Thread: Need something new but...*sigh* so tired and uninspired...WWBD

Oh, can you feel the melodramatic dancerly ennui?

So...I'm at this point where...I'm just tired of everything in my closet. Bored bored bored. Been staring at so many of these things for too long.

On the other hand, my last several costume purchase attempts have been partial to complete busts. They've primarily been online purchases (either through websites or through Bhuz) so I've not been able to try them on in advance. Unfortunately, it turns out...I have really odd proportions. Like...the kind of proportions that when something looks right it looks damned good, but when it's off, it's usually NOT just a matter of moving hooks and straps or adding elastic--it just doesn't look right because my *proportions* are atypical and no amount of alteration is going to change the fact that certain parts of me don't fall where the line of the costume expects them to. (Seriously--those ladies here who know me well can attest--I really *do* have a couple of very freakish proportions that can make finding just the righ costume a real challenge.) So...I either have to turn around and try to sell right away (not necessarily a quick process for a petite gal in the current market), or try to alter and wear a costume that isn't that great a fit. *sigh* In the meantime, my money's tied up in them, and not free to buy other things. *sigh*

But then again...golly...I'm just not that excited about many of the costumes I've seen lately from the various designers. Is that horrible? I mean... they're all kind of starting to...I don't know...look the same to me a little bit.

What is happening to me??? After so many years, have developed a sequin disability? A shopping impairment? (Well, I mean other than my wallet which *is* a looking a tad anorexic....) Is it possible my fashion and makeup sensibilities have been dulled by repeated and prolonged exposure to bright and reflective excesses resulting in a certain level of exhaustion? Is there hope for someone like me? Some kind of institute where people like me can turn for help? Is there something being done to raise awareness of bead-lust fatigue among our nation's dance professionals?

Has anyone else ever experienced this? Any thoughts/recommendations?

Your responses (serious or most remarkably silly) are most welcome. ...I've had a fair amount of caffeine today.

i totally understand. ime, prolonged exposure to amazing costuming can lead to uber-selectiveness. inthe beginning any sparkly is exciting, but we develop more selective taste and become more aware of what's most flattering on us and what's the best costuming choices for the venues where we perform regularly.

don't stress. its much better to have a few unique, fabulous costumes than a horde of mediocrity. the right ones will come to you...or have them made. have you contacted halla? she can make anyone's costume dreams come true Hallah Moustafa - Custom Costumes for Belly Dancers & more.

Oh, I think we all get to a point where we think "if I see one more Great Loop, I'm gonna puke." It's so easy to see and purchase costumes online, that it has become hard to find unique special items. I recommend learning how to make your own stuff. That way, it'll fit properly and be a one of a kind unique item. If you don't think you want to learn to do that, comission someone near you (or at least here in the US) to make something for you. Eshta makes beautiful costumes and takes custom orders. She doesn't have thousands of each of her designs floating around so they are unique. The same could be said for many other designers here in the US. But seriously, consider learning how to make your own stuff. It can be time consuming, but so rewarding.

i agree with shahla that it would be fun to make a costume of your own or have one made for you. It's a lot of fun to make your own costume cause you get complete creative license. the downside is that it is super labor intensive and time consuming. an easier thing to do is to take a really simple bedlah costume and vamp it up yourself too. less work but still creative.

also you could possibly look over your old costumes and see how you can change it up. this is super easy to do with a bra belt combo cause you can change the skirt. maybe add some feathers to your existing costumes or a boa around the edge of the skirt, or some fabric flowers in strategic places.

we tend to buy things that we like (duh!) and it usually ends up being a lot of the same. Step out of your costume comfort zone. If you usually wear long flowy skirts, try a knee length slinky skirt costume. if you avoid drapey sleeves, make some. if you tend to go for the standard colors, go for a crazy exotic print that you might not look at immediately.

but believe me, i understand the costume rut. i am totally stuck in it cause of my limited budget.....grrrrrrrrrrr.....

Originally Posted by shahla

But seriously, consider learning how to make your own stuff. It can be time consuming, but so rewarding.

I always hold out great fantasies of doing this but...to be perfectly honest...the issue isn't really learning *how*--construction, beading, designare things I've known how to do for 20+ years. But at this point...well...I run a dance school with multiple locations & teachers, a dance troupe (with a heavy event schedule--esp. this coming summer), I travel to teach workshops & other things, and I perform every week...add all the desk work, choreography, research etc.... plus I'm back in school, I occasionally pick up a writing gig to help financially...oh and my husband/family wants to see me occasionally ,r:;

So... I *could* make a costume...but if I do it alone, by the time I have anything truly stage worthy, it'll probably be 2020. ..l;, So, yeah, sadly--I think given that I *do* actually need a fair number of costumes in rotation, I probably am generally stuck paying for someone else's work at this point. ..g.:

I *am* looking at trying to have a local seamstress/designer work with me on a design I've drawn up--she's done alterations for me, so she's very aware of some of my weird proportions--and I'll probably do some of the detail work on that costume myself, but I'll have to see how it goes. If it goes well and we can make it happen in a semi timely manner, maybe I'll go for a second....

Thanks for the info on Hallah--I'll take a look and check that out too!

thats why i started making costumes int the first place. i am very petitte but with curves so nothing would fit right. i love high end bellas and etc.. but alas not enough mula to have a closet full so i practiced practiced practiced and make amazing costumes no one woul ever think were hand done. if you hate sewing and are pettite then lets swap sometime lol!

Originally Posted by aamel_MirahAmmal

I always hold out great fantasies of doing this but...to be perfectly honest...the issue isn't really learning *how*--construction, beading, designare things I've known how to do for 20+ years. But at this point...well...I run a dance school with multiple locations & teachers, a dance troupe (with a heavy event schedule--esp. this coming summer), I travel to teach workshops & other things, and I perform every week...add all the desk work, choreography, research etc.... plus I'm back in school, I occasionally pick up a writing gig to help financially...oh and my husband/family wants to see me occasionally ,r:;

So... I *could* make a costume...but if I do it alone, by the time I have anything truly stage worthy, it'll probably be 2020. ..l;, So, yeah, sadly--I think given that I *do* actually need a fair number of costumes in rotation, I probably am generally stuck paying for someone else's work at this point. ..g.:

I *am* looking at trying to have a local seamstress/designer work with me on a design I've drawn up--she's done alterations for me, so she's very aware of some of my weird proportions--and I'll probably do some of the detail work on that costume myself, but I'll have to see how it goes. If it goes well and we can make it happen in a semi timely manner, maybe I'll go for a second....

Thanks for the info on Hallah--I'll take a look and check that out too!

Another option would be for your to make the base of your costume yourself and then hand it over to someone else to do the beading. That way you still get the fit you want and save time on the beading. You'll definitely need to be on the same page in terms of design with your beader, but it could work.

Originally Posted by shahla

"if I see one more Great Loop, I'm gonna puke." .

i have several students with a great loop as their first costume, and i'm really happy they choose something so nice and classy.

i understand pro's sometimes getting in a costuming rut, but i dont mind that there are designers mass producing quality stuff. and it's the dance that counts, at the end of the day

if you are looking for something new, i can recomend alll the israeli designers: asi haskal, majaan (brighton orient) and oranit.

Originally Posted by artemisia_danst

i have several students with a great loop as their first costume, and i'm really happy they choose something so nice and classy.

i understand pro's sometimes getting in a costuming rut, but i dont mind that there are designers mass producing quality stuff. and it's the dance that counts, at the end of the day

I meant no disrespect regarding the GL. In fact, I have owned 4 of them.