Thread: 25 yrd skirts

So i have been a quest to find a nice not to expensive gypsy/flying/tribal style skirt and i bought one of the 25 yrd ones off moondance and it does not go as high as i thought it would.

i would like to get one that would reach over/near my head as i am 5'7"

do i need a higher yardage? or just a different skirt idk?

any solutions?

Actually, I'm having much the same issue - skirts are too short to flare out over my head. I'm kind of tall in the torso, and short in the legs (6 foot total height), maybe it just "can't happen" for tall dancers of these proportions?

but i dont feel that tall? idk i cant get it to head height unless i arch squat and wear the skirt reallly high on the torso -.-

glad to know im not the only one having issues

If a skirt is constructed in tiers, just the hemline length alone doesn't tell you how high it will go. What you need to be able to lift the skirt all the way up to your head is a double circle, whether constructed in tiers or not. So laid flat on the floor, it should be possible to fold the skirt in two and then still be able to spread it into a full circle.
Am I making sense, I hope?
R

Originally Posted by Rosette

If a skirt is constructed in tiers, just the hemline length alone doesn't tell you how high it will go. What you need to be able to lift the skirt all the way up to your head is a double circle, whether constructed in tiers or not. So laid flat on the floor, it should be possible to fold the skirt in two and then still be able to spread it into a full circle.
Am I making sense, I hope?
R

yes that makes sense. any suggestions of where to find good but not tooooo expensive (like not 300) skirts like that?

W3bellydance.com is having a sale on her 32 yard skirts on ebay. There is a black and some tribal colored ones. She had some good colors earlier in the month...but they are about gone. 39.99 is reasonable! I have one of her Faux silk skirt, it is beautiful and light

Most of the tiered skirts I have seen (which includes the abovementioned We3 and Moondance, as well as the fluffy 25 yard skirts) are constructed with the first tier being a full circle, to minimize the bulk at the hip - and that restricts the amount of movement one has for skirtwork, as Rosette explained well. The first tier has to be full, as well. I have a tiered skirt from LRose that's much better in that respect (and silk!!!!) - alas, these are not made anymore.

Originally Posted by Rosette

If a skirt is constructed in tiers, just the hemline length alone doesn't tell you how high it will go. What you need to be able to lift the skirt all the way up to your head is a double circle, whether constructed in tiers or not. So laid flat on the floor, it should be possible to fold the skirt in two and then still be able to spread it into a full circle.
Am I making sense, I hope?
R

Yes, but on the other hand, if your hip to fingertip length (when arms are above head) is longer than your hip to floor length, it doesn't matter how many circles are in the skirt. My advice is start by taking these measurements, before chasing after fuller and fuller skirts.

If you have a proportionally long torso and long arms, you are just not going to be able to raise your skirt all the way up.

thanks everyone for all yer help :)

Originally Posted by steffib

Most of the tiered skirts I have seen (which includes the abovementioned We3 and Moondance, as well as the fluffy 25 yard skirts) are constructed with the first tier being a full circle, to minimize the bulk at the hip - and that restricts the amount of movement one has for skirtwork, as Rosette explained well.

Right, the first tier needs to be full and the overall shape of the skirt needs to be circular not A shaped or conical. Taking the idea to extremes, imagine a knee length tube like sheath skirt, with a fifty yard ruffle. Lotsa ruffle, but you'll never be able to pull that skirt up to your chest or even head due to the narrowness above the ruffle.

As for skirts from specific vendors. Last fall I bought two 25 yd skirts from Ebellyfashion, and a faux silk 30 yd skirt from We3, all from Ebay.

The We3 skirt has a conical shape, and I can not lift it to my head. The lowest tier (which makes the 30 yd hem) is really a fairly narrow ruffle. The other two skirts are full and fluffy enough to easily reach over my head.

I'm also very happy with my custom pink and black 25 yd skirt from India Bazaar. The fabric is really nice, softer and heavier than the skirts from Ebay.

Originally Posted by ssipes

Yes, but on the other hand, if your hip to fingertip length (when arms are above head) is longer than your hip to floor length, it doesn't matter how many circles are in the skirt. My advice is start by taking these measurements, before chasing after fuller and fuller skirts.

If you have a proportionally long torso and long arms, you are just not going to be able to raise your skirt all the way up.

That makes sense. Unfortunately. ..c::

I clicked on this thread thinking that you were selling off all your dancing skirts that you'd accumulated over 25 years as a dancer. Needless to say, I am sadly disappointed...cr.:

Originally Posted by da Sage

I clicked on this thread thinking that you were selling off all your dancing skirts that you'd accumulated over 25 years as a dancer. Needless to say, I am sadly disappointed...cr.:

hahaha I wish!!! im just trying to find one good one that i like with no luck...so if i can find that one then ill be selling my moondance one hah