Thread: Costuming for a Big Band piece

Hoping to pick some brains and glean some ideas here. I'm working on a solo to a 1930's track about a 220lb belly dancer (guess how much I weigh)


Choreo is coming along nicely, but I'm stumped as to a costume. It should be easy -I mean, it's not like I have to worry about it making me look fat!- but I can't decide what sort of costume would suit this song. I did have vague plans for a sort of vintage drapy orientale affair, embellished with pearls- you think that might work?

What would you wear?

In a perfect world of fantasy costumes, I'd costume you in heavy, vintage assuit with pearls, with a fantastic head piece with pearls and feathers - to pay homage to the era of the song.

What a hoot! I'm a fan of this era, but I never heard this song before. Hope you have a lot of fun with it!

I think Sabrina's suggestion is right on the money. It definitely needs pearls of some sort.

Those loooooong pearl (faux) necklaces that were really popular in the fall and winter seasons are making it to the jewelry sale racks in stores. Those would probably be really simple to add on a costume or twist into your hair.

Are you thinking of hair up or down?

Cheers folks, you're really inspiring me!

Sabrina, I like the way you think! I can do most of that, but may need to sub the assuit for something in my price range (ie dirt cheap). Wonder whether pale satins in beige or cream would work.

Jeanne- it's great isn't it? I found it in a list of songs on a 'fat admiration' site.

MaryRaks- Probably up, given Sabrina's idea for a headdress. I've noticed pearls on all the sale racks this year, so they should be easy to get.

You might want to look at lurex as opposed to assuit. Or do a brocade vest with a long white blouse and harems. Ghawazzi suggestion. Then add the pearls to either.

{{{HUGS}}}

The style in the early 1930s still tended to be pretty straight and sack-y, but it was evolving back to the natural silhouette. There are some nice examples here Christine's 1930s Page, especially at the line above "Fashions from Butterick Fashion News, 1930." If you made something like one of those (especially the far-right picture) in a light, drapey fabric, you'd have lots of movement when you danced.

The cover of the sheet music to the Ted Weems version of the song is here Egyptian Ella. Hmm, I don't think I'd recommend a skirt that sheer, but I do like the duck headband. Have you heard the Ted Weems version? He's got an intro verse that the Jack Hylton version doesn't.



I don't think anyone would fault you if you wore the traditional fringed flapper dress for this. 1931 is getting a little late for that style, but this was in the transition between the Jazz Age and the Swing Era and leaning toward the early side, so you'd be splitting some fine hairs by complaining. I don't think most people would think anything was wrong if you threw in some Charleston or Black Bottom steps on a song like this, either. If you already own one of those shimmy dresses that Dahlal calls the "Magic Stretch Dress," you could probably change out the accessories and wear that.

Tourbeau- the Weems version is definitely better, but I could only find a legit download for the Hylton version. If you have a link for the latter, I'd be grateful.

I think I'm going to stick with a 'cabaret' belly dance silhouette of long skirt, bare belly and bra top, partly because it's easier for me to make, and partly because my audience wouldn't know historical accuracy if it bit them on the ...nose.

You might want to go with something Mata Hari - esque then! Pearls or shells! Fun either way!

{{{HUGS}}}

If you need faux pearl necklaces, etc. for your costume, you can also go to shopgoodwill.com. They sometimes have lots and boxes of donated jewelry that they sell for a flat price. I bought a 10 pound box of unsorted pearl necklaces from them when I was working on a coin and pearl project.

Edited to add sample link: http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=7985779

Originally Posted by LilithNoor

Tourbeau- the Weems version is definitely better, but I could only find a legit download for the Hylton version. If you have a link for the latter, I'd be grateful.

I don't see it for MP3 download legally, but it looks like the song is on the CD "Marvellous!" with the red cover. There's another Ted Weems CD also called "Marvelous" with one "L" and a purple cover, but that one doesn't have the song. Only about half of the tracks are the same between the two releases, and this is unfortunately one of the differences.