Thread: versatility vs. total coordination

I'm debating in my mind wether to make a skirt set to match a specific bedlah with special elements that would really draw the two into a set, or if I should keep the skirt set slightly more generic so the skirts could potentially be worn with other bedlahs...I'm having hard time deciding.

What are your thoughts on the pros and cons of making a skirt more versatile vs. totally coordinating the skirts with the rest of your look?

If you have found fabric that ties in well with the bedlah, go with it. It will make it a complete costume instead of costume pieces put together (which can look great, too, of course) and you may end up being able to wear it with another set down the line. Whatever you choose, I can't wait to see it! I love seeing your creations. You do such nice work.

My vote would be total coordination.

I always tell myself I prefer versatility for practical purposes, but then I go and buy (or make) costumes that are "totally coordinated" and not versatile at all. Go figure...

I think versatility becomes less important as you get more and more costumes. So if you already have four or five versatile skirts, you can afford to have a more coordinated one, in my humble opinion.

Or another way of thinking about this is: if you make a special skirt to go with one costume, you are creating future opportunities to acquire more skirts to go with the other costumes that the non-versatile skirt doesn't go with. Icing on the cake.

I vote for total coordination. Unless this is your 2nd costume which it doesn't appear to be. Total coordination looks much more polished and its not worth the "versatility" which is in itself limited because you will likely wear the same skirt with another bedlah for the same crowd anyhow (if you are performing at local haflas or taking pix)... just not as nice in my opinion!

Go for the skirt that will make the costume you have the best it can be.

It sounds like y'all have a strong leaning towards total coordination. I does make it more special, doesn't it. I'll probably ask some more advice as I go into the details.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Can you do a multi-layered skirt? That way, you could customize the top layer to go with a specific bra and belt, and still get multiple uses out of the bottom layer(s).

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

Can you do a multi-layered skirt? That way, you could customize the top layer to go with a specific bra and belt, and still get multiple uses out of the bottom layer(s).

Couldn't have said it better myself :) I think that's a great idea!

It's easier to be versatile if all your costumes are in toning colours.

Or if you have a gold or silver preference that you can add trim to the skirt to tie in with the bedlah.

Originally Posted by yameyameyame

I always tell myself I prefer versatility for practical purposes, but then I go and buy (or make) costumes that are "totally coordinated" and not versatile at all. Go figure...

ditto!!!!

except for the making part

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

Can you do a multi-layered skirt? That way, you could customize the top layer to go with a specific bra and belt, and still get multiple uses out of the bottom layer(s).

and or make it reversable

I'm making plans for a bedlah that hasn't even reached my front door yet, so I'll have to get it in hand before I know for sure what is possible. But multilayered is already in my evil plan. My imagination has a couple of somewhat vintage haute couture skirt ideas rolling around, I'm not even sure I can create. :-) but I want to!

:-)

Originally Posted by shems

I'm making plans for a bedlah that hasn't even reached my front door yet, so I'll have to get it in hand before I know for sure what is possible. But multilayered is already in my evil plan. My imagination has a couple of somewhat vintage haute couture skirt ideas rolling around, I'm not even sure I can create. :-) but I want to!

:-)

Ooo, sounds yummy- I'll be watching the "what are you working on" posts!

I have grown increasingly disenchanted with the super versatile tack- because what you think is oh so versatile many times isn't- unless you already have the other things it will coordinate with. I have stacks of 'versatile' skirts that just sit in the closet, while I dance in my beloved sets that really work together. Crud, I tend to make a new skirt/vest/whatever which fits my new vision for a specific choreography rather than pull something 'versatile' out of my closet.

poor, pretty skirts- just sitting there. Sigh.