Thread: How many costumes do you have, admit to or even need!

After dancing for years as a costume minimalist without even a coin belt, I finally got a better job and went nuts in the costume department. My over-the-top mind has this vision of a closet with complete rainbows of costumes, perhaps even a pastel rainbow, a jeweltone rainbow, neutral tones. I have a friend who has danced for years in one costume (other than troupe dances) while I envision a costume for each choreography, even those I haven't started. Obviously some dancers need costume turnover, but for those who don't....You get the picture... I would LOVE to hear your tales of addiction, lust, and even better judgement. Do you rotate or cling to them for life. How high is your project pile? How low did you go?

Blame it on the economy, or maybe I'm becoming wiser as the years go by, but I've actually learned to pare down my collection to only the costumes I really love. I used to have an entire closet full of stuff I never wore - either it didn't fit, wasn't the right shade, or otherwise didn't make me feel like a million bucks. Now, I have about 7 viable pieces. Each one is unique and special.

So far, I have:

Black-and-turquoise vintage fringemonster
Dark green snakeskin Bella
Teal mermaid-themed Bella
Royal purple Bella with teal accents and feathers
Hot pink/orange/green "samba" Bella (needs to get hemmed)
Emerald green vintage fringemonster (ALMOST done!)
Lavender-and-pink Legend
Green zebra galabeya

Of course, when I get a job again, I'd love to fill my closet with every color of the rainbow so when a bride asks me to match the color of her bridesmaids' dresses, I can say "But of course!" ..l;,

For now, though, I'm content. This is a good rotation for me, since I only do private gigs. And I wouldn't trade my costumes for anything in the world!

I have quite a few and considering that I only perform about once a month and gig less than that, that's probably too many...

So I have a...
gold Great Loop (basic)
purple and pink sleek lycra (modern)
green velvet lycra (modern)
orange Venus/Goddess M'aat (classic)
purple homemade (fusionesque)
brand-new-to-me Butterfly (classic/basic)
gold and blue bedlah (in the works)
silver bedlah (on order)

The only things I am missing are an Oriental dress and a beledi dress. I ordered an Oriental dress from Hanan, but I doubt I will ever get it. :( I plan on getting a beledi dress from L rose at some point, or maybe buying one from the Belly Dance Store.

So yeah, that's 6 ready-to-wear and 2 in the works.

i dont think i even want to admit to how many i have but it's a lot less than what i used to own. i perform at an average of 3-4 times a month

my ultimate goal is to get rid of a few more but it's hard to determine what should go and shouldn't since i only buy stuff that i think would flatter me

I have probably more than I need for someone who gigs and performs as much as I do. Although I was happy to have the variety for an extra busy summer. I no longer buy a costume without selling another one to make room for it. I have:

royal blue/silver bedlah with L. Rose trumpet skirt
brown/gold bedlah with L. Rose trumpet skirt
olive/burgundy Eshta Amar
very unique red/black Marta the Legend
royal blue/mint green Pharonics
yellow Egyptian set with candy colored beads
red/pink Egyptian set (just finished alterations today)
nude tropical-themed Egyptian set (still needing alterations)
striped bra/galabeya set
purple Meleya Leff dress

I tend to buy more no-name, lower cost costumes and the occasional used costume. My Pharonics is the only high end designer costume I've ever bought new, and is the only one I've paid more than $550 for. Most costumes I buy are in the $200 - $400 range.

I have 10 costumes, but only 5 fit.

Here's the list. I go for quality, not quantity. I use all of these; I can fit nearly every occasion or color scheme with these.

*lavender/purple bra & belt, with three skirt/accessory choices

*turquoise bra & belt, with two skirt/accessory choices (one full skirt, one mermaid)

*red great loop, with one skirt (my absolute default, can't go wrong choice)

*gold no-belt lycra Egyptian style

*animal print vintage Phaoranics (gold, black, silver)

*almost done: 70's inspired silver coin-ey cabaret bra & belt with both pant and skirt options.

(I also have--but am not counting--my first costume, a lower-end black one. I keep it "just in case" ...)

Well, you need a Saidi dress, a beledi dress, a Ghawazee coat and pantaloons. Of course you need a Thobe, and a 25 yard skirt (and tops). Then you need a silver bedlah, a gold bedlah...and a silver and gold bedlah. Then you need a heavy coin bedlah, one in gold and one in silver. Then you need dresses in the primary colors, oh, and a few pastels are nice too. A nice Assuit is a good addition to a collection, so...ahhh...were you talkin' to me? Oh, look a cat!

Originally Posted by ZanaRaqs

i dont think i even want to admit to how many i have but it's a lot less than what i used to own. i perform at an average of 3-4 times a month

my ultimate goal is to get rid of a few more but it's hard to determine what should go and shouldn't since i only buy stuff that i think would flatter me

Ditto except I am at a new all-time record for amount of costumes I've ever owned...time to weed some out!

I do perform almost every weekend and usually 2 times per weekend and am still doing the multiple show restaurant gigs that require costume changes... still doesn't totally justify it though!

Well, the other thing I love besides dancing is sewing so while I have quite a few costumes I've made all but 2 of them myself. All but one of my costumes are bedlah sets and I have a ton of skirts for versatility. What I really need is to branch out colorwise from my normal blue, purple, and black.

Blue and purple bedlah (3 skirt options)
Purple and black iris bedlah
Gold bedlah (8 skirt options)
Silver bedlah (5 skirt options)
Sky blue bedlah
Blue and black tribaret bedlah (3 skirt options)
Saroyan coin bedlah (2 skirt options)
Royal blue beledi dress
Black and silver bra and skirt
Black and gold vintage bedlah (this I bought)
Black, gold, silver, AB vintage Pharaonics bedlah (this I bought, it is undergoing renovations currently so isn't wearable yet)

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Blame it on the economy, or maybe I'm becoming wiser as the years go by, but I've actually learned to pare down my collection to only the costumes I really love. I used to have an entire closet full of stuff I never wore - either it didn't fit, wasn't the right shade, or otherwise didn't make me feel like a million bucks. Now, I have about 7 viable pieces. Each one is unique and special.

So far, I have:

Black-and-turquoise vintage fringemonster
Dark green snakeskin Bella
Teal mermaid-themed Bella
Royal purple Bella with teal accents and feathers
Hot pink/orange/green "samba" Bella (needs to get hemmed)
Emerald green vintage fringemonster (ALMOST done!)
Lavender-and-pink Legend
Green zebra galabeya

Of course, when I get a job again, I'd love to fill my closet with every color of the rainbow so when a bride asks me to match the color of her bridesmaids' dresses, I can say "But of course!" ..l;,

For now, though, I'm content. This is a good rotation for me, since I only do private gigs. And I wouldn't trade my costumes for anything in the world!

I am in the process of trying to do just that. I don't really perform that much, so I think it's really unnecessary for me to have an abundance of costumes that are just sitting there, taking up space. I've decided as well, if I don't really love it, then get rid of it. Sooo, here's what I have:

Wine/Silver Hanan
Gold/Turquoise Hanan
Pink/Salmon Egyptian Costume
Yellow/Green Cristiano
9 bedlahs in different colors
3 lrose skirts and 1 pair of pants(I love lrose stuff, so I'll probably keep these).
I sold most of my full circle skirts, because I wasn't crazy about how they looked on me.

Don't know. Been weeding out and selling a few without replacing. Will sit down and do an inventory with the next move.

But once I graduate - TWO WEEKS! - and get my life back, I should have a better handle on what I have and what I can let go of and what I want!

{{{HUGS}}}

Let's see....

I "probably" have enough costumes at the moment, but I keep stalking the Swap Meet, Dahlal, and Belly Dance Store, because buying costumes is FUN! Plus, there are actually are a few things that I am specifically looking for to fill holes in my costume wardrobe. My performing varies greatly. I dance at a few restaurants and do VERY occassional private gigs, plus dance at my troupe's shows, haflas, Guild festivals and some other things. But I'm a sub at 1 of the restaurants and the others only have performing occassionally and rotate between dancers. So some months I'll perform solo 4-5 times and other times maybe only once.

For 2 piece costumes, I have

Red/Gold accents Bella
Zebra Yasser (fave costume- this is the one they'll bury me in)
Purple/Turquoise accents Pharaonics Rings of Desire
Black/Silver Rising Stars
Brown/Gold and Turquoise accents Hoda Zaki
Black/Silver/Gold Hoda Zaki
Red/Pearl accents Rising Stars

Pink Eman Saidi Dress
Black/Gold Velvet Dress (I use it for shamadan)
Dalia and Alia skirt set (skirt, hip wrap, and top that doesn't fit, but I may be able to re-work it to fit me)
a few various skirts of different silhouettes

Things that I feel that I need to add to my wardrobe: a couple of bra/belt sets (because I don't have ANY)- in silver and gold; another Bella (just because), and a dress for more modest gigs.

I have waaaaay too many costumes for the amount of times I perform and gig. I could probably get away with one gold bra/belt and one coloured bra/belt plus a handful of skirts, but I'm a costume addict.
The ones I can remember are:
gold Bella bedlah
gold Sim bedlah (needs adjustment so it may go)
burgundy/purple Bellah bedlah with chiffon skirt
Green bella choli/skirt set (been on the swap for a while)
Red/gold bella bedlah with trumpet skirt
green/gold leaf design bella bedlah with trumpet and chiffon skirts
leopard bella bedlah with chiffon skirt
burgundy Eman bra and skirt
"Gardenia" eman bra and skirt
Purple Sim bra and skirt
Self-made leopard bra, belt & trumpet skirt
red dress (been on the swap for a while)
Red Venus, Wine Empress winging their way to me...
three saidi/baladi dresses
velvet saidi dress
2 l rose baladi dresses
2 self made gawazee coats
green, gold, purple and copper Arabesques, various other circle skirts, trumpet skirts, Rompi skirt (45m hem gypsy skirt)

Oh dear. Might be time to cull the wardrobe...

After finding Bhuz I need one in each color even when I am in an non Gigging period LOL!!

I have 14, from which 4 are still for sale, so actually 10..

black mini Eman Zaki
blue mini dress Eman Zaki
brown leopard Sahar Okasha
champagne Dalila designs
green Christtiano Ferreira
lavender no name
pink mirrors Eman Zaki
pink pants Mamdouh Salama
purple pants Mamdouh Salama
red Christtiano Ferreira
white galabiya Mamdouh Salama
white lacing Mamdouh Salama
yellow bumblebee Eman Zaki
yellow/pink sunny Sahar Okasha

Am really wondering how many TanyaLV has ..g.:..l;,

B

What Anala said, including the part about the cat; well to tell the truth I have 3 cats around here somewhere . . .

And I admire all of you who have the mental fortitude to actually create and post a complete list of your costumes.
I . . . just . . . can't
Rosette

Originally Posted by rakkasah_barbara

I have 14, from which 4 are still for sale, so actually 10..

Am really wondering how many TanyaLV has ..g.:..l;,

B

She once told me that she usually has somewhere around 100+ in rotation.

{{{HUGS}}}

That's what I heard, but ofcourse we want a list AND pics

B

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

She once told me that she usually has somewhere around 100+ in rotation.

{{{HUGS}}}

Too many to be justified ... but I love them! Off the top of my head:

Black/Silver Joharah
Purple/Silver beledi dress
Pink beledi dress
Purple/silver bra belt set
Gold bra/belt set
Green bra/belt set
Apricot Bra/belt set
Red Joharah (does it count since it's up for sale?)
Black/gold bra/belt set
Turquoise Sybil

Edna

..l;,LOVE IT! My guilt is gone. I sure didn't expect lists of costumes. So guess I have to fess up too. Deep breath- here goes...

-black Hoyda skirt/bra
-brown/gold/turquoise Dahab skirt/bra
-spring green Dahab skirt/bra
-navy Dahab bedlah with 2 skirts
-ice blue Sadiiya (it's waiting at the post office til I can pay the customs)
-brown/gold leopard heart skirt/bra (making the bra bigger)
-royal blue velvet saiidi pants costume
-brown pants/skirt/shorts combo (unique-'nuff said)
-green/black selfmade fusion costume (this one never really gets finished!)
-fucshia troupe skirt/bra
-monster purple skirt and top selfmade (some are measured in yards-this one in milage!)
-silver bedlah in need of repair

other stuff
-tribal belt that goes with nothing
-burgundy/black ghawazee coat that goes with nothing
-awesome matching akai skirt and veil
-a collection of matching troupe costumes.
-projects! oh have I got projects!

All in all, this number is fairly in line with everyone elses. Though I have to admit, I don't perform more than once or twice a month. That's ok. That means I need one costume for each month. Right on target.

Thanks for the great response. Keep 'em coming. It's like costume confession!

On looking at my list I seem to be lacking in the red end of the spectrum... Hmmm. Must find balance.

oooo boy my favorite thing : COSTUMES!!! AH! of course I have this HUGE never ending billion dollar list of costumes, accessories and other things I still "absolutely need" to get in my closet... hehe... but...

I have all designer costumes, I currently have NINE costumes
and I dance EVErY weekend, I'm a full time dancer usually 2-4 gigs/week so it's good to have alot and I rotate them on bhuz after a couple months to a year.
Yes, costumes are my love... nothing else makes me feel like a million bucks than when I'm all ladied up in my Eman Zaki hehe I looove it :) !!!!

oh, but of course I constantly feel the need for MORE MORE MORE!!!

I usually keep around 10-15.
I sell everything I have every 6ish months.

Yum! Sparkly costumes! Love them and buy more than my husband thinks I should! (hehe) Regularly stalk the swap meet, dahlal, bellydance store drooling over new pretties. I only perform 3-5 times a month....

Red Pharaonics "Island Dawn"
Turquoise Pharaonics "Egyptian Empress"
Ice Blue Hoda (with stars & full skirt)
Forest Green & Gold "Eclipse" Pharaonics
Egyptian Gold Bra & Belt
Red & Pink Hanan Bra & Belt
Black Pharaonics Prive (I have this but don't wear it since I'm selling it)
Variety of circle skirts & an L rose trumpet skirt
Green Stripe Beledi Dress

Also have (not for regular performing): two 25-yard skirts (turquoise & purple), turkish vest, choli tops, hip scarves etc. for gypsy/skirt fusion troupe gigs...

hehe, I think I need some more costumes! Looking at my list I have mainly full skirts, I think I need a more fitted style in there....hmmmm :-)

Btw, great thread topic! :-D

I agree, great thread! I perform around 1-2 times a month, throughout the years I've accumulated a lot of BD stuff. My sewing machine is very, very busy making all kinds of stuff.

I'm a visual person, I have a photobucket album of my cabaret costumes:Current pictures by mekyria - Photobucket

Most of my costumes are no brand or made by me. I have one Bella that I'm trying to sell, as the bra isn't working for me. Should have stayed with making my own!

White Hanan from KashaG
Red dress (ebay find)
green dress (bought on bhuz)
Hot chocolate two piece
Red tribal fusion (me)
Mirror/coin costume with red silk (me)
Cheap ghawazee costume (me)
Blue dress (Mahmouds)
Burgundy Egyptian pants costume
Blue/black gothic fusion costume (me)
Melaya dress (mahmouds)
Green Hanan
Basic gold set (Bella?)
Retro coin set (me)

Green and purple neckermans
Black tribal fusion costume
Saaidi dress
Turquoise Bella
Tigerprint Egyptian
Black and multicolor Egyptian bra/belt (mahmouds)
Gold mesh Eman

There's a pile of unfinished costume items in the corner of my room glaring at me and a closet with skirts/tops/hip scarves that I use for loaners to my students. I am selling some of my costumes right now, but they are not moving so I thin I'll keep them until the market gets better.

Originally Posted by crystalllized

Ditto except I am at a new all-time record for amount of costumes I've ever owned...

I'm always at the new-all-time record for amount of costumes...

me too! Seems there's always room for one more costume...