Thread: Really now?!

Ok. I love SIM, always have and always will. But, I'm so deeply disappointed by the recent online selection at Belly Dance Store. Between the scandalous cutouts, ill-fitting bras, and 32" max upper hip--well anyways. I thought I could look past all of that and look forward to the next shipment. Wrong idea.
I can't tell which is worse, the fact that these are somehow supposed to be received by an audience as "belly dance costumes" or the fact that I actually really like the shorts outfit even though I'd never wear it.
(and yes yes I know the minis could be used for melaya but...)

I think those are gross. Have they lost their minds at Sim?

Sorry- I looked through a few pages of new Sims, and I think that the shorts one is the most hideous. For belly dancing. For go-go dancing, maybe it wouldn't be so bad.

My only thought is that the people at Sim went completely nuts? These are so ugly!

Those look just right for a street corner.

Maybe they are trying to cash in on two different target markets now? Each mini skirt comes with a full skirt. With the full skirt they look fine (well except for the crazy bra cut outs on some).

Several years ago, Michelle Joyce bought a dress from Sim which was above the knee length. (it looked much like the Green one which is currently on the bellydance store site.) She insisted that a full skirt be added, much to the owners chagrin. So this isn't something new, simply something which we haven't seen actively marketed here - yet. Obviously, someone believes that the time has come!

{{HUGS}}

Originally Posted by crystalllized

Maybe they are trying to cash in on two different target markets now? Each mini skirt comes with a full skirt. With the full skirt they look fine (well except for the crazy bra cut outs on some).

This was my first thought too. I actually already have something like the white one from years ago. I bought the shorts from L. Rose and just had my aunt add some fabric and voila
Athallia: Bellydance Artist
Classic when standing and perfect for floorwork.

Now some of the bras are gonna need some serious adjustments.

I am all for mini skirts and dresses but even this is too short for me. However, I do like the design with the underskirt. I don't think a Sim bra would ever fit me. They have a very pretty petite model in the photo's, but I will never be that tiny. I do like the full length dresses and green mini-dress, if I could I would wear those

I see these short styles all the time in Egypt. Dina in particular
and Fifi
NOT that I'm saying I'm comfortable with dancing in them

Also, I think Sims also markets toward ballroom dancers, which especially samba, has a similar style to us only with a short skirt

Ahh, see now when I posted this only 1 or 2 of the mini costumes had been put up on the site, and I did not see that they come w/a full skirt. Some look cute with the full skirt and a couple--look like you stuffed a skirt under a mini but maybe that's just the way they're being photographed.

I don't care for the short skirts either but maybe they are targetting a different market now and just adding bellydance costume as a keyword. Vendors will sometimes do this when they have created a customer base that seeks them out using one keyword in hopes that their current customer base might be interested in something else they do.

Originally Posted by jesennia

I don't care for the short skirts either but maybe they are targetting a different market now and just adding bellydance costume as a keyword. Vendors will sometimes do this when they have created a customer base that seeks them out using one keyword in hopes that their current customer base might be interested in something else they do.

Good point.

There's a lot of fug going on on the new costume pages. I've always struggled to understand those Sim dresses that have the "navel window," but I think I prefer them to the U-shaped suspenders option on that leopard costume (the middle one in the first post or here Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: Sim Moda Evi (14283)). So do those skirts attach, or are they just underneath? From the way they're described on some of the pages, they're a second, full-length skirt that gets layered underneath, but how do you put it under a costume like this one without getting a line or show through on the cutouts Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: Sim Moda Evi (14296)? Dunno, some of those double-skirt styles feel like they work better than others.

Remember when epaulettes went out of style and nobody was sad? Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: Sim Moda Evi (14301)

Not a Sim, but I hate the way it stares out of the screen with those crazy, Tiki-mask eyes. Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: (14242)

Also not a Sim, but I can't resist fugging it for looking so bunchy. If I didn't know it was a commercial costume, I'd think it was made by someone who didn't plan for those ruching lines to be so wavy in the front, but got better at sewing them straight in the back. Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: (14275)

There's a whole run of these again, too. Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: (14279) Am I the only person who thinks this is how they use their leftover odds and ends? Sorry, too much of too different for my taste, and the unfortunate misplacement of white bead strings in the bottom photo makes it look even more like "throw spaghetti at the wall and see if it sticks," both literally and figuratively.

Originally Posted by SpicyThai

Those look just right for a street corner.

Originally Posted by cheekylauren

Also, I think Sims also markets toward ballroom dancers, which especially samba, has a similar style to us only with a short skirt

This one in particular looks like a samba outfit to me:
Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery

If I were young, had the body and was still taking ballroom lessons, I might actually wear this for a Latin competition (never for bellydance though, except maybe with the underskirt!)

I think a lot also depends on what the vendor chooses from the available costumes.

It's been a moment since I last was at the SIM store, but by then they had a lot of very nice costumes - and a special section for bigger sized dancers!

Also I have owned a bunch of SIM costumes over the years and they all fittet really well, especially the bras.
I just had a look on their own website and the stuff there looks pretty regular for the most.
There is a section with mini skirts but it's labelled "Latin costumes".

Too bad I can only go back to Istanbul in November, but it might be interesting to check out what they sell there compared to what is sold over bellydancestore.com ....

MEISSOUN

I like some of the dresses (like the green fringy one w/ the green skirt). I used to make and wear the same exact thing for myself since it allowed me to use one skirt (and thus spend less on making more skirts) for many costumes.

I really hate the mini look, though I know it's popular in Egypt... which makes me wonder why a site that caters mostly to the US market would be selling them (and in such small sizes). I agree w/ some posters, they would probably make great samba/latin dance costumes though.

I also really don't like how a lot of them have such simple beading yet are still around 500 dollars. That little amnt of beading and material is NOT worth 500 bucks.

Originally Posted by Jessani

Ok. I love SIM, always have and always will. But, I'm so deeply disappointed by the recent online selection at Belly Dance Store. Between the scandalous cutouts, ill-fitting bras, and 32" max upper hip--well anyways. I thought I could look past all of that and look forward to the next shipment. Wrong idea.
I can't tell which is worse, the fact that these are somehow supposed to be received by an audience as "belly dance costumes" or the fact that I actually really like the shorts outfit even though I'd never wear it.
(and yes yes I know the minis could be used for melaya but...)

They kinda remind me of all the "lolita" stufff a week or so ago...lol

Originally Posted by zamora

They kinda remind me of all the "lolita" stufff a week or so ago...lol

The pink one, with the ruffles.

I am imagining this on my 62 year old self.

Originally Posted by Elibelinde

The pink one, with the ruffles.

I am imagining this on my 62 year old self.

right behind ya, hey should we add those ruffled panties square dancers wear? fusion!

Originally Posted by zamora

right behind ya, hey should we add those ruffled panties square dancers wear? fusion!

Can-Cans or Rumba Ruffles. Reminds me of when i was a wee little girl and wore ruffles on my butt!

{{{HUGS}}}}

To me, they look much more like competition salsa/Latin dresses than bellydance. None of the venues where I work would accept that as a viable bellydance costume.
That green Sim dressed linked to above would be a fabulous Latin Dancesport dress, but not bellydance, for the general public around here anyway.

Originally Posted by SpicyThai

Those look just right for a street corner.

That's one fancy street corner

Originally Posted by Lesedi

I really hate the mini look, though I know it's popular in Egypt... which makes me wonder why a site that caters mostly to the US market would be selling them (and in such small sizes).

I suspect that Shahrzad, the owner, reaches out to Sim, but ultimately has little control over what they send over. They may say, "Sure, we'll send over lush beading and lots of different sizes" and send her what they want/have anyway.

Originally Posted by sabrinabellydancer

That's one fancy street corner

Well as my friend once said, "I may be putana, but I am EXPENSIVE putana!"

On top of everything else, my One and Only likes the silver shorts outfit.

He sez, "Boy. Those would look great on (beautiful, young, tribal fusion dancer we saw the other night at a hafla.)"

AAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH

Originally Posted by Elibelinde

On top of everything else, my One and Only likes the silver shorts outfit.

He sez, "Boy. Those would look great on (beautiful, young, tribal fusion dancer we saw the other night at a hafla.)"

AAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH

And after he picked himself up off the floor, he said....?

Originally Posted by zorba

And after he picked himself up off the floor, he said....?

LOLZ. You can't blame a guy for trying.

Heck he's in love with an entire TRIBE. What's a girl to do.



PS at least they are good dancers; things could be worse!

Where are the little white go-go boots and matching jockey caps?

Ick. Sorry. These are hideous.

Okay, I admit that I did buy one of the spaghetti costumes in gold with turquoise beads, and you know what? I LOVE it. It's gorgeous on, much much prettier in person and great for the money.

Originally Posted by Lesedi

I like some of the dresses (like the green fringy one w/ the green skirt). I used to make and wear the same exact thing for myself since it allowed me to use one skirt (and thus spend less on making more skirts) for many costumes.

I really hate the mini look, though I know it's popular in Egypt... which makes me wonder why a site that caters mostly to the US market would be selling them (and in such small sizes). I agree w/ some posters, they would probably make great samba/latin dance costumes though.

I also really don't like how a lot of them have such simple beading yet are still around 500 dollars. That little amnt of beading and material is NOT worth 500 bucks.

I agree completely... Particularly regarding the bit about shoddy beading and perhaps 2 yards tops worth of fabric (plus a "one size fits all") chiffon underskirt for almost $500. Excuse me but where is the Sim-tastic bling that they used to lavish upon their costumes?! One of the Bellydancestore's photos shows an obvious loose thread and crappy workmanship when the picture is supposed to SELL the costume (I'm referring to the fringy red mini skirt set that's sequins and beads only).

Also, is it just me or did Sim Moda change their website format/design/content yet again...??? The one I see now is missing about 3/4 of their available costume models and looks shockingly downgraded and skimpy (just like their new costumes) compared to their most recent previous website... So disappointing.