Thread: Best costumes for splits?

I'm looking at adding some minor acrobatics to some of my choreography...things like splits, arabesques, scorpions, etc. For the last few years I've been mostly rockin' the bra and skirt combo...so comfy and so easy! I have a silver egyptian icicles set that has been my go-to workhorse bra and belt for the last few years, but I find that the dip in the back is a little too long for me to truly be able to do splits without having to re-adjust myself in an obvious way when I come back up (it also limits range of motion for other movements like arabesque or I wind up pushing the belt up and out of place).

So what are your favorite costumes for doing these types of movements? Any suggestions for how to overcome this? Really want to incorporate this into my repertoire, but don't want to perform the equivalent of pulling my underwear out of my butt every time I do (cause having to stop and push my belt back down or twist it around and back into place looks just as attractive).

So what kind of belts/skirts/etc would you wear? And where would you purchase from? I haven't quite gotten brave enough to try my hand at making my own yet...I can sew, but I suck at beading.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

The Turkish style v-shaped belt was designed to allow for floor work. It is cut high over the leg to allow for a bigger range of movement.

Endless wave harem pants give the look of a skirt with the coverage of pants. Those would be my suggestions.

Built in shorts, snug lycra top, and chiffon skirt attached to the top... like this one: Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: your account I've got one of these styles in a different color and it's perfect for that sort of thing.


I also second the endless wave pants.

I have a turkish style v shaped belt, but I'm so short waisted that it rides up. Plus the long fringe on it is a nightmare of getting tangled. I think I need one that is less substantial...I definitely see how the v shape would be beneficial when doing splits! I think I need to just keep shopping until I find a belt that isn't so long (I need something that is more like 2 or 3 inches from top to bottom rather than the 4 or 5 that most belts seem to be) and isn't dripping in really long fringe.

I didn't think about endless wave harems! Duh! I'm definitely gonna check those out!

Thanks for the suggestions ladies!

Lesedi: I clicked the link but it took me to a log in page? Would love to see the costume you are talking about!

skinny belts with full skirts are good, like pharoanics paisley passion, I've seen Samira very elegantly incorporate splits in this style costume.

Agree with what's been posted, smaller belts with shorter fringe and full skits with harem and pants and matching boy shorts underneath.

I'm having a hard time finding smaller belts with shorter fringe. Other than having something custom designed for me, can anyone point me in the direction of a shop selling anything that fits the bill?

I think I'm ultimately going to wind up having something custom made for me (suggestions of fabulous designers who won't bleed my bank account dry are extremely welcome!) but if there is something already on the market fitting the bill, I'd like to at least take a look! Seems like big belts with long fringe are just in style at the moment :(

You could check Dahlal, Like Shems said, some of the Pharonics costumes have smaller belts and shorter fringe.

Eshta, here on Bhuz, does beautiful work.

You can also post on the In Search Of forum to see what might be out there.

Originally Posted by safiradokos

Lesedi: I clicked the link but it took me to a log in page? Would love to see the costume you are talking about!

I'm not sure how to make the link work, but it's a blue mamdouh. The top of the skirt is fitted stretchy lycra with built in shorts, and the bottom is a nice two layer full skirt with a slit.

Does this work?
Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: your account

I can see it, it's Mamdouh Salama (8308)
# 8308
Mamdouh Salama Blue
Designer/designer

Size:
Cup: C

Underbust: 30 to 40 in

High Hips: 33 to 44 in
Low Hips: 35 to 48 in

Length: 42 in

Price:
$595.00

some examples of pharoanics styles that might work for you:

at audrenas:

Audrena.com -> Paisley 2006 Belly Dance Costume #ph-78

at the belly dance store:
Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery

I kinda like to show my legs going into splits. My troupe does a sword choreography that utilizes splits and we wear a bra and belt PINNED to either a velvet straight skirt with two very high slits on the sides, or a full circle skirt with two thigh slits. The pinning is to stop the belt from riding up. When I perform solo, I like sleek modern minimalist costumes that either have one very high slit (in which case you kind of have to gather the costume across your leg) or I also have an eman with two slits and that works very well.

PS, sometimes I go from side split to a straddle or center split (and back to a side split) and I have found the best for that is the full circle and a half skirt with two thigh slits.