Thread: I don't want to buy a costume.....

Now that I've just introduced myself, I'd like to ask a question! I'm taking lessons, and they're great and I really like my teacher. In our class we're learning a choreography that we're going to perform at an end of the year recital with students and other teachers from around the area. We spend about 2/3 of the class working on it.

The problem is we have to buy a costume to wear for it, and I don't want to, because I'm a poor student and I hate to spending money on costumes I'm only going to wear once and that I don't get to pick out myself. Although, we're a small class, so we all get some say in what we buy. I don't want to be a pain, but I'm feeling kind of resentful about this and I think it shows everytime we try to discuss the costumes. Then I feel bad because I am not even paying full price for classes.

The funny thing is, my teacher, me and the other classmates who are performing this particular choreo are all in the same troupe, so we already have coordinating costumes. But she doesn't want us to look like the troupe at the student recital.

I'm willing to pay about $50 for 1/more costume pieces to make us look different from our troupe, but not much more, and I think we're looking at like $80 to $100, unless we get really cheap stuff. I already have a lot of beginner costume stuff that I never wear, I don't want any more. Who really cares if we don't all have the same costume? Its a student recital, not a professional showcase or something. What do other teachers/students think, Am I being unreasonable? Again, I do love my class!

Thanks for reading, this got kind of long and ranty.

Zelda

Hi Zelda:

It sounds like you already have performance opportunities with the "troupe", so its not like you are desperate to perform, right? I think if you don't want to buy whatever the student group and the teacher decides to wear, you should just not do that dance at that recital.

I teach and direct a student performing group and a professional group. The student performing group has coordinating costumes. Even for a beginner class, I would lean towards inexpensive ensembles that tie together somewhat (e.g. everyone wears a black skirt and top and a hip scarf of their choice).

I very much dislike group costuming where everyone just wears whatever.

Sedonia

Thanks for replying so fast Sedonia!

Yeah I agree that it doesn't look good when everyone just wears whatever. I am willing to buy something, I just don't want to buy a full costume for $100
I've thought about opting out of the performance, except I don't really think my teacher will let me! Our dance is choreographed for exactly 4 people. She'd have to redo some parts of it if I didn't perform. I think it might hurt her feelings too, if I didn't want to do the choreography.

I hope that maybe we can agree to buy something like matching coin bra and belt sets, and then use our own skirts and veils rather than having to buy those too. I suggested this, but she said we'd look too much like the troupe if we wore our troupe skirts....

I agree with Sedonia. I think you should be honest with your teacher about your feelings, and set your spending limit. If you can't spend more than $50, then don't. But if the group is choosing to buy costumes that cost more than that, bow out. I think it's fine to be honest ("I love the class, but I can't be in this group number if it means spending more than $50 right now). If the rest of the group agrees, great! If they're interested in being spendier and don't want to be held back by one student's budget, then you can cheer them from the audience.

Thank you Lauren, I think that is just what I will do! I feel better now.

Although I have to wonder, if the 4 people in this dance ARE the troupe, why not call the number a special guest performance by the troupe? Student recitals often feature mixtures of the students numbers and special performances by professional groups and soloists.

That being said, its ultimately still the director's decision. If you don't want to (or can't) buy an expensive costume, you should be able to opt out.

Sedonia

I agree the the above comments. Tell your teacher that you simply can't go above a certain price. Say that you could pay up to around 50$ for something that modifies the costuems you all already have, but if you have to pay more for an all new costume that you simply can't and won't be able to perform.

I think $80 to $100 is quite high to expect a student to pay for a costume that will only be seen in a student recital. When I taught at a traditional dance studio (tap, jazz, ballet), we had a $60 limit per costume for the students for the end of year recital, and my own daughter's jazz and ballet costumes at a different studio are never more than $50.

here is another option you teacher might go for:

when i had a troupe, most of us were poor starving college students. we needed troupe costumes but most couldn't afford them. i made [relatively inexpensive] costumes for the dancers, but they belonged to me as troupe director. the costumes stayed at my house and i loaned them to who ever, from the troupe, was dancing at that event.

perhaps your teacher would consider buying the costume, letting you wear it for the student recital, then return it to her. she can then loan it out when others need to borrow it.

When you start performing as part of a troupe then you are obliged to commit to making your performances as professional and slick as possible.... despite it being a student troupe. Lack of funds is always a struggle, and I'm sure if you asked there would be someone willing to lend you costume parts to aid your situation. In future, before embarking on anything like this, make your financial situation crystal clear to the teacher from the start...or simply don't take part. Otherwise there is the risk that you will look like a costume shambles whilst your colleagues are all dressed to kill.

My students do the black skirt thing but I am looking at costuming for next year and aim for them either to make or but cheap circular skirts and maybe a choli top. I have just bought a set top, skirt and pants for 30$ (including postage!) and if they are OK and the girls like them, I'll get more. I hope something like this is versatile. They can wear with bra and belt, dark "body" dress up with shawls and overskirts. It's important to keep in mind not all students have or want to spend oodles of cash..$100 at a time.
BUT if a teacher has a performance group and she wants to make them look "professional" she will choose the students who not only can dance, will provide themselves with the appropriate costuming.
For a student recital I am not keen on this but it's not the way some operate and I think you have to be prepared to be up front and say yes I'd be flattered to be included but I just don't have the funds so sorry.
I often wonder if it's a good idea for teachers to start a costume fund with student putting away a small amount every week.
Another thought, do look out for second hand bargains from your fellow students, folks who might leave a class/troupe and ebay.

Really?!! Top, skirt and pants for $30 including postage? That sounds like a bargain, where can you get those?

Originally Posted by lizajuk

My students do the black skirt thing but I am looking at costuming for next year and aim for them either to make or but cheap circular skirts and maybe a choli top. I have just bought a set top, skirt and pants for 30$ (including postage!) and if they are OK and the girls like them, I'll get more. I hope something like this is versatile. They can wear with bra and belt, dark "body" dress up with shawls and overskirts. It's important to keep in mind not all students have or want to spend oodles of cash..$100 at a time.
BUT if a teacher has a performance group and she wants to make them look "professional" she will choose the students who not only can dance, will provide themselves with the appropriate costuming.
For a student recital I am not keen on this but it's not the way some operate and I think you have to be prepared to be up front and say yes I'd be flattered to be included but I just don't have the funds so sorry.
I often wonder if it's a good idea for teachers to start a costume fund with student putting away a small amount every week.
Another thought, do look out for second hand bargains from your fellow students, folks who might leave a class/troupe and ebay.

Originally Posted by kharis_UK

When you start performing as part of a troupe then you are obliged to commit to making your performances as professional and slick as possible.... despite it being a student troupe. Lack of funds is always a struggle, and I'm sure if you asked there would be someone willing to lend you costume parts to aid your situation. In future, before embarking on anything like this, make your financial situation crystal clear to the teacher from the start...or simply don't take part. Otherwise there is the risk that you will look like a costume shambles whilst your colleagues are all dressed to kill.

But she's not talking about her troupe, she's talking about her class.

I think the burden should be on the teacher to be crystal clear at the outset about costume requirements for a student recital.

I'm in agreement with those suggesting that you speak with your teacher privately on the matter.

It's seems silly to me to insist on specific costuming for students at a student hafla, but perhaps I'm not seeing the whole picture here. For instance, if you are a student troupe that performs in other venues where costuming is of importance, then the costume will eventually need to be purchased if you want to perform with them.

If you speak to her about the costuming issue and she is not interested in re-evaluating her decision, then I'd simply sit the performance out.

Not everyone can (or chooses) to perform for a variety of reasons. Not being able to purchase costumes might limit your performance opportunities in some cases, but we don't need to perform to enjoy dance...

Originally Posted by Zelda

I already have a lot of beginner costume stuff that I never wear, I don't want any more.

You might think about selling some of this stuff and put the money toward this costume (or stuff you can use). Dancers on this site are always "upgrading" like this--selling stuff to raise money for newer costumes, etc. If you can't afford something, look through your closet and find things that you can sell to off-set the financial burden of having to buy one more hip scarf or whatever they want to wear.

Originally Posted by aazura

You might think about selling some of this stuff and put the money toward this costume (or stuff you can use). Dancers on this site are always "upgrading" like this--selling stuff to raise money for newer costumes, etc. If you can't afford something, look through your closet and find things that you can sell to off-set the financial burden of having to buy one more hip scarf or whatever they want to wear.

Good solution! And then for the next class, get the scoop up front from your teacher about whether you'll be expected to buy yet another costume.

Maybe the group can come up with a solution that does not require to purchase a one-time costume? Something like a black skirt or black upscale pants are a bit more versatile and reusable, for instance. I'd suspect that the entire group would be more happy if they spend their money on things that they will be able to wear many times in the future. I sure would not spend $100 on one-time costume for a class performance, even if I could afford it.

And, I concur with trying to sell unused pieces, which makes everybody happy: Those who find new "toys", and those who get cash for making more space in the cabinet.

Originally Posted by jahbie

Really?!! Top, skirt and pants for $30 including postage? That sounds like a bargain, where can you get those?

Find D Blue Skirt Top Belly Dance Wear Dancing Costume Boho on eBay within, Skirts, Women's Clothing, Clothing, Shoes Accessories (end time 15-Nov-07 17:48:56 GMT)

30.96$ shipping was more than costume!

From India. Now because I can't tell how sheer those skirts are, I bought the harems (which I don't like because of the split but we are talking underwear here and 99 cents!) he only reduced the shipping by 1$ for both but frankly as he said, this is not a lot for a costume for us in the West so he is welcome to £15. Now the classs may hate them but sooo...sure someone will find that set OK for just over £15. I wait to see.

Thanks for that, did it take long to deliver?

Originally Posted by jahbie

Thanks for that, did it take long to deliver?

only bought last night so let's see!

Originally Posted by kharis_UK

When you start performing as part of a troupe then you are obliged to commit to making your performances as professional and slick as possible.... despite it being a student troupe. Lack of funds is always a struggle, and I'm sure if you asked there would be someone willing to lend you costume parts to aid your situation. In future, before embarking on anything like this, make your financial situation crystal clear to the teacher from the start...or simply don't take part. Otherwise there is the risk that you will look like a costume shambles whilst your colleagues are all dressed to kill.

I think you misread the original post. She HAS bought troupe costumes. This is for an additional student number and the teacher won't let them wear the troupe costumes.

Originally Posted by lizajuk

only bought last night so let's see!

Originally Posted by lizajuk

only bought last night so let's see!

I hope yours come quickly and are lovely!

Some of the cheap costume sets from India are great, some have...issues. I bought some from different vendors before placing a group order.

Some of the tops were sewn in such a way that they wouldn't actually fit a person (at least not a person whose arms grow out of the *sides* of her body). The back piece was WAY too small, everything twisted & pulled under the arms, we couldn't move.

The vendor whose product I liked disappeared from e-bay after I placed my group order and I had to file a paypal dispute to get my money back.. and had to borrow costumes for my students to wear in the show. Grrr. ..c::

I would say to let the teacher know of your financial constraints and see if you can work something out. If not, then you can offer to sit out this performance.

I thought this topic was interesting, so I decided to look around the we a little. First, belly dance costumes tend to be a little pricier because of the amount of material, but based on what I have found online from other dance styles, $60-$100 seems to be the going rate per performance number for a recital costume.

Here are a few places I found with info on it:
A discussion: dance.net - recital costume fee (6597740) - Read article: Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, Tap, Irish, Disco, Twirling, Cheer: Photos, Chat, Games, Jobs, Events!
Specific studio policies:
http://centerstagesomerset.com/docum...nformation.pdf
Encore Dance Studio - Tuition & Registration
http://www.saratoga.ca.us/recreation...ogaregform.pdf

What is the usual for most belly dance teachers? I try to keep recital costume prices below $100 for the student, but it isn't always possible.

Originally Posted by mahsati

based on what I have found online from other dance styles, $60-$100 seems to be the going rate per performance number for a recital costume.
What is the usual for most belly dance teachers? I try to keep recital costume prices below $100 for the student, but it isn't always possible.

$60-100 is the normal cost of recital costumes in other dance genres. When I taught at a dance studio, most recital costumes averaged $75... some more, some less. These were costumes for hip hop, ballet, tap, etc. There are actual catalogues that cater to dance recital costumes of all kinds... they tend to be expensive and of poor quality. ,f::

I always struggled to find affordable costumes for my students to wear during recitals. One year I told my intermediate class to wear red... the price and style of the costume was up to each individual dancer, but the color had to be red to unify them. This helped a great deal, but even then I got complaints. Other times I went with the black skirt and hip scarf route.

I tried to divvy it up by level last year.

Level 1: black bottoms & tops with a colorful hipscarf. (minimal expense)
Level 2: Indian wrap top & circle skirt (see fiasco above) would have been $38 each
Level 3: didn't have any at the time!
Level 4: L. Rose skirts & gauntlets, cost about $70 each. With whatever bra/belt or hipscarf/choli arrangement you might already own (most have bra/belt sets)

I try to keep the costs below $100, and to only require one new piece per year -- that gets way easier once the students start acquiring bra/belt sets and you can just be switching out skirts!!!!

My rep group is developing a nice collection of costumes this way, but as new people join who don't have the collected items from previous years, it's going to be tricky. I guess they'll just participate in the dances they have costumes for???

Ugh! Don't get me started about sewing! I have sewn all my life and whipping out skirts and harem pants is not difficult... until I have to make 10+ of them, AND choreograph and rehearse the number AND deal with all the first-time performance jitters and questions, etc etc. I have found that most students can not and will not sew, so making them make their own just backfires on me.

ETA: sorry... had to rant a little... reliving a bad memory...

oh, I hear you on this one. I only helped sew some of the costumes for one of our class performances. They were interesting wrap pants. I try to offer my sewing services to my class and teacher as much as possible, but it is a LOT of time. Especially when it involves people measuring themselves...oy!

Originally Posted by aazura

Ugh! Don't get me started about sewing! I have sewn all my life and whipping out skirts and harem pants is not difficult... until I have to make 10+ of them, AND choreograph and rehearse the number AND deal with all the first-time performance jitters and questions, etc etc. I have found that most students can not and will not sew, so making them make their own just backfires on me.

ETA: sorry... had to rant a little... reliving a bad memory...

Originally Posted by aazura

I have found that most students can not and will not sew, so making them make their own just backfires on me.

Something that worked for me in the past: if the group is not willing to spend the money for ready-made, I insist that everyone attend a "sewing party". (I had a student who was willing to host it at her house.) Everyone brought fabric, tape measures, pins, and shears. Those who had portable sewing machines brought them. I brought the patterns. I helped people create skirt patterns that suited their personal size and shape, and I then left them to pin their patterns to the fabric while I went on to help the next person. I'd come back to inspect, and once I approved they'd do their own cutting out. I taught those with sewing machines the finer points of seaming and hemming this particular skirt pattern and then left them to do not only their own, but also those of other people. Some people had mothers who were willing to do the stitching once I'd handled the instruction in pattern sizing and cutting out.

My rule was that I would help ONLY in the sewing party. Anybody who couldn't attend would have to figure it out without my help. Interestingly, everyone attended.

Thanks everyone!

Last year we spent $65 for our student recital. Except for the hip scarf, I haven't worn it again. Our class is in a dance studio that teaches ballet and jazz, etc., so I guess its the norm to spend this much once a year for a costume. However, last year also we had to buy veils on top of the $65 costume, but we had a choice to buy or borrow those, so maybe she will be open to something like that again. Thanks again for the replies. I was feeling really whiny yesterday but now I think we should able to work something out.

Zelda

I would also like to do a sewing party. I am not good at sewing, but I am willing to try, esp. if it saves buying a skirt/veil set, which really pushes the price up. I think I will suggest that!

I would actually love a sewing party, because I'm sure I could learn to sew a simple skirt if I was shown how to do it. Online instructions fry my brain, but I know if I was taught in person, I could likely pick it up fairly well.