Thread: Will this fit? + Padding Q's

Thinking of the advice I got to consider something more versatile for my first costume, I've been looking at bedlahs at BD store.

I normally wear and fit well into a 32B. My underbust is 28", my overbust is 32", and my bust is 33".

I understand that BD Store lists their cup sizes relative to a 36" band size, so I'm looking for a 32B => 34A => 36AA? Yikes, I always knew I was small, but this really confirms it!


BD Store has literally 3 bedlahs listed as AA, and the hip measurements on those are too big (I'm 32"), so would an A cup work instead? Here's one costume that seems like it would fit in underbust and upper hip:

Icicles III in Silver

I understand many dancers pad their costumes, but I've also heard that "hard Egyptian cups" are more prone to gaping with padding than "soft cups" like those on Bellas. Does the costume above have the hard cups or the soft ones?

I don't really have a place here in town where I can go try on bedlah and I don't know anyone that is my same size, so I think I'm just going to have to trial-and-error this.

Would I be better off custom ordering or trying to make my own bedlah? I really want it to fit!

Originally Posted by Alexa

Thinking of the advice I got to consider something more versatile for my first costume, I've been looking at bedlahs at BD store.

I normally wear and fit well into a 32B. My underbust is 28", my overbust is 32", and my bust is 33".

I understand that BD Store lists their cup sizes relative to a 36" band size, so I'm looking for a 32B => 34A => 36AA? Yikes, I always knew I was small, but this really confirms it!


BD Store has literally 3 bedlahs listed as AA, and the hip measurements on those are too big (I'm 32"), so would an A cup work instead? Here's one costume that seems like it would fit in underbust and upper hip:

Icicles III in Silver

I understand many dancers pad their costumes, but I've also heard that "hard Egyptian cups" are more prone to gaping with padding than "soft cups" like those on Bellas. Does the costume above have the hard cups or the soft ones?

I don't really have a place here in town where I can go try on bedlah and I don't know anyone that is my same size, so I think I'm just going to have to trial-and-error this.

Would I be better off custom ordering or trying to make my own bedlah? I really want it to fit!

Based on your underbust and upper hip measurements, this would appear to be workable for you. It shouldn't be too difficult to pad the bra if needed. If there is gapping at the top of the bra, there are ways to angle the straps or add more padding at the bottom of the cups to push the breast upward to fill the cup. I wonder if they have a policy that allows returns if something doesn't fit?

Almost anyone has to make adjustments to a bedlah to get a perfect fit. In fact, if your weight fluctuates more than 5 lbs. or so, you will most likely have to move hooks on your costumes.

The cup size is sort of based on a 36 band, but that doesn't mean you have to go through that cup/conversion process down to a AA. You still need depth for your cup size.
By "based on a 36 band" they mean the width of the cups together will fit someone in the average under-bust size RANGE, and you fit into that range... but if you look at the band measurements, they have a range, too. You want to choose a band that accommodates a smaller size in its range . Cups are SO varied (as are women), it's difficult to size them uniformly.
I wear a 34B in real life. Underbust 29. I get B or C cups from belly dance store (depending upon designer) and I pad for a full look.

Also- when I needed something and wasn't sure of the measurements, I just emailed and talked with Cherry- I gave her my measurements and asked if she thought it would fit, and she was very, very helpful. When in doubt, just ask! It's also helpful to have someone experienced on your end to help you with adjustments. Even custom made stuff will often need adjustments, because bodies are not just sized differently, they are shaped differently too, so I could have the exact same measurements as someone else but still need major adjustments for good fit.

Yeah, regular bra conversion tables don't really apply to hand made bellydance costume bras. If anything, I suggest erring on the side of purchasing a larger cup and padding it. It gives nice shape and lift anyway

Don't worry about finding the exact back strap size, as overlap is the norm. and adds extra security when the overlap is secured down with velcro.