Thread: How does an arabesque skirt differ from a circle skirt left in panels?

I've been trying to figure it out but haven't been able to. From the pics I've seen, an arabesque skirt looks like a circle skirt that has a couple panels in the back, one in the front, and the sides are left open. Is there more to it than that?

Arabesque skirts are made by Pharaonix, an Egyptian designer brand. The skirts have elaborate patterns of sequins for extra sparkle. Those sequins are hndsewn to the delicate chiffon, which means many ours of maual labor.

But is the shape basically a 3 panel circle skirt or is there a variation in the shape?

{{{{HUGS}}}

All of the Pharaonics Arabesque skirts I've had consisted of four half-circle panels, so two full circles. Most have had slim separate underskirts, but one was two attached layers, four panels each, with no separate underskirt. There may be one slit or two, and the hem may or may not be stiffened with fishing line. The flat sequin-work on the chiffon is "arabesque" (scrolling), either contrasting or not, and the skirt usually comes in a set with puffy sleeves and a matching veil. Sets generally cost $220 to $300 new from US vendors, depending on the details.

There's some confusion, I think, because some folks on the Swap Meet are calling any chiffon skirt from Pharaonics, or any embellished full skirt from any manufacturer, an "Arabesque" skirt. People are starting to think it's a term for a type of skirt rather than the name of a particular set from a particular manufacturer. To avoid misunderstandings and potential disappointment, I'd rather we didn't use it unless we mean one of these:

Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery
Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery
http://www.dahlal.com/default.aspx?n...besque%20skirt

Thanks for the clarification, ladies! Now I know what it is and will be sure to use the term correctly. :D