Thread: significance of bra design variation in Desert Swirl costumes

Hi all:

This is a spinoff from someone's inquiry about choosing Desert Swirl costumes.

Look at the difference in bra designs between these two?





To me, it looks like #1, the turquoise costume, has a good bra design, but #2 looks like it would squish rather than lift.

I'm remembering a long thread in which Ozma did a major reconstruction on a bra that had essentially the same design flaw as #2 (the band appears to be in line with the point at which the cups connect, which is in the middle of the bustline rather than below the bustline as it should be).

Are these photos accurate? e.g. are the different bras going to fit very differently?

Or is this an artifact of how the costumes of various sizes are clipped/pinned onto the tiny models?

Yes, don't they look significantly different?! As someone with a small bust, I don't really have to worry about support so much as being able to corral the girls where I need them to go with padding and such. But I do wonder about that figure 8 style for anybody... it's a lovely shape visually, but how does it keep any breast from oozing out the bottom, regardless of size?

And then if you wanted to move the halter strap, would that even work with #2? It doesn't look like you could really tilt it to a different angle or modify how you are being supported.

Now you know one of the major hesitations I have with that cute pink one!!!

Originally Posted by MaineMaya

Yes, don't they look significantly different?! As someone with a small bust, I don't really have to worry about support so much as being able to corral the girls where I need them to go with padding and such. But I do wonder about that figure 8 style for anybody... it's a lovely shape visually, but how does it keep any breast from oozing out the bottom, regardless of size?

Good question. Its not just a matter of supporting larger breasts or preventing under ooze. Regardless of your bust size, most dancers want to create the right amount of flattering cleavage. If you are already on the small size, you may not be interested in trying to look bigger, but you probably don't want to be squished flatter, either. I know I like to pad my costume bras a bit, and I like me some cleavage.

And then if you wanted to move the halter strap, would that even work with #2? It doesn't look like you could really tilt it to a different angle or modify how you are being supported.

Now you know one of the major hesitations I have with that cute pink one!!!

Good questions. I hope someone can answer them. I think we are very similar in size; the pink one caught my attention too but the bra design worries me.

#2 looks like a serious case of underboob leakage waiting to happen

Then again, given some of the current fashion trends in the BD universe, perhaps, this is the desired effect.

FYI here is the famous and long thread about Ozma's costume and hte importance of proper bra design http://www.bhuz.com/forum/belly-danc...-cheering.html

I would like to hear from some people who have bought desert swirl costumes. Has anyone bought one that looks like the pink one above (in terms of bra design)? Does it fit well?

Aside from the cup shapes the blue one seems to have better bead work. I agree that the shape of the pink one would need work. I purchased a costume that had a similar shape and it took a lot of work to undo the football boob look it created.

Mmmmm... underboob leakage and football boob... these are just all so seductive sounding! Pair this with an ill-fitting skirt to emphasize my muffin top and maybe a peek-a-boo cutout right where my cottage cheese thighs look the worst, and I'll be the hottest cabaret chickie in town!

If you wanted to fix the pink one you would have to detach the cups from the sides of the bra and the bridge between the cups. Then re-attach the cups so the sides are lower on the cups and rebuild the bridge lower and more angled to push the cups up at a more diagonal slant. However now that I've looked more closely you may only have to re-position the sides because it appears the bridge is gapping a bit which means it may already be in the right place.

I bought one a couple of weeks ago with the 2nd bra style. the way the bra is made, there is no concern for underboob-age. LoL It has additional lycra that comes down past the actual functional part of the bra. It seems to support well, and the biggest difference, really, is that your cleavage has a little more coverage...so you are still lifted , but you show more upper boob than cleavage....if that makes sense. LoL

Originally Posted by Acenith

I bought one a couple of weeks ago with the 2nd bra style. the way the bra is made, there is no concern for underboob-age. LoL It has additional lycra that comes down past the actual functional part of the bra. It seems to support well, and the biggest difference, really, is that your cleavage has a little more coverage...so you are still lifted , but you show more upper boob than cleavage....if that makes sense. LoL

Yes, that does make sense!

It's almost as if the cups on the pink one join where the main part of the cleavage would be. I actually prefer that. I would still want a decorated piece of fabric below the cup-joinage on the pink one, as there is on the turquoise one.

Deborah

Originally Posted by Acenith

I bought one a couple of weeks ago with the 2nd bra style. the way the bra is made, there is no concern for underboob-age. LoL It has additional lycra that comes down past the actual functional part of the bra. It seems to support well, and the biggest difference, really, is that your cleavage has a little more coverage...so you are still lifted , but you show more upper boob than cleavage....if that makes sense. LoL

Exactly, I have an Eman with a very similar bra style, and I love it, it's super supportive, and the upper boob look is better on me than the front cleavage look since I am large busted and it just looks like I am sporting a butt-crack on my chest if I attempt the more triangular, deeper plunge cups like the first one.

i have seen #2, and it is just how it looks.

Originally Posted by raqFariha

i have seen #2, and it is just how it looks.

Did you see it on a body, and if so did it look like it was providing a flattering fit?

This style bra looks cute on the bellydancestore models but when you're 20 yrs old, size 2 with big boobs anything looks cute...

Originally Posted by _Tanya_

If you wanted to fix the pink one you would have to detach the cups from the sides of the bra and the bridge between the cups. Then re-attach the cups so the sides are lower on the cups and rebuild the bridge lower and more angled to push the cups up at a more diagonal slant. However now that I've looked more closely you may only have to re-position the sides because it appears the bridge is gapping a bit which means it may already be in the right place.

The desert swirl I had, albeit an older model, made it impossible to detach the sides of the bra from the cups because it was all one piece. I would've had to do some major surgery to it, so I sold it.

Originally Posted by ssipes

This style bra looks cute on the bellydancestore models but when you're 20 yrs old, size 2 with big boobs anything looks cute...

Just for friendly clarification...The bellydancestore models range from ages 18-40s. The model in the above costumes is an A cup. Two are Bs, one is a C and they bring in a DD and others when they can. Only one is a size 2 in the hips, and she is needed as sometimes no one else can even get the smaller hipped costumes above their curves. The others are larger than that, ones whose size I know are 4, 6, 6/8 and 12 (or so?)...One occasional lovely is smaller on top 34(A/B) and curvier in the hips (estimate 10/12?). None have "after market enhancements." It is a combination of finding models who fit into a lot of the costumes, who pose and photograph well, who have time in their schedules etc.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

The desert swirl I had, albeit an older model, made it impossible to detach the sides of the bra from the cups because it was all one piece. I would've had to do some major surgery to it, so I sold it.

Andalee, I think you had one that was like the top bra design, if I recall and the outer edges of the cups did not cover enough and would not adjust to work for you, especially with the shape of the cup the straps cannot be moved on the cup (although can be moved in back).
The second design I don't think would show underboob on most dancers if adjusted properly. Remember these are worn with binder clips for closures for the photos, which can't always get the best fit. This design has a regular bra band with separate wider lycra around the back. I think it offers a more covered look. The halter straps can be moved. It might offer a slightly different shape if one use thread casing elastic at the bottom edge of the band, or if one adjusted the band to be more snug at the bottom and more roomy at the top edge (allowing the cup to tilt out at the top a little more).