1. I don't actually like the cups that are far apart. I have no experience with them, but I always worried that they would be more likely to allow the girls to slip out of the middle!
I'm small-to-average (B/C cup), and my bras are heavil padded. If they were too far apart, I'd worry about nipslip.
So I prefer the close-together cups.
2. I find halter straps HURT. But almost every single one of my costumes is a halter configuration. I don't have enough strap to make any alterations (the came as a halter), but if I did I'd make them cross-over back. All the pretty shape of the halter, with none of the associated neck pain. IF you ever go the custom-designed route, you can ask to have this configuration. I sure will in future!
3. Um... I'm not entirely sure what you mean here - but I do have a bra that has a strap detail running diagonally from one cup over the opposite shoulder and back to the other side of the bra in back. It can lie oddly when the bra isn't fitting right, but when the normal fixtures (neck, ribcage) are moved to make the bra fit right, it sits fine. I imagine moving that strap would give me a lot of trouble, though!
4. My personal taste is to AVOID all ribcage fringe. Just a central piece of fringe (not too long... down to the navel is too long in my book, it should be no longer than the marrowest point of your waist, I feel) is MUCH more flattering than the all-round fringe. Ever quite short all-round fringe can be HORRIBLY unflattering, although of course it depends on your body type.
5. I wear lycra skirt-belt costumes, which means all of them (in the main) make a straight line across the body. I'm quite curvy, and very soft in the mid-section after having lost a lot of weight. I find this style actually suits me best, and the V-shape (usually flattering for all!) makes my soft streched skin "pooch" out over the V. NOT a good look for me! Remember to angle the fasteners slightly on straight belts to avoid the gapping at the back - I'm particularly bubble-butted and this was always a problem for me. Will never go back to firm belts!
6. Fringe length is, I think, a matter of taste. I don't like long fringe - I find it distracting and I think it's more prone to breakage since it bears more stress. Long fringe also look particularly odd to me on petite dancers. I love fringe, not into no-fringe costumes so much - but I don't like it too long. That's just me.
7. I've always been measured rather than GIVEN my measurements, but generally I think you should give your true body measurements. The costumier can then decide whether a particular style needs to be cut smaller, larger, just the same, etc etc. Maybe I have too much faith in costumiers.
