Thread: Flattering bra style for a longer torso?

For my next project I'm thinking of making a costume with a bra that flatters my figure. I have a long torso and a small waist, so my shoulders tend to look a little broad.

I was thinking of a top which puts some emphasis on the area above the bra (instead of below, like long fringes do). Such as this Sahar: BellydanceStore.biz

Does anyone have any suggestions for bra (or skirt) styles that look good with a longer torso? Or has anyone made one of those tops, or a halter style top with the straps crossing in front of your neck (I believe they're called keyhole tops)? Advice or pictures; please post :)

I'd say that your small waist is an asset, and you might want to play up your hips with a fuller skirt or a tucked-in veil, to balance your shoulders out and draw the eye downward more.

I have a very long, narrow torso and I find that some fringe on a bra is a great way to balance me out. A bra without fringe just draws too much attention to my vast expanse of waistline!

This is one of my fave costumes because of the flattering V-shaped placement of the bra fringe:



And I also find this Bella flattering because the long loopy swag of fringe breaks up the torso line without too much visual distraction:

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

I have a very long, narrow torso and I find that some fringe on a bra is a great way to balance me out. A bra without fringe just draws too much attention to my vast expanse of waistline!

I would think that no fringe would make the proportions more noticeable, too. Certainly the converse is true. Too much fringe hanging down over the belly makes a short-waisted dancer look like her bust is closer to her hips. What about keeping a conventional bra style but adding a waist strap or a belly chain? If you have a small waist, I would think you could wear those embellishments, and it would cut a long expanse of abdomen into shorter visual pieces.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

I would think that no fringe would make the proportions more noticeable, too. Certainly the converse is true. Too much fringe hanging down over the belly makes a short-waisted dancer look like her bust is closer to her hips. What about keeping a conventional bra style but adding a waist strap or a belly chain? If you have a small waist, I would think you could wear those embellishments, and it would cut a long expanse of abdomen into shorter visual pieces.

I think the key here is the shape of the fringe. A straight-across wall of fringe isn't the most flattering look on, well, most body types. But if the fringe tapers to a V like my quasi-fringemonster, it can actually create an appealing line since you can still see the overall shape of the waist. Looped fringe can also be nice in moderation.

Belly chains are great, too. I rarely gig without one. Very Randa, and very effective for shortening the torso! Oddly, I just saw tons of unique belly chains at Frederick's of Hollywood.

Great tips, thanks! I think both the fringe and the waist strap would work for me, so I decided to use the fringe V and swag on my current project and make a belt with a waist strap for the next one :)

seconding satin's suggestions. I think a long torso is a serious asset for a bellydancer! both visually, and for the added mobility. I love to wear costumes with straps around the waist or up over the hips, long belly drape fringe, and bellas with long sweeping swags. we've got the real estate to rock them. I also like skirts or belts with a shaped or dipped front - a straight-across line isn't as flattering on me.