Thread: Help me decide WRT this costume? Pro enough?

Please don't think I am an utter twerp. I need some good [and critical] Bhuzzer eyes turned on this one..g.:

This was always intended as an up-close-crowd bedlah, with a specific small venue in mind. It's not meant for stage or for far-off wow factor, but rather up close scrutiny. I also wanted a fairly bling-less set... intending a luxurious/embroidery feel instead. So I know straight off the bat that this one would tank from a distance and needs fairly careful staging! My issue, though, is whether I should be wearing it or if it is 'not good enough.'

I have a big hangup on costumes looking professional. I recently have been having one of my utter self doubt moments though...and this is a home set.

So... I can't decide if it should stay.

Help?

The tl;dr version of that is... if you saw it on a rack somewhere [personal taste aside, naturally...I appreciate the design/colour might make you gag] selling itself as for a pro level dancer, would you
a] die laughing?
b] consider it...after major surgery
c] Think 'Well, ok then'?

In short, should it stay? Or, if it needs tweaking/upgrading, any suggestions? Or is it junk-pile time?

No offence will be taken...I would dearly appreciate anyone who cares to give an honest opinion in any direction.

I have attached pics:

Top... there is a tiny silk rose where the fringe dips with the velvet line too [under the centre rose] but you can't see it too well 'cos the fringe is mussed [been in poor storage, eep.] and it is covered on the live shot.

Belt.... the fringe pattern is probably very hard to visualise and almost impossible to photograph worn, I am sorry about that.... there is a wide upturned V on the R hip, and top falling fringe on the other.

And one performance shot. Not the best, but the poor organiser had so many catastrophes- the whole place flooded 2 days before, we danced under back up generator because the power was out [hence the odd lights], etc, etc...I felt so sorry for her!

It is realy hard to see the full details from a distance, so I will attach a couple of detail shots in a mo.

It's pretty and I think it would be effective in a small venue.

Ok...close ups.

The narrow panel runs at the front, hip to hip.

The broader one is at the back.

I attached some of the back of bra/strap detail as well. The straps are the same black velvet, studded with a faux-jet jewel every while or so...not certain if it shows clearly at all.

And the last is a little piece of whimsical embroidery tucked under the fringe diamond from the right hip...doubt it ever really shows.

There are faux-jet and the odd 3d holographic animal print gem things [yay for eloquence!] studded along the design. They don't show too well on camera, and I just can't get them to photograph properly. They fade most in the back design shot...you can see them a little more 'properly' on some of the others. Best I could do...my apologies! They look a lot better live, I am assured.

Oh.. I might mention I have uber long hair, and awful problems with it getting eaten by beads on the back of belts. So I do tend to sparser backs then you usually see... especially from hair eating fringe! 'Tis why I have a bit of a lean towards silk/fabric fringe and not bead fringe, too... less damage and ouchies. I know it may seem odd at first sight

I guess it depends where you are wearing it to. Are you dancing at a paid gig or a hafla? I think it would be fine for a hafla or other small show. If you are dancing at a restuarant or party in which you are being paid I would say to spice it up or wear something else - if you want my honest opinion. : )

I really like it. It's refreshingly different yet the design is coherent, not one of those "different" home made costumes that look like an explosion in a fabric store. And it's got a touch of the retro.

If hired for private party, it might to too different from the G.P.'s expectations of a belly dance costume to go over well. It could be fine in a restaurant or club performance if the venue has what we middle-aged people call a "Bohemian atmosphere." (Is there a more modern way of saying that?)
Rosette

This costumes say to me "beginner/intermediate student" and I see it as a tribal fusiony/gothic type of costume. I wouldn't consider it to be a professional costume in the realm of raqs sharqi/oriental and wouldn't wear it for a restaurant or stage show.

I'm not sure how this would read to a GP audience, but to another dancer, I think it reads more "student" than "pro." I understand your desire to go for an understated look, but at least from the pictures, many of the design elements are hard to see. Some dancers are against black costumes as a rule because they simply don't show up as well on stage, and there are certainly aspects of that going on here. All that detailing of the rosettes and the faceted gems are getting lost in the darkness. I also think the choice to go with (what appears to be?) chainette fringe instead of bead fringe contributes to the "amateur-ness." I think if you wanted to keep the overall look of the costume, you could take it up a level by replacing that fringe with opaque black seed-bead fringe. Beaded fringe might also mitigate the not-all-blacks-are-created-equal effect that is showing up in the pictures (where it looks like the belt fringe doesn't quite match).

I'd also like to see more integration of the lighter elements throughout the design. The embroidered motifs are such a dramatic contrast against all that black, and I'd like to see more of that same brightness spread around. What if you integrated some metallic beads into the design? You'd probably have to experiment to see whether silver or gold would work better, but it looks like you could go either way.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

I'd also like to see more integration of the lighter elements throughout the design. The embroidered motifs are such a dramatic contrast against all that black, and I'd like to see more of that same brightness spread around. What if you integrated some metallic beads into the design? You'd probably have to experiment to see whether silver or gold would work better, but it looks like you could go either way.

I was actually thinking that. The embroidered flowers have some yellow/orange. It might look nice to do a fringe that is some combination of irridecent black and an orange, copper, gold, or yellow.

I also thought it would look nice with a black underskirt and a brightly colored overskirt in those orange-copper-yellow tones, and maybe with some kind of flowing arm bands coordinated to the skirt.

I wonder if it would brighten it to replace the black satin rosettes with rosettes which pull the colors in the embroidery?

Just throwing some thoughts out there.

It is seriously adorable and I also would echo some of the suggestions to bump it up with better/more seed fringe if you can. I dance in a small, up-close venue too. Maybe some AB crystals, used judiciously, since you have a theme going on with the rosettes.

I think if you do a really wow skirt/gauntlets set ( maybe tie-dyed or ombre fabric in the orange-copper-yellow shades) that adds more colour & luxe to the set, it would be pretty cool.

Thanks for the opinions guys.

Looks like this one can indeed go back in the cupboard 'til I can get the enthusiasm to over-bead [bead over? My english sucks] the top and upgrade... or the money to go on a shopping spree!

Some dancers are against black costumes as a rule because they simply don't show up as well on stage

Lol...*points to self*. One reason I have never got around to upgrading/ buying a full black in all these years. I get the odd request though... for the 'mo they shall just have to suck it and get a black mix:)


If y'all don't mind the query ...what's chainette fringe? Where I use fabric ones, I try get silk... this one wasn't, which may be why i never grew on me, doesn't move the same- or look the same, you are right Tourbeau.

Actually, I stuggle awfully with fringe at the back of my belts and hair... all of the standard beaded stuff yanks like mad, so I either have to pin it up a few inches [which is proving a mission...whatever I do I end up looking like Morticia, ugh] or loose the fringe, which is sad :(

It is moments like this I mourn Rusty's retirement...y'all won't know her, she is a local costumer, but her custom designs are lovely, and her coin sets gorgeous...sniff.

Anywho.... thanks so much for the 2c, everyone! Really appreciated.

My main critique would be the overall look in the action photo - i.e., the gloves and the jewelry. That all doesn't really match and looks, to be honest, very amateurish. Adding a bit more sparkle, e.g., jewelry with copper and AB, and maybe a rose motif, could make a world of difference. The photo doesn't show what goes on too well, but if you could maybe carry that to your hair, that would add an extra touch of sophistication.

What steffib said about better accessories will make all the difference. Invest in an L Rose set or two and you can get a lot more use out of the bedleh. I don't have super-duper long hair,so I'm wondering if you've looked into styling your hair a little differently...maybe pulling it up more so it doesn't get caught on your belt? That sounds painful!

Here in South Africa L Rose and such are just not available...even where international shipping is possible, cost is prohibative on our sucky exchange rate. You do not know how sad this makes me.. I lived in New York for a while, and the precious few of such I brought back with me are very treasured. Since I don't do the Egyptian lycra sets which are all that make it out here freely at the mo, its sew or have sewn :(

Ooo..tiedye. I was loaned a beautiful tye-dye-esque skirt by a fellow dancer at a recent workshop [don't ask where the one I was supposed to have was, eek] that had me drooling. And now you tempt me, oh wicked one...I am definitly gonna have to put that one high on the 'to buy' list

Forgive my ignorance.. AB crystals?

I might actually start a spin off on the hair, because it is an ongoing dillema- my hair is top-of-thigh length, so if I go the lift way, we are talking about needing to shorten by half a foot or more to clear most belts. And no matter the contraption I try, no commercial hair dodad seems to be able to take the weight/volume.

I have semi- solved it with an inside out pony on the crown that creates a little faux- lift up top, and then a tiara [knew years of Irish dancing would come in useful eventually] But it drags on that one spot something chronic. Maybe some more-inspired-then-I soul will have a better idea.

Oh indeed, a bit LRose or something along those lines would bring out the strengths of this costume.

I really like it when a dancer, especially in a staged show, wears something unique. And, homemade, when it is polished, always wins my heart.

AB = aurora borealis, the coated crystal that shines and reflects light in different colors.

And, bummer about the LRose where you are!

Originally Posted by anyadance

This costumes say to me "beginner/intermediate student" and I see it as a tribal fusiony/gothic type of costume. I wouldn't consider it to be a professional costume in the realm of raqs sharqi/oriental and wouldn't wear it for a restaurant or stage show.

At the risk of offending some I have to agree with Anya.
But is that chainette fringe?
I don't think chainette ever looks professional. That stuff is for piano shawls and fake flapper dresses. Maybe if you added glass fringe and some nice stones it would make it work. It's hard to pass up a costume that is truly comfy. If you feel good in it then it might be worth it to invest in some higher end materials and really make it great. I like the flowers.

Originally Posted by Amira_Siddiqah

If y'all don't mind the query ...what's chainette fringe? Where I use fabric ones, I try get silk... this one wasn't, which may be why i never grew on me, doesn't move the same- or look the same

Chainette is a textile fringe. In the US, it seems a lot of it is rayon or polyester. As Eshta says, it's the sort of thing you associate with flapper dresses and shawls. Sometimes tribal dancers wear chainette fringe belts (occasionally even floor-length ones), but otherwise, it's not common on ME dance costumes.

This costume looks a little like lingerie, it's really too plain. The black adds to that effect - if it were red or green, it might read more like a costume.
I think you should add sparklies to this one - sequins, metal chains, mirrors, or beads. The audience can't see black-on-black detail, this is one reason why Aran sweaters are usually knitted in light-colored wool (to highlight the fancy stitching).

Try the embroidered idea on another bedlah in brighter colors. Embroidery is so common on lingerie bras; it will be tricky to do a dance bra in a way that looks different from lingerie ones.

Thanks Stefib and Tourbeau.

Never knew those crystals had a name!

I like this costume, it's refreshing and different. I think different skirt/sleeves/jewelry would make a world of difference.

I agree the chainette fringe needs to go. When I started dancing 30 years ago it was chainette or bead-your-own, but today both dancers and general public expects to see a pro dancer in beaded fringe.

Nowadays most designer costumes have minimal decoration, so if I were going to take the chainette fringe off, I'd try the set with the new skirt, etc after taking off the chainette and before putting any new fringe on, just to see how it looks.

With beaded fringe and new skirt, etc.. it may not need anymore bling.

I am not a fan of chainette fringe in general, but if it is done well, and especially with an eye on vintage styles, it is a useful choice. In a place where LRose is a major purchase, chances are that ordering beaded fringe is going to be on the pricey side, too.

When it comes to jewelry - maybe Ebay is a good source? If you search for kundan, you may find some lovely, matching pieces that are very affordable (esp. w/ free shipping).