Thread: High end costumes = "high end" expectations?

Hey Bhuzzers!

I've been saving money for a costume in almost a year now because I wanted my first costume-purchase to be a costume that would be able to last forever and have a design, that I would not get tired of.
I've been lurking on costume-threads here on Bhuz, on different homepages on belly dance costumes and of course on costume onlineshops like dahlal, the bellydancestore etc.

My designer-of-choice is Bella. I've tried on a few (borrowed from a friend) and they fit my body proportions well (read boobs ). And of course I find their designs absolutely stunning.

Lately, as my trip to the shop in Gent comes closer, I've been wondering if a Bella will higher the audience expectations?
I'm only an intermediate student - just did my first solo (it went well) - and I don't want to higher the expectations to much.

On the other hand, I really want a costume that I will be able to use for a very long time and possibly to perform in at bigger events than haflas and Students performances. And I do have the money to buy this type of costume.

What do you think? Can a decent intermediate student perform in a high-end costume? Is a high-end costume a total over-kill or a good investment?

I'm looking forward to your answers! :)

- Julie

If you see yourself performing for a long time and you have the money, I'd say it's a great investment for you to have one nice sturdy costume... doesn't matter if it's a bella or something low end. I'd recommend doing a bella bedlah though to account for weight changes or skirt changes... make it more versatile!

Okay, this is my opinion and mine alone. . .

(I know, you are bracing yourself!)

For first costumes, while it is perfectly reasonable to get a good, high end costume, you would be better served to get something like a Great loop or another good quality work horse which you can change up with different skirts to have multiple looks than most Bella's, Sims, and other two piece costumes such as Sahras or even costumes which have a definite "feel" to them. Even a Topkapi Turkish bedlah, while it does say "Turkish" will blend better and be more versatile than a lot the High End designer costumes.

Now, having said that, I am in no way knocking designer costumes. TanyaLV has a great gold Sim bedlah for sale which would make a good work horse that you could keep for eons and wouldn't out dance you as an intermediate student but also wouldn't embarrass you as a professional. I, personally, just feel that you might get more long term usage out of something which didn't scream the designers name.

{{{HUGS}}}

As usual..I agree with Tahira.

Yes, I agree with Tahira as well. If you want to buy an expensive costume as your first one do get something versatile like a gold or silver bedlah that can be matched with different skirts and will also work well with most troupe costume requirements if you ever join a troupe.

buy my great loop! lol

If you have the money and love a bella then get the bella. I would have. I didn't want a gold bedlah when I first got a costume. I wanted my noussa and only that one. Never regretted it :)

bella makes bedlahs

"If you can do nothing else for your audience at least look good"-quoting Beata Ciffuentes in an interview.
Dance is a visual art

I would get cheap, good quality Bella or Sim Moda . I've read that the new great loops aren't that much of a work horse type of bedlah because strands come loose and the hooks aren't all that great in quality either.

Originally Posted by EzmaSiddiqah

bella makes bedlahs

<-----What she said. :D

I agree with Anala, you might enjoy the versatility of a beautiful bedlah. Endless color choices and lower cost (so you can buy more skirt combinations. lol!)

I'm a Sim girl. Comfort and bling! But I have owned some Topkapi's, they are wonderful workhorses and beautiful.

Originally Posted by Julierc

Lately, as my trip to the shop in Gent comes closer, I've been wondering if a Bella will higher the audience expectations?
I'm only an intermediate student - just did my first solo (it went well) - and I don't want to higher the expectations to much.

I also agree it is best to go with a gold or silver neutral bedlah to use with different skirts if you plan to start restaurant work, but if you have the money to spend, spend it!

To address the quoted question. I think it depends on the audience and their level of belly dance understanding.

I don't think it would matter to an audience of general public.
Pro dancers know not to judge a dancer by her/his costume.

The only group that MIGHT be "confused" would be the beginner/intermediate dancers and only some of them at that.

Personal experience because I was one of the "confused" beginner/intermediate dancers:

I remember when I was a starry-eyed intermediate student (dancing in a self made lamp shade fringe disaster), I went to a hafla and saw this lady backstage with a high end Pharoanics of Egypt costume. I thought wow, she must be REALLY good and was really excited to see her dance. But, I was totally disappointed when she did dance because she was pretty much at my level and definitely not a professional dancer. In my mind (back then) nicer costume=better dancer, but after that experience I learned that anyone could buy an awesome costume if they had the money. Then I was sad that I was so broke because I wanted a really nice costume too! LOL


With that being said, I don't think it really matters at all and you shouldn't worry about the few "confused" newbies. If you want it and can afford it and it makes you feel better, go for it!

Originally Posted by EzmaSiddiqah

bella makes bedlahs

True. I have even owned one. My experience recently has been more along the skirt attached to the belt or simply 2 piece costume.

{{{HUGS}}}

I agree with the suggestion to go with a more neutral bra/belt set for another reason: if you are in a stage of your dance career where you do not perform all that often and mostly for your peers (= more or less the same group of people), you may get more enjoyment out of a costume that can be the basis for your "signature look" without always looking the same, i.e., a neutral bra-belt. Chances are that after a while, you want to show 'em something new and that you want to treat yourself to something new and exciting, too. With a bedlah, you can accomplish that a lot easier.

I agree with a nuetral bedlah. It's probably going to be the only thing that will have shelf life for the long haul. Depending how frequently you dance as you go, you'll find your interest in one costume may only last 6-12 months. What I LOVED and had to have only6 months is already old and overworn so on to something to new!

Given that my first costume was a Bella, I have to say, get a Bella if that is what you want. I do suggest you get a bedlah style though, that way you can pair it with a chiffon skirt or a lycra or velvet skirt for very different looks.

My teacher once told me "a terrible dancer in a beautiful costume, looks better then a terrible dancer in a awful costume"

Go for the Bella if you want it!

And a bedlah doesnt have to be neutral to be versetaile. Look at Meissouns multicolored Legend bedlahs, and how much she gets out of them. I would rather have an amazing multicolored bedlah, then a great loop in gold or silver. But thats just what I would have done.

I dont even know if you like colorful bedlahs :D but Meissouns pictures are worth a look! :)

Good luck, whatever you choose :)

Originally Posted by EliAnn

My teacher once told me "a terrible dancer in a beautiful costume, looks better then a terrible dancer in a awful costume".

Yep! That one dancer I saw totally changed my outlook on costuming. At least she looked good. I looked like I crawled out of a kindergarten arts and craft pile.

On the other hand, Nanna Calendaria always looks stunning in her simple, but nicely hand made costumes.

Instead of a high-end costume, you could probably get a very nice bedlah and several skirts/armbands/headbands (I'm thinking L-Rose mermaid skirts, etc.). That way you'd be able to vary your look.

I love Nanna's costumes. It is nice to see something different.

I don't know about anyone else, but when I first bought nice, properly fitted costumes it stepped up my game, if you know what I mean. I practised more, not drills per se, but the more elusive stuff like posture and expression because it all went with the costuming. It was like the costumes asked it of me. In this sense the costumes are a tool I use as inspiration. So the "high-end" expectations were of my own making, and absolutely rocking the costume in performance is the reward. Kinda convoluted!

And I agree with whoever said a great costume on a terrible dancer is better than a terrible costume on a terrible dancer because the dancer with the great costume may also feel like a princess and that confidence in itself will make her shine.

Wow! Thank you SO MUCH for all of your inputs! I'm happily surprised with so many answers in such short time - you girls rock!

Weird though - I haven't even thought about buying a bedlah. Dunno why - it's such a great idea!
I think I'll look for some beautiful skirts and a bedlah at Bella's instead of a full costume. I will not go for silver only or gold only - it looks awful on me. I simply have to have color, or my skintone will just wash away and look dead.
Still, the most important thing for me, is that I feel beautiful and relaxed (meaning: being okay with showing of a little skin) in my costume, so if a skirt-and-bra-costume fits perfectly, and I can't pull of a bedlah; then I'll go for the skirt-and-bra

Originally Posted by xochitl

I don't know about anyone else, but when I first bought nice, properly fitted costumes it stepped up my game, if you know what I mean. I practised more, not drills per se, but the more elusive stuff like posture and expression because it all went with the costuming. It was like the costumes asked it of me. In this sense the costumes are a tool I use as inspiration. So the "high-end" expectations were of my own making, and absolutely rocking the costume in performance is the reward. Kinda convoluted!

And I agree with whoever said a great costume on a terrible dancer is better than a terrible costume on a terrible dancer because the dancer with the great costume may also feel like a princess and that confidence in itself will make her shine.

This, I found very interesting. I was kind off hoping, that the feeling you describe here, is what I could get with a really stunning costume.
Of course I know, that you cannot buy self confidence, but I would like to think that wearing a beautiful costume, that really fits, could make you more comfortable on stage, and look more balanced.
And of course I love the wow-factor that a great costume gives. It's like every movement is just more interesting, because of the bling, shininess, fit, cutouts etc.

Love,
Julie

Im no where near beeing a pro, but I do perform at an occational hafla :D

I have some body issues after having my son, and I dont like showing my strechmarks etc in public. BUT when I put on a pretty costume, vs a cheap skirt and coin belt, I feel much more confident.

Maybe its silly, but the costume makes me feel pretty, instead of ashamed. And then its easier for me to relaxe, and perform my best.

Have you seen this? =)

http://www.bhuz.com/forum/belly-danc...-costumes.html



Edit: I didnt find her photo shoot link, but some of the photoes are in this thread =)

Im thinking about ordering a multicolored bedlah from Bella. :)

Originally Posted by EliAnn

My teacher once told me "a terrible dancer in a beautiful costume, looks better then a terrible dancer in a awful costume"

Go for the Bella if you want it!

And a bedlah doesnt have to be neutral to be versetaile. Look at Meissouns multicolored Legend bedlahs, and how much she gets out of them. I would rather have an amazing multicolored bedlah, then a great loop in gold or silver. But thats just what I would have done.

I dont even know if you like colorful bedlahs :D but Meissouns pictures are worth a look! :)

Good luck, whatever you choose :)

I agree with what EliAnn said.
Get a bedlah in the colours you like and combine it to various skirts. The costume should make you feel beautiful and express yourself. It has to feel "right" for you.

Hi Julie,

If you go for a bella bedlah (and there are some beautiful ones in the shop in Gent) do make sure you ask about different styles of skirts to go with it!

They usually have the chiffon ones on hand in the shop but they also make gorgeous velvet trumpet skirts and lycra bling skirts (plus gauntlets to go with them!) on demand for a fair price.

Khalida: I have seen some of her skirts here on bhuz, and I must say, they are so pretty. Especially those velvet trumpet skirts you mention. I'm glad to hear that there are beautiful bedlahs in the shop :)

I am a strong proponent of the idea that your costume shouldn't write a check your dancing can't cash. There's no shame in wearing a high-end student-level or low-end pro-level costume at this point in your career, and I think it's preferable because it telegraphs to the audience where you're at, and how much they should expect of you. You can always exceed their expectations. I adamantly disagree with the idea that people are more favorably impressed by student-quality dancing in a great costume, than great dancing in a student-quality costume. It takes a pretty shallow understanding of the dance to weight "sewing technique, fashion sense, and bargain hunting" as more important than "movement technique, stage presence, and musical interpretation skills." A costume doesn't "up your game" if you don't have "game" to begin with, and I've seen hours of boring hafla performances to back this up. Honestly, I'd say it's far more likely that I was looking forward to someone's performance after seeing her in her class togs at the workshop, and I was disappointed by what she put on stage in costume, than the opposite situation of seeing someone who didn't look like much in class turn into "Cinderella at the Ball" when the curtain went up.

A decent-quality, single-color bra and belt is the best choice, and I'd be looking at the $200-250 range, give or take a bit. If you don't want to go with gold or silver, you can get a color. If your favorite color is, say, red, you can still get a lot of different looks out of the same bedlah by pairing it with a white chiffon circle skirt, a purple velvet trumpet skirt and gauntlets, a black-and-red printed skirt and a black stomach cover, etc. Most people aren't paying attention to your costume that closely, and to non-dancers, swapping out the fabric that surrounds the bra and belt really will read as different outfits, but...

You'll know, and after you wear your costume a few times you will start to get sick of it on some level. All of the dancers in your area will have seen it. You may be performing in shows with clotheshorses who always have a totally new outfit each time. You'll simply be eager to wear something else. Even dancers who cultivate a "signature look" don't do it with just one outfit. If you've got the money to buy couture costumes, no one can stop you, but for most students, it doesn't make sense to pick an expensive, non-versatile outfit for their first purchase. If you're doing it as an investment, because you'd like to get onto the swapmeet merry-go-round and want some good currency to trade with in a few months, that's your choice, but don't approach this as a "'til death do you part" thing. I wouldn't recommend investing in a really nice costume until you've bought a few more modest ones first (to understand which styles you like), and until you've gotten a better idea of how many costumes you will need in your performing repertoire.

Originally Posted by EliAnn

My teacher once told me "a terrible dancer in a beautiful costume, looks better then a terrible dancer in a awful costume"

..l;,..l;,..l;,

True- but here are a few considerations- Are you planning on dancing with a group at any point? If so, do you have enough to buy both your dream costume and something that will blend with the rest of the group? Some student groups let you use your own costume rather than going for carbon copy recital gear, but the costumes, IMO, should still work well together, so you need to consider what other people in the group are using, or what the director requires. If it is a matter of either/or rather than both/and- go with what your instructor/director recommends.

&- yes, you want something sturdy that will hold up to the punishment we put our costumes through, but do keep in mind that costumes are consumable goods- they wear out eventually! I also second the comments above about finding something you can adjust through body fluctuations. I don't think it's quite as big a deal when you have more shows going- if I need to change out a costume annually, I don't fluctuate so much during that time. If I am only wearing a costume once or twice a year, having something more versatile would be better.

After all those caveats, I think it is really important to find something you really love. Dancing in something that makes you feel comfortable and beautiful really can change the way you dance- especially if you are still trying to get your feet under you performance wise. I have 2 costumes that I absolutely adore & go back to again & again. One is an Abla- expensive on my budget, anyway! I feel like a million bucks & I do think it helps me dance like it too. The other is a $40 lace beledi dress I picked up used, with a vintage beaded hip scarf that looks to my eye like some one hand made it in the '80s. I feel totally at home & ready to rock the house. No accounting for what you end up falling in love with- but if you can afford it and it really, truly fits GO FOR IT!

I like to approach my costume purchases as items to be earned.

As my skill goes up, I allow myself to spend a bit more money on them. This way, I give myself a bit of a gift whenever I feel like I've accomplished something worthwhile, and it keeps me from having all this stuff I don't "deserve."

Right now, although I've come a long way from when I bought my first costume, I'm not at a point where I could justify spending more than $550 on a costume.

Whenever I see someone in a really high-end costume, I do expect the dancing to be up to par. Of course, nowadays, so many people buy this stuff before they can really dance, I'm used to the sight of subpar dancers in really expensive costumes. But to me, such a sight still exudes "I'm here to play dress-up, not really to dance."

I disagree with the notion that if you're not wearing a high-end costume, you must be wearing an ugly one. There are plenty of inexpensive costumes that look beautiful, if you choose for fit&flatter.

So I'm in no way saying that everyone's first costume has to be an airport special!

And of course, this is my personal philosophy and not everyone agrees or approaches this the same way. No matter what you do, you're never going to please everyone. Keep that in mind as you make your decision.

Originally Posted by Julierc

Hey Bhuzzers!

I've been saving money for a costume in almost a year now because I wanted my first costume-purchase to be a costume that would be able to last forever and have a design, that I would not get tired of.
<snip>
I really want a costume that I will be able to use for a very long time and possibly to perform in at bigger events than haflas and Students performances. And I do have the money to buy this type of costume.

What do you think? Can a decent intermediate student perform in a high-end costume? Is a high-end costume a total over-kill or a good investment?

I'm looking forward to your answers! :)

- Julie

Hello Julie,

You are an adult. You wouldn't be asking for permission to buy a fancy cocktail dress, even if you only wore it to one party *ever*. If you have the money, buy whatever costume your heart desires - and dance happy!

If anyone comments, say you *know* it's a fancy costume, but that you fell in love with it, and decided to treat yourself. As long as you're not one of those dancers who only spends money on costumes (but not on classes), it's no one else's business!

A fancy costume...like dance classes...is generally not an investment. It's a treat. So choose your favorite, and enjoy!

EDIT: some people don't like to see student/junior dancers in fancy costumes. But some people don't like to see fat people dancing...some people don't like traditional music...some people don't like fusion dance. Yes, expectations may be higher. But you probably WILL dance a little better in a costume that you feel gorgeous and sophisticated in, whatever that means to you. :)