Thread: Hanan Costume Question

Hello,
I'm just a baby belly, but I'm going to be doing a big performance in March, and have been drooling over this costume at dahlal. Here's the link: https://www.dahlal.com/default.aspx?n=1&hs=ha09-319bb

Can anyone tell me about their experience with Hanan costumes? This is just a bra and belt set, but I'd still like to know about the quality and the durability of the costume. I know I'm just a beginner, but I've been dancing for almost a year now, and could see myself doing this for years to come. I can see this set being a good investment; the only problem being, once I start getting costumes, I don't think I'll stop!

Also, any insight on dealings with dahlal would be appreciated. They seem like a very reputable site, but I just like knowing about the sites I do business with.

Anyway, thank you for your time, and please, tell me what you think!
Take care!

~Ashryna

This was on the swapmeet pages very recently... Did you see it? or did it sell.....? I know people who always have great experiences with Dahlal, and those who have had really disappointing experiences. No one has ever been totally taken (that I know of) but miscommunications, delays, extra shipping costs not originally talked about... stuff like that.

http://www.bhuz.com/forum/bellydance...ff-market.html
Maybe you can ask her for her opinion of the set and her experience...

Oh wow! Thanks so much! I actually stumbled across this thread, but only after she had taken it off the market, and removed the picture(s), so I had no clue what it was! I really appreciate your help, thanks again! Take care. :)

~Ashryna

I love Hanan bra and belts.I'm wearing one in my avatar pic. I love her designs and I like how the belt fastens at both sides so you can easily adjust it. I've bought from Dahlal before and if you are buying things are in stock there is no problem.
I've also bought from Hanan in Cairo and I love her costumes.

I've got a few Hanans and they're great - very well made, hard wearing and beautifully designed.

I have 3 Hanans - 1 dress and 2 bedlahs, plus I just ordered another one that is on the way so that will make 3 bedlahs. I love the style and the fit of these costumes. I really like the fact that the belt comes in 2 pieces so that it can be easily adjusted without compromising the design. Hanans are readily affordable and you can get different looks by changing the skirts.

With the exception of the dress, I have bought my Hanans at Dahlal. I've always gotten great service from them and they have been very helpful when I had questions. They are having their customer appreciation month, so the costume I just bought cost me $221.21 instead of $294.95. Check the newsletter for details.

I just custom ordered my first hanan - am picking it up when I go to Cairo in a few weeks. I hope that it looks great, I'm starting to worry that it won't be what I expect when I see it in person (as you never know with these things) - fingers crossed!

WOOHOO!!!! I just ordered it!!!! I should have it by the end of the week!!!! ..g.:
I cannot contain my excitement!!!! ..l;,

Thank you all for your replies! I very much appreciate them! It helped me decide to get it, knowing it will be a beautiful, quality costume. And my favorite color to boot!

Thank you especially, Etoile! Your post was the deciding factor; with that coupon, I couldn't resist!

YAY! My first costume! I'm shaking with excitement! *dances*

Thank you again everyone, and have a wonderful day!

~Ashryna

Yeahhh!! Glad to enable - I mean help you ..g.:


p.s. I'm wearing my white Hanan in the photo but the way that the photo was cropped it's hard to tell.

Congrats on your purchase. Post pics when you get it!

Well, it finally arrived......and it doesn't fit. ..cr.:

I even asked the lady if those were the max measurements, and if it could be adjusted. She said it could. However, there are only one set of hooks per piece. So I can't change the settings, so to speak. She was even unsure the bra would fit me; she thought 38C was too big, and only 38B would work,but it is too big even for 38C.

The only thing that fits are the headband and two of the armbands at my wrists; the other two won't even go around my small ankles! Not sure how they'd expect anyone who can normally wear the bra to be able to fit those around their upper arms.

I'm not sure what to do. I'm clueless about sewing, and I know that's what's going to need to be done to fix it. I'm running out of time though; the performance is march 6th. So I either have to somehow get it altered to fit me, or send it back and get a refund, and try and find some other costume. That would be really disappointing for me, as I already love the costume.

Another disappointment is the craftsmanship. There are black threads showing, and even sticking out throughout it, especially in the center of the bra. When I was trying on the belt, one of the white threads holding the fringe broke, and I had to frantically try and catch it and tie the two broken threads together to hold it for now. Also, when I picked up the bra to try it on again, one of the beads broke in half. All I did was pick it up. I rescued the half of a bead that fell off, but couldn't spot exactly where it broke. If it can't even handle me trying it on, how is it going to handle me dancing in it?

When I first saw it, I thought it was too good to be true. Turns out, it was. ..cr.:

Thank you all for your information and thoughts regardless. I really appreciate them. Any suggestions would be likewise appreciated. Thank you for your time, and have a great day.

~Ashryna

Oh No! I'm so sorry that you had such a bad experience. I usually need to make adjustments to the costumes that I buy so that they can fit me properly. I add a trouser bar to the bra and belt to adjust the size/fit. As for the armbands, my arms are way too "fluffy" to put them around my upper arm so I only wear them around my wrists. I can totally understand what you mean.

Do you know anyone who sews - perhaps they could give you some advice. If you really like the costume, perhaps some of the experienced sewers here could give you some suggestions if you post pics here. If you want to return, then don't alter it as Dahlal's policy is not to take back a costume once it has been altered. That's a bummer that your first costume turned out to be a disappointment for you.

The beading around the top and bottom of the arm bands might be problem. (At least I had this issue with a second-hand Hannan I bought off the swap meet.) You need to pull out part of the beading and rebead the trim in segments instead of a single thread. It allows the bands to stretch.

I was unhappy with the fact that they used this yellowish thread for the beading along the slits of skirt, too. The fabric rolls a bit and it's noticable. After finding some thread to match the crazy road cone orange of the skirt, I have considered rebeading the slit but haven't gotten around to it.

Since you just bought the costume, you might want to consider just returning it if you are unsatisfied --- especially if it does not fit properly.

The problem is the cups are super wide and big, and not very deep. They are just very weird. I can fit my normal bra inside them, but it just looks so huge on me. I cannot imagine what sort of breasts they were designed for; they don't offer much support, and certainly no lift. Even a larger busted person would have a hard time getting it to fit. Even if I just moved the hooks, it would still look huge and ill-fitting on me ..cr.:

To fit me the bra would likely have to be completely redone; the belt just needs the hooks moved to fit. I have an instructor who sews, so I'll try and get her opinion tomorrow, but I doubt anything can be done to it in time for the show. I really wish I knew how to sew. My mom knows somewhat, but has forgotten a lot, and never wants to make the time to teach me.

I'm also concerned that since it was essentially damaged during shipping, they won't let me return it, if that's what I decide (or am forced) to do. It makes me so sad, because this costume is so ME.

Etoile and Roguepen, thank you for your advice. I greatly appreciate it. I'll let you know what I decide to do after I hear from my instructor tomorrow. Take care all!

~Ashryna

I fit in those big, wide cups. I look at other costumes and think, "Who can wear this?" too.

I did do one little thing to tweak the fit of the bra, that you might want to try. I got some the heavier button thread and put a stitch between the two cups at the center to pull the top center closer together. It angled the bra cups inward and made it fit a lot better.

But if the cups are so wide they are coming up under your armpits, you won't be able to pad it enough to fix it. Just call, explain that it doesn't fit, and see if you can return it. It's worth trying. And, well, there's always the swap meet if you can't return it.

I talked to my instructors yesterday, and showed it to them. They love the costume, love it on me, are absolutely certain it will work, and are going to put cookies in it to get it to fit. I don't know if I should try arguing with them or not; they know what they are doing. So I'll see how it goes. Roguepen, I might tell them your suggestion and see what they think. Thanks so much for your help!

Have a great day,
Ashryna