Thread: Spinoff: why do you buy New vs "Used/pre-loved" costumes?

So I've seen the thread "why do you buy instead of make costumes" and the opposite "why do you make instead of buy costumes". (sorry if this is an old subject-couldn't find related thread )

At first I thought the swap meet was stalked, but with costumes disappearing in 5mins from the bellydance store I'm beginning to wonder how common is it to buy all your costumes new or all your costumes used.

Please share your wisdom & reasons to your preference (both is an option!) ^.^

I have no preference, I do both, have bought from Swap meet & also places like the BD store. If something on Swap meet is within my price range and I love it I will buy it, same goes for new costumes

I only buy used costumes from the swap or ebay (well I guess I did buy a black arabesque skirt new from the bdstore) because vintage speaks to me…the total outrageousness of the heavy beading and fringe is beautiful. Each costume is usually unique. Love used costumes. with lotza stuff on it. and high-quality fringe and stones.

Originally Posted by EzmaSiddiqah

I only buy used costumes from the swap or ebay (well I guess I did buy a black arabesque skirt new from the bdstore) because vintage speaks to me…the total outrageousness of the heavy beading and fringe is beautiful. Each costume is usually unique. Love used costumes. with lotza stuff on it. and high-quality fringe and stones.

I feel the same way - I have ordered a custom one from Turkey, but I don't know where it is.

Sigh.

So, I'm beading as usual.

I buy used costumes for 3 reasons:

1. You can find some unique not so "costume of the hour" stuff here...

2. I hate spending $700 on a costume that after 5 wears (eat set is about 20 minutes, so nothing crazy), I can see the quality fading

3. I'm a control freak so I hate ordering a custom costume and being "surprised" by different accessories or wrong shades/fabrics...

In the past (before grad school) I bought both new and second hand. I gave myself an annual costume budget and depending on how needy I was feeling, would buy based on that. Now, I also am a good Tauren girl and love a bargain, so second hand appeals to me more. And like Esma, I love Vintage. So some days it's all about the fringe!

{{{HUGS}}}

New costumes I buy mostly custom-made from Bella or Sahar, sometimes I have luck on bellydancestore. Custom-made is good because my ideas will worked in and the fitting is perfect. The last costume from Sahar I have only made the cups a little bit closer in the middle.
I also buy second-hand-costumes if I find someone I love and it is nearly my size. But this is difficult for me, because I`m tall with long legs, and so the most skirts to short. And my bra-cups I also need D and the most are B-C. In this way I can`t buy the "usual sizes".

I buy mostly pre-loved costumes because:
I <3 vintage costumes too! The more over-the-top-extravagant-outrageous the better.
Value: my costumes work as hard as I do and in general the price is better for pre-loved and the older pieces tend to have more sturdy construction. They have to survive the weekly journeys in and out of suitcases, travel hardships, etc. Modern thread weights, delicate fabrics and hot fix crystals just don't stand up to heavy duty full time gigging. If I get them on the swap for a great price and they wear out after one season, I'm not so sad as if the lycra of an $800 new costume is shot in a few months of regular wear.

I buy both, it really just depends on what fits the bill. I tend to find what works on my body more easily in the used section. For personal reasons, I don't want to do the wet-look or super shiny lycras that are so in vogue right now. Most of the new bra styles just won't work on my G- cups, but I can take a band way in and a 38 DD just about works for a 34G but that doesn't work if I want a Dina bra to actually support me!
I also find I get better measurements from the swap meet, most of the time, and when it's off & doesn't fit perfectly, I don't feel too bad about it, I just turn around & resell.
Price range is a biggie too- I started out buying used stuff in serious need of repair & fixing them up because I had more time than money. Now, my budget can handle some classier stuff, so I do have both new & used costumes, but I'm in the habit of it now, and I still find better deals in the swap. Basically, what works on my body and in my taste range isn't in the mass market arena- There are always a few in the shops, but my price range hasn't sky rocketed *that* much yet! So I'd either have to have something custom, or find something unique in the used section. Something about "champagne tastes..."

plus I don't feel so bad hacking apart a used costume to alter it to fit my tastes.

I have not yet ordered a new costume, though after a couple of less-than-stellar used costume purchases, it does seem tempting...

I like used costumes because (as many others have stated here)
* I like a unique look (patience pays off here!)
* They're often less expensive, and since I'm crafty I can fix any imperfections (and feel safer doing so)
* Older costumes are often better quality, or at least I can afford higher quality costumes when they're used
* I like a vintage look, and many of the modern styles don't really speak to me
* I can get more information (if I ask for it!) before I buy, and therefore avoid surprises and the unpleasant arrival of a new costume with cheap materials, design flaws, or other problems

Something that hasn't been brought up here yet, and is also a big reason why I wear vintage/re-fashioned in regular streetwear as well, is that the use of previously used materials is better for the environment. There's a lot that goes into the production and transport of new materials, including 'hidden' water exports (where is the cotton in your jeans grown?).

Now, it's also true that it's good to support economies and artisans by purchasing garments, but it's not a black and white issue. Some of the well-known costume houses do treat their staff well and pay them fairly, and that is great to support.

But for me, right now, I'd rather save old garments from being ignored and avoid buying a new consumption of water, petroleum products, and other resources along with a new costume. Where I need to improve on this is buying more locally, to reduce the carbon footprint from transport. I'm glad Bhuz has the Euro zone section on the swapmeet, which I am going to switch to (I hope exclusively) when I move to Spain.

I'm a DIYer- but I prefer used... I am on a super tight budget so new has to be a complete steal for me to consider.

not in a position to get a custom built one at this point- maybe one day. I have no qualms about buying off the shelf if I like the look.

I do both new & used but I have a difficult time finding used that fit as Im a difficult size combo (really big top & small hips).

The bulk of my costumes that I have now were bought new while overseas - it's a lot easier for me to get a designer to make a good quality costume once they see me in person, & I always find stuff ready to wear at Yasser's shop (gotta love Yasser)

Unfortunately, most of what I have had made custom through a third party has come in with the skirts/belts way too big - But I do have a few friends who can benefit from my misfortunes. I also think it was who I ordered from, this vendor was once very reliable but has messed things up terribly in the past 3 years... the good news is I have recently ordered from both Belly Dance Store & NeeNee's Imports & both have come in exactly as ordered - waiting to see what Bella can do for me

I have bought some used costumes over the years, but mostly get new ones.

Nowadays everything I get is custom-ordered because I have my own ideas about the designs or colors I want.

Especially since I have gotten into the multi-color bedlah mood - I will choose 3 colors that I like together and then have one of the costume tailors in Istanbul make it.
That way I also get the right size.

MEISSOUN

Its pretty much impossible for me to buy an entire costume, new or used from anywhere. I can buy costume pieces - everything except tops - any/every where. Tops I have to make/have made for me.

With all that said, I often purchase or swap for used, I like things with provenance. I have also purchased my share of costume pieces new - who can resist the sparkelies?! I even managed to purchase a not quite finished but very pretty vest and belt set from another male dancer that is "close enough" in size to be made to work.

My continuing (mis-)adventures in sewing are starting to pay off also.

I like to buy new... it's because I'm lazy, I'd rather enter my measurements in and have it sent in the color/style I want instead of searching & searching for it. It also sucks finding something that I absolutely love the idea of only to find out the previous owner was not the same size as me.