Thread: Costumes for the short torso-ed

I could have sworn there was a thread on here about costuming advice for people with short torsos and long legs. I searched for it, but if someone happens to have a link to it and can post it here, I would greatly appreciate it.

I've learned from personal experience that fringe monsters aren't really the best for me, though I do love them. I had another theory that skirts with no slits would also help with the illusion of a longer torso, since the eye would not be drawn to the long line of flesh in the leg. I also found that the super long middle fringe of the American Icon bedlah (the fringe piece that goes all the way down to the belt) is SUPER flattering for my body shape!! Even with a double slit circle skirt, I felt like that single long piece really helped to draw the eye to the length of my body and create the illusion of a longer torso.

Any other tips for me and the dancers with similar body shapes? Maybe certain bead swag patterns on bras? V-shaped belts? Links to pictures, threads, videos, etc? Costume you want to sell me? I'm kidding about that last one, I haven't money at the moment so that would be torture!

Wearing the belt and/or skirt as low as possible helps quite a bit. As low as possible without exposing pubes and crack. Secure with pins, toupe tape or whatever to keep it low but in the safe zone.

Originally Posted by eden_eyes

Maybe certain bead swag patterns on bras?

I found that for my great loop, I had to remove 6 or so of the outer loops on the center swag, and for the swags on the cups, I shortened the outer swags so that they do not hang lower than the cups.

V-shaped belts? Links to pictures, threads, videos, etc?

V shaped belts can be nice. I am somewhat short torsoed and think the PHaronics great loop looks pretty good on me. But the V can work against you in terms of lengthening the line of your hip.

The opposite of a V belt actually elongates even more. Take a look at this video with Sadie. Her belt comes up higher in the center. This allows her to wear it very very low and it elongates her already long torso and emphasizes her hip work. THe belt is so low that if it wasn't for that center area that comes up higher, it would be indecent, or close.

Thanks for the tip on the great loop!! When I get one, I'll probably have to do the same. And thanks especially for the tip with the link to Sadie...I'm going to try that with my next experimental costume project. I hadn't really thought about that belt style but you're right. When I convince my roommate to allow me to start on yet another new project, I'll have to post in the "what are you working on" thread next time

I'm looking at a video of myself in a bella-esque costume with a slight V-shape belt. It makes my hips look nice, but now that I'm really looking at it, it really doesn't do anything to lengthen the torso like I thought it would. I still love it, but I can see what you mean by the shape not really working with you in the way that you'd think. Especially considering you can only wear the V-belt so low before the apex of the point comes too far down, so really, it only makes part of you long!

Here are some older threads that talk about various issues with costuming short-waisted dancers. I suspect the first one is the one you are thinking of.

Longer legs, shorter torso?
Costuming For Short Torso/Thick waist
waist straps..

If you're making your own costume as I did with a base Lesedi covered for me, it's easier to personalize the fit for a shorter waist.

The pattern I made was a V shape belt but I made it narrower than usual. Lesedi was clever and made my bra band narrower than usual also. The effect was of 'less bedlah' on my very short frame. I put the two pieces of bra fringe on the top of the cups so there was the full effect of the fringe but it didn't hang down too far.

I can't figure out how to pull photos from my phone and put them on my computer. Otherwise I'd show you.

I KNEW I made a thread about this long ago! I couldn't find it so I assumed I dreamt I did!! Thank you Torbeau you're my hero!!

Doozer, I like the idea of the thin bra band...I did one of those back bands of the bra that have two thin straps on the side of the bra cups that meld into a thicker one, and I think that also sort of did something similar. I get nervous about thin straps with the bra since I am sort of busty. Same with when I wear string bikini tops, I feel like it looks like it could pop at any moment, and I worry that other people see that too, and I don't want an audience to think that when I dance!

I just got a new costume that is perfect for my short upper body - unfortunately I don't have a good picture of it yet.
There's a lot of skin color (net fabric) on the side so my torso looks longer. It also takes away from the legs.
The arm ornaments help my narrow shoulders look bigger.

MEISSOUN

Oh I love that costume! And I never realized you had a short torso!

Originally Posted by meissoun

I just got a new costume that is perfect for my short upper body - unfortunately I don't have a good picture of it yet.
There's a lot of skin color (net fabric) on the side so my torso looks longer. It also takes away from the legs.
The arm ornaments help my narrow shoulders look bigger.

MEISSOUN

I love the costume too! And believe me, in the wrong clothes I look like a dwarf on stilts....

Remember when bikini bottoms used to be pulled up until nearly under the arm pits on the sides? Very bad....

MEISSOUN