Thread: how important is it for your costuming to be different or stand out?

Do you try to put together your own costumes, or do you buy what fits, or do you custom order something you think the rest of us won't be wearing?

How important is it to you to have a costume that stands out from the rest?

As long as the costume is level-appropriate, well-fitting, and showcases the dance well, I don't actually care if everyone else has one just like it. :) I make about 1/2 of my costumes and buy 1/2, so I always have at least some that no one else has, but that's not my priority. As long as it looks good and doesn't distract from the dancing, I don't worry much about following the latest styles or having something that other dancers have as well.

I want a costume to fit me well, be appropriate for my body and my dance style, and to suit my personality. If I find that in a model many people have (Pharonix ring! FTW) and I like it on me. I buy it and I wear it, no problem. I also enjoy one of a kind designer costumes and making my own.

Currently I make more than buy because I feel I can make things that suit me (and are better made) more easily than I can buy them at a reasonable price.

For me, it is a combination: Most importantly, I like to wear things that flatter my (not so perfect) body. Then, I care that my things match my persona and my dancing. And of course, I like to wear costumes that are unique, and not a uniform that everybody else wears. In order to accomplish that, I like to combine pieces that I get separately and some which I make myself. It's usually a very eccelectic mix, and not a costume that came assembled by a designer, so my outfits usually do not follow too much what anybody else does.

But, the perception of what is unique is probably a somewhat personal thing. To me, at some point, Bellas start to blend, while to Bella lovers, they are all highly unique, and I am unrefined imbecile ;-) Likewise, I don't see much variety in most tribal fusion costuming; I am sure many dancers who put a lot of effort in their outfits will consider my view as unspeakable ignorance.

NO, steffi, I agree with you.

I am not that big on uniqueness. Because I need something that will fit and flatter my figure. So far, I have found that Pharaonix do the trick. I know that everyone and their mother has them, but they scream "Belly dancer!" to the GP. I want to look pretty and if a cookie cutter costume does that for me, I don't care.

ITA with the above. I look for a costume that flatter me and suits the dance I'll be presenting. Uniqueness isn't really a consideration, but sometimes it's a nice extra.

No matter how much you love it, never buy a pretty costume that can't be altered to fit you. Every costume should fit properly--this is nonnegotiable. Nothing makes you look like an unqualified goof faster than a costume that is way too small, too big, too short, or too long. The dancer should be wearing the costume, not the other way around. By the same token, don't buy a costume just because it fits when it isn't a style you like. You won't want to wear it after you own it, either.

Other dancers really geek on designer names and who made your costume, but I don't think the public really cares as long as the dancer looks like s/he deserves to be on stage and the costume doesn't look like it's on the verge of a wardrobe malfunction. Of course, if you are in a troupe, you do have an obligation to stay within the overall aesthetic and not make yourself stand out at the expense of everybody else.

Once you've gotten to the point where you have an attractive outfit that fits you and goes with the theme of your performance (e.g., ethnic for folkloric, dressy for cabaret, ...), I think it becomes more important to concentrate your efforts on developing the quality of your performance, not worrying about the individuality of the costume. There may be three other dancers in the same show wearing variations of a gold bra and belt, but I'd like them to remember me for being "the one who was really good," not "the one in the really unique green skirt."

I wear something that I think will flatter me, appeal to the audience and never think about what anybody else is wearing. In fact, now that I think of it, just about everyone I know (and the community here is very large) wears unique costuming, and I think it's done without anybody trying.

okay- going on the assumption that I am choosing from costumes that flatter & fit me in the first place- whether it looks like everyone else's or not depends on the venue. most GP will not have seen every one else in the BD community, even the local BD community, so if I like a Great Loops, for example- I would go for it- but I like having something unique for a showcase where a lot of dancers are featured- next to everyone else lined up, yes I want to be distinct. Job wise, the just like everyone else's doesn't matter so much, it's the dancer events where I might look for something more unique.

Ditto on the flattering & well fitting comments. The only time uniqueness come into play for me is in regards to price. I'm willing to pay a little more for a costume that I feel would be hard to stumble across again, whereas some of the more generic costumes (like the Desert Swirls) I would pay less for because I seems like they're readily available.

I like originality as long as it doesn't look "off". Often the veeery beautiful costumes (colour, fabric, small but effective embellishments) are financially out of reach for me. I currently love the blue one Sonia of the BDSS has from probably Hallah Moustafa and it looks "rich", the adornments with the bands, not fringe, hanging down seem original to me, also the way the skirt is so wide and the belt is no belt but a triangular saddle, everything is beautiful about it...

Well if I ever could buy one like that yes it would be nice to think that not three, four other dancers in my town wear it, too, but after all, the person in it changes the appearance, too.

don't know why I feel the need to answer twice (hey, it's still early here!)
but i think a costume has to make me happy. I find that costumes that are more unique are more likely to make me happy, that's just my personality, but if I am happy in a more common style (I've got some comfy ole favorites) that's okay too.

Originally Posted by Lara L

don't know why I feel the need to answer twice (hey, it's still early here!)
but i think a costume has to make me happy. I find that costumes that are more unique are more likely to make me happy, that's just my personality, but if I am happy in a more common style (I've got some comfy ole favorites) that's okay too.

That above all!!! ..g.:

Fit is the most important-I hate seeing a beautiful dancer with a great costume, only to have the cups sticking out an inch from her chest.

Besides fit, it am pretty concerned about not looking like someone else. I wouldn't want to go to a party wearing the same dress as another woman. That is my main issue with Pharaonics costumes, too few styles nowadays. But that doesn't stop me from buying them sometimes.

On the otherhand, I don't want to get too crazy and have people not recognize me for a bellydancer, either.

It has to fit me and look good on me first of all. I do like the idea of costumes that are "unique" because I'm that kind of person, but the chances of me buying a costly costume and running into another dancer wearing it are close to nil anyway.

Hate the automatic assumption that all costumes for larger dancers should be black. There is too much black in the world.

Originally Posted by Souzan

Hate the automatic assumption that all costumes for larger dancers should be black. There is too much black in the world.

it hides the movement too much too- won't declare a total boycott on black, but I agree- more color options for all!!!

It's totally unimportant to me that the costume be different or stand out. the fact that most of my costumes do has more to do with my love of vintage and the difficulties I have in buying off the rack. Both contribute to having a wardrobe of "different" costumes. Although, I also have several which are pretty generic and I do want a Great Loop or 4. But it in no way bothers me that 1,000 other dancers have Great loops.

{{{HUGS}}}

I like to have unique costumes. I have a vintage Pharonics that I am pulling an Ozma on because I like it so much. (And trust me..I'm no Ozma..)
But there are plenty of "generic" costumes that I like. I have two great loops (both for sale because they are too small, and FIT IS MOST IMPORTANT!) and will probably replace them when I sell them. I love the Pharonics "Venus" costume, and tons of dancers have that one. I think that "Generic" costumes end up being popular because they are flattering and look great on most if not all body types.

I love unique and vintage, and they must fit me well to stay in the closet. How I feel dancing in the costume is also very important. Have never custom ordered anything and not sure I ever will, unless I go to Turkey to see Legend or Bella or Sim Moda.

Originally Posted by Lara L

....but i think a costume has to make me happy. .....

i think it shows when we dance. might as well have another tool to help you perform better, right?

Originally Posted by ozma

....., and to suit my personality......

SOOOOO important! there is a pic of Sandra i saw in a pink costume with a crown that is so diff from anything else i've seen her in. when i read the description of why she was selling it it said "i choke in all the fabric" (not worded quite right) it's like a tinny car with giant wheels, when the costume doesn't suit you personality you just look at it and cock your head and say "something's not right here....."

Extremely important.
Drawback: I have a hard time selling them because they're so different (that includes size); i.e., not everyone has the same "wtf" taste in costuming, nor many the same size.

Originally Posted by Mahsima

I like to have unique costumes. I have a vintage Pharonics that I am pulling an Ozma on because I like it so much. (And trust me..I'm no Ozma..)
But there are plenty of "generic" costumes that I like. I have two great loops (both for sale because they are too small, and FIT IS MOST IMPORTANT!) and will probably replace them when I sell them. I love the Pharonics "Venus" costume, and tons of dancers have that one. I think that "Generic" costumes end up being popular because they are flattering and look great on most if not all body types.

May I tell you how relieved I am that "pulling an Ozma" means something positive, like repurposing or making over costumes, and not...well...many other things it could mean.

Keep us posted on costumes!

Originally Posted by raqFariha

i
SOOOOO important! there is a pic of Sandra i saw in a pink costume with a crown that is so diff from anything else i've seen her in. when i read the description of why she was selling it it said "i choke in all the fabric" (not worded quite right) it's like a tinny car with giant wheels, when the costume doesn't suit you personality you just look at it and cock your head and say "something's not right here....."

I have a basic pink Sahar I need to do a bit of a reworking. It fits me very well. It looks good on me. Pink suits me like you wouldn't believe...and I say wouldn't believe because I think people who've seen pictures of me performing or in a studio and have gotten a sense of my general "vibe" are going to be able to easily translate that to invisioning me minimal and pink..or pink period. I look good it in as it is, but it isn't me.

I think the hunt for costumes is so seductive because we're not just looking for something that looks good on us and suits our dance. We're also often looking for what we feel good in, or what make us look like the dancer we want to be, or looks like we feel when we dance...and that's always changing.

Like any consumers, we're often looking for something that reflects how we see ourselves (or want to) even if that isn't first and foremost in our minds.

I've recently sold one of my surprise favorite costumes. I called it the Junkman's Sexy Daughter. It was a Joharra and off the body it looked insane. It was an obvious stashbuster of professional randomness. Disco balls, braided spandex scrap, a crazy fabric (yellow roses and animal print and swirllies!), some sequins with a wood grain pattern on it (?!!) any and every bling scattered on it. But on the body it was stunning...in buying it and loving it I couldn't have told you "yeah, I do see myself as a bunch of disparate items shoved together in one package, capable of amazing moments of beauty and congruity despite all odds"

Originally Posted by ozma

I have a basic pink Sahar I need to do a bit of a reworking. It fits me very well. It looks good on me. Pink suits me like you wouldn't believe...and I say wouldn't believe because I think people who've seen pictures of me performing or in a studio and have gotten a sense of my general "vibe" are going to be able to easily translate that to invisioning me minimal and pink..or pink period. I look good it in as it is, but it isn't me.

I think the hunt for costumes is so seductive because we're not just looking for something that looks good on us and suits our dance. We're also often looking for what we feel good in, or what make us look like the dancer we want to be, or looks like we feel when we dance...and that's always changing.

Like any consumers, we're often looking for something that reflects how we see ourselves (or want to) even if that isn't first and foremost in our minds.

I've recently sold one of my surprise favorite costumes. I called it the Junkman's Sexy Daughter. It was a Joharra and off the body it looked insane. It was an obvious stashbuster of professional randomness. Disco balls, braided spandex scrap, a crazy fabric (yellow roses and animal print and swirllies!), some sequins with a wood grain pattern on it (?!!) any and every bling scattered on it. But on the body it was stunning...in buying it and loving it I couldn't have told you "yeah, I do see myself as a bunch of disparate items shoved together in one package, capable of amazing moments of beauty and congruity despite all odds"

very well said ozma

Originally Posted by ozma

May I tell you how relieved I am that "pulling an Ozma" means something positive, like repurposing or making over costumes, and not...well...many other things it could mean.

Keep us posted on costumes!

I bow to your costuming prowess on a regular basis. Srsly.

Obviously I want to look and feel good in my costumes...and part of it is the feeling that the costume is unique or stand-out in some way. Yes, my dancing should speak for itself but this is one of the biggest factors I consider when I think about a costume purchase.

I used to hve to take what I could get in my cup size. But now I have several costume makers for whom that is not a problem. I can now buy what I like. Good fit, as stated is most important, what your dance style is, comfort!, are all important. I think color is a big one for me as well. I am white for white girl during the Buffalo winters so I need colors to make me look good, not what is the current fade!
I think that I think more about the costume (if I've worn it for the same audience) when dancing for other dancers?