Thread: Show me your dresses!

I discovered a burnout stretch velvet slip dress in my craft stash and realized that it could be perfect if transitioned into a costume.

Since parts of it are sheer I think I might put it over some nude fabric and make a naked dress, but I need some ideas. Not sure about where I might put cut outs, what sort of shape the skirt portion will be, and what kinds of bling I'm going to add.

So show me pix of your hottest, blingiest dresses and help rouse some inspiration!

I've been wanting to make something similar to this with some maroon, lace fabric I have.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkJvqZtKdlQ]YouTube - Ansak by Orit[/ame]

Burgundy and gold Eman Zaki.

ETA: I found some better pictures.

Originally Posted by NancyAsiya

I've been wanting to make something similar to this with some maroon, lace fabric I have.

YouTube - Ansak by Orit

Pretty, and that looks like the most comfortable costume ever, like dancing in a leotard with a built-in skirt.

Here are a few. . .







http://www.tahirabellydancer.com/yah....127195401.JPG

Last one is a link as the image is HUGE!

Here's an earlier thread with lots of pretty dresses: http://www.bhuz.com/forum/belly-danc...e-designs.html

Enjoy!

B

Thanks Barbara! I completely missed that when I was searching!

I got this one back in January. I haven't decided if I really like the bare ribcage part or not.

Ari, LOVE the bare ribcage! This dress looks awesome on you :) I like the assymetry.

Originally Posted by Ari

I got this one back in January. I haven't decided if I really like the bare ribcage part or not.

This is beautiful! It looks really good on you too, buuuuuuuuuuuuut if you decide you hate it and want to sell let me know.....l;,

Originally Posted by Ari

I got this one back in January. I haven't decided if I really like the bare ribcage part or not.

I'm not one for asymmetry, being a very symmetrical kind of guy myself - but this looks GREAT on you, it really works! Keep it and enjoy it!

This is a conversation of a kind I thought I'd never be able to share in. As most here know, I'm a champion of the so-called men-in-skirts 'movement'; and even wear a skirt on occasion when performing BD, mostly in troupe situations - especially if the troupe in question is performing a skirt dance. Kinda hard to do skirtwork without a skirt!

However, dresses are another story. Dresses almost always end up looking ridiculous on a guy because they're made for women with differing body proportions and anatomy then us guys have. However, I actually now have a dress that I wear when I perform with Troupe Damascus - and because it was made for me with MY body proportions, and my male chest, it ends up looking good (if I say so myself), I've received a LOT of complements on it:



I have to say that it is the MOST comfortable thing I've ever worn, and it turns like a dream what with the 2 underskirts that go with it. Troupe Damascus USED to be called "Daughters of Damascus", but the troupe leader felt this sudden need to change the name right after I joined - I can't imagine why...

Zorba that dress looks great!Love the little triangles.

Love it Zorba! Thanks for posting!

I'm also making a dress right now, so I'll keep my eye on this topic!

I'm loving these dresses, ladies! (and gentlemen!)

I think the most difficult thing about belly dance dresses is that they're all about an inch or so in every direction from being unflattering. We've all seen the ones with ENORMOUS, strangely placed mesh cut-outs, awkward seams, giant sequin appliques covering various naughty bits, etc.

It was quite a task trying to find a belly dance dress that was flattering, but I hit costuming gold when I found my white dress at exoticbellydance.com for a steal of a price. Here it is, in all its glory!:






I think that by far, the most important design aspect in making this dress flattering is the princess seams. I had never seen a belly dance dress with princess seams before, but they really do make a difference in the flattering fit (plus, it doesn't create this sort of large "band of lycra" that stretches across your tummy like many dresses do, creating bulges where there were none before!)

I wish you brave, brave dress makers the very best of luck with your costuming endeavors! You are far braver than I!

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

Here are a few. . .

I love this dress Tahira!!!!

Where is it from?

Originally Posted by gisela

Burgundy and gold Eman Zaki.

ETA: I found some better pictures.

I love this! And it looks so good on you too!

Originally Posted by PassionWarfare

I'm loving these dresses, ladies! (and gentlemen!)

I think the most difficult thing about belly dance dresses is that they're all about an inch or so in every direction from being unflattering. We've all seen the ones with ENORMOUS, strangely placed mesh cut-outs, awkward seams, giant sequin appliques covering various naughty bits, etc.

It was quite a task trying to find a belly dance dress that was flattering, but I hit costuming gold when I found my white dress at exoticbellydance.com for a steal of a price. Here it is, in all its glory!:






I think that by far, the most important design aspect in making this dress flattering is the princess seams. I had never seen a belly dance dress with princess seams before, but they really do make a difference in the flattering fit (plus, it doesn't create this sort of large "band of lycra" that stretches across your tummy like many dresses do, creating bulges where there were none before!)

I wish you brave, brave dress makers the very best of luck with your costuming endeavors! You are far braver than I!

lovely!

Originally Posted by gisela

I love this dress Tahira!!!!

Where is it from?

Thank you!

I bought it 4 years ago. It was an e-bay purchase so I have no idea where the original buyer got it. But, I did see it on Dahlal in green about a year ago!

{{{HUGS}}}

Thanks Tahira. It is really lovely!

And thank you for the compliment Coffeegoddess.

Originally Posted by PassionWarfare

I think that by far, the most important design aspect in making this dress flattering is the princess seams.

This looks really spectacular with the silver Isis wings!

Now someone tell this clueless male what in tarnation a 'princess seam' is...

Originally Posted by Ari

I got this one back in January. I haven't decided if I really like the bare ribcage part or not.

The bare ribcage definitely adds just the right hint of sassiness!

Zorba -
Princess seams are usually two sets of seams which go down the body, two in front, two in back, one on either side of center. They are generally contoured to help fit the curves.

{{{HUGS}}}

[*Zorba scrolls up to examine the closeup of PW's dress*]

Ok, got it. My dress has those kind of seams in the front, but a single center one in back. I never thought to ask the seamstress the why of it...

Thanx for the edjutimacation!

This is going to be the top part of my dress:



It doesn't have the right seams yet, because this is a version I pinned together to get an idea. The backside is nearly finished (I really got to stop being lazy!)

Oh and the weird things you see near the beads, the keys etc are going to go of course haha

Originally Posted by PassionWarfare

I'm loving these dresses, ladies! (and gentlemen!)

I think the most difficult thing about belly dance dresses is that they're all about an inch or so in every direction from being unflattering. We've all seen the ones with ENORMOUS, strangely placed mesh cut-outs, awkward seams, giant sequin appliques covering various naughty bits, etc.

It was quite a task trying to find a belly dance dress that was flattering, but I hit costuming gold when I found my white dress at exoticbellydance.com for a steal of a price. Here it is, in all its glory!:






I think that by far, the most important design aspect in making this dress flattering is the princess seams. I had never seen a belly dance dress with princess seams before, but they really do make a difference in the flattering fit (plus, it doesn't create this sort of large "band of lycra" that stretches across your tummy like many dresses do, creating bulges where there were none before!)

I wish you brave, brave dress makers the very best of luck with your costuming endeavors! You are far braver than I!

WOW! Who says that fair skin girls can't wear white?

So lovely. You look like a mermaid princess! ..g.:

Qamar

Thank you, Ezma, Qamar, and Zorba! Ya'll are too sweet! (Pardon my Southern-ness!)

Zorba--believe me, honey, I still have much to learn when it comes to sewing and sewing terms! I guess "Princess seam" is a term kind of like "Sweetheart neckline." It's kind of frilly and feminine sounding, and if you know what it is, you can spot it instantly when you go to stores in the mall. HOWEVER, if you don't know what it is, the name really doesn't give you many clues to help you out! MAJOR props on being an awesome and brave belly dancing guy, btw! There are nowhere NEAR enough guy belly dancers out there!

Qamar- darling, I think that the only thing this costume is lacking is a stunning silver headdress! ;) thank you for the sweet words! I have long admired and envied your most excellent costuming skillz!

Personally, I think more super-pale, borderline-albino gals should wear white. It almost makes us look tan! ;)

Originally Posted by PassionWarfare

Personally, I think more super-pale, borderline-albino gals should wear white. It almost makes us look tan! ;)

..l;,..l;,..l;,