nurse dress:

Dickies White Scrub Dress 60110 - ScrubBub, Inc.

which is pretty cheap. I'm carrying around a syringe and a fake scalpel so I'm a "killer" nurse. Add some fake blood spatters and some pinup girl makeup, and hopefully I'll be pretty AND scary at the same time!

I personally think that a bellydancer going as a bellydancer is kind of an easy way out. Halloween is fun! Do something different!

Originally Posted by BrynjaBuhund

Hey, here's a weird problem that maybe doesn't belong in the costuming thread per-se...



On one hand I would like to go wearing something from my dance costuming collection, simply because I love wearing it (and it saves me money/time). But...if it would be objectionable to members of the middle eastern dance community, maybe I'd be better off springing for a a non-dance-specific costume.

Hmm going as "a bellydancer" per se would be a little awkward IMO.. I'm not sure I would ever go as something I am on "non-halloween" occasions for a costume. Like a friend of mine had her partner who works on the Gulf as a business consultant bring her a traditional abaya complete with hijab and niqab. So she dressed up in that for halloween. I wasn't entirely sure what to think of it, but can see from her point of view she would see that as a real cool costume. I would however not "dress up as an Arab". (?)

Also if I were a nurse I'd most likely go as one for carnival, or halloween in your case ..l;,

But what about an appropriate costuming you might MAKE of your bellydance clothes? you may be a "gypsy fortune teller" if you dress up in some pretty skirts, a belly free top, lots of Indian style jewellery, a bandana.. the makeup, some hip scarf, and don't forget the crystal ball ..l;,

Cleopatra would be cool or Princess Yasmin!

I think you could use lots of your bellydance costuming to not spend on your halloween costume, but I'd find the sheer bellydance costume strange if you are a bellydancer in real life. Particularly if there's a performing troupe that represents the dance there.

I'd be uncomfortable going as a bellydancer if there's going to be a troupe performing. I wouldn't want to offend them by having people mistake me for part of the troupe & wondering why I'm not up there performing with the rest of them. But that's just me.

I think the "gypsy fortune teller" is a great idea!! Don't forget the big gypsy hoop earrings...g.:

This just came to my head yesterday driving: it's Halloween every weekend, all year long! Isn't that cool :) Unfortunately all we can be is a belly dancer.