Thread: Theme costumes?

I've seen a few pictures around here of cossies designed with a theme in mind...like Mardi Gras or Playing Cards or Peacock feathers, etc...

I'd love to see more!

Anyone else with a costume designed on an obvious theme want to post pix?

Oh what a fun thread. I'd love to see all these creative costumes too!

I'm planning a few themed ones... stars and galaxies (I'm an amateur astronomer) is one of them. It will be a while before I have time to work on them, but I'll post pictures if I remember!

I haven't really thought about themes before. I usually see costumes in color, I see the fabric and then it comes alive. For me, it's not even about texture, it's only the color.

But I did think about peacock feather a couple of times as I have a lot of them. Certainly enough to make a bra and belt out of them. And there could be so many skirts paired with with it, mostly dark ones: navy blue, eggplant, burgundy, olive, black...
a couple of questions:
- wouldn't the peacocks be ruined after a few performances? If I ever make a costume like that, I have no intentions of beading the peacock design, I would just use the real ones.
- what vibrant or light colors would peacocks match? I am not a fan of dark colors, I have actually don't have any...

Ooh, Lesedi, I'd love to see pics of those when they're done! I love that kind of theme.

Marianna, I think peacocks go beautifully with teals and jade greens.

I'm working on re-vamping a "butterfly theme" costume I purchased from Luludance. I'll add 4 armbands and a veil, handpainted with butterflies. (I only have 1 month left before the show, aaaargh!)




Qamar

Qamar, that is so fun!

I really want to make a snake-themed costume (but not one with applique snakes!). I'm thinking dark metallic green fabric, with beaded black and burnished gold/copper coloured scales around the hips and the bra. I have no idea whether I'm actually going to be able to do this as it'll be my first real costume-making attempt, but I'm damn well going to try :D

It'd (hopefully) be a bit like this but nicer... "Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: Sahar Okasha (8253)"

I have a couple of "leafy" ones! ;-)

Eman Zaki "Vineyard Vixen"

Custom Made Tohme Beadwaer Costume:

Originally Posted by Serpentina

I really want to make a snake-themed costume (but not one with applique snakes!). I'm thinking dark metallic green fabric, with beaded black and burnished gold/copper coloured scales around the hips and the bra. I have no idea whether I'm actually going to be able to do this as it'll be my first real costume-making attempt, but I'm damn well going to try :D

It'd (hopefully) be a bit like this but nicer... "Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: Sahar Okasha (8253)"

That sounds fun and I love your color scheme ideas!

The Sahar started with some great fabric, I think, but just didn't capitalize on that awesome pattern.

Good luck with your project! Go for it!

Passion Warfare had a super cute wonder woman bedlah.

Originally Posted by Marianna

I haven't really thought about themes before. I usually see costumes in color, I see the fabric and then it comes alive. For me, it's not even about texture, it's only the color.

But I did think about peacock feather a couple of times as I have a lot of them. Certainly enough to make a bra and belt out of them. And there could be so many skirts paired with with it, mostly dark ones: navy blue, eggplant, burgundy, olive, black...
a couple of questions:
- wouldn't the peacocks be ruined after a few performances? If I ever make a costume like that, I have no intentions of beading the peacock design, I would just use the real ones.
- what vibrant or light colors would peacocks match? I am not a fan of dark colors, I have actually don't have any...

Maybe lavender/very light purple?

Originally Posted by mmouse1534

I have a couple of "leafy" ones! ;-)

Eman Zaki "Vineyard Vixen"

Custom Made Tohme Beadwaer Costume:

Oh! I love that last one!

Awesome ideas gals! The butterfly is sweet and that snake should be pretty cool too.

Lately I've been in love with flowers. I have been making hair clips, wear them and sell them. Then I thought why not a belly dance costume? I found the perfect shade of orange: warm and vibrant with fucia flowers. I like flowers because they're different, and they cut down the work: I don't have to sit there and bead endlessly.

so this is what I made:



and close up:



there's only one problem: now i want to make a lot of these costumes, I already have the next one planned in my head: shades of blue. But I don't want to have too many of them. I guess I can always use other items, like butterflies :)) or peacocks, as it was noted in another thread.

Marianna, you look so beautiful!

Lovely, Marianna!

I like the idea of using other things for some of the other costumes.

You and your costume totally gorgeous!

These costumes are very inspiring!

My troupe usually does theater shows so we've done a few themed costumes. One dancer was wonder woman, my sister was ursula and had a skirt made that looked like tentacles for an evil sea witch number (it was awesome!), we've done mermaids, cowgirls (just bras and belts with skirts and hats), fairies, we did a goddess show once involving a flower goddess, someone was isis (obvious choice), lady of the lake... that's all I can think of now, sorry no pics!

Shimmytwin..those sound like so much fun!

Originally Posted by Marianna

Lately I've been in love with flowers. I have been making hair clips, wear them and sell them. Then I thought why not a belly dance costume? I found the perfect shade of orange: warm and vibrant with fucia flowers. I like flowers because they're different, and they cut down the work: I don't have to sit there and bead endlessly.

so this is what I made:



and close up:



there's only one problem: now i want to make a lot of these costumes, I already have the next one planned in my head: shades of blue. But I don't want to have too many of them. I guess I can always use other items, like butterflies :)) or peacocks, as it was noted in another thread.

ha, this is the beauty i emailed you about! its so pretty, i might just have to do a custom order with u in the future ;)

Originally Posted by nayastrance

Passion Warfare had a super cute wonder woman bedlah.

Awwwwe, Naya, darling, thank you for the kind words on my Wonder Woman bedlah! (I'm working on one for Nadirah right now, complete with wristcuffs and headband!)



(there's a pic, for reference)


Miss Luna, you cannot even IMAGINE the temptation I have every time I look at sequined appliques online! If you're looking to get inspired, I'd HIGHLY recommend checking out Sequin Appliques Home

While looking at that site, I stumbled upon these AMAZING dinosaur sequin appliques, and I have been dying to make a dinosaur bedlah ever since! The website also has an entire section of fully beaded, sequined appliques devoted to Mardi Gras and playing cards. Whatever you do, just have fun with it!

Best of luck! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Thank you ladies for the compliments.
Zana, this costume is so comfortable, and I swear it makes me look like I lost 10 lbs. :) I guess because it fits me well.
I can't wait to wear it again. But now it will be different. I am making a fucia (very, very hot pink) trumpet skirt with 1 slit (out of lycra), and a matching veil. I will also make a headband, and no choker, and thin armbands to wear with the orange ones. I will somehow add flowers to the skirt to complete the look but I'm not sure about the design yet. I know I can do the whole thing in 1 day because I'm so excited!!

And here's the other fun part: I have enough lycra left over to make a bra and belt. So I will have 4 costumes: orange bra/belt + orange skirt, orange bra set + fucia skirt, fucia bra set + fucia skirt and fuca bra set and orange skirt. All with different veils, and accessories.
And I can even wear it with gold, if I wanted to. I definitely get me money's worth :))

I could make you one in yellow :)) I have lots of yellow flowers left over :)

Water costume I made for Sabua.

Originally Posted by Marianna

Thank you ladies for the compliments.
Zana, this costume is so comfortable, and I swear it makes me look like I lost 10 lbs. :) I guess because it fits me well.
I can't wait to wear it again. But now it will be different. I am making a fucia (very, very hot pink) trumpet skirt with 1 slit (out of lycra), and a matching veil. I will also make a headband, and no choker, and thin armbands to wear with the orange ones. I will somehow add flowers to the skirt to complete the look but I'm not sure about the design yet. I know I can do the whole thing in 1 day because I'm so excited!!

And here's the other fun part: I have enough lycra left over to make a bra and belt. So I will have 4 costumes: orange bra/belt + orange skirt, orange bra set + fucia skirt, fucia bra set + fucia skirt and fuca bra set and orange skirt. All with different veils, and accessories.
And I can even wear it with gold, if I wanted to. I definitely get me money's worth :))

I could make you one in yellow :)) I have lots of yellow flowers left over :)

don't tempt me, i already have yellow hehe i am looking for something hot orange/salmon/coral-y. still not sure of what design tho, altho i love the flowers..

and monika that's gorgeous, i got ur email btw and will email u back later today :)

MONIKA YOU MADE THAT?????????????

holy moly. beautiful.

Originally Posted by PassionWarfare

...If you're looking to get inspired, I'd HIGHLY recommend checking out http://www.sequinedappliques.com

Awww! No! The link doesn't work anymore! ..cr.:..cr.:

Qamar

Wow! Some amazingly beautiful costumes and such fun themes!

That orange/coral is HOT HOT HOT and, as a pisces, I am loving the water theme!

As for the wonder woman themed bedla...I think my friend Lisa would steal that right off your body...

I think the applique site is this one?
Sequin Appliques Home

It definitely has the dinosoar appliques...and I am LOVING them!

Originally Posted by lunascura

Wow! Some amazingly beautiful costumes and such fun themes!

That orange/coral is HOT HOT HOT and, as a pisces, I am loving the water theme!

As for the wonder woman themed bedla...I think my friend Lisa would steal that right off your body...

I think the applique site is this one?
Sequin Appliques Home

It definitely has the dinosoar appliques...and I am LOVING them!

Oh Thank you so much!

Qamar