Thread: Ouled Nail Costuming*Photo added*

Yikes! I need to put together an Ouled Nail costume in not much time. Has anyone done this? It seems there is usually a white under-chemise with wide sleeves, and maybe a sparkly overdress and a headpiece. Does anyone know of resources on-line about putting together this style of costume?

My knee jerk reaction is to get a Kameez which has heavy ethnic embroidery / fabric piecing and add a voluminous skirt and pantaloons under it. Then take the dupatte or another scarf and wrap it high around your middle like a sash. You will get the feeling without having to go find an authentic Algerian shirt.

Then it's all about the head dress.

Let us know your results! Good luck.

{{{HUGS}}}

My knee-jerk reaction is to go find Helen's recommendations on tribe:
Ouled Nail - BCA - Bellydancer Costuming Anonymous - tribe.net. I would also look at the following picture on Tribe:
The Muse - tribe.net

Ooh, I like that photo. Very nice. That is inspiring, thanks.

MOOR BERBER GIRLFRIENDS OULED NAIL TRIBAL DANCERS PHOTO - eBay (item 280509628002 end time Jun-18-10 18:12:25 PDT)

They have alot of coinage attached to the costume aswell. I used cheap broken coin belts and necklaces. Stuck one to the head-dress (which was built on top of an icecream container) and attached the others to the front of my blouse.
And they have a cape that comes from the back and is pinned just in front of the shoulders on each side.

Would love to see the pics when you're done.

One night I spent a few hours getting these through a google search.

I have nothing helpful to add, just OMG those are beautiful pictures!

Originally Posted by bintbeled

MOOR BERBER GIRLFRIENDS OULED NAIL TRIBAL DANCERS PHOTO - eBay (item 280509628002 end time Jun-18-10 18:12:25 PDT)

I love this! I bought it. Thanks for the link.

I recently ran an item in our association's magazine on Etienne Dinet. Living in Algeria he painted wonderful scenes including studies of the Oulaid Nail. Brilliant resource ..in colour.
He was an orientalist painter but one who was a champion for the country of his study and its' people and converted to Islam.




plenty more on a google search

Here's a photo taken of me today relaxing between sets:



I made it out of stuff that I mostly had on hand. Thanks to everyone for their input. I had the orange dress but it was too bright, I used the Rit Color Remover stuff on it to get the color I liked. I made the headpiece with coins and bits of jewelry that I had. I found the feathers at a fly fishing store. The blue veil came from the Bhuz swap meet and the white sleeves were made out of a thrift-store tablecloth. I found the faux amber necklace (the beads are wooden) at a thrift store also.

It was fun to wear and I got tons of compliments and a few people wanted to know what country I was from (they didn't think I was American). It was a multi-cultural festival. It was a lovely day. I really enjoyed doing the dance, too.

Thanks to everyone on Bhuz who posted pictures, sent me pictures, and gave advice!

That looks excellent. Very impressive.

Looks great!

{{{HUGS}}}

wow looks great !!! and so beautifull !!!

Dunyah, you look great!

Costuming success!

Thanks for the compliments, everyone. I really loved performing the dance with TWO zurnas and a drummer. Trancey!

LOVE the costume and you look FABULOUS!!!

pepper is the one to ask !

Wow! That turned out great!

You did a nice job! I like your costume.

Wonderful. You look brilliant.

Originally Posted by dunyah

Wow! I am speechless!

I know this thread is a bit "older", but I have to say - awesome job!
Back in the 80's, my teacher was fascinated by the Ouled Nail; I am grateful for the the great info she incorporated into our Bellydance training.
When I imagined replicating the costume, that seemed daunting - and - you have done it!

wow! love what you came up with! now I kinda want one like that... :)

Originally Posted by LiesaB.

I know this thread is a bit "older", but I have to say - awesome job!
Back in the 80's, my teacher was fascinated by the Ouled Nail; I am grateful for the the great info she incorporated into our Bellydance training.
When I imagined replicating the costume, that seemed daunting - and - you have done it!

Thanks. It actually came together pretty easily, I had so much suitable stuff on hand from years of accumulating dance-related things, plus some lucky finds at the local thrift stores and the discovery of the feathers at the fly-fishing shop. It was kind of magical the way it happened.

I've performed the dance three times now, with good response. It's really fun to do, and definitely something different for the shows.

would love to see video!!

That really is fantastic! Lovely job!