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andalee-oriental · 04-09-2008, 12:47 PM

Hi Samira,
I bought a costume at the Grand Bazaar at a place called Ottantic. They were on Meissoun's list. They have the best costumes there other than at Ali Baba (which I don't recommend). I got my costume for 300 TYL, which is about $240. I bargained! Here is the link to the pics: Istanbul: Not quite Europe, not quite Asia: I did it! I bought a costume

Anyway, I wish I could've gotten a skirt with it, but I think I am going to make one.

So, about the experience. I didn't go to any of the major costume designers because I just can't afford it. I only spent ~$700 the whole week (half on a costume, I know, plus my boyfriend paid for A LOT of stuff ;) ). I shopped at the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market. I went to a bunch of places and they all have about the same thing--the sequin coated-generic Turkish bedlah. There is hardly any variation in size either.

I went to one place where they took me upstairs and he kept on pulling out costume after costume and they were all too small. The guy at Ottantic told me he had large sizes and they were special and more expensive. He also told me that he is phasing out selling costumes in the Bazaar and is moving to wholesale and online selling. I have his card if you want info from it. It was very easy to work with him.

Contrary to Messioun, I did not like Ali Baba. Their prices were high, they smoke inside and all of the costumes were the same. They do have special order costumes, but it was a hassle in there. I just didn't like it...bad vibes, you know. I also went to Gülseren Giyim, she only had a few costumes although they all looked like originals. There was nothing in my size.

Be prepared for their pushiness, when shopping for costumes and everything else. A vendor will pull everything on the shelf just to keep you in their store. It is very hard to walk away from them. They say, "No, no, no, I have it. Let me get it for you. This one. See? Like this one?" It is super annoying.

Please read my blog about my trip. I was told about the pushy vendors and the tourist-y-ness of it all, but it was really intense. Istanbul: Not quite Europe, not quite Asia

PM me for more details...

04-09-2008, 12:47 PM	#10
andalee-oriental Official BHUZzer Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: United States Posts: 442	Re: Costumes in Istanbul? Hi Samira, I bought a costume at the Grand Bazaar at a place called Ottantic. They were on Meissoun's list. They have the best costumes there other than at Ali Baba (which I don't recommend). I got my costume for 300 TYL, which is about $240. I bargained! Here is the link to the pics: Istanbul: Not quite Europe, not quite Asia: I did it! I bought a costume Anyway, I wish I could've gotten a skirt with it, but I think I am going to make one. So, about the experience. I didn't go to any of the major costume designers because I just can't afford it. I only spent ~$700 the whole week (half on a costume, I know, plus my boyfriend paid for A LOT of stuff ;) ). I shopped at the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market. I went to a bunch of places and they all have about the same thing--the sequin coated-generic Turkish bedlah. There is hardly any variation in size either. I went to one place where they took me upstairs and he kept on pulling out costume after costume and they were all too small. The guy at Ottantic told me he had large sizes and they were special and more expensive. He also told me that he is phasing out selling costumes in the Bazaar and is moving to wholesale and online selling. I have his card if you want info from it. It was very easy to work with him. Contrary to Messioun, I did not like Ali Baba. Their prices were high, they smoke inside and all of the costumes were the same. They do have special order costumes, but it was a hassle in there. I just didn't like it...bad vibes, you know. I also went to Gülseren Giyim, she only had a few costumes although they all looked like originals. There was nothing in my size. Be prepared for their pushiness, when shopping for costumes and everything else. A vendor will pull everything on the shelf just to keep you in their store. It is very hard to walk away from them. They say, "No, no, no, I have it. Let me get it for you. This one. See? Like this one?" It is super annoying. Please read my blog about my trip. I was told about the pushy vendors and the tourist-y-ness of it all, but it was really intense. Istanbul: Not quite Europe, not quite Asia PM me for more details... __________________ Andalee Oriental Dance :: andalee.oriental.googlepages.com Last edited by andalee-oriental; 04-09-2008 at 12:57 PM.