Thread: what's special about sharif wear?

looking on the Sharif wear site, and on Dahlal and Dancing Rahana, i see a lot of the same styles of practice cloths, the bellbottom pants, the wrap tops with fancy sleeves, all ranging in prince with Sharif wear seeming to be at the top.
i own one thing from Sharif wear, and it's a tank-top that says "bellydancer" it does not fit well, it's very straight and not very long so it rides up all the time, and when i do keep it down i look very square, which im not.
i think the other styles would fit better and i'm looking at getting a wrap top and pant set. but i can't justify spending the extra money if the only difference is the name on the tag (not matter how fabulous the name is ^_^).
so what's special that the prices are higher for Sharif wear? is the quality better? are they made in the US (or some other country with fair labor laws/wages)?

They are made in the U.S. but what I also like is that the sizes run generous. I can wear their size large items even though I don't match that part of the size chart and I'm still really comfortable in them.

i like their skirts :D
and the pants are nice however the ones i have, the elastic is kinda flimsy (and i don't think i'm the only one with that problem)
so, yeah. i donno.

Well... for one thing, the Sharifwear came first. You didn't see stretch wrap tops with sleeve drapes everywhere until after Sharifwear went on the market. Now more people are marketing similar items.

I also like Sharifwear for the variety of fabrics. If you prefer slinky poly knits, they have those. Crazy prints? yes. Burnout stretch lace? yes. And that wicked "faux assuit" that's stretchy -- it's really comfy to wear.

My problem with Sharifwear is they run out of the one I want in my size all the time (whatever "the one" is at the moment)... and also I feel nuts spending $40+ on a wrap top that I'm sure I could make... if I could figure out a pattern... and had the time... etc.

I'owned one Sharifwear set, a gored skirt and wrap top with drapey sleeves in a sparkly knit. I really loved it, it looked and fit great. I bought it used on the Bhuz Swapmeet because I am a skinflint and hate to pay the full price for anything But if you can afford it, I think they do have great quality.

I don't know anything about the ones on Dahlal.

thanks. made in the US is enough justification for me, and that the others are knock-off designs is even more reason. once the wallet perks back up im gonna be looking at asuit and lepoard print ^_^
why didn't i just check the dang tag on my tanktop? ahhahaha
thanks guys

Adding on to the sizing comment earlier, it's also really nice that the majority of Sharifwear designs can accommodate larger busts. I figure since Nourhan has boobs, she cuts for boobs. ;) When Sharifwear first came out, what little practicewear you could buy off the rack was mostly geared toward traditional ballet/jazz/modern dancer sizing, which translated to smaller and straighter than most bellydancers. It was VERY exciting when curvier girls suddenly had fun, flattering options to wear, too.

I wouldn't call the newer lines knockoffs -- they're just following the market. I've bought several tops from Dahlal's Off the Nile, too. The quality has been very good, and they some fabrics and sleeve treatments that Sharifwear doesn't offer. I appreciate the variety. And all these choices have costuming group dances much easier.

I LOVE my practice pants from Sharifwear. I've had them for years and they still haven't fallen apart or lost stretch. My melodias fell apart after one wash and the dahlal karnak pants that I tried on ran small and felt really flimsy. So I'd say sharifwear is worth it just for the quality alone.

Never tried their practice wear, but I love their 7 meter skirts, they are fabulous!! Have two and love them.

I have to agree that Sharifwear's sizing is generous, a.k.a. realistic. I have my eye on some of their pants...you can whack off the bottoms without the fabric ravelling. Their pixie/fairy skirts are absolutely wonderful and last for YEARS.

i have many pairs of sharifwear pants and i like them very much. just beware of the sizing. they are not so consistant. i have a pair of xs that fits me well. and a pair of medium that fit in the bottom but too short. all others are size small but 2 pairs are too tight and 1 too loose!

you can always email Vero, the nice lady who handels the online shopping, and she will measure the clothing for you.

I have about four wrap-style tops and two pairs of pants. I love the tops! I have been able to wash 3 of them in the washer with no problem (the 4th one I have not worn, therefore no need to wash). And as others have stated, they are quite generous and roomy (very comfortable!). The pants...one I wear at times but, the other one (a "spider-web" type) gets all messed up when I wash them and end up having to untangle, so I don't wear those very often. And ditto on "shortening" them-no runs!

I love the fabric of their pants, they defifitely hold up well.
As far as sizing: I know they used to size for 2 different markets- that's what they told me once.
I ordered 2 pants: 1 small & 1 in size medium
The medium was huge, so I ordered another small. It was SO small it looked like a child's.
When I asked them why such a difference between the 2 sizes, they apologized & told me they must have accidentally sent me the "Asian" small...

That was a couple of years ago...

Originally Posted by Julsie

....
When I asked them why such a difference between the 2 sizes, they apologized & told me they must have accidentally sent me the "Asian" small...

That was a couple of years ago...

haha, that makes sense. when i was in Japan i magically became a D cup.

Originally Posted by raqFariha

haha, that makes sense. when i was in Japan i magically became a D cup.

The cup system is totally different here, don't let the use of the alphabet sizes confuse you.

I don't agree with the sizing comments. I have a few sets of theirs and the sizes are all over the place. I never know what size will actually fit me. Mainly on the pants and tank tops. The wrap tops I haven't had any issues with. I like the skirts.

been VERY happy with some troupe and custom made orders

been less happy with the size of the trousers (an M is basically an L and a S is almost an M), so for the last troupe order we've had a lot of girls in a size too big...

the print is fabulous though, they have amazing prints

the lighting wasnt so fab in thsi show so this pic doesnt do it enouhg justice even

I have never owned anything from Sharifwear, but I have tried on at least 12 pairs of her pants. I can't figure out what size I would wear, and the rise was way too long for me. I don't have that problem with any other brand.

I really like sharifwear a lot. I have tons of gypsy tops, which I wear over tanks for teaching since they look nice and bellydancer-ish but are comfy. I personally like their pants because most of them are long enough for my long legs. There are so many interesting colors and patterns, too!

I do agree with the comments on sizing. It's awesome that there are sizes for larger dancers. We sell sharifwear in our boutique at my studio, and I don't know how many ladies who have come in saying no way will anything fit me, I'm too big, only to learn when they try them on that they do indeed fit larger sizes quite well. I love that large ladies can feel pretty because of sharifwear!

It is very true, however, that the sizing is inconsistent, especially in the pants. It's fine in our boutique, where you can try things on. However, it's a bit of a challenge when buying off of their website. Most of their pants are pretty long; however, in each order we get into the boutique usually about 10% are appropriate for petites. You never know which style it will be, though.

Another nice thing about sharifwear is that it does kind of maintain its value over time. I personally hand wash my tops, and I know I can sell them for a pretty good price resale since they still look nice and have a designer name. I have to admit that I kind of hoard the tops, tho, and haven't really sold any of them. But then that's another problem entirely!

Nourhan Sharif came to do an event at our studio this past summer, and I have to admit I like sharifwear even more after meeting her. She's so nice, and she really cares about her products and the people who buy them.

I love most of the SharifWear things I have bought. The ribbed tank tops are awesome for teaching, and also for wearing to Bikram Yoga, since they don't sag when I get disgustingly sweaty. The string pants with the split legs are wonderful for teaching, since I can tie the legs up if students need to see what my feet or knees are doing. And I love being able to just cut off the bottoms of the pants, which are usually 5 inches too long. The string pants have lasted for a long time, too, being washed in the washer and hung up to dry, as have the tank tops.

I love the fake assuit fabric, but hate the 2 pairs of pants I bought with assuit trim, because the heavier fabric these pants are made from starts pilling immediately and quickly becomes very unsightly. I haven't found any way to shave the pills off either.

Once I find a style I like, the sizing seems to be consistent, but I never know how another style will fit without trying them on. And one pair of pants I ordered online were so huge that they literally fell off me when I tried them on. The return was easy, though.

this thread has helped me understand what one of my students wore to class. i had to have her "tie" the legs up, ..so i can see her feet. then the sleeves get caught on everything. she said she bought it on line..but i thought it was more suited for american tribal...it all just got in the way with what we do. perhaps she did not know ...she does not wear them anymore....is this type of garb more suited for a "style" ?.

Originally Posted by zamora

this thread has helped me understand what one of my students wore to class. i had to have her "tie" the legs up, ..so i can see her feet. then the sleeves get caught on everything. she said she bought it on line..but i thought it was more suited for american tribal...it all just got in the way with what we do. perhaps she did not know ...she does not wear them anymore....is this type of garb more suited for a "style" ?.

i think they are nice for practicing at home, to make you feel special without putting undo wear on your costumes, and they can make good student costumes. but yheah, they hide the legs if you don't tie them up (i don't wear my melo pants to teach, and only wear them to class on rare occasions. they're good for those quasi workshops that are more like the kind of "lesson" you'd give at a party, tho)
honestly, i just want an excuse to try leopard print ^_~

"and they can make good student costumes "
we do not perform in pants of any kind, but thanks for the tip !

How do you guys stay cool in those sleeved tops? I have a few (though not Sharifwear) and whenever I do wear them to class I always have to end up undressing down to my tank top or sports bra...

Originally Posted by zamora

this thread has helped me understand what one of my students wore to class. i had to have her "tie" the legs up, ..so i can see her feet. then the sleeves get caught on everything. she said she bought it on line..but i thought it was more suited for american tribal...it all just got in the way with what we do. perhaps she did not know ...she does not wear them anymore....is this type of garb more suited for a "style" ?.

It's good for tribal and fusion performance wear, but also good for practice... NOT class. I don't wear mine when I teach, and I get annoyed when my students wear them, because I can't see their feet or knees well when they wear them. I DO think that they are well suited as cute/comfy at home practice wear.

Originally Posted by zamora

"and they can make good student costumes "
we do not perform in pants of any kind, but thanks for the tip !

Sharifwear also has some lovely skirts...

Originally Posted by yameyameyame

How do you guys stay cool in those sleeved tops? I have a few (though not Sharifwear) and whenever I do wear them to class I always have to end up undressing down to my tank top or sports bra...

Look for the fabrics labeled "mesh" or "net." Sharifwear and Dahlal both have them. They're usually about the same opacity as the ones labeled "sheer," but they're much more breathable.

Edited to add: Sometimes you can tell from the photos even if they're not labeled. Click on the closeup of the sleeve drape here and give it a good squint -- you can see the looser knit that gives you better air circulation. http://www.sharifwear.com/images.php?iid=1929
When in doubt, e-mail Véro. :)

Originally Posted by tigerb

Sharifwear also has some lovely skirts...

i'lll check that out.we do floor in all classes..thanks !

Originally Posted by tigerb

Sharifwear also has some lovely skirts...

ok..went and looked at the skirts...they would be nice for evening wear , going out....but we could not move/dance in these....so, thanks again ladies...yes, this line is better suited for other styles of dance.

Originally Posted by zamora

ok..went and looked at the skirts...they would be nice for evening wear , going out....but we could not move/dance in these....so, thanks again ladies...yes, this line is better suited for other styles of dance.

I have danced in these skirts, they're very full and move very well. As long as you're not doing floorwork, they're great for dancing.