Thread: Help me choose my next Pharaonix!

So it looks like I'm going to be able to order another Pharaonix (yay!).

I'm, ah, a rounder dancer with a very pronounced hourglass shape. My abdomen doesn't protrude much anymore (thank goodness), so that's not a problem... and I'm a size 14/16 and shrinking, and a shortie at 5'2. and I wear a 38DD.

I love the romance of circle skirts, but I can only pull them off if the full hip area is fitted (like the Venus/Ma'at style). In general, I look better in fitted hip skirts whether they're straight, flared or full at the bottom.

Here are the ones I'm considering ordering (sorry, I can't figure out how to link the photos). Costumes names correspond to Dahlal website:

Magnifique: It has a mesh layered skirt which would be heavier and drape better than a circle skirt, I'm thinking. If I order this one, it would be in red or orange.

Tempest: I've always loved this look. The hips are fitted, so that's a plus. I love the cutouts at the hip. It also comes with a matching body stocking, so I can change it to a 'dress' look if I need more coverage, or if the choreo calls for it. If I order this one, it will be in a deep raspberry, preferably.

Labyrinth: I think this look would lengthen me, which is a good thing. The chiffon gores are higher and the beading on the skirt is vertical. This one would be in a deep gold with silver beading, or a turquoise/teal with gold and silver beading.

Andalusian Vision: Again, a lengthening look. Vertical beading, and I would ask for a high chiffon gore in the back (I saw on the Swap Meet once, and I really liked it). This one I would order in white/silver with gold beading, or a very soft yellow with gold beading.

Spicy Serenade: I've always loved this one, too. I love the bedlah design with the fringe, and there are 2 skirts involved with a very pronounced slit on the top layer, showing a vertical slice of the under layer. If I order this, it will be orange and fuschia (oh yeah, baby!)

Egyptian Empress: Again, I've loved this one for a long time, too. Separate Bedlah with yummy fringe, and I would try to see if I can pair it with the Christina skirt to make it work better for me, but I'm hesitant because the lycra would show, and there's no lycra in the bedlah. Hmm. This I would order in teal or maroon.

So help a girl out, lol! I needs to make a decision, and I don't know which one to pick .w.:

Hehe, you picked most of my personal Favorites! I think Egyptian Empress is a really classic look, but am also a huge fan of Tempest (any color), Labyrinth (I would love to see this one in the teal!) and Spicy Serenade (the orange they use is yummy and I am not a huge fan of orange usually!).

Have fun choosing! :-)

I love the Magnifique and the Labyrinth.... both are stunning - and I think they would look great on you.
I have the Labyrinth and I LOVE it, it's just perfect - so sparkling and a classic desing.
But most Pharaonics are beautys - I think it's hard to choose

I have had a couple of the Empress costumes and find them so flattering. So, my first vote would be for an empress, and my second for the Labyrinth.

I just ordered a fire tempest maily orange with red second color and yellow. it will be ready in March i share pic's so i would pick the tempest i had one in red soooooooo sexy.!

thanks, ladies! does anyone else have an input for me?

Lots of my faves here, too. I'm waiting for a teal Empress at the moment (long lines and curving design = good for me) and I used to have a Magnifique, but the stretchy belt didn't work for me. The drapey skirt is great though. I absolutely adore my Andalusian - you're right, those vertical lines are great.

I much prefer the separate belts in non-stretch I'm very hourglass as well and they help to camouflage where necessary. The stretchy belts and skirt combos look good on a lot of people but on me they show up any bulges (to my critical eye).

Hope that helps! :)

My figure sounds pretty similar to yours, and I have a red Labyrinth. It looks great. I tried on a Magnifique, but that's more of a scarf-type belt and not a solid-base one- I loved everything except for the belt. The mesh skirt was really beautiful, though, and it did drape well.

I have the Magnifique in dark blue and love it, but the belt is not the full butt-covering type you mentioned you prefer. The skirt drapes beautifully and is very light.

I ordered Spicy Serenade a couple yrs ago and sold it right away. It is stunning and very detailed, but VERY bulky.

So, I vote for the Tempest or Labyrinth.

I like Egyptian Empress the best.

I think tempest will make you look hippier. Actually anything with a prominent hip strap will shorten your torso.

I've seen Andalusion Romance in person and I have to say I like it better than Andalusian Vision.

ETA: For what it's worth, I think this would look adorable on you, minus the strappy thing (plus I think it is on wrong). It has a very lengthening line.
Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery

I like the Empress best. The curving lines of the chiffon on the bra and belt are really nice. I think it would look nice with the Christina style skirt.

So after everyone's input, I'm leaning towards the labyrinth or the magnifique with modifications.

If I order the magnifique, I'd ask for a hard belt and a matching body stocking to turn it into a dress if the occasion asks for it.

Andalee, that costume is beautiful, but from experience I know it wouldn't work for me. I had another costume with a similar skirt style, and because I'm short and wide, the lowest point of the lycra came down about an inch and a half below my knees, making the flared section look very odd. I would have to be taller or slimmer to make it work for me.