Thread: Thoughts on Sahars?

So I happened to drop by a certain BD store the other night with some friends to try on a few costumes. Amazingly, I managed not to walk out with something in hand or on hold.

I did though, try on a basic Sahar in a wild print, floating bra cups, slit up to the wazoo, spare as spare can be. You know, for fun and laughs. But damn-it, I can't stop thinking about this costume! The skirt shape, the bra...I had cleavage in a way I never thought I would have cleavage. Part of me thinks oooooooooooh sexxxy and the other part of me thinks a) it's a lot of money for a little bit of costume (not to mention pretty basic indeed, although the print makes up for bling and beading, for the most part) and b) would I be perceived as too much, too sexy, in this costume? Where could I wear this?

Sahar owners, non Sahar owners, your thoughts?

I've been wondering the same thing... going to hang around for this thread!

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That's my sahar basic, it's amazing.

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and this is it in performance (I added a metal belt that I love)

It's the lightest, most versatile, and easiest to wear costume that I own. The bra is a miracle, the most comfortable and secure one I've worn.

At the time of these photos I was a D cup, there was no need for padding, no taking in, no messing around and I had no costuming issues at any time that I've worn it, either in performance or for photo shoots.

I've since bought a body necklace that looks amazing just over the costume, and adds more than enough bling.

Yes, it's plain, but the fit and the comfort make up for it.

Tanya LV is looking at one at the bellydancestore that literally made me catch my breath when I saw it.

If I wasn't such a costume ho and didn't like variety so much, I'd wear only Sahar's.

Well, and Bella's.

I do not own a Sahar.

In my opinion, most Sahars do not give the GP what they want with regards to a "real" belly dance costume. My audiences are usually American, perhaps the ME crowd would feel differently.

I do love how they look, though.

But there is such thing as too bare. Do you want people amazed that your costume stays on, or by your dancing? I have found myself watching costumes instead of performances, before.

My thought is that Sahars are better for a BD crowd.

This thread seems familiar...http://www.bhuz.com/forum/belly-danc...you-think.html

Originally Posted by SandraDances

I do not own a Sahar.

In my opinion, most Sahars do not give the GP what they want with regards to a "real" belly dance costume. My audiences are usually American, perhaps the ME crowd would feel differently.

I do love how they look, though.

But there is such thing as too bare. Do you want people amazed that your costume stays on, or by your dancing? I have found myself watching costumes instead of performances, before.

My thought is that Sahars are better for a BD crowd.

Agree 100% with this. I think they are pretty (not worth the major price tag, IMO, but then again I've never tried one on). But if I showed up wearing one to 99% of my gigs, the clients would be mega-confused. They expect fringe and bling and things that jingle when I shimmy. That's what says "bellydancer" in their mind.

I love love love my Sahar basic. But it is *very* skimpy and sexy and probably not family or restaurant friendly! I'd have to be careful of the moves I performed in it also as the slit is mega high. That was my choice though, Sahar was happy to work with me to make it less revealing if required.

I currently have two Sahars now after being a Bella-only girl (an upscale one and a floating bra basic). Bella's bras fit me SO well, and her skirts make me feel like a princess. I thought I'd always be a Bella-only dancer! Then I met a Sahar, and I was instantly in love. The Sahars are SO sleek and make me feel like a vixen (but still princessy). Her skirts are VERY flattering, especially for spandex (which I never was a fan of), and quite forgiving of slightly fluffier backsides and thighs. I will say the bra on the more expensive costume is a bit awkward on me; I simply CANNOT stop it from gapping no matter what I do, though this doesn't happen at all on my floating bra. I ended up finding some fabric in the exact same color and created a sort of flap/filler in the cup so no one can see right into my bra while I dance. I never have this problem with Bellas, but it wasn't a difficult fix, so it's forgivable. The slit in the skirts is an easy fix, too: I just took a sew-on Swarovski and sewed the edge of each side of the skirt to the crystal near the top of the skirt so its fastened in place at a lower point. It doesn't fly up anymore.

I actually wish Sahar made MORE basic costumes like the floating bra. I got one just for the purpose of adding my own decorations on it. Now I LOVE it! I added some flowers, a few rows of crystal chain, some swarovskis, and I'm contemplating a few feathers in the near future:

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(I hope you can see the pic without necessarily having to be my friend on Facebook, though this might be a sneaky way for me to acquire more friends on there!)

I've had nothing but compliments on the Sahars when I wear them in restaurants, too. I don't dance for the GP as much as I dance for Persians and Arabs, though. Maybe they expect a little more skin ;-)

I also currently have two Sahars, a floating bra basic one (turqoise) and a silver mirror one. Love love both of them, but would wear them mostly at BD events.

I have one...and another one on the way;). The one I have was one of the pricier ones originally, but I picked it up at less than half its original cost here on Bhuz. I feel very sexy and classy in it. That's the thing with Sahars-they show some skin, but in a very sensual and classy way. The one that is on the way is an upgraded basic-and it cost about what I paid for my other very blingy Sahar-so we will see if I like it as much. I think I might jazz it up a little more, too.

I think Sahars are beautiful when they're not complicated. I hate feathers and stuff like the colourful balls you'd hang on a christmas tree. They look like they're really tailored well for the body, classy, simple. It's also good to have a lot of fresh air on your body bc of the sweating, I often don't wear sleeves because of the extra breathing skin.
But I agree they're not so much for bellydance gigs. We're into bellydance so much that we can appreciate, but regular clients usually aren't. Naked belly and cleavage are way enough.

Aw Kina, your picture links aren't working! Summer Sahar, I love your decorations that you added to your Sahar. Beautiful picture. I really like how you created the drapes on the bra and on the slits...might have to steal that idea!

I'm not so much worried about the fit--the costume fit really nicely off the rack and was certainly comfy and light. The sahars that are shaped like a regular bra (vs. floating halter) feel more uncomfortable to me since they tend to be stiff and wide in the front for my ribcage. But the perception of the fit. And perception of the dancer.

I agree that this isn't a surprise Uncle Joe on his 60th b-day kind of costume. But I wasn't sure how Middle Eastern or other ethnic audiences perceive these costumes either.

I'm thinking that if I do buy a sahar, I would make it so that audiences weren't wondering whether I was wearing anything underneath--the particular costume I tried on had an open rhinestone circle so the skirt doesn't even close all the way! by sewing the skirt farther down the skirt would lose some of the swing (I think the ones that have the brooch at the top don't have this issue as much since the skirt meets completely), so I think I would replace the open rhinestone circle with something else, and invest in some boyshorts to bling up or sew in a modesty panel.

I like how most of them look when the dancer is posing. Never having worn one, I have no idea how I'd dance in one ( I'm kind of a crazy dancer, given the space).

I don't think they'd work for the restaurant gig that I have for some the reasons other dancers have given, so that's just me. In fact, I am fixing a pretty, fringey silver bedleh that I will rock out with a floaty chiffon skirt tomorrow...a look I havent done in quite a while!

Originally Posted by amiraofannapolis

I agree that this isn't a surprise Uncle Joe on his 60th b-day kind of costume. But I wasn't sure how Middle Eastern or other ethnic audiences perceive these costumes either.
I'm thinking that if I do buy a sahar, I would make it so that audiences weren't wondering whether I was wearing anything underneath--the particular costume I tried on had an open rhinestone circle so the skirt doesn't even close all the way! by sewing the skirt farther down the skirt would lose some of the swing (I think the ones that have the brooch at the top don't have this issue as much since the skirt meets completely), so I think I would replace the open rhinestone circle with something else, and invest in some boyshorts to bling up or sew in a modesty panel.

I've gotten positive response from Arabs and Turks with Sahars. I wasn't really comfortable in the floating bra costume for myself, even though it is amazing.
The basic Sahar with the Star, I changed and put in three smaller stars, that closed it up a little, without losing swing. I also bought matching boy shorts, as well as nude fabric. I cut the boyshorts where the skirt opening is in the front and put in little strips of nude going across behind the stars in place of the strip of blue that I had cut out. This left it nude where it was meant to be nude, but obviously costume colored in all other places underneath. ..g.:

I like Sahars very much, like Bellas...because they are very different styles. The Sahar-bras very comfortable and save and make a marvellous decolte. And the bras will fit a wide range with or without padding. But for me the neckholder to short, so I have close it with some strong elastic between.
Some of the Sahars also possible for normal birthdays with children, althrough the most people will have costumes with a lot fringe. But with two or three shows at the evening it's nice to wear one Sahar....this will give an interesting mixture.
And it ist everytime possible to close the skirts more....

If I ever get a nice basic sahar, I'd probably get nervous about the slit put a chiffon modesty panel in the opening! lol.

Have any of you sahar owners tried that already? Did it turn out well?

I was looking at side-by-side pics of a Pharaonics, a Bella, and a Sahar. Next to the other two, the Sahar looked cheap, tacky, and like it was trying to hard to be sexy. Maybe it was just this particular Sahar, but I agree with SandraDances' post above.

I tried on Kina's Sahar basic once and I've never forgotten it either. I felt like some kind of warrior princess from the cover of a fantasy novel.

But I don't see it working realistically into the kind of places that I dance. For me, a full-skirted pharaonics and a belt with fringe is where it's at, I've finally figured that out.

Years ago many belly dancers here also worked as strippers. We have fought long and hard for respect and to raise belly dance to a family-friendly level. In our area floating bras would probably be perceived as a step in the opposite direction.

Wouldn't life be boring if everyone had the same opinions and wore the same garments?

Originally Posted by Nepenthe

I tried on Kina's Sahar basic once and I've never forgotten it either. I felt like some kind of warrior princess from the cover of a fantasy novel.

But I don't see it working realistically into the kind of places that I dance. For me, a full-skirted pharaonics and a belt with fringe is where it's at, I've finally figured that out.

and you looked amazing in it ,r:;

I was in Kairo two weeks ago by Sahar Okasha. Her basics are changed a little bit from bra and it`s more save...I like it soooo much! And she made my dream-Sahar in only two days!

I have to ask...can you explain to me about the front - is there a clear see through strap or is it moulded wire?

Theese are two thin straps like for fishing

Wow, those new floating bras are even more naked than before!! i think this takes the costume completely out of the realm of "suitable for gigs" now! The cups almost look like pasties.

Honestly, they really don't, if they're the right size and proportions. I'm pretty conservative in my own costuming so didn't think I'd love the Sahar cut up close, but I saw a couple of these on a friend yesterday and WOW! She looked sexy but not at all scandalous, with no worries of anything popping out or falling off. Kina's also looks gorgeous and in no way indecent. The right fit makes all the difference.

PS: I hope my friend will post pics. :)

Originally Posted by Suzana

Honestly, they really don't, if they're the right size and proportions. I'm pretty conservative in my own costuming so didn't think I'd love the Sahar cut up close, but I saw a couple of these on a friend yesterday and WOW! She looked sexy but not at all scandalous, with no worries of anything popping out or falling off. Kina's also looks gorgeous and in no way indecent. The right fit makes all the difference.

Seconded. I'd wear mine in front of my kids, which I'm more protective of than anyone else's.

I find the new Bella bras with all the cutouts too much even for me to wear, and I'm not known for my modesty. I think spangled boobs look like, well, spangled boobs. (I love Bella, I love Bella, I love Bella, and this is NOT a dis at anyone who wears them, just an observation)

The Sahar bra's are constructed in such a way that they are a miracle of engineering. I'm safer in my Sahar than in any of my other costumes (I've HAD malfunctions in those, never in the Sahar).

oh, and thanks Suzana!

Originally Posted by Suzana

Honestly, they really don't, if they're the right size and proportions.

Thirded

Also the genius of Sahar's floating cups with the two strips of plastic wire stuff (as opposed to Eman etc's sheet plastic and of course all other bra types) is that the cups are free to angle themselves to your actual body rather than you trying to stuff your boobs in a solid front panel/attached cups.

Not the clearest but you get an idea . . I think mine are correctly proportioned for me here, although my boobs have disappeared slightly in the pose

Saqarah - London's Monthly Belly Dance Hafla - Saqarah 20th March 2010 Photos - Saqarah 20th March 2010 Photos

Z

Just lovely! Wow.

Originally Posted by zafirah

Thirded

Also the genius of Sahar's floating cups with the two strips of plastic wire stuff (as opposed to Eman etc's sheet plastic and of course all other bra types) is that the cups are free to angle themselves to your actual body rather than you trying to stuff your boobs in a solid front panel/attached cups.

Not the clearest but you get an idea . . I think mine are correctly proportioned for me here, although my boobs have disappeared slightly in the pose

Saqarah - London's Monthly Belly Dance Hafla - Saqarah 20th March 2010 Photos - Saqarah 20th March 2010 Photos

Z

wow, you look stunning!