I do like wearing dresses but the body stocking allows for versatility in mixing and matching bedlah and skirts for different looks.
For some reason, even when I was younger and had a great figure, I didn't like dancing with a bare belly. I felt I could dance more more freely when covered. Some psychological hangover from a regular Midwestern upbringing, perhaps? My family wasn't particularly conservative, just average American conservative, LOL.
Now that I am older and there is <cough> more of me to love, I want to present the prettiest picture I can to my audience and for me I usually feel that costumes with some coverage flatter my body more. Though I am losing weight now and I am so happy about that.
I think the one-color look over the torso does tend to be slimming for most folks. Also wearing a dark color and having bright accents down the center of the body can be flattering.
I haven't found the stockings extremely hot or fiddly. But I often wear a vest with them to help camouflage the dreaded arm "wings." Even though I drum and play music so much that my arms are fairly well toned, that upper arm area is just difficult and on me looks better with sleeves of some sort, I think.
I am working on an amethyst and silver bedlah that I plan to wear with a matching body stocking with long sleeves and an amethyst skirt. I am hoping the effect will be elongating and slimming.
The bottom line is I want to look good and feel comfortable while I am dancing. So what is great for me won't necessarily be great for you, but chacun a son gout. (Each to her own taste.) (Don't know how to put the little accent marks into the French, darn it.)
