[Anahit_Karyan]

I'm looking for a new costume! I want to get either a bedlah or a bra-and-skirt combo, preferably for under $250 for the latter or under $200 for the former. I am not a professional, so if I buy a very expensive costume, it will NOT pay for itself after a while. Dance is purely a money hole for me. :) I've been looking around and have found a few places online where I can custom-order costumes for these kinds of prices (mostly the bedlah). Dancing Rahana, Isis Exchange (I've heard both positive and negative things about them, and am slightly ambivalent without discounting them entirely), Pyramid Imports, etc. I want to minimize the chance that I'm going to order a custom-made costume that will disappoint me, so I've got some questions about what to look at in a costume and how it will fit. Any help anyone can offer will be appreciated.

1. Some bras I've seen have cups that are more separate, some are more together. I imagine the closer-set ones are more cleavage-y. Does one of these two types of bras look better on a larger-breasted woman? Does one give more support? I'm not looking for minimizing, of course, but I also don't want to look tacky.

2. Some bras have halter-style straps, while some have regular bra-type straps. Is one kind easier to adjust? Is one kind more comfortable? More secure?

3. I've seen (and admired) bras that have sort of collars attached with straps running either vertically or at an angle between the collar and the bra. It occurs to me that depending on how the bra fits and where the breasts are placed while in the bra, these straps could either lie flat against the chest or look sort of weird. Has anyone worn a bra like that? Do they tend to look ok? Is it easy or hard to adjust those straps if they don't lie right?

4. If a bra is fringed on the bottom all around, rather than having the fringe hang from the middle of the cup or just at the front center, and you don't have a long torso, how long is too long for the fringe? I know that enough fringe like that can disguise the waist and make one look sort of blocky.

5. I've seen belts that are simply straight across on top and bottom, belts that are sort of V-shaped in the front, and belts that have a sort of diamond shape in front (with a peak on the top and bottom), What is most flattering and likely to fit best for someone whose hips are relatively small in comparison with their waist? Which lends itself best to adjustment?

6. Let's say your hips are small but your thighs aren't. Still, your general shape is more top-heavy than bottom-heavy. You're wearing a skirt, either a simple circle or a straight skirt. Is longer or shorter fringe on a belt more attractive, or is it simply a matter of personal preference?

7. About fit: when you custom order a bedlah, is it best to give your exact body measurements, or to allow a little extra? How much extra, if so?

Thank you again for taking the time to read this and answer my questions!

--Anahit