Thread: Scaffolding for ladies of "blessed" proportions

I've had a bit of a hunt about and not found a thread on this, so i thought I would ask.

I am quite lavishly proportioned in the bosum area - well not as much as some perhaps, I am a 34DD (most of which seems to be invested in the forwards direction), and at 5'2" this leaves me with somewhat comedy proportions (at least I have big feet) from the side chest lifts look quite daft on me.

I am just starting out with BD and 2 "issues" have come to light regarding costuming.

1) Practice. For the sake of comfort, and not giving myself black eyes, I would normally wear a sports bra if I am doing anything vaguely energetic. Thing is my sports bras (Berlei Shock Absorber) are huge and ugly and create a less than pleasant silhouette (think edwardian monobosum), so even under a vest top it looks horrible, and it restricts my ribs a fair bit. Any recommendations regarding casual, supportive (probably underwired) but unrestrictive kit for practice?

2) It's a way off, but I like to plan, costuming. Looking around I don't see any costume styles or sizes commonly available that would be at all suitable for my build and proportions. I will probably end up making my own, probably working from a shop bought bra up. So kind of linked to the first question, but any styles/brands that have worked for you? The biggest issue I can see is "falling out" of plunge cut bras, and weak straps. Plus of course finding a larger size bra with good solid cups with decent (in more ways than one) coverage.
..l;,

2 recommendations as far as the risk of the girls falling out goes. 1) double-stick body tape, you can normally find at any bridal shop or prom shop. Good stuff. 2) Spray on sports-glue you can find in the sporting goods section of any discount store. I know people who swear by this stuff, but I personally have not used it myself, I prefer the double-stick tape. This spray on sports-glue is used by golfers et al to maintain a good grip, apparently.

And your comment about looking around and not seeing costumes that fit your size or proportions thus far... welcome to the wonderful world of size 2 bellydance! That's right, if you're bigger then size 8 or a 34B, you're going to have a hard time finding bras and belts, dresses, and skirts, that fit you right, esp. being as petite as you are. Your best bet will be to do as you are already thinking, buying something close and altering it to fit. It's what I have to do half the time.

Whatever happens, do NOT let it discourage you. Curvacious women are what real Oriental dance is all about! We need those like you!

I'm afraid I don't have any advise, but my troupe mate is the same size as you. She has had to have her professional costumes custom made for her.

She has one bra and belt set, but I think she preferrs the choli style with bras build in. I'll talk to her to be sure. I hate to put words in her mouth...

I'm selling this one for her, so here is an example of what she wears.

http://www.bhuz.com/forum/bellydance...cup-550-a.html

Thanks ladies, that's some food for thought.
Carey, your friend is very similar to me in build, except perhaps I am shorter in the torso (I have long legs for some reason). I was actually looking at some of the tribal styles where a light choli is worn under the bra, which might be good for support/modesty, I could probably work something along those lines but with more classical styling as a cheaper/more versatile version of that kind of costume. I'd probably put some fringe on the bottom half of the cup too to disguise the "shelf" effect I get. don't mind being womanly, but I am quite wary of being unwittingly provocative!

I've had the pleasure of altering a couple costume for some of my friends that are DD (and nursing!). One friend had bought a costume that was a good sized B at best and asked me to make this fit her.... it was a challenge! I cut off the straps completely and made her new ones and changed their location so they criss crossed at her back. It really helped to hold her in and the straps are now about 1.5 inches wide so she's NOT going anywhere ;)

To cover her cleavage up and actually make the bra work, I took the two cups apart and used stretch sequins (1.5 inches wide) and sewed on an extension to the bra (about 4 inches) . I then beaded some of it and added appliqués. I lined everything as well to provide even more structure.

She's VERY happy about it but I hope that she doesn't do that again ;) It was A LOT of work!

Originally Posted by Kash13

(at least I have big feet)

Hee hee hee! That is good (and I can relate!).

..l;,

Be careful with the fringe on the bottom of the bra. I have a short torso, as does by friend, and we both remove the fringe on the bottom of the bra. Except for a little in between the cups. For some reason on me it makes me look like my torso is even shorter thanit actually is. It might look excellent on you. I do understand not wanting to be provocative (I refuse to show my legs).

Here`s my two cents:

In terms of the comfort factor, etc. in practicing (and in everyday life for that matter), my daughter (she of the 34DDD) prefers to double up. She'll wear one of her regular bras (for shaping and separation) and a sports bra (for additional support and control). Might seem a little odd, but having seen her in action in rehearsal, it really does look like it works well (at least for her).

The costuming issue is something else altogether. Especially since she doesn't *really* like the kind of cleavage most dance outfits give her. I know, most really want the cleavage. The daughter is like I was - she's got cleavage in a t-shirt (so doesn't need her costuming to play it up). The solution (still in progress - actually only in the initial drafting/design stage at the moment) is likely to be taking a hard shell strapless bra that fits (thereby not having the plunge that she hates) and re-engineering it into a more proper base bra (with correct strappage & all). [It may take a while, because she's never home these days.] ..g.:

I am 38 DDD and what I do is wear a strapeless hardcup bra underneath the sports bra.

For costuming whenever possible I use dresses and two piece costumes that allow me to wear my own bra underneath. For bedlah (bra/belt sets) Neckelmanns has some that are very comfortable and supportive as they are made on lingerie cup bases. I have frequently seem sets that would fit 34DD on our own Swap Meet. Other sources woudl be The Bellydance Shop and Bellydance With K. Horus and Isis will make basic bras and belts in any size.
The 34DD is probably easier to find than my size which has larger band and proportionaly larger cups.

Whatever you do with bra and belt, halter straps are out. Cross over straps are in.

Souzan

Hey Kash13 - I see that you're in the UK...so get thee to an M&S! I'm less well endowed than you (34D) but I've found their 'maximum impact' sports bra (can't remember the exact name but it's the most heavy duty, and used to have a claim that the Australian Sports Council had proved it reduced bounce by 50%) works really well.

In terms of costuming, I might be inclined to steer away from halter neck bra straps...sore neck from holding up the weight..cr.: Or if you want a halterneck, make sure the support coming from cups and chest band is pretty solid.

Good luck!

Hi there!

I am the opposite way inclined (alas). However, I'd second the recommendations about double sided cleavage tape (this is often easier to find around Christmas I've noticed - guess its all those party outfits making a bid for freedom) which can sometimes be found in Boots in the UK.

Also, apart from dear old M&S, I've had a few, excellent and cheap sports bras courtesy of Aldi. Of course Aldi is one of those hunter -gatherer places where it depends what they have in at the time but, it might be worth a look.

I'm the same height as you and short in the torso and I'm afraid that extra fringe does visually foreshorten the body. Having said that, fringe can be fun to wear and feels a bit more 'modest' somehow which can help when getting used to wearing a two-piece costume.

Originally Posted by deelybopper

Hey Kash13 - I see that you're in the UK...so get thee to an M&S! I'm less well endowed than you (34D) but I've found their 'maximum impact' sports bra (can't remember the exact name but it's the most heavy duty, and used to have a claim that the Australian Sports Council had proved it reduced bounce by 50%) works really well.

Ah, you know i think I used to have one of those in the good ole days when I was a C cup (I had a growth spurt in my early 20s for some reason). I shall have a look.

Regarding fringes, maybe short ones? I don't feel the need to hide my lower ribs, but I am frequently alarmed when I catch sight of my profile quite how much my bust sticks out .w.: it's a bit cartoonish! I am just thinking that some camouflage might make stuff like chest lifts look less Benny Hill. ..l;,

I feel your pain in both proper excercise bras and costuming. I am a 38 F/E. I order from the bra line Glamourize. I believe Bali Bra Stores carry them. It's not underwire but trust me...these babies don't move! Not something I can usually say.

For making your own costume. Buy the bra you want to decorate 1 cup size to big because it will shrink as you add beading. As far as finding a costume that fits you your best bet will be custom ordering.

As for curves, this is truly a dance where curves our gorgeous.

Good Luck!

I am a 34 DD, so I feel your pain. Literally.

Couple of things I am going to echo - 1) Regular bra under a sports bra. I wear a racer back style. Yes it has underwire. Then I usually pull a tank top of some kind over it. My fav says, "Princess."

2) Costume bras - if you are going to make them get a good book on how to go about it. DinaLydia (Costume Goddess) has a good one, as does Dawn Brown. You can alos look in my Myspace Blog for instructions. I used to be a costumer.

3) Fringe. I am also short waisted. A lot of fringe is not going to in any way disquise your boobage. In fact it will just make it more obvious. Think Wall o'Fringe dopping from top of cups to the middle if your chest! Ummm....

What will make your bustline a tad less obvious is more mat fabrics and bras which support from the outside as opposed to underneath (I love demi cups but they really do put your boobs on a shelf! And to think in Regency times this is the look they were going for!) Think Sahar and Eman Zaki costumes.

and 4) I hate to be trite here, but having spent YEARS trying to hide my breasts, buying clothes which were too big everywhere else so that they fit in the chest, Start embracing your curves! Unless you go under the knife to reduce them, you will have them for the rest of your life. Start enjoying your proportions, the fact that you are beautifully made. Yes, there are difficulties, but those tend to be about other people. Not you.

I am not saying be immodest. But stop hiding inside frumpy sweaters and oversized tee shirts! Trust me, the sooner you can do this, the easier it will be in the long run.

{{{HUGS}}}}

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

4) I hate to be trite here, but having spent YEARS trying to hide my breasts, buying clothes which were too big everywhere else so that they fit in the chest, Start embracing your curves! Unless you go under the knife to reduce them, you will have them for the rest of your life. Start enjoying your proportions, the fact that you are beautifully made. Yes, there are difficulties, but those tend to be about other people. Not you.

I am not saying be immodest. But stop hiding inside frumpy sweaters and oversized tee shirts! Trust me, the sooner you can do this, the easier it will be in the long run.

{{{HUGS}}}}

Thanks, but no need to worry on that count. I love my curves and never ever hide them, I live in stretchy sweaters, tailored v necks and corsets (I make corsetry). I guess like you say, it's about modesty. In my day job I can wear heels a pencil skirt with cinch belt and a fitted sweater, and carry it off without being too provocative (a little, but that's part of the fun of life), but put me in a glittery bikini top, doing shoulder shimmies, and well, it distracts from the art somewhat, as well as distracting me through the worry of whether a strap was going to slip, or I was going to bounce out of the top .w.:
It's more about practicality and comfort for me really because I am petite I tend to wear t shirt or plunge bras (although I love those regency balconette bras, I wish more brands did them made in such a way that the wires didn't impale my armpits), the full cup bras made to give support to larger girls seem to come up to my neck! But I don't have to jiggle about in them, so the lack of security isn't an issue. I do quite like the sound of bra layering for practice, perhaps putting a wired sports bra (for shape) under a supportive crop top bra (for coverage and addiditional support without massive thick strapping) would be a very good plan.

Oh incidentally, regarding clothes that fit the breasts and nowhere else, I really feel that, my bust measurement is 3 sizes over my waist! I shop at Bravissimo | Big Bras, Lingerie, Swimwear and Clothing for big boobed women a fair bit nowadays, for tailored shirts, dresses etc (actually I am wearing one of their strappy tops with built in bra now, they are amazing, the halters and strapless too). They have a sizing policy that takes your back measurement and bust into account, so clothes fit you properly (I am a 12 Really Curvy, which means a size 12 (UK) with lots of extra boob room). There must be a US equivalent.

Alas, no. For men and women, being bigger around means clothes that are bigger around evenly, which is quite silly actually. Look at men with big bellys. They are big in front, but the shirts made for them are evenly big all around making for side seams hanging forward from under the arms. Same thing for women with only big breasts (used to be one - size 22/24 top with a size 16 body). Regular clothes were plenty difficult enough. Costuming? Don't get me started.

Originally Posted by Kash13

They have a sizing policy that takes your back measurement and bust into account, so clothes fit you properly (I am a 12 Really Curvy, which means a size 12 (UK) with lots of extra boob room). There must be a US equivalent.

kash -

thanks for the clarification. And you make corsets? I am moving to London in the fall. You are about to get a new best friend ;-)

I made the statement about getting out o fht ebulky sweaters and Tees because so many women who are well endowned do live in them in an effort to try to hide.

I fyou know that plunge style bras are a good fit for you, you may want to convert this thinking to your costuming. I have many AmCab costumes from the '70's and '80's which are this style and they are fabo! Now you will never be able to completely 'disquise' the fact that you are boobalicous fromt he side, but the line of that type of bra - plus the short fringe on the cups and the belly drape, fromt he front provide the illusion of a smaller, narrower line.

But that having been said, I am also very attracted to chili style bras.

Oh, and one side note: for most of us when we wear a Cab bra, with our breastslifted into proper position, they doo look like they are under our chin. We wonder if we are going to get a black eye when we do chest lifts! But, th ebreasts themselves don't. move. which is the point!

{{{HUGS}}}

If I were that luxuriously endowed, I'd look to Miasia for inspiration, costume-wise. In her gallery, she wears a lot of dresses, including some of the allover fringe kind that you can wear a foundation bra under.
Miasia: Middle Eastern Belly Dancer

Her youtube clip is spellbinding, by the way:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at__wyGmI2c]YouTube - Miasia - Miasia's Beladi[/ame]

Here are some pics of our own lovely Maggie modeling some costumes she's had custom made over the years:
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/bellydance...-cup-size.html

And here's a thread where 'busty bhuzzers' discuss bras for costuming that includes some good info:
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...made-them.html

For class, many of my students double bag 'em, with a regular underwire bra and a sports bra. Especially for Saidi.

You know, I'm a 34DD and I don't have a hard time finding beautiful costumes (have a look at my website for pics of some of them - they are totally normal costumes, not some kind of booby prize...ha!). It's not as easy as it might be for a B cup, but I always find something great at Rakassah, and at other festivals where many good vendors go. I've bought from Scheherezade, Turquoise International, Anatolia Imports, and Dahlal, who all have online shopping, and have also bought directly from Sim. 34DD is actually really not such a radical size, and does not require that you go out of your way, or assume that you'll have difficulty. If you can score a Madame Abla, those bras are great for large cup sizes. So are Sim costumes - very nicely cut. And you can't go wrong with Pharoanics, should you wish to take that plunge. Go for well made, invest in your costumes, and you will be happy.

As for workout bras, check out http://www.titlenine.com for styles that do away with uniboob. I love them for that.

- Leela

I'm 36E and I find the Egyptian costumes I have(Abla,Eman and Amira's), the Bella and Bhuzzer MandyT's Shimmyshop costumes make me feel go-o-d about the girls. I have never felt insecure.(Just stay fastened, will ya!)
The important thing is to make sure they fit from the start no under or sideage ooze and the top..me I love having a cleavage I was one a 34A!
Yes for a bra to build on :M&S but for fit oooo Rigby and Peller but who'd want to cover them at that price!

Glad you are concerned at least.
I am fed up of watching girls at UK haflas flopping about behind those Indian butterfly tops when they need a trip to M&S before donning those monstrosities.

Ooh loads of good feeback!

Alas, no. For men and women, being bigger around means clothes that are bigger around evenly, which is quite silly actually

Tell me about it, I had this dress *made for me* http://pics.livejournal.com/kashinthegreen/pic/0008kts8 She only asked me for bust-waist-hip, and stupidly, I sent her that (40-30-40) not including back measurements. She sized the thing up from a size 8 (UK, so is that a 6 US?) it has a 20" back and a 20" chest, while I have a 16" back and a 24" chest! This is the biggest issue I have, it's not my cup size, it's my rib size, I also often find that cups are too wide or too tall, my boobs don't take up a lot of my chest wall, they just stick out a lot!

Thing is, like flimflamgirl says, I'm not such a radical size at all, I don't consider myself all that bizarrely proportioned (I thought I was classic hourglass), but whenever I try to buy clothes it challenges that, as nothing fits me!

I do make corsets tahira, this is one: http://pics.livejournal.com/kashinthegreen/pic/0008ypwb (well obviously it is, but it is one of mine, it's a bit big on me there, it's a 28" and really I should be wearing one a couple of inches smaller). Feel free to ask me about them. I wear them less now, because frankly, I am getting too old for iron boning, I like to breathe, I tend to wear petershams more now.

The problem with plunge bras is the falling out, I guess that's a tit-tape job ;) Hiking them up might help. Being short my bras are always on their shortest strap setting (or even shortened) but knowing that elevation is the norm, I can always go for further shortening!

I shall go look at all these websites now, get lots of inspiration.

I am fed up of watching girls at UK haflas flopping about behind those Indian butterfly tops when they need a trip to M&S before donning those monstrosities.

I've always want to know know how anyone, of whatever size chest can dance in those things. Isn't all that flopping about uncomfortable?

I love the hard structure of costume bras. (as long as they are not of the Madonna in the mid 80's variety) They feel so firm and supportive. Better than underwiring anyday.

Originally Posted by lizajuk

Glad you are concerned at least.
I am fed up of watching girls at UK haflas flopping about behind those Indian butterfly tops when they need a trip to M&S before donning those monstrosities.

Oh that kills me, I hate to see beautiful clothes ruined because the wearer didn't think about what they were wearing underneath it.
I am an underwear facist! I would quite like to be a street evangelist, standing on street corners preaching the wonders of good underpinnings, maybe occassionally kidnapping poor misguided souls with quadruple boob complex and showing them the error of their ways!

That of course would be bad though, it's their wobbly bits, they can wear them how they like (I shall just have to look the other way ;))

Originally Posted by khadiya

I love the hard structure of costume bras. (as long as they are not of the Madonna in the mid 80's variety) They feel so firm and supportive. Better than underwiring anyday.

Have you ever seen a Bioform bra?
Redhotcurry.com - Style, Bioform bra by Charnos UK
It's a system Charnos made, but M&S did them for a while too. Instead of underwire, they have this plastic moulded support in the bottom 1/4 of the cup. I have one but the cups come up too high for me (beyond V necks) and it's not a great shape on me so I don't wear it very often. I do quite like the way you can tap the side and it makes a hard knocking sound ..l;,

This same reason (I'm a 36DD and almost 5'3") is why I'm planning on getting a custom-made costume from Shadia. :)

Originally Posted by Kash13

Oh that kills me, I hate to see beautiful clothes ruined because the wearer didn't think about what they were wearing underneath it.
I am an underwear facist! ...

I am kind of like that too--at least now that I've discovered wearing the right bra and underwear makes all the difference. I think most women would look better in well fitting, quality under garments with cheap but reasonable fitting outer clothes vs wearing cheap, poor fitting undergarments with expensive, well fitting clothes. I do break my own rule sometimes.

About your issue, I wear a larger cup size than you and am a little shorter so I understand your concerns. A good starting costume could be an attractive strechy top with matching skirt and a striking hip belt. Thatt is what I started with before I felt brave enough for a beaed bedlah. L Rose designs makes great items custom to your size. (just advice--if you order a half-top get the kind with the two-inch band if you want to wear a bra under it).

Also, since you are in England, one of my early costumes used a top from farida dance (faridadance.com). Look under class wear--I have two of the Delilah tops and found they run a little large (I bought a large without trying them on and found I wear a medium). Under it , I wear an Ego Boost bra I bought from Bravissimo. The sweetheart neckline is sexy without being too revealing. I think they have other tops that look great as well--if I were in England I would try some of their other styles. The exchange rate is just too unfavorable for us yanks right now. *sigh*

I'm a 32F and I've had great luck with Champion brand bras. right now I've got style 072 in 34-36D/DD and I'm contained pretty well. I love this bra because it has nice shape (no uniboob), minimizes up and down bounce AND side to side action, and you can wear it without a shirt over it if you want.

if it were me, I'd go ahead and spend the money on one good pro quality bedlah you can wear with lots of skirts. fill in your costume wardrobe with other things, but you'll always have that one good one to go to. figure out which egyptian cup size works for you (I do a cup size 5 and that works great on my smallish rib cage) - best if you can try one on in person, or buy a ready made one to check fit and then send it back, just to figure out your size. I have a gold great loop by pharaonics that is fantastic. sturdy, flattering, not too much fringe but not too bare at the same time.

a trick I've used to keep the cleavage at bay or in a smallish bra: take a length of strong bandaging tape, and holding an end in each hand, lay it on your boob near the areola like you wanted to push that boob down and away from the center of your chest. wrap the ends around so they cross on the opposite side of your boob (kind of looks like one of those jesus fishes!). repeat on other side. it looks VERY freaky and bizarre, but when you put your costume on, you'll get a bit more separation between them and no chance of any nippleage popping out.

Originally Posted by elisagamal

a trick I've used to keep the cleavage at bay or in a smallish bra: take a length of strong bandaging tape, and holding an end in each hand, lay it on your boob near the areola like you wanted to push that boob down and away from the center of your chest. wrap the ends around so they cross on the opposite side of your boob (kind of looks like one of those jesus fishes!). repeat on other side. it looks VERY freaky and bizarre, but when you put your costume on, you'll get a bit more separation between them and no chance of any nippleage popping out.

Wow, I learn so much on Bhuz!! So.... are the Jesus fishes swimming toward each other, then?

Does it hurt to pull the tape off? Is it actually over your nipple?

Is THAT what Dina does????

hey lauren -
the fishies are swimming up toward your sternum. you don't want to tape over your areola or nipple. I aim for about an inch away, but everybody's nenes are different, so see what works for you. and, well, yes, it hurts a little to take the tape off, like taking off a bandaid, and you might end up with sticky tape residue on your tickets. but oh well. whatever works, right? you need to get the waterproof first aid tape, not that sissy paper looking stuff that 'sticks to itself, not to your skin.'

and I learned lately the multiple uses of a bottle of astroglide in my makeup case. o the wonders of bhuz!