Thread: Beaded Crochet Dresses ???

I really love the look of the beaded crochet dress. They look like just the thing for events where I have to cover my tummy. But I want to make sure I'd be making a good investmet in buying one.

Are they versitile? Does anyone have ideas on the different ways to wear them? Are they comfy?

Thanks for they help.

I think we have 2 or 3 of those in the "for sale" box at our troupe studio.

I could check tomorrow, take pics and ask our director how she wants to sale them.

Will be back...

Qamar

I love these dresses when a full on costume is too much. I have worn them over a plain costume bra and harem pants, or with a skirt, and I have worn them over full costumes to "blur" the cleavage and bare belly when appropriate.

It just depends on what you like to wear and what your dance opportunities are.

Originally Posted by SandraDances

I love these dresses when a full on costume is too much. I have worn them over a plain costume bra and harem pants, or with a skirt, and I have worn them over full costumes to "blur" the cleavage and bare belly when appropriate.

It just depends on what you like to wear and what your dance opportunities are.

I like the "plain costume bra" and skirt idea. Also it seems that the one piece would unify the bra with the skirt. Since I'm short I feel I really need costumes without too much glitz and contrasts or I end up looking like a giant applique.

You mentioned harem pants -have you tried it with flared dance pants?

Originally Posted by Qamar60

I think we have 2 or 3 of those in the "for sale" box at our troupe studio.

I could check tomorrow, take pics and ask our director how she wants to sale them.

Will be back...

Qamar

ooo.. I'd like to see them,r:;.

I have a green one, bought here on Bhuz, that I really like. I had a local seamstress make me a green sparkly Lycra tank dress to wear underneath.

Originally Posted by bintbeled

I have a green one, bought here on Bhuz, that I really like. I had a local seamstress make me a green sparkly Lycra tank dress to wear underneath.

-that sounds cute.

I've worn one with a full-length charmeuse slip-dress under it as an evening gown for going to the opera.

Here's a photo of me wearing one sort of the way you'd wear a body stocking: http://www.shira.net/shira/shirapix/...pin-detail.jpg

Ie, I put the crocheted dress on first, then I put my costume bra and belt/skirt on, so they were over the top of the dress. Here's a closeup: http://www.shira.net/shira/shirapix/...ood-detail.jpg

It would also be possible to wear the crocheted dress over the top of a skirt, but under the bra and belt, to give the impression of an accent skirt.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

I've worn one with a full-length charmeuse slip-dress under it as an evening gown for going to the opera.

Here's a photo of me wearing one sort of the way you'd wear a body stocking: http://www.shira.net/shira/shirapix/...pin-detail.jpg

Ie, I put the crocheted dress on first, then I put my costume bra and belt/skirt on, so they were over the top of the dress. Here's a closeup: http://www.shira.net/shira/shirapix/...ood-detail.jpg

It would also be possible to wear the crocheted dress over the top of a skirt, but under the bra and belt, to give the impression of an accent skirt.

I'm getting a "Forbidden" "You don't have permission to access...." from your links, Shira ..cr.:

I have a black one. I generally *only* wear it over a plain bra/crop top and skirt or pants - I don't like the feel of trying to fit it under a bedleh. I've worn mine over a slip as a dress for tango once or twice too.

They are comfortable, although obviously the crochet is beaded and you do have the feeling of bead against skin. I think they are a handy item to have, though I've got to admit I don't wear mine much these days.

Originally Posted by audie

I like the "plain costume bra" and skirt idea. Also it seems that the one piece would unify the bra with the skirt. Since I'm short I feel I really need costumes without too much glitz and contrasts or I end up looking like a giant applique.

You mentioned harem pants -have you tried it with flared dance pants?

I have I beautiful burgundy one....but I haven't been able to wear it, because I'm short (5'2").
The beads drag on the ground.
I'm only mentioning this, because I don't know if they are all 'one size'. So be prepared, it might be a bit long.
I either need to find the right heels...or, I'm thinking of cutting it in half, and making a top and skirt.
I've tried it on, and thought it to be comfortable.
I like the slip idea, or bra with slim skirt, or leggings.

(Shira - I can't access your pics either.)

Originally Posted by Kalirah

I'm getting a "Forbidden" "You don't have permission to access...." from your links, Shira ..cr.:

..I was able to view it by going the long way though her site.

Wow length would be my worry also. I'm shorter than you, Gothique.

Yeah, I was thinking about wearing it with the bra and slim or trumpet skirt, also. Would you wear it with a beaded hip scarf?

Also, I've worn regular fishnet under a bra before. I like the way it looks but it was really uncomfortable. Although Shira, I do LOVE the way it looks with the bedlah in your photo.

I always pulled it up into a hip scarf, so the length wasn't an issue. I would tie the scarf, then raise my arms to pull it up, then even the amount that bloused over. A couple of pins, and voila!

I never wore it with flared pants. I like the look with a chiffon skirt because it gives you a mermaidy look that is looser than a mermaid skirt.

I have a beautiful green one and then a plainer, lower quality black one. The beads are plastic and not glass and the yarn looks like it would fray if I looked at it wrong, but it hasn't yet. The green one has held up well and I have had it about 15 years with a lot of wear for 5 or 6 of them.

I never thought of wearing it with a hipscarf before!!!
(Solves a problem for me!)

Yes, I would wear a hipscarf with it, as long as the fabric of the scarf wasn't sheer, and the beads coordinated....now I'm off to go see what I have to go with mine. ..g.:

(Thank you for this thread)

Glad to be of service Gothique.

hmm... I may just try it with either a straight or a trumpet skirt. Full circle skirts and harem pants don't like my hips.

Hey Audie!
I've been wearing them for years (I like em over bedleh, but they look super with simple bra under too!)
The way I finagle it is to wear it OVER my costume bra and skirt, but under the belt (hip scarf would work too...)
My favorite black iris one comes to a point and drapes right along with the fringe on the belt:

So length shouldn't be an issue!

I am glad this thread came up. I was wondering what people did with these dresses!

This photo is kinda goofy, but this is what I did with my yellow one. Kind of a sunflower theme, hehe. It was an outdoor gig and it was unseasonably cold and rainy that day - you can see the plastic wrapped around the speakers. The carpet I am dancing on was wet. I had glittery black fishnet tights under the skirts for added warmth.

Originally Posted by Kalirah

I'm getting a "Forbidden" "You don't have permission to access...." from your links, Shira ..cr.:

Oops, sorry about the "forbidden" error message. I put some settings on my site to make it hard for people to steal my photos and artwork, and sometimes I forget that I did that. Here's an alternate path to those photos: go to Shira's Bellydance Photo Galleries and scroll down to the section labeled "Photos Taken in 2003". Click on any of those to see a larger version.

Originally Posted by Zumarrad

I generally *only* wear it over a plain bra/crop top and skirt or pants - I don't like the feel of trying to fit it under a bedleh.

I agree, actually. Although I've worn my purple one under the bra, I'll acknowledge that it's an uncomfortable, scratchy way to wear it. It hasn't stopped me from doing it, but there's much to be said for other options which are more comfortable!



On another note, here's an article on Hasani's web site about how she has worn her crocheted dress: Crocheted Beledi Dress

I also wear them with the decorated bra UNDER, & the belt OVER. Another look is with the bra unfancy but covered in gold lame or something like, which is also way easier to get on or off without catching the dress.
Dark half slips, harem or flared pants, trumpet skirt or even a not-very-full circle skirt under.
Decorations, sequins etc. do catch on the dress, so you have to be careful. It helps if someone helps get the dress over your head & down (tho I do pride myself on being able to get myself into my costumes alone for quick changes,r:;).
A coin scarf over works as well. I wear coin scarves sometimes over those sheer pailette dresses too; I used to worry it looked too busy, but for stage shows or festivals, carries great!
For shortening the length: With the sash, pulling up the dress from the hips give a blouson effect for a folkloric sort of look. You can also fold at the hips & sew with large basting st. or even just small pins, since there usually will be something covering the hips over it.
Happy costuming!

[QUOTE=dunyah;585285]

This photo is kinda goofy, but this is what I did with my yellow one. Kind of a sunflower theme, hehe. It was an outdoor gig and it was unseasonably cold and rainy that day - you can see the plastic wrapped around the speakers. The carpet I am dancing on was wet. I had glittery black fishnet tights under the skirts for added warmth.[/QUOTE
Outdoor dancing in the NW is a lot like the NE! ..l;, & yet still looking so joyous! Love this pic!

Originally Posted by Gia al Qamar

Hey Audie!
I've been wearing them for years (I like em over bedleh, but they look super with simple bra under too!)
The way I finagle it is to wear it OVER my costume bra and skirt, but under the belt (hip scarf would work too...)
My favorite black iris one comes to a point and drapes right along with the fringe on the belt:

So length shouldn't be an issue!

Hey Gia! I remember that costume. It looks great.
So, I guess the ones that come to a point are shorter than the others? Doesn't the beads from your bra top get stuck in the netting from the dress?

Originally Posted by dunyah

This photo is kinda goofy, but this is what I did with my yellow one. Kind of a sunflower theme, hehe. It was an outdoor gig and it was unseasonably cold and rainy that day - you can see the plastic wrapped around the speakers. The carpet I am dancing on was wet. I had glittery black fishnet tights under the skirts for added warmth.

Your such a trouper!! -love the yellow!

Do they come in sizes? I'd like not to have to blouse it around my waste.

Audie, just PM you!

Qamar

Originally Posted by audie

Hey Gia! I remember that costume. It looks great.
So, I guess the ones that come to a point are shorter than the others? Doesn't the beads from your bra top get stuck in the netting from the dress?

Mine comes to a point, in the front and back.

The beaded fringe at the point drag on the ground, on me.

I wonder if they come in sizes too.
I guess it depends on the vendor, I've seen them shorter than mine.
(When I first tried it on... I felt I looked like Tina Turner from Max beyond the thunderdome) ..l;,

I LOVE ALL THE PHOTOS, OF THE DIFFERENT WAYS IT CAN BE WORN!
THANKS FOR POSTING/LINKING! :-)

Originally Posted by audie

Hey Gia! I remember that costume. It looks great.
So, I guess the ones that come to a point are shorter than the others? Doesn't the beads from your bra top get stuck in the netting from the dress?

With JUST the dress on, the point hits the ground. Over my costume bra and lifted a bit above the belt when dressing makes it mid-calf. I finagle the netting of the dress onto the bra so it's secure (doesn't slide or move in performance) so it's not in danger of catching or breaking...the 'extra' at the waist that I create by pulling the dress above the belt actually just 'pools' in the belt so it's not really seen...

Thanks for the feedback Gia.

Has anyone tried to alter one of these? Maybe try to take in the sides or shorten it?

BTW...I've never tried it...but I'm guessing that the dress is crocheted on cotton thread and may shrink if washed in hot?