Thread: Poofs and the circle skirt

On the 1970's Belly Dancer FB page I posted this video. And a discussion about poofs began. I remember the first belly dancers I saw always wore 2 circle skirts. The bottom one usually a silver or gold lame to contrast with the color of the top skirt. The bottom skirt was always tucked into a poof. Eventually dancers abandoned the bottom layer, but the poofs remained for a while. When the Egyptian style became a craze, the poofs disappeared as dancers strived for a more streamlined look. Eventually even the circle skirts gave way to straight skirts.

But I liked the poofs. They really emphasized hip works and helped give you a narrow waist/wide hip look.

So who still wear poofs? I say: Bring them back!

i think they are making a comeback. i love circle skirts

and ive seen many a poof :)

feel naked w/o my two skirts and poofs

I definitely wear the poofs! =D It really greatly emphasizes the hip work and it looks so bouncy and fun when you're dancing! =D

We have had this conversation a few time. I am and always have been a 3 panel skirt girl. Poofs, drapes and lots of leg when approproate!

Here are a couple of threads:

Tucking skirts for a retro look

The Demise of the Thighs: What Happened to the Leggy Look?


{{{HUGS}}}

Come back? Hah! For me they never left! :) I'm narrow in the hip, so I love to 'pouf'

I like to wear a split top skirt over a full skirt and tuck up the full skirt at the sides. Sometimes I add an akai charmeuse (sp?) draped in a "U" in the back and tuck the ends at the side for more movement. yum

One word: NOM.

I poof! lol

Sometimes I'll use a veil under the belt and pull it out at the sides and make poofs too. I have huge hips, but the poofs make my waist look smaller and really emphasize my movements.

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

We have had this conversation a few time. I am and always have been a 3 panel skirt girl. Poofs, drapes and lots of leg when approproate!

Here are a couple of threads:

Tucking skirts for a retro look

The Demise of the Thighs: What Happened to the Leggy Look?


{{{HUGS}}}

Need to bring back the leggy look too. I'm really getting tired of seeing all these form fitting skirts that cover everything up. It's a great look as an alternative once in awhile, if you have an ultra conservative audience but nothing beats a circle skirt and legs.

it is conservative where I live, but I gots nice legs…love to show them when I can!!

I'm in a conservative area too, but love the leggy look. So I've made matching harem pants for each of my skirts. The pants have slits that go all the way up the leg and are baggy enough to show my legs but at the same time make my audience feel at ease because they know I have something on under my skirt(s).

ETA: This is also great for outdoor events where it can get breezy and high stages where one might worry about overexposure from below. :)

With my heavyset thighs, cellulite, unpretty knees and serious weight problems, legs are WELL hidden. The thought of thigh flash will turn me into a quivering wreck!

And my diet is working very well - in the wrong direction! So I doubt I'll be changing my mindset any time soon.

Originally Posted by 0Adara0

Come back? Hah! For me they never left! :) I'm narrow in the hip, so I love to 'pouf'

Me too! The slim straight skirts just don't look that good on me.

Had a workshop with Sonya of Chicago last weekend -- she referred to poufs as "shoulder pads for bellydancers".

Originally Posted by Ndi-mi

With my heavyset thighs, cellulite, unpretty knees and serious weight problems, legs are WELL hidden. The thought of thigh flash will turn me into a quivering wreck!

And my diet is working very well - in the wrong direction! So I doubt I'll be changing my mindset any time soon.

You should try a circle skirt with one leg opening. When I gained weight I sewed up one side of the skirt. So I had the fullness of a circle skirt, the sexiness of a leg showing but the coverage and security of lots of fabric.

I heart poufs and love to see them!

I don´t wear it often myself,since many venues here demands a more "modern"look...which is sad ´cause I look terrible in the straight or the cone skirts(the narrow faux mermaid/fishtail who is very skimped on the fabric)

So one of my favorite costumes seldom saw the light(and I since sold it)but was loved by turk/greek/balkan crowds:
Headdress+Bra+Vest+Pouf sleeves+Hip poufs+Belt+Front split harems+2 pairs of 3-circle panel skirts on top of each other...all in bronze w. black accents-omnomnom

...am I the only one hoping that Kamelia wearing them will bring back the harems in style again?

*run and hides*

Originally Posted by Ndi-mi

With my heavyset thighs, cellulite, unpretty knees and serious weight problems, legs are WELL hidden. The thought of thigh flash will turn me into a quivering wreck!

And my diet is working very well - in the wrong direction! So I doubt I'll be changing my mindset any time soon.

I´ve had cellulite since I was 12 so I hear ya...
But a "vintage style"3 panel skirt can also be worn with a closed circle skirt in chiffon under it,or chiffon harem pants(split the way you like it or not at all)Works like a bellycover for thighs&upper legs!

Originally Posted by emma-bessa

I´ve had cellulite since I was 12 so I hear ya...
But a "vintage style"3 panel skirt can also be worn with a closed circle skirt in chiffon under it,or chiffon harem pants(split the way you like it or not at all)Works like a bellycover for thighs&upper legs!

Also, if you have the skirt on elastic, you can manipulate how much leg you really want to show. YOu can have it really open with the panels scrunched together or spread out the panels to get lots of coverage.