Thread: Oldest costume (oldest you have, oldest you use)?

I know you ladies spend hours putting together that fabulous costume, only to use it just a few times and then have it languish in a closet for who knows how long!

What's the oldest costume you still have and the oldest one you use? They could be one and the same, or they could be different ones ("my goodness, I still have this one? It's been ages since it saw the light of day!")

What is the life expectancy of a costume anyway?

I still have my first one and I use it occasionally. But I don't always use it together, i.e., I use the skirt more than the bra and belt that came with it.

One of my favorites is a home-made, real, sturdy coin set that I got many years ago on Ebay for $50. It must be at least 30-40 years old, and I always feel that it comes with lots of good vibes from the dancer who made it herself. I like to think that she'd enjoy how her costume has found a new life, too.

Ditto with Steffi on this. My first coin set was from E-bay. I got it for about $75 including taxes and shipping. It's at least 30 years old.

{{{HUGS}}}

I still have the very first black circle skirt I made for myself back in 1979. But I seldom wear it.

A few years later I purchased a real coin belt and bra cover, made of medallions and heavy, diamond shaped copper coins. I still wear it often, although it's been enhanced with some kuchi jewelry, and the bra cover is now covering bra #3. As a matter of fact, my niece is borrowing it for her performance this weekend. It was absolutely the best dance investment I've ever made.

The second best investment is an inexpensive tye dye handkerchief skirt and tie top. The bright colors look great outside on sunny afternoons.

I no longer have any of my first costumes because my body size has changed . . . but the oldest costume I own, and one that I LOVE, is truly vintage. It's a professionally made Turkish bedlah from so far back that the way it's made, especially the way the sequin and bead work are done, is very different from the way costumes are made today. It has long, thick seed bead fringe and the beads are TINY. Rather than flat-back rhinestones, it has those flat flower-shaped crystal beads (which I think are called "margeurites") attached by another tiny bead in the center. In the areas that are covered in sequins, the sequins are sewn down flat with with thread only and no beads. It has concentric loops of seed beads that hang from the shoulders down over the upper arms, an elaborate beaded belly drape and huge wrist/hand thingeys that are entirely beaded (without sequins). It's a treasure, and I've applied about a gallon of glue to it to make it hold together - though I also have to say, the fact that it has survived until now and can still be danced in is a tribute to the maker.

Oh and I know, now you all want to see a photo of it and I don't have any:Aembarassed: - but I'll try to remedy that in the future. It just has to be modelled for an effective photo. The construction of the top is soft and if you lay it on a table it just looks like a shapeless pile of sparkley stuff. Then it gets put on a body, and
Rosette

i still use my brass coins from 1971

My first costume (which I made) was my only costume for many years. I don't have the bra/belt anymore (I was under 120 pounds when I wore it -- thank goodness I weigh more now!), but I do have the skirt and veil, which are about 30 years old.

Both the skirt and the veil are in good condition, but I don't use them often due to their age . . . each was worn well over 100 times in its early years, so I think they paid for themselves.

Deborah

Costless costumes from 1992 and chiffon skirts and veils from the same year.

My oldest costume that's still in use is from 1996. I bought it from Gülseren, Istanbul.
And it's the costume they can bury me in when I die :-)
I even found it worthy of a Michael Baxter foto shoot last year!



I only gave it a new skirt. The rest still looks like new!

MEISSOUN

The oldest costumes I have are 3.5 years. (I haven’t been dancing that long.) I have a bedlah I made in 2006, and it still looks great but, alas, it doesn’t fit anymore! I only wish I would have had more chances to wear it considering how long it took me to make it. I really do need to stop making costumes unless I have reasons to wear them!

Originally Posted by Karnak

I really do need to stop making costumes unless I have reasons to wear them!

Actually, if you make it (the costume), they (the performance opps) will come!

Deborah

Excellent topic. I have just a few that will never leave my possession. I will post pics ASAP
The first one is a las vegas beaded body suit that I aquired at a swap meet in Portland OR that I eventually transformed into the most trendsetting outfit of the time. The other is older and more dear. My first indian bindi bell belt and breast plate from 1974 . Now combined it is a magnificent breast plate worn for special occasions. The last is my Moroccan beaded coat that was given to me by a restaurant owner for my hard work and loyalty. These 3 items will never leave me. they are a representation of my legacy. I plan to be cremated in or with them.

Certain things in a dancers "personal" wardrobe can not be dismissed or replaced. Your jeans will come and go but this investment has more relevancy than just jeans.
Andrea

which of course begs the question of at least this antique, Who do you will your legacy of dance to?
Andrea

Originally Posted by humdinger70

I know you ladies spend hours putting together that fabulous costume, only to use it just a few times and then have it languish in a closet for who knows how long!

What's the oldest costume you still have and the oldest one you use? They could be one and the same, or they could be different ones ("my goodness, I still have this one? It's been ages since it saw the light of day!")

What is the life expectancy of a costume anyway?

I have a costume from the 1970's that is an orginal Madam Abla. It's real old school and very typical of what was worn by Suhair Zaki in the day. I love it, and won't part with it.



This photo was taken by Tracey Gibbs... a great photographer based in Manchester. She made me look lovely.

Here is it from another angle.

Kharis, it's soooo fabulous!!!:tongue::tongue::tongue:

Oldest costume I own is about forty years old, but I'm the third owner. It's danced longer than I have.

Originally Posted by kharis_UK

Here is it from another angle.

What a treasure! I agree with you - never ever part with it!!!

My oldest costume, chronologically AND in shelf life, is definitely this one:



This was made, I believe, in the late 80's by my former teacher's teacher. I've come close to selling it once or twice, but I don't think I could ever let it go, because audiences love it so much and it's filled with good juju!

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

My oldest costume, chronologically AND in shelf life, is definitely this one:



This was made, I believe, in the late 80's by my former teacher's teacher. I've come close to selling it once or twice, but I don't think I could ever let it go, because audiences love it so much and it's filled with good juju!

Fab. Which brings me to the question of how many of us actually make our own costumes.

Kharis, the costume is beautiful and you are a stunner in it. I think I found my fantasy costume inspiration!

My oldest costume is the one in my profile pic. It ws the first "grown-up" costume I bought, second-hand. It was sold as a Madame Abla, although I have no idea if that's true. I haven't worn it much recently and have tried to sell it, but no one else sees it beauty, I suppose! I guess it's meant to be mine.