Thread: First Costume Purchase

Hey y'all

I'm a newbie belly dancer and I've thinking about purchasing my first costume [which I'm suprt excited for!!!].

I was wondering how the measurements work and the best costumes to get for certain body types, etc.

If anyone has any advice, please feel free to share!

Thanks a bunch!

-MJ

It's better to go with a larger cup than a smaller one. A slightly too big cup is easily padded. A too small cup can be somewhat camouflaged but not fixed. The underbust size is your bra underbust size. High Hip is the point on your body where you will wear the top of the belt or skirt. Lower Hip is the size at the largest point on the hips.

For cabaret I suggest a bra/belt set in black, black iris (peacock) or metallic or a mix. They are neutrals that will go with any color skirt. You can change the entire look by switching skirts, sleeves, vests, jewelry, etc. You can tie the bra to the skirt color by adding flowers, appliques or jewelry.

Cab costumes fall in three price ranges; dirt cheap junk, moderately priced decent costumes, and professional quality with matching prices. Avoid the cheapest of the cheap, I've seen bras so lopsided they could not be fixed and the costume never worn. There's a couple of vendors on ebay that sell decent quality beaded costumes in the $100 - $200 range. These lightweight costumes use plastic beads. They hold up well for what they are, and the best choice for students or beginners.

ATS/TF looks use a lot of heavy, tribal jewelry. The good stuff is not cheap, but it is an investment that holds it's value well. A necklace can also work as a headpiece, or bra or belt decoration, so the pieces are flexible as well.

For ATS, you'll want a full, black skirt. It pays to invest in a good one, as it will be your workhorse piece. Flare pants are the basic piece for TF and again choose good quality. Sharifwear is good quality, so are Melodias. You can't go wrong with a Flying Skirts spin skirt. My favorite big skirts came from India Bazaar, they are made to size.

Coin bras are another Tribal staple and you don't want to skimp here, either. Like cab, there's cheap, decent, and expensive. Avoid coin bras or bra covers under $50, unless you can see them first in person or can return them for full refund. Watch out for chain links that snap with a gentle tug and coins so thin they can be bent with your fingers. For quality at a reasonable price, I like Artemis Imports and Mid-East Manufacturing. Cost less does not, it costs considerably more, but like fine jewelry, it's worth the investment if you can afford it.

I started dancing in 1979. I have a black skirt and black harems that are over 30 years old and still in use. I didn't have a lot of money at the time, so I bought my real coin belt first, then a couple of years later ordered the matching bra. They were totally worth it and I still use them today.

If you are a brand-new beginner, in all honesty, you probably don't need a costume yet. Some students are eager to own one, and if you've got money to burn, buy to your heart's content, but if your first performing experience will come in a student troupe, the likelihood that whatever you purchase will be what the teacher decides her troupe should wear is small. If you're on a budget, it's better to buy what you need as you need it, not a bunch of pretty things you won't have use for until you start soloing (and by then, you may not want to wear them anymore).

As nitewindz said, costumes are basically sold at three levels:

- Tourist kitsch, Halloween costumes, and Asian "bargains." Wearing one of these is a sure sign of your lack of experience. If it's new and it costs less than $75, be very suspicious. These are not worth owning. They're poorly constructed and tend to fall apart with use.

- Starter costumes and basic sets. These usually run between $100-400-ish and are good for beginning performers. Working professionals sometimes wear them also, especially if they are well made. A solid-colored bra-and-belt set, particularly in silver or gold, is versatile and a good way to stretch your budget. I'm going to disagree with nitewindz about black, though. Unless you know you will have performing opportunities to wear black, it's better to go with something brighter. Without theatrical-quality lighting, movements are lost in black clothing, and it's not unusual for some venues to rent black curtains as backdrops, which can turn you into a floating head and fishbelly white. Stay away from black until you know you'll have places to wear it.

- Professional-grade and couture costumes. In most cases, this is like a student driver behind the wheel of a Ferrari. It's just more costume than a beginner needs. Some dancers recommend that beginners buy these secondhand, but I personally don't like to see new beginners in high-end costumes. A costume tells the audience who you are. Don't be eager to let your clothes write a check your dancing isn't ready to cash. You'll have plenty of time to buy fancier stuff when you're more experienced and you'll have the opportunities to make it worth the investment.

As far as buying...

Costume sizing isn't standardized. You have to judge each costume by the measurements provided.

Verify if there is a return policy before buying. If you do decide to buy secondhand, buy with caution. One person's "slight wear" may be another's "worn into the ground." Most dancers are ethical and honest about reselling, but there are a few bad apples out there.

Style is somewhat a matter of taste. It's better to buy something that flatters you even if it isn't the latest style than to have the "right" clothes that look wrong on you. Some types of costumes are intended for specific styles of dancing, so be aware that some audiences may have a problem with stylistic mismatches.

Nitewindz and Tourbeau:

You were both VERY helpful!

Although I don't plan on buying a costume for quite some time yet, I am definitely eager to own one. I'm more than excited!

But realistically, I know that will come in time. I'm just glad that when it does I am now prepared.

Thank you very much for responding to my post!!!

-MJ