Thread: Newbie Question!

Hello everyone. :)

I am starting my first belly dance class (Cabaret! So excited!) soon and I am getting rather nervous about showing my bare belly. I am a bigger girl and unfortunately I don't have the confidence to show my belly like I have seen so many other goddess-sized gals do.

I was wondering, would it looks silly to my audience (or other dancers) if I wore a solid-colored midriff cover under my costume? For example a solid pink midriff cover to wear with a pretty pink cabaret bra and skirt set? I am not really wanting to do the mesh covers (shows too much! lol)

Thanks for any info!

No, it's not silly. It may be a little warm, but not silly. You may also find after you have been dancing for a while, that you feel differently about exposing your tummy.

So, before you spend too much energy on worry about costuming, I would concentrate on enjoying the process of learning how to dance. Then see how you feel!

{{{{HUGS}}}

If you haven't even started classes yet, you really don't need to be worrying *right now* about what costume you're going to be wearing to perform in. When the time comes for you to start performing, with your teacher's support, she will be able to advise you as to what is appropriate costuming for the venue/event/dance that you are doing.

In the first instance, I would imagine you would be dancing as part of a student group, rather than performing solo, so what you want to wear is academic, because it's a troupe decision, whether that decision is made by the students together or by the teacher. In my experience, most teachers are very good at taking their students' views into account when deciding student troupe costuming. Also, their intention is to make the troupe look good, so they will usually want to make you wear something that will be flattering to all members of the class.

But I'm sure you'd be ok with some sort of midriff cover. So don't sweat it.

Thanks ladies! This is my first class, but I have been studying on my own for the past few months via DVDs (LOTS of DVDs ) and youtube videos. So I have had a lot of time to dream about what I want to wear on the stage haha. :)

Indira,
Learning the dance should be your first priority. But in the meantime, check out www.Shira.com(?), and Devine Brown books on costuming. I think there is advice on picking figure flattering costumes. Do not think you just have to wear a two piece. There are beautiful, beautiful one piece dresses out there that are soooo elegant, with different designs and oo la la cut outs!

Excuse me, Belly Dance: All About Belly Dancing with Advice, History, Culture, Music, More!!

Agree with what the others have said. I'd like to add, though, that if you wear a solid (opaque) midriff colour, consider either a flesh tone or a colour that is a little different from the colour of your bra and belt. Otherwise, it will look like a dress. Dresses are lovely and a great option, but if you are going for a two-piece look but with coverage, a matching, opaque, solid colour might not give you the look you want. Or, if you go with a colour, using mesh will give a bit of contrast with the costume to help show the pieces (and your movements). That's MHO, anyhow.

There are midriff covers that are more opaque than a mesh one. The See-Fit crystal lycra ones (in flesh and black) are slightly more opaque than the mesh (although not completely opaque). They also have a subtle sparkle to them. I just ordered a couple of See-Fit mesh ones with snap crotch and sleeves, and I'm really pleased. (I also have a Dahlal one without sleeves. I like the way it looks--I'm wearing it in my profile pic, but I don't like fiddling with hooking it to a bra if I have a lot of costume changes. Also, sometimes I'm at a festival in costume (at a booth or busking) for hours, and I figure the snap crotch will be easier for bathroom breaks.) Anyway, they have a lot of options, and I think they could fit quite a few sizes. I'm about a size 10 on top and a size 12 on the bottom. I ordered a medium, but I think I could have gone with a small. (They have 5 different size options, from XS to XL.) :: See Fit Body Stockings :: Body stockings for dance and stage

I also agree with the idea that dancing might help you to become more comfortable with your belly. I've had 3 large babies by caesarian. I have a big belly and stretch marks. I also have a genetic tendency to put on weight in my stomach far more than other areas, so my belly is quite out of proportion to the rest of my body, unlike some goddess-sized women who have the breasts and hips to match and look very luscious (IMO). Before I started dancing, I wore long tops or big sweatshirts to hide my belly. Since I started dancing, I have willingly exposed my belly in public many times. I do feel more confident with a belly cover now. (I'm 53 years old.) But dancing has definitely helped me to accept my body more.