Thread: BD Store Venus Collection: Let's Talk

Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery

Ok. I like these. A lot. I think. But, they're priced high for a BD Store costume w/no designer label ($595) for me. I don't dispute the price, its just that if I know there are some labels I love on me and some I don't. I typically don't pay retail/full price on new costumes unless I know I like the label.
I like these. I know they got a lot of talk on a recent BD Store thread here but I haven't seen any feedback recently.
I want to know if anyone has one and can talk about:
1. The stocking feet--I see the heel is open. are they stirrup or solid toes?
2. The mesh--thick, thin, sculpting or saggy? Is it that soft mesh eman has been using? so soft and silky...
3. Fit and flatter for short, curvy gals?
4. Quality of the skirt lycra?
5. Skirt attached or seperate?
6. Panty...wahhh? how??

whoah. That's hot.

Sorry, I don't know the answers to any of your questions, but if I were 20 pounds thinner (OK, maybe 30) I'd be ALL over that.

But you're right, it's expensive, especially if it's not durable.

I don't know from experience but I don't think this would work well for dancing. My biggest issue is the stocking foot. When I looked at the picture of the turquoise (3rd from left) if you look closely at the heel you can see fabric wrinkles that make it look like a normal stocking foot. I am not sure if this particular color has a closed heel, or if this is a photoshop illusion. The lime green definitely looks like a cut out heel, but I can't tell with all the other models. I wonder if only some have the cut away heel style? Either way, as lovely as it is, flesh toned mesh picks up everything from the floor and can be really difficult to clean. The weight of your body and twisting motion just grinds everything in. It looks like it would be hard to find slippers that could be worn with the outfit as is, I think some of the side foot sequins would need to be removed.
For panty I would get the kind that exotic dancers use and sew them in. You can find them with clear straps on the side or extremely thin but stretchy sides. You could hand sew a few stitches to follow the band on of the skirt and it would be invisible and pull on as one unit.

I think this outfit is great for a photoshoot, but not practical for dancing. I imagine that if your torso is an inch too short, or your feet are narrow, or anytime you bend a certain way you will get fabric wrinkles. Not flattering when it is skin toned (for some) lycra and someone takes a picture on their camera phone at just the wrong moment =( I like it as a costume, but I don't know that I like it for Belly Dance.

All I know is I want that lime one badly ;-) I wish I had time to get over to the BDStore to check them out before they all disappear!

Originally Posted by NazirahDances

All I know is I want that lime one badly ;-) I wish I had time to get over to the BDStore to check them out before they all disappear!

I second for the light purple one


where's the money tree????

1. The stocking feet--I see the heel is open. are they stirrup or solid toes?
A: The feet are different on each one. Some full foot, some stirrup, some open heel. I personally would change it to stirrup.

2. The mesh--thick, thin, sculpting or saggy? Is it that soft mesh eman has been using? so soft and silky...
A: Quite soft stretchy mesh. Nice fit.

3. Fit and flatter for short, curvy gals?
A: I've been so busy lately- so I didn't model them and haven't tried them on. They ARE quite stretchy- which indicates good fit on a variety of figures.

4. Quality of the skirt lycra?
A:I'd say about Hanan quality. It's fairly light weight, but good quality. Beadwork seems to be the long lasting kind.

5. Skirt attached or seperate?
A Separate

6. Panty...wahhh? how??
A I'd wear a nude one under the body stocking. I might also add coordinating chiffon insert at leg opening, just for a little more modesty.

Great new colors!

DAYUM.....
No way that would work for me but it is crazy hot.

Wow love those! But no way in hell I'd EVER pay that much for one.

WANT!!! The body stocking could be worn with lots of other stuff.

Originally Posted by anala

WANT!!! The body stocking could be worn with lots of other stuff.

Hmmm.. thinking about a fishnet body stocking, embellished to go with many costumes...

The biggest obstacle is that I like my fishnet to be at least 20% lycra and I don't think I've seen any full-body-stockings with that much power.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Hmmm.. thinking about a fishnet body stocking, embellished to go with many costumes...

The biggest obstacle is that I like my fishnet to be at least 20% lycra and I don't think I've seen any full-body-stockings with that much power.

This might be too much trouble but maybe a body stocking and tights, all from the same mesh or lycra product. I have no idea where to locate such items but it might work. If anyone is successful locating such items please share.

Originally Posted by showtime

This might be too much trouble but maybe a body stocking and tights, all from the same mesh or lycra product. I have no idea where to locate such items but it might work. If anyone is successful locating such items please share.

a full body convertible tight from your local dance supplier would be the closest thing but difficult to embellish.

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

1. The stocking feet--I see the heel is open. are they stirrup or solid toes?
A: The feet are different on each one. Some full foot, some stirrup, some open heel. I personally would change it to stirrup.

6. Panty...wahhh? how??
A I'd wear a nude one under the body stocking. I might also add coordinating chiffon insert at leg opening, just for a little more modesty.

See and this is a peeve for me. The more costumes they carry, the less detail you get on the item. I know they're good about responding to inquiries and their return policy is great but it would be nice to have the main details about a costume listed. Like the feet on these. I think its intentional the pictures don't show the feet, I know when these costumes came up in another thread people talked about the feet--the dirt, the slide-y danger, the line at the ankles. Most of the other costume pics show the wacky platform shoes yet these are curiously cropped to NOT show the feet.
Duh! of course a chiffon modesty panel. Especially since the skirt is separate.

Originally Posted by nayastrance

See and this is a peeve for me. The more costumes they carry, the less detail you get on the item. I know they're good about responding to inquiries and their return policy is great but it would be nice to have the main details about a costume listed. Like the feet on these. I think its intentional the pictures don't show the feet, I know when these costumes came up in another thread people talked about the feet--the dirt, the slide-y danger, the line at the ankles. Most of the other costume pics show the wacky platform shoes yet these are curiously cropped to NOT show the feet.
Duh! of course a chiffon modesty panel. Especially since the skirt is separate.

They're not always good about responding to inquiries- I sent them an email with questions weeks ago (3ish), and no response. I was going to send it again, but think I found something I'd rather get from Dahlal. If they had responded promptly, I would've bought the item immediately and probably would've never seen the other at Dahlal. So they lost a sale.

So I ordered one and it arrived today. Just got to try it on now.

The quality of mesh is good and the bead work is gorgeous. TONS of AB crystals. Really nice work:) I'm 34C, 27 waist, 37 upper and 41 lower hip and 5'6. The one I bought was listed as B/C cup, 34-37 upper. I would say the body stocking was very true to size, although I feel that the bra was definitely a B cup. The stocking fit me just fine. My C's were too big for the bra though.. The skirt was too small for me:( The fabric of the skirt is a very pretty shiny spandex-ish fabric. the decorated foot had the heal open, while the none decorated leg was open foot like a legging.

Personally I think these are really nice costumes. I will have to send mine back unfortunately, but if it did fit me properly I wouldn't. It's nice versatility that the skirt is not attached, so the body stocking can be worn with whatever you want:)

I did really like that the band on the bra was soft and stretchy, it was a nice change from the usual stiff bellydance bra. Hopefully someone else gets one and it works out for them and they can enjoy it:)

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

I've been so busy lately- so I didn't model them and haven't tried them on.

I LOVE that you always seem to answer questions about the costumes. It means a great deal to me. Thank you.

Originally Posted by SaNoorah

I LOVE that you always seem to answer questions about the costumes. It means a great deal to me. Thank you.

Thanks darlin!

CFox
Any chance you could take some close up pictures of the mesh detailing & share them before you send it back? Thanks for sharing your experience!

Originally Posted by SaNoorah

I LOVE that you always seem to answer questions about the costumes. It means a great deal to me. Thank you.

Ditto. Not only to you answer but you'll share honest opinions on fit, quality, et cetera.

I purchased the teal and have to send it back today. The bare leg ends at the ankle, the embroidered leg is a full foot with the hole in the arch. Like this - Child Convertible Tights - Style #1816C at Discount Dance Supply

I agree - the mesh is very soft and the detail on the beading is very good. The bra was comfortable. I'm returning it because I have very short legs and the decorated leg looks awkward. And the skirt is too small. Also, I felt very open in it on the one side, it would be way too easy to flash everyone my butt!

Some photos of the mesh are here - https://picasaweb.google.com/phillyr...eat=directlink

Originally Posted by nayastrance

Ditto. Not only to you answer but you'll share honest opinions on fit, quality, et cetera.

Thanks! I am a shopping enabler as heart- but I also feel everyone will only continue shopping if honest answers are given. So, really it's about "honesty to preserve MORE shopping!"

Originally Posted by phillyraqs

I purchased the teal and have to send it back today. The bare leg ends at the ankle, the embroidered leg is a full foot with the hole in the arch. Like this - Child Convertible Tights - Style #1816C at Discount Dance Supply

I agree - the mesh is very soft and the detail on the beading is very good. The bra was comfortable. I'm returning it because I have very short legs and the decorated leg looks awkward. And the skirt is too small. Also, I felt very open in it on the one side, it would be way too easy to flash everyone my butt!

Some photos of the mesh are here - https://picasaweb.google.com/phillyr...eat=directlink

Thank you for sharing. I've got sort, muscular legs and I'm worried the decorated leg will make me look like a spangled sausage!

these are so cute! but def pricey. i have short legs too, so i guess i'll cross this off my wish list

Since the skirt is too small for both people who bought it I am curious. Is it just a bit too small, or significantly? Since the skirt is detachable would it be possible to fix by maybe adding a bit of something like rhinestone chain to connect the two sides, then putting in a chiffon panel? Or is the skirt really too small to be fixable? Did the body stocking match the measurements, but the skirt did not? Now that you've tried it in person, would you buy one in a larger size if it was possible ? So many questions! It is a shame neither of you got a good fit =(

My skirt was true to the posted measurements, but I was a bit optimistic about my top hip. (What's two inches amongst friends, right?!?! Oops, it's a lot.)

You could expand the skirt and add a chiffon panel to make it larger, absolutely.

However, I wanted this costume as designed to show a lot of leg. Expanding the skirt and adding a panel would defeat the purpose for me.

I would buy larger, absolutely, but the available costumes in my size are not in colors that look good on me.

Oh, I loooove these, from the very first second I saw them!!!

Wish they came in more colors than caucasian.....I must see this as an opportunity to not blow 600 bucks in one go.....

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who loved them! I have talked myself out of buying one though - I think it would be a little outrageous for the kind of work I get booked for (small, well-lit family restaurant, big parties with lots of kids).