Thread: Bella vs Pharaonics

Hi all,
I had never given Bella a thought until I read about your passion for it. I have a few Pharaonics and can't complain. If you wear both kinds, especially the bra, belt, chiffon skirt type, would you please compare and contrast them, in terms of quality of the fabric, beading, durability, fit,...anything you can think of? What's the Bella bra size for a Pharaonics #3 bra? Thank you so much for your time.

I love both Bella and Pharaonics. To me, the Bella bras fit better, are more "breast-shaped" whereas Pharaonics just cover them up (still fine, of course). I think Bella bras are more modest (unless you have cut outs!!!); in order to cover as much as a Bella bra, I would have to get a too-large Phar. cup.

I think Bella skirts are more luxurious, maybe nicer fabric, but I'm not sure. I like the beading on Bella better.

I like that Pharaonics are heavier. They just feel more solid. That probably means nothing.

I think I like Bella better, but they are harder for me to get. I have never received a Bella password and have only gotten Bellas from the swap meet. They were not previously worn, so I can't atest to wear-and-tear before me. I can drive to the bellydance store and get a Pharaonics, so I am happy to usually settle for Pharaonics.

I don't know that Bella used sizes for her bras. I have some #3 Pharaonics that are a tad skimpy on me-I will measure my Bella cups later today for you.

I really don't think you can go wrong either way. I also own Emans a Hanan, and an Aida Nour. I like Phar. and Bella the best.

If you are not sure, buy one of each. <JK>

Pharoanics bras typically have more of a football shape, are incredibly sturdy and the beading ain't going anywhere. I'm not a big fan of the shape, as it doesn't work to enhance my bustline, but I'm built like a (small) linebacker with broad shoulders and rib cage which this shape tends to accentuate. If you are narrow in the rib cage and shoulders, it helps to balance out larger hips.

I think my favorite thing about pharaonix is that they are seriously, work horse, sturdy. the beading is well done, the sequining is attached firmly and you get what you pay for, including in the accessories. Even now that they are going for a "lighter" look in costume (probably as a result of competition from Eman and Sahar) the lighter costumes still hold up almost as well as the earlier pharoanix.

I think the biggest complaint that I've heard is that a) you can get each style in any color and b) the color of the beads wears off.

My biggest issue has been that the prongs on the crystals tends to come loose, and then I have to replace the crystals (my silver GL is temporarily retired, as am I) although it's one of mine that will be buried with me. Heaviest, shiniest casket EVARRR!!!!!!

I love, love, love the skirts and again, it's the sturdiness that I appreciate. You can wear the skirts over and over again with minimal if any decoration loss.

Bellas: bra's tend to be tear drop shape which is more universally flattering in my opinion and work better on my body type. I've only custom ordered and purchased from people who's measurements match mine relatively closely.

I did screw up my first custom order and ordered ginormous bra's accidentally. I had our local costumer extraordinaire Shadia Tohme alter them to fit me.

These things are so beautiful and well done that SHE thanked ME for allowing her to work on them. The construction is amazing and strong. The bra seems to be built, rather than assembled on a base, and the beading is done with care. It all holds up beautifully to wear and tear, and I've never lost a crystal which are sewn on -v- prong settings.

It appears that all the beading is done by hand, and I think some of the fringe may be hand strung, which gives it a more delicate look, imo than the pharoanix.

Bella's are lighter than pharoanix and don't feel as substantial. That having been said, I don't find that I wear through them faster than I do pharoanix.

If I want to pack light, I take a bella.

I think that pharoanix are more impressive and more "bellydancer-y" to the GP, while bellas tend to be more princessy and wow dancers more.

I would have to say that the older Pharonics were much better in quality then the newer ones. The new Pharonics just feel a little flimsy to me.

Size 3 Phar. cups: Horizonal=6.5", Vertical=6", Diagonal=8"

The Bella bras that I have: Horizonal=7", Vertical=6.5", Diagonal=7.5".


For references, the Bella I measured is here and the Pharaonics is here.

You can see I added a bit to the Phar. cups.

Originally Posted by _Tanya_

I would have to say that the older Pharonics were much better in quality then the newer ones. The new Pharonics just feel a little flimsy to me.

Some of the new pharonics are flimsy, some are still constructed very well, more "old style" :) I remember about 4 years ago seeing a vending table with a bunch of Pharonics at Rakkasah and they were awful, I couldn't believe how flimsy. After that they got better again so maybe it was an issue with production that year.
I have and have had several Pharonics and they have all been great and very sturdy. I do always go for the fully beaded bra/belt styles from them though. I've never bought a lycra set from them so I can't speak for those.
The biggest problems have been the prong crystals (same problem on Emans) and the plastic beads losing color. I try to avoid styles that have too many of the plastic beads

Ditto on the construction comments by a few others above. Pharonics can be incredibly sturdy or really really flimsy. The color loss on the beading kind of sucks, too - although it is easily fixed with nail polish most of the time. I have a few Pharonics I will keep forever :)
I have found that Bellas are so incredibly reliably well-constructed. The only problem I've had is with a certain sequined-fabric that hasn't held up very well. But that was more of a problem with the choice of fabric and less about the actual costume construction.
The main thing I really like about Bellas is that, even though you can spot one by design a mile away, they are all more or less totally individual. Maybe someone who has ordered troupe costuming can comment further - but I really like that when I custom order, I know that the costume I get will be one-of-a-kind. Pharonics are also easy to spot, but they are so cookie-cutter.

I love Pharonics, but Bellas (in my opinion) are better constructed and longer-lasting. I know people who have had sets for a decade that are still beautiful.

Thank you all beautiful ladies for your detailed replies. Now I understand that Bella is as well made as Pharonics, maybe even better. Let me save some money first and find out. Love Fotia's suggestion-buy one of each. Ever since I got addicted to this profession, I haven't bought any decent everyday clothes, shoes, bags...I should go shopping next Friday.

Originally Posted by SandraDances

Size 3 Phar. cups: Horizonal=6.5", Vertical=6", Diagonal=8"

The Bella bras that I have: Horizonal=7", Vertical=6.5", Diagonal=7.5".

I have found that the Pharonics #3 are 7" on the diagonal. But it seems like they are not standardized in size

Originally Posted by jewelsdances

I have found that the Pharonics #3 are 7" on the diagonal. But it seems like they are not standardized in size

Would you say a "Pharonics #3" is like a B or more like a C cup?

I think #2 is an A, #3 is a B, #4 is a C, etc

Here is a discussion about the cup measurements: http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...-cup-size.html

Originally Posted by NishaDance

Would you say a "Pharonics #3" is like a B or more like a C cup?

It all depends on the band size, but the bellydance store has a sign that says that #3 is B, #4 is C...

I also think, that Bella-costumes also better made. The bra is more fiting and the work finer and exacter done. On Pharaonics You have to repair more that on a Bella. And also the cristals on Bellas better quality and the scaps more better. On Pharaonics scaps You can destroy Your veil and also the skirt. A friend of my loose her Pharaonics because of them and we have to change the costume and made a new skirt. And I dislike dance with veil in a pharaonics. Thats why I have only one and a dress without stones.
Good on pharaonics: You have an elastic wrist band, so the skirt is fitting a bigger range. That is impossible with the strong Bella-wrist-band. But a Bella-skirt will never fall down...
I like Bella most....

Hands-down, Bellas seem to be better constructed, more sparkly and infinitely more "customizable." With Pharaonics, you're fairly limited to a few specific styles - cookie cutter is a good word. Bella can make you pretty much whatever you want!

Bella bras fit sooooooooo nicely. I'm pretty small up top and what I love about Bellas is that the cup is softer. Therefore, you can pad the living heck out of them and they won't gap or sit funny against the chest wall like the hard-as-a-rock Egyptian cups do. And I'd even venture to say that Bellas give me cleavage! ..l;,

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Hands-down, Bellas seem to be better constructed, more sparkly and infinitely more "customizable." With Pharaonics, you're fairly limited to a few specific styles - cookie cutter is a good word. Bella can make you pretty much whatever you want!

Bella bras fit sooooooooo nicely. I'm pretty small up top and what I love about Bellas is that the cup is softer. Therefore, you can pad the living heck out of them and they won't gap or sit funny against the chest wall like the hard-as-a-rock Egyptian cups do. And I'd even venture to say that Bellas give me cleavage! ..l;,

I am totally Bella ready when $$$ is ready, may take a long while. Would you suggest some styles(with chiffon skirts) you have tried. I don't have a behind in all 3 directions.

Love your writing, have read everything you posted.