Thread: Show Me Your Super Fancy Coin Costumes

So, my very first costume was coin-themed, and it was pretty nice for a beginner's costume (minus the unfinished back that forced me to wear vests which are NOT a good look for me), but I moved on really quickly.

I have been lusting after other people's coin costumes since then, and finally decided to get one of my own, but I'm having it custom made, since I'm tough to fit.

I talked about some general ideas with my designer, but I also want to show her some examples that appeal to me. So far, all I've found is this Bella, previously owned by Sandra in San Francisco:
http://www.raks-sharki.com/costumes/...ange_coin.html



If you have any photos of super fancy, opulent-looking coin costumes, post them here!

have you taken a look at the "bad-ass vintage costume" thread? I think you might find loads of inspiration there.

Also, costless costumes does some pretty incredible ones, they don't sell anymore, I believe, but the pics are still up on the site, last I checked.

This is my absolute favorite Bella of all time: http://www.orientdancer.com/costumes...lla_sale.shtml

If I can ever afford it, I am going to ask Bella to make a copy of it for me.

There was another teal coin Bella that I think Yazeena owned at one point, but I don't have any pictures of it.

And have you see the Pharonics coin costumes? I love those!

My coin Bella and no, I dont dance in boots. But I did wear them in a few shots of my photoshoot because they were too awesome not to wear. I also wanted to sent a pic of me in them to the friend who bought them for me (the toes and heels are covered with Swarovski crystals and what goes better with those than a bellydance costume!) :-)

Originally Posted by NazirahDances

My coin Bella and no, I dont dance in boots. But I did wear them in a few shots of my photoshoot because they were too awesome not to wear. I also wanted to sent a pic of me in them to the friend who bought them for me (the toes and heels are covered with Swarovski crystals and what goes better with those than a bellydance costume!) :-)

Haha, love that! And your friend is totally awesome for getting those boots for you.

Also, if you can wear pearls, I've seen some gorgeous pearl and coin costumes.

I just bought a costume entirely covered in coins from the bellydance store that has both silver and gold coins on it. (Sorry, I can't get the photo to work). One thing I really like about it is that the coins are oval instead of round. I have a large cup size and the coins lay flat like fish scales... very cool! I literally just got it and have to move the hooks to wear it, so I have no photos on me yet. I also like the fact that it has both color coins on it so it goes with everything. I love the coin look! I can't wait to see what you get for yourself as well as what others post.

That orange bella is my dream costume!

KelsNasim - Your new costume sounds fab, would you have the link to the costume in the store webpage?

http://bellydancestore.biz/gallery.p...49018fc45a6c50
The one I actually boughht is no longer on the website (I imagine because I bought it). It's similar to this silver one as far as the shape of the coins go, but mine has both silver and gold coins. You can see how the oval coins seem to lay flat more than the round ones do.
Hope this helps!

Originally Posted by KelsNasim

One thing I really like about it is that the coins are oval instead of round. I have a large cup size and the coins lay flat like fish scales... very cool!

That's one thing my costumer and I talked about! I'd love to see photos when you have them.

I have a couple of coin costumes, but this one is my favorite coin right now: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mahjan/...7602235469272/

Direct link to the set of pics from that event in case you want to see it from another angle: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mahjan/...th/4065205168/

It is extremely heavy, but I love it anyway! (Excuse the rest of the costume. This was for a sea siren themed halloween performance, so I went all out on my headdress, etc. LOL.)

Sarah Skinner has some wonderful coin costumes

http://shakemyday.com/site/dancer/costumes/

Im lucky enouph to have Sandra's Fuschia and Gold coin Bella:
http://www.facebook.com/salome.star#...647114&theater

If you are interested in something a little more contemporary, you might want to investigate using anodized aluminum scales. Vendors who specialize in chain mail supplies often carry an assortment of leaf-shaped and round scales in more colors than the usual silver/gold/copper metallics. Not too long ago someone posted a tribal bra that was scale mail, but I can't find it now.

My coin Bella! I sold this one awhile ago but I'm still missing it.

These photos aren't terribly clear, but here is my costless costume in action:

http://www.bhuz.com/members/nitara-albums-nitara-s-costless-costume.html

Yes, my belly really is that white, even with a tummy cover!!!

My only coin costume - Bella as you can obviously see ;-)
http://www.caesars-kueche.de/assets/...021010-051.jpg

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

If you are interested in something a little more contemporary, you might want to investigate using anodized aluminum scales. Vendors who specialize in chain mail supplies often carry an assortment of leaf-shaped and round scales in more colors than the usual silver/gold/copper metallics. Not too long ago someone posted a tribal bra that was scale mail, but I can't find it now.

I think it might have been Ahmber from Japan. I think I spelled her name wrong.

http://theringlord.com/cart/shopdisp...44147572016800

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

If you are interested in something a little more contemporary, you might want to investigate using anodized aluminum scales. Vendors who specialize in chain mail supplies often carry an assortment of leaf-shaped and round scales in more colors than the usual silver/gold/copper metallics. Not too long ago someone posted a tribal bra that was scale mail, but I can't find it now.

ooooooh!

I'm definitely after gold, but more shape options would be very welcome.

Originally Posted by jmdruadh

ooooooh!

I'm definitely after gold, but more shape options would be very welcome.

http://theringlord.com/images/produc...-SM-AAgold.jpg

gold

Etsy has some retailers, too. The Nottoto store has both the leaves and the discs with matching hardware. This is their assorted mix of metal paillettes http://www.etsy.com/listing/60877607...nks-discs-tags. They also sell individual color lots. It looks like UnkamenSupplies is just carrying leaves and hardware at the moment.

I think the discs were originally intended for engraving as ID tags, so I don't know how resistant they are to scratching. We had some (vintage) anodized aluminum drinking glasses at home when I was growing up, and they seemed to be fairly scratch resistant. Then again, mylar paillettes aren't exactly scratch proof themselves, so I guess it's a matter of expectation. OTOH, if it looked like scratching was going to be a problem, I suppose one could always artfully distress the colored pieces first and work some silver into the design so it looked intentional....

Originally Posted by mahsati

I have a couple of coin costumes, but this one is my favorite coin right now: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mahjan/...7602235469272/

Direct link to the set of pics from that event in case you want to see it from another angle: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mahjan/...th/4065205168/

It is extremely heavy, but I love it anyway! (Excuse the rest of the costume. This was for a sea siren themed halloween performance, so I went all out on my headdress, etc. LOL.)

I really like that idea for the arm embellishments (the pearl strands) how clever!

Where do you find cool bellas like these? When I google bella and get to their page, there are only 10 to choose from and they are all the lycra skirt style.

Originally Posted by marsbar

My coin Bella! I sold this one awhile ago but I'm still missing it.

pic isn't working...?

My sis and I have matching bellas! not super fancy, but they get RAVE reviews!

Originally Posted by Bahtya

Where do you find cool bellas like these? When I google bella and get to their page, there are only 10 to choose from and they are all the lycra skirt style.

You have to have a password to get onto the main part of her site. My password expired and she hasn't responded to my request for another one yet. Some people get passwords in a week or less, but it took me over 2 years and multiple requests.

Wow I wonder why? So you just go on the site and request a p/w? is it obvious to noobs like me?

Originally Posted by Bahtya

Wow I wonder why? So you just go on the site and request a p/w? is it obvious to noobs like me?

Top right-hand corner, it says "client log-in." Click that and at the bottom of the log-in page, there is a place to click to request a password.

As to why, my understanding is that she (or one of her minions) goes and approves all password requests at once, when the site is re-stocked with costumes. So it sounds like timing, mostly.

Originally Posted by KelsNasim

http://bellydancestore.biz/gallery.p...49018fc45a6c50
The one I actually boughht is no longer on the website (I imagine because I bought it). It's similar to this silver one as far as the shape of the coins go, but mine has both silver and gold coins. You can see how the oval coins seem to lay flat more than the round ones do.
Hope this helps!

ZOWIE! That's smoking hot! Thanks for sharing. Fab bedlah

Originally Posted by Bahtya

Wow I wonder why? So you just go on the site and request a p/w? is it obvious to noobs like me?

I never got a password for her website - I just started emailing her with what I want and she always delivered! A there are so many pictures of Bellas out there on the internet and here on Bhuz that you can use to draw your inspiration from so don't get frustrated if you can't get a password for her website.