Thread: First bedlah

I've narrowed it down to:

This: Costume Gold 90

pro: supportive bra
con: I'm afraid the belt design will make it stick out at the top (ie a space between the skin and the top of the belt)

or

This: Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery
pro: Good belt for a curvier figure
con: will the bra give any support?

go for number one, the bra on number two looks saggy (because of the fringe placement?)

I also vote for number one, but: number two looks like it's got a sturdier bra, you would need to change the fringe placement on the bra though

Why would ya'll say that about the fringe placement. I'm not disagreeing, I just haven't got a clue.

So, the belt on number one shouldn't be a concern. I hate when a belt stands away from the low waist/ upper hip at the top.

Originally Posted by UmEnis

This: Costume Gold 90

Lila usually sells Turkish costumes, so many of the costumes come with wire edging to help shape it to your body. This one is made in Brazil, though. You could confirm with her before buying if this one has wire edging, or perhaps you could add it yourself later.

My thoughts on costume #1
Pro: From a distance, the cutouts on the belt and the raised contrast flowers add a lot of interest that you don't normally see on a student costume.
Con: The base sequin work is pretty sparse, and the fringe on the belt is way too skimpy.

This: Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery

I'm not sure this is a good belt for a curvy figure. Depending on where it sits on your hips, that sort of straight vertical line can make you look wider, where the decorative shaping on the other one might cut down on that effect. I agree with the others, though. The fringe placement on that bra reminds me of a sad clown.

My thoughts on costume #2
Pro: With a small makeover (move the bra fringe, add some silver and/or rhinestone embellishments), you could make this look like it cost at least $100 more than it did.
Con: As it stands, the belt reminds me of that stretch sequin trim that grade-school tap dancers make garters and headbands out of, and the silver half of the fringe doesn't match the rest of the costume.

I don't know how supportive either bra will be on your body, and unfortunately, neither will you until you try it on. Generally speaking, when you buy a low-end costume, you get what you pay for. That's fine if you're not interested in making a major investment, you're a beginner, you don't perform much, and so on. My main concern with both of them is that they are edging dangerously close to crossing the line into "too cheap," so anyone looking to present themselves as anything other than a beginner may be lowballing themselves with these outfits.

BTW, I actually own a basic Turkish set that I bought from Lila a few years ago (more like this one Costume Gold 21), and the quality was really quite good for the money, although her prices have gone up quite a bit since then. I haven't had any problems with insanely bad construction or bead/sequin shedding, and she was great to work with during the purchase.

hi UmEnis, the fringe on the bra cup creates an unflattering line across the bust, that's why we suggest to move it to a different position. Dina Lydia has a good book on costume design where she explains several design options for different figures. It's a great resource for every dancer, as it helps you to pick the styles that look good on your body type.

Have you considered posting your size requirements and color choice on the In Search Of forum? A gently used quality costume may be available for just a little more money than either of these.

Not that these are terrible, but as Tourbeau pointed out, they are low-end designs.

There have been some amazing deals on the Swap Meet lately. I think the best quality for the money is to be found there.

I would suggest option 2, but moving the bra fringe to a diagonal line instead of a curve. I think it would be a lot more versatile than the set with the flower accents.

Here are a couple of other options for the same basic style/price range:
Belly Dance Costume Bra and Belt Set - Color Gold Belly Dance Costumes Hip Scarves and belly Dancing accessories by Isis Exchange
Belly Dance Costume Bra and Belt Set - Color Yellow and Gold Belly Dance Costumes Hip Scarves and belly Dancing accessories by Isis Exchange

Dahlal also has some really lovely basic bedlahs at under $200. https://www.dahlal.com/default.aspx?...1&s1=1151&s2=0

I'd go with: Belly Dance Costume Bra and Belt Set - Color Yellow and Gold Belly Dance Costumes Hip Scarves and belly Dancing accessories by Isis Exchange

I actually really like this costume and can't believe it's only 99 bucks. That's an awesome price for such a classy looking basic.

I would move the fringe on the bra in #2 and go for that one. #1 looks too much like a lingerie bra covered in sequins. I think I even see lace peeking through.

or go for one of those Isis Exchange ones. I've seen those and they're nice for the money.

#2 with modifications or an Isis Exchange set. Actually, a dance friend of mine here has an Isis exchange set that has held up really well, so I would say they're a good value.

You know, since people have started mentioning Isis Exchange, I've been eyeing this: Belly Dance Costume Bra and Belt Set - Silver Belly Dance Costumes Hip Scarves and belly Dancing accessories by Isis Exchange

The price is awesome, AND it's custom made to your size, AND they have my cup size! I might have to consider that next year.

Here's an example of what's available on the Bhuz Swap Meet page: http://www.bhuz.com/forum/bellydance...n-icon-ii.html

A professional-quality costume, though not high-end, for $140. I have no idea what size you need, but check it out. Most bedlah are somewhat adjustable in size, and even something brand new will require adjustments to fit.

http://www.bhuz.com/forum/bellydance...ing-trade.html

Great price and very pretty.

Aw thanks ya'll for all your feedback.

I really like the gold isis exchange one. But this is what I just wrote to them, and this is a big concern of mine in general:

It is extremely important to me that the bra style gives extreme uplift and cleavage without creating "quad-breast". Is this bra designed for full coverage or can it be used as a cleavage style-push up style bra. I am looking for something very sensual. I often wear one or even two this purpose, but the top of the bra has to be sufficiently loose or flexible to allow for attractive overflow without cutting in.

btw: yes, I know all about proper bra-sizing, and I do have some full-coverage bras in my proper size, but this is for an effect that I'm going for here.

So taking that into consideration, now what:
this (gold isis): Belly Dance Costume Bra and Belt Set - Color Gold Belly Dance Costumes Hip Scarves and belly Dancing accessories by Isis Exchange

this (original #2): Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery

or this (on the swap meet): Sale Stuff :: 0315000023.jpg picture by MissSeline - Photobucket

my concern with this one is the v belt--I want my hips to appear wider and v belts usually so the opposite

and finally this one that I am attaching a pic of here from joharah:

Are you located somewhere near any of the major costume sellers in the US or near a festival or workshop? If you are going for a specific effect like that, it will be better for you to try on a number of different costumes. The effect will be different based on everything from depth or tilt of cups to the specific distribution of your breast tissue. A bra that gives moderate to great cleavage on one person who wears a 34D may give quad-boob to another person who wears the same size.

There are some modern costumes designed specifically to give the breasts about to escape look without the danger of it actually happening, but the structure and design work that goes into those means that they will be a lot more expensive generally. One of these styles is the "Dina" style based on the bras favored by Dina in Egypt.

You can also make and bead your own bra/belt based on a push-up bra that you like if you want total control over the design.

Aesthetically speaking, I would choose No. 1 because I just like it much better.