Thread: Am I the only one who can't afford or doesn't want a $500 costume?

I've been browsing the swap page, and bought a couple hundred dollar costumes and was wondering, am I the only one who can't afford a $500 one? Even $300? I got into the dance (oh lord) 26 yrs ago and have always put my own costumes together, though granted I live in a small town.

Perhaps if I were in a city? But still, my car needs fixing, my teeth need fixing, I am taking a couple wks off work for health thing (am fine), am spending my money on vacations. I don't know. I like to look at the fancy costumes, but my priorities are different. I'd rather go to a workshop, or France. I don't know.

This is NOT meant to say anything bad about anyone who can afford, or must get, or just wants, one of these, just muttering ramblings here. Wondering if others feel this way also? Thanks for reading my ramble.

If you are a professional dancer in a 4 to 5 star club or restaurant people expect you to look glamorous and your costume better also and you must have 5 to 12 to swap out for shows so it all comes down to what you want to do as a dancer if local shows are your thing any costume that looks good on you and covers you will do. If you are a professional you need to look like one .
We all buy new and then resale to keep the cost down a great costume can take up to 200.00 just in stones and crystal beads not mention to the material and time to put it all together . So sometimes i have more money to buy other times I have more time to make one. I watch the swap pages like a junkie looking for deals.

Originally Posted by azahara

If you are a professional dancer in a 4 to 5 star club or restaurant people expect you to look glamorous and your costume better also and you must have 5 to 12 to swap out for shows so it all comes down to what you want to do as a dancer if local shows are your thing any costume that looks good on you and covers you will do. If you are a professional you need to look like one .
We all buy new and then resale to keep the cost down a great costume can take up to 200.00 just in stones and crystal beads not mention to the material and time to put it all together . So sometimes i have more money to buy other times I have more time to make one. I watch the swap pages like a junkie looking for deals.

I guess that is it. I am not a professional dancer in a 4-5 star club, but do appreciate you guys passing on yours second hand. I am a bit intimidated by them money, just different. It takes all sorts of us in all sorts of places and dancing. Thanks.

I'm still waiting for a rich husband to buy me costumes at those prices ..g.:

Also, once you start wearing those $500+ costumes, you can't bring yourself to go back to the less expensive ones. (At least in my case)

i only buy mine in Egypt so that I can pay 200-400 for a costume that would be 500-800 stateside. but if i had a more gigs i'd have to buy them here too.

Originally Posted by azahara

If you are a professional dancer in a 4 to 5 star club or restaurant people expect you to look glamorous and your costume better also... If you are a professional you need to look like one .

that's exactly it. you can't dance in a high end night club without the proper level of costuming quality. [and i don't mean in any way to disparage anyone else's wardrobe. this is based on what the entertainment market demands]

when i was dancing 5-6 nights per week in the clubs and restaurants, i kept a minimum of 20 high end costumes on rotation. the audience expected 2 costumes per show. different costumes each week. and then you need dry ones for the rest of the shows you do at other venues and parties that night., etc.

if you think about it, that can be 4-5 costumes per night, depending on how many gigs you have, how many costume changes, different show styles, etc. and they last longer if you rotate them. [like tires ..l;, ]

please keep in mind this was before the lycra/spandex-minimalist styles. there are thousands of beads, sequins and rhinestones on the costumes i'm discussing. these require an obscene amount of hand work, which i believe justifies the price tag. additionally, these costumes were not constructed with stretch material, so they are quite durable and last for many years if well cared for.

that said, i would have a hard time spending $500+ on a lycra/spandex bra and skirt with just a touch of shine, regardless of the designer label inside.

so, imo there is a real justification for the $500 costumes. and i wish the high end ones still cost only $500!

Originally Posted by azahara

If you are a professional dancer in a 4 to 5 star club or restaurant people expect you to look glamorous and your costume better also and you must have 5 to 12 to swap out for shows so it all comes down to what you want to do as a dancer if local shows are your thing any costume that looks good on you and covers you will do. If you are a professional you need to look like one .
We all buy new and then resale to keep the cost down a great costume can take up to 200.00 just in stones and crystal beads not mention to the material and time to put it all together . So sometimes i have more money to buy other times I have more time to make one. I watch the swap pages like a junkie looking for deals.

well garsh i'm not ona those dancers & see no need for those costumes. tina

I am a professional dancer, mostly stage performances with live bands. Well, in Philly. Nothing in Montréal thus far.
I have never paid more than $400 for a costume. But like Rak Girl, I normally get my "high end" ones from Cairo at wholesale.
Also based on size, if I were to buy one of those $800 Bellas I would disappear in the fringe and stones.
I think it all depends.

No, you're not the only one. I won't pay that much for a costume either, and even though I can afford it I simply don't want to. I don't dance professionally so it would be absurd for me to buy something so expensive just to put it away in a plastic box and wear it twice a year.
I do have a few nice designer costumes (purchased in Cairo for much less than $500) but I also have a large assortment of inexpensive ones, some of which have cost me as little as $150 dollars, and some of which are even more nicely made than the Eman or the Pharaonics.
Lately, I've just been making my own costumes.
I can certainly understand that a professional dancer would want and perhaps need to have expensive designer costumes, but for a hobbyist like me....no.

Regards
Priscilla

Me either. I always go past the forums that have those prices, though I know those costumes are worth it. That is why I'm going to take up making costumes. I'm not a pro dancer, so I don't see any point in me buying any at those prices. I am working my way up to be a pro, but that will take years of development. Right now, makeshift is my best friend!!

There is no one right answer. Personally, even though I am not a professional and fairly frugal (I shop at thrift stores for my everyday wear), yeah, I do have a few outfits that come together at well above $500 when I add belt, coin bra, skirts, my nicest tribal jewelry. But, I feel that the more expensive pieces are just the better deals for me. I have worn my Cost Less-style coin belt many, many times - it holds up beautifully and goes with everything. Similarly, I have worn the tribal tassel belt I made from old Turkoman tassels and fabrics so often, and I still don't feel the urge to buy a new one, because that would be a step down. That belt alone would probably cost $300, if not more, if I'd buy it in a store. The two belts are my signature pieces and the best bargains in my dance wardrobe. Of course, I also own a real coin set that I got for $50 on Ebay - but those come along only once in a blue moon.

I can't afford it, and given my size (short), I think it's easier for me to make things. I've been sewing most of my life.

I *think* my dance teacher, Sonya, does a lot of her own sewing (I was led to believe that via her website), and she's a fulltime dancer, from what I know.

I lust after them...and if one came along that was perfect in color style and size..I might just do it. I would then have to be buried in it (split up the back by then, no doubt) But I am ok with the occasional 2 and 3 hundred purchase. I like making them over to suit my sensibilities and i just dont feel well put together in a homemade job any more..but I buy my mundanes on sale at 70% off. "It dont mean a thing if it aint got that bling..."

I can't afford it either, can't buy off the rack (tall with big boobs and wide hips - you'd think they'd be common but it seems that only short women are fat in the world of BD costuming) and am ragingly jealous of people who can and do buy these costumes.

A dance friend who is a tribal dancer made an interesting comment about not *liking* to dance in something she hasn't made. She likes to sew and is good at it, but I kind of understand. I love my own costumes, I feel like they are part of me. There is something special about your own creative input in a costume.

to me costume is just as much creative imput to a routine than the song or the steps.

i've never understood why we wear costumes the arabs don't even wear, by & large for the GP who can't tell the difference between it or a halloween harem costume. by the way i knew a halloween costume shop that did rent out the real thing. what i wear is sufficient.

oh yay big boob gals can't buy these things either & no i will not risk custom made cossies. tina

I dance professionally in clubs and I notice a difference in tips when I wear a Bella vs something else. At the moment, I have a couple of "lower-end" costumes (still professional, but have that mass-produced costume look to them) and about 7 Bellas. When I wear a Bella, people compliment me on the costume, want to see it up close, and I find more tips in my belt at the end of the night. The Bellas end up paying for the price difference themselves, really. One woman I regularly see in the restaurants (who LOVES my Bellas) told me I was the "best dressed dancer she knew." This HAS to be a lie because Michelle Joyce, Sandra and I all work in the same restaurants, and those girls have smoldering costumes! She was just being nice, but it does go to show that the middle eastern crowd is a bit more particular than, perhaps, an American crowd when it comes to what their dancers wear, especially when they see that dancer a lot in the restaurant scene in that area. They want their dancers to look as fabulous and as expensive and as well-kept as possible. It probably has to do with projecting success to an audience.

Or maybe I'm just totally justifying a VERY expensive addiction....
;-)

Originally Posted by zumarrad

I can't afford it either, can't buy off the rack (tall with big boobs and wide hips - you'd think they'd be common but it seems that only short women are fat in the world of bellydance costuming) and am ragingly jealous of people who can and do buy these costumes.

A dance friend who is a tribal dancer made an interesting comment about not *liking* to dance in something she hasn't made. She likes to sew and is good at it, but I kind of understand. I love my own costumes, I feel like they are part of me. There is something special about your own creative input in a costume.

I'm ragingly jealous of people that can sew well! ..l;,
I kind of McGuyver all my tribal costumes. Kuchi bits and duct tape rock my little world.

Well, we dancers know the difference on both ourselves and other dancers - that's for sure.

But I thought it was incredibly cute when at a hafla, a newer dancer complimented dear Bhuzzer Ameera on her costume (a purple Bella), as well as another fellow dancer on her looped Neckelman's. She asked if they were from the same company... You should have seen Ameera's face. She was so proud of her costume and loves that thing so much! I could hardly contain my laughter, but it sure goes to show that to the public - both were equally attractive.

It depends on your own personal preferences, what you can afford and what your priorities are - plus, who you are dancing for.

I have some really nice costumes, but admittedly, I don't really buy much else for myself. My everyday wear is pretty lacking & limited!

Originally Posted by SummerSahar

I dance professionally in clubs and I notice a difference in tips when I wear a Bella vs something else. At the moment, I have a couple of "lower-end" costumes (still professional, but have that mass-produced costume look to them) and about 7 Bellas. When I wear a Bella, people compliment me on the costume, want to see it up close, and I find more tips in my belt at the end of the night. The Bellas end up paying for the price difference themselves, really. One woman I regularly see in the restaurants (who LOVES my Bellas) told me I was the "best dressed dancer she knew." This HAS to be a lie because Michelle Joyce, Sandra and I all work in the same restaurants, and those girls have smoldering costumes! She was just being nice, but it does go to show that the middle eastern crowd is a bit more particular than, perhaps, an American crowd when it comes to what their dancers wear, especially when they see that dancer a lot in the restaurant scene in that area. They want their dancers to look as fabulous and as expensive and as well-kept as possible. It probably has to do with projecting success to an audience.

Or maybe I'm just totally justifying a VERY expensive addiction....
;-)

Wow. This just feels like a really loaded statement...probably just internet (mis)communication...

I guess I will never know the amount of dolla bills I will be missing since I've always felt more comfortable/beautiful/fill in the blank in an Egyptian costume.

Originally Posted by Adishakti

Well, we dancers know the difference on both ourselves and other dancers - that's for sure.

But I thought it was incredibly cute when at a hafla, a newer dancer complimented dear Bhuzzer Ameera on her costume (a purple Bella), as well as another fellow dancer on her looped Neckelman's. She asked if they were from the same company... You should have seen Ameera's face. She was so proud of her costume and loves that thing so much! I could hardly contain my laughter, but it sure goes to show that to the public - both were equally attractive.

It depends on your own personal preferences, what you can afford and what your priorities are - plus, who you are dancing for.

I have some really nice costumes, but admittedly, I don't really buy much else for myself. My everyday wear is pretty lacking & limited!

I'm not surprised, I like my peacock Neckelmanns' almost as much as my pink Sim and I get as many compliments on both.

Jaziri, I feel the same way. It'd feel weird to pay more than a month's rent in a costume (not that my rent is $500, but it's definitely under the $1500 which the new Bellas are going for). Even though, I could afford an used Bella with just 2 or 3 private parties I just don't see the point, I'd rather reinvest that money into classes and DVDs. I do mostly private parties so I can wear the same 2 or 4 costumes all the time without needing to rotate. Also given my size and height selling them quickly to finance the next one would be difficult.

However, making my own costumes has made me appreciate Bella costumes as the works of art they are. I find it easier to cover every single cm of a bedlah with beads and crystals as I did with my white one than how Bella and other haute couture costumiers make all that fabric showing work for their designs making them breath-taking.

yup there's a tone to some posts......tina

Am I the only one who can't afford or doesn't want a $500 costume?

Nope, you sure aren't.

I like a lot of the high end & couture costumes (even have a few), but I think there is a cookie cutter aspect to it that we should be careful of. The joke used to be that if you became a belly dancer you also had to learn how to sew.

I do agree that if you are working regularly in the same venues you need to have a large rotation of gear. But there are amazing working dancers who make a lot of their own stuff, and it does not diminish their professionalism.

I don't buy 500.00 and up costumes although i have about 3 in my closet. I am a hobbist dancer now. If I was performing on a regular basis yes, then it is worth it to invest in the high end. i look for the bargain. Will i buy a high end costume, yep but not right now. Not in my budget. But thats okay good things come to those who wait.

Alrana

Well, who doesn't want more costumes? That's half the fun! Yes, a variety is expected if you work the same clubs all the time, but you can extend your wardrobe considerably by going with a neutral sort of bra/belt set with different skirt/veil/gloves. The Neckelmann's comment was funny and good; most people don't know from Bella (and Neckelmann's are really comfortable too ladies). Still, I believe it all comes down to the dance itself. If you are a good dancer and are enjoying yourself, your costume is going to come in second; people will see you first, and if you are enjoying yourself, you won't be so worried about the costume. The people who spend a bundle on costumes are the people who Want to (and can; somehow), but once you do that, I think you raise the bar for yourself and have to keep up that level of costume involvement. That gets really expensive!!
I have a couple of really nice costumes, many moderately nice costumes, and loads of practice stuff, and will probably downsize again soon. Probably so I can get some new stuff too, just like everyone else!
Hmm...maybe I should save up for that France trip too? :-)

Originally Posted by tabitha

Wow. This just feels like a really loaded statement...probably just internet (mis)communication...

I guess I will never know the amount of dolla bills I will be missing since I've always felt more comfortable/beautiful/fill in the blank in an Egyptian costume.

I'm sorry....did I come off rude in my post? If I did, I'd rather someone just told me rather than hinting at it. If I did, I apologize. I didn't mean to offend anyone or sound snobby. I was just justifying why I prefer to have the fancier costumes (because they, in the end, make me more money at the restaurants). When I said "lower end" I mean I have a costume that I wear sometimes that cost me a total of about $100 (with shipping). I never said Egyptian costumes were "lower end." Perhaps I shouldn't have even used the word "lower end" and should have chosen "simpler" or something less negative-sounding. I certainly don't think Egyptian costumes are "simpler" or any less gorgeous than turkish, that's not what I was implying. I would rock a sleek Egyptian number if I could. I just can't rock spandex with my god-given saddlebags. I look funky in them! I need to have a full skirt to hide my outer legs (the whole A-line shape works for me). I have a nice Pharonics costume that has a full skirt, though!

When I started dancing 8 years ago I also started to make costume pieces. I decided to take my dance to the next level two years ago, which meant I had to do a lot more sewing because I needed more costumes. After a year or so I realised that I wanted to spend less time on creating costumes and more time on dancing so I made the choice to buy instead of make costumes. Performing more often also means that you have to sell a costume every now and then because everyone has already seen it a couple of times. And selling my handmade babies is so much harder then selling a costume that I bought!

If I didn't need beautiful costumes anymore, I would have to go to cossie rehab. Once you start buying costumes, it's an easy step from $250 to $500.

Originally Posted by SummerSahar

I'm sorry....did I come off rude somehow? If I did, I'd rather someone just told me rather than hinting at it. If I did, I apologize. I didn't mean to offend anyone or sound snobby. I was just justifying why I prefer to have the fancier costumes (because they, in the end, make me more money at the restaurants).

Ok..preparing for a royal flaming here....

Summer, I don't think you were being rude at all. You were referencing a particular audience and a cultural influence sometimes seen with in it.
SOME audiences relate to what they percieve as an attitude of success shown (in their eyes) by a series of high end designer costumes.

I am a Lebanese/American and I have lived in the Middle East for a few years now...I have personally seen in action what Summer is referring to, both as a member of the audience AND as a performer. Hell, even in regular life with regards to clothing, jewelry, even make-up. In certain venues, a HUGE amount of attention was paid to what I was wearing then, what I would be wearing for the next show and when I was getting something new and cool form "back home".

Geez people...talk about overly sensitive and looking for something to be upset by!

.p::(ducking and waiting for the firestorm).p::

Originally Posted by meena_oasis

Ok..preparing for a royal flaming here....

Summer, I don't think you were being rude at all. You were referencing a particular audience and a cultural influence sometimes seen with in it.
SOME audiences relate to what they percieve as an attitude of success shown (in their eyes) by a series of high end designer costumes.

I am a Lebanese/American and I have lived in the Middle East for a few years now...I have personally seen in action what Summer is referring to, both as a member of the audience AND as a performer. Hell, even in regular life with regards to clothing, jewelry, even make-up. In certain venues, a HUGE amount of attention was paid to what I was wearing then, what I would be wearing for the next show and when I was getting something new and cool form "back home".

Geez people...talk about overly sensitive and looking for something to be upset by!

.p::(ducking and waiting for the firestorm).p::

Thanks Meena. I think you said it better than I did. I think some people thought I was implying an Egyptian costume was what I meant by "lower end" when that's not what I meant at all! I think Egyptian costumes project success just as much as any Bella (but like I said, I think I look odd in spandex skirts so I choose not to wear them). I was trying to compare the tips I make in my Bella vs the tips I make in my "turkish airport special" costume (which is one of those costumes where I have to wear sparkly pants under the panel skirt it came with because the original skirt barely qualifies as a skirt!). The Bella wins every time.

I dance better when I feel realy really good about my costuming. Thats the bottom line for me. Does it flatter my body? Do I like the color? This is what I personally look to when I choose a new costume.
I think that some dancers feel better when everything is store bought and new. Other dancers feel really beautiful when they know that they are wearing their own creation.
I agree that once you dance in your first "pro" costume its hard to put on your "loving hands" costumes again. I have labored for hours and spent waaaay to much on materials only to do the math and agonize over the fact that I could have had store bought "costume A" or "costume B" instead. Although, I have much better vision than actual execution when it comes to my sewing skills. ,f::