Thread: a hook and a snap? Velcro? Pin? Chewing gum?

What closures do you like to use the best on skirts, bras and belts?

A hook? A snap? A hook and a snap? How big a hook? Do you forgo all sewn-on closures and trust your giant safety pins?

One side overlaps the other side... hot glue is impractical... what's the best way to make 'em stick together, in your experience?

chewing gum, definitely. Actually, I recommend sewing. And my vote goes for big hooks and big snaps on both bras and belts.

There was a recent related thread here:

What are the best bra hooks and how do you ensure yours stays on? Costume Malfunction :(

Big hooks. Snaps never work for me, they ALWAYS pop again. And safety pins for additional security.

multiple hooks, and I always sew my own on so I know they are secure. I use the flat ones that slide in, and make sure they are in!

I use two skirt hooks for each closure, or better yet three. The most reliable ones click firmly into place so they can't shimmy open. Like this:
Dritz® Skirt Hook & Eye- 1/2" Nickel & Black 12/Pk*: snaps, hooks & eyelets*: fasteners & buttons*: sewing & quilt*: Shop | Joann.com

Because my hooks have a lot to put up with and I fear the wardrobe malfunction, I always diaper-pin as a backup unless there are three intact locking hooks. Heavy-duty Velcro works well instead of pinning and makes for quicker changes, but so far I've been too busy (read: lazy) to sew it into most of my stuff.

Some dancers swear by giant snaps as a backup, but I never manage to get them lined up just right. Velcro is easier for the klutzy stitcher. (That's me, not you!)

Big hooks--at least two. In between could be a big snap, or a smaller snap could hold down extra strappage. But I wouldn't trust anything but big hooks (like pant hooks) to hold things together, and I never rely on just one. And then, sometimes I pin for extra good measure.

Hook (flat trouser hook) plus a giant snap.

I used to use double hooks but found that the one without stress on it often came undone.

For a while, I used a single hook plus a big safety pin... but then I discovered the convenience of the snap and I will NEVER go back.

Hooks (usually two) and a big snap to keep everything in place.

A pair of big hooks, sometimes combined with big snaps or velcro.

For bras and belts, definitely big hooks. For skirts I prefer elastic. But then the giant safety pins to pin the belt to the skirt.

strong trouser style hooks & big snaps & I have also used velcro between the hooks & snaps or behind the snaps if on neck straps so that the neck straps stay flat. Safety pins are always in my bag ... just in case

I like flat drawstrings (e.g., twill tape or grosgrain, something not shiny and slick) instead of elastic for waistbands, because you can get the same degree of tightness with less muffin top. For a gathered waistband, if you pre-gather and tack the drawstring down so that only about a quarter of the total waistband is gather-able when you put the skirt on, you don't have to worry about the fullness being randomly bunchy or the drawstring disappearing into the casing. You can also make one sturdy knot in the ribbon and use a safety pin for backup if you don't want a big, lumpy, multi-turn knot.

If you're working with a flat waistband (e.g., one that isn't gathered, like the modern, belt-less skirts with zippers) and you want to reinforce it or minimize it a little, you could adapt the elastic-and-zigzag-thread-casing method to a more belt-ish strategy by reinforcing a couple of layers of flat ribbon or lightweight belting, adding hooks, and running that through your casing. You'd have to be careful it didn't show through in some sort of obvious way, but that's true for the elastic, too.

Also, I agree with Shems about sewing. If you want to convert a multi-piece belt into a one piece, sew it together. Glue is worse than just impractical--it can permanently damage the materials. If you sew carefully, the costume can theoretically be reverted to its original design (assuming you don't wear the finish off the exposed sequins or something) if you want to resize it or sell it to someone else. Glue can't be easily undone.

I'm an advocate of the hook-and-snap method for bras -- I like the big trouser-style hooks for the end closure, with a big "whopper popper"-type snap in the overlap portion to help keep everything in place.

For belts, same kind of hooks. Sometimes I add a snap, sometimes not.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

Also, I agree with Shems about sewing. If you want to convert a multi-piece belt into a one piece, sew it together.

I sew as much as possible rather than relying on closures. Safety pins, for me, are a last resort for when something breaks.

I ALWAYS sew halter straps together behind the neck! The idea of depending on a hook there makes me sqeamish.

I ALWAYS sew two-piece belts together at one side. Why have twice as many potential problems during a performance? It's just as easy to sew the belt pieces together as it is to sew hooks in place, and just as easy to rip the stitches out & change the size if necessary.

I sometimes sew big snaps onto my skirts & inside my belts. Only if the skirt would otherwise try to twist or peek out.

I occasionally sew dance trunks (booty short style, usually, in nude or matching color) into my skirts. I do this for decorated skirts worn without a belt, usually. Keeps them from slipping, falling, twisting, etc. Holds them securely in place with NO muffin top. I just tack them in, front, back & sides, and wear other undies with the costume. I remove them if I'm going to sell the costume.

I live in fear of a costume malfunction, so I sew things together as much as I possibly can, but for the rest I use hooks and velcro. ALOT of velcro. I have a bra where the straps overlap quite a bit so I have covered the entire strap with velcro. There's no way it's falling of unless the seams break, I can barely get it off myself. At the end of both straps are hooks. The belt is secured similarly, with the two parts sewn together and plenty of velcro and two large hooks where it need to be fastened. For a performance I will add a backup system with safety pins. No indecent exposure here...

Hooks, ideally more than one, and ideally with enough overlap for a piece of velcro.

Buttons work too, but buttonholes are a lot of work so I only use buttons if I want buttons as a design feature.

Originally Posted by EzmaSiddiqah

multiple hooks, and I always sew my own on so I know they are secure. I use the flat ones that slide in, and make sure they are in!

This!

Originally Posted by Suzana

I use two skirt hooks for each closure, or better yet three. The most reliable ones click firmly into place so they can't shimmy open. Like this:
Dritz® Skirt Hook & Eye- 1/2" Nickel & Black 12/Pk*: snaps, hooks & eyelets*: fasteners & buttons*: sewing & quilt*: Shop | Joann.com

A trick I learned from my first costume lady:

Put 2 or 3 of these (the above) in a vertical row - THEN put an additional one offset horizontally by about 2 inches. I have yet to have this combination shimmy off - but now that I've said it...

I had a belt - large tassel belt - that was secured with 2 hooks and a large snap. It literally EXPLODED off my hips onstage at either Rakkasah or Carnival of Stars - I forget which. It had never given me any problems before. My troupe sisters blame it on its former owner, now deceased! She apparently had quite the sense of humor!

I haven't had the best of luck with snaps.

ETA: This is, of course, my experience with skirts, pants, and especially belts. I can't help with bras!

P.S.

Sew the hooks on with your sewing machine! Much, MUCH more secure than any amount of hand sewing and faster too! My troupe leader almost lost her belt a week ago because of hand sewn hooks where the stitching for same let go.

ETA: Same goes for sew-on snaps, buttons, and similar things if you use them.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I occasionally sew dance trunks (booty short style, usually, in nude or matching color) into my skirts. I do this for decorated skirts worn without a belt, usually. Keeps them from slipping, falling, twisting, etc. Holds them securely in place with NO muffin top. I just tack them in, front, back & sides, and wear other undies with the costume. I remove them if I'm going to sell the costume.

Ooh, this sounds like exactly what I need to do to address my too-big-skirt issue!