Thread: Kids Event - what to wear?

I am going to be walking around in costume and dancing a bit at a Kids Expo. I get to do this for free in exchange for advertising my classes. My goal is to get a kids class going independent of what I have already done for Parks and Rec.

My question is, do I wear a costume that bears my midriff? I live in a fairly small town and will be trying to solicit students from parents of that town at the Kids Expo. I am wondering if it will turn the parents off to bellydance classes for their girls if they feel my costume is too revealing. None of my cossies have a lot of cleavage, so that isn't the problem.

I have a beledi dress, but you know little girls, they will be drawn to the princess-looking bedlah and flowy skirt a bit more, I think.

i think something that evokes the stereotypical gp image of a belly dancer (the positive things!) sparkly costume, big flowing skirts, floating veil, jewelry. you can probably make yourself look more approachable by doing more "innocent" looking makeup. like concentrating blush on the apples of the cheeks, lighter eyeshadow colors, softer lipstick, etc. it might sound funny, but it makes a difference. also try a half up/half down hair style with some curls in the ends. this reads well with little girls for some reason. and if you have a costume in a classic "marketing to little girls" color, that would probably be best.

i hate to re-enforce stereotypes, but these things generally work when marketing to little girls

we wear ren faire garb when dancing for children

belly covers... we do those for childrens events and everybody is happy.

I show my belly! I teach teens and children. They love costumes in pink especially. You could also do a workshop style costume with the Jazz pants and cute top - but trust me throw some pink in there!

A veil wrap that conceals as needed but reveals exciting sparklies. Or bellycovers are good.

I think the only change I might make is to wear a u-top or something over the bra if I was wearing bedlah. Even though our costume bras look nothing like lingerie bras, the cups and straps still make some people think "ZOMG! She's nearly undressed!". A u-top or shrug van make it look more like a top, as opposed to a bra.

At schools we do a covered look. No need to offend if you dont have to.

If you have a super-sparkly gown that makes you look like a Barbie princess, go for it; otherwise, I second the veil wrap idea. Also, if you can incorporate wings into the dance at all, the kids will love it!

another vote for a blousey veil wrap, over a fringe-monster bedlah if you've got one. it's fun to lift up the bottom of the veil so the kids can see your beads swish.

for the GP, full skirts are more bellydancey than a snug lycra one. for me it always seems that families like the more stereotypical 80's era costumes.

Princess Jasmine shows her tummy!
I think I'd be inclined to wear something that covers the shoulders, if possible, to have a less bare look. A costume with epaulets or sleeves, or a shrug, would be nice. Picture yourself standing and talking with parents about your kids' class. What would you be comfortable wearing?

I suppose it boils down to personal preference. I don't show my belly when teaching children because I don't expect, nor do I want, them to be showing theirs. They'll get the chance to when they're older and it's appropriate for them to do so. Children are wonderful "parrots" and they want to emulate those that they look up to, so just keep that in mind. :) Younger kids don't "get" why it's okay for you to show your tummy as an adult, but they aren't "allowed" to, so rather than causing a headache for their parents, I dress how I want them to dress. :) Hope that helps!

I love the shoulder cover idea. Good suggestion! I have a little l.rose sleeveless u-top that will be perfect. I also have a hot pink velvet bedlah with rhinestones and fringe. Not a fringe monster, but the best color ever! I pair it with a snug velvet skirt usually, but I'll go with the flowy pink chiffons instead for this.

Thank you for the suggestion about the makeup too! That is something I wouldn't have thought about and those huge eyelashes might freak out some folks. lol I'll tone it down.

For the belly - hmmmm. I have the nude body stocking, but I like the idea of the veil wrap better. Gives me a prop too, and the girls will be using veils in the class, so that ties in well.

So - super sparkly it is! (not like that is a far stretch for me anyway, ..l;,)

Thank you everyone!

Oooh! And I forgot, I have a tiara too!! Totally princess-like.

Originally Posted by elisagamal

another vote for a blousey veil wrap, over a fringe-monster bedlah if you've got one. it's fun to lift up the bottom of the veil so the kids can see your beads swish.

for the GP, full skirts are more bellydancey than a snug lycra one. for me it always seems that families like the more stereotypical 80's era costumes.

wow - this is almost EXACTLY what I would have said!