Black contemporary beginner costume $100 -- lots of rhinestones!

BellyDanceByKalilah · 07-27-2008, 02:07 PM

I'm doing more closet cleaning! This baby has plenty of bling -- 93 crystals (count 'em!) on the bra and belt, plus oodles of small rhinestones in sew-on settings. Even if you're not looking for a beginner costume, you might consider buying this to scavenge the 5/16" crystals for other uses.

This is one of the first costumes I ever performed in--only worn once for a troupe show (picture below). The bra and belt are actually two bustier tops from the clothing store Express, with one turned upside down to serve as a belt.

Here's a picture of the costume in action:

And a better look at the bling:

Basic description: Bra and belt that each attach by a side zipper. Pants are stretchy and have a sheer bell bottom.

Measurements: Bra top is a street size 3/4 and measures 28" around the bottom edge. Has contoured vertical boning rather than distinct cups. Should fit 32B/C, 34A/B/small C (I'm a 34D and it was quite a squeeze to take the new studio photos). Belt measures 31" at top (no stretch) and should fit up to a 35" lower hip. Top edge of pants will fit 26"-33" and booty area will fit 30"-40". Length is 39". They puddled a bit on me (I'm 5'2") but they still looked good.

Accessories: Black gauntlets. Headband and necklace in troupe photo are not included.

Condition: Used. Bra has 51 crystals (5/16" each) but the belt has lost a few from their settings and now has 42 remaining. I added fringe to the belt but never quite finished. Some clusters have two strands while some have three, but no one will ever notice. No other major issues.

Price: $115 (includes shipping to domestic buyers)

Shipping: Via USPS Priority Mail for domestic buyers--shipping costs are included in costume price. International buyers please contact me with address information.

Please post here with intent. You can see more photos on my Flickr site.

Lauren_ · 07-27-2008, 02:13 PM

Wow, that's really unique! Wouldn't fit me, but I'm very curious where it came from.

khalima · 07-27-2008, 02:17 PM

[quote=BellyDanceByKalilah;214639] The bra and belt are actually two bustier tops from Express, with one turned upside down to serve as a belt.
QUOTE]

That is just TOO clever!!!

Mintaka · 07-27-2008, 02:34 PM

I found one of these same Express tops at the local Salvation Army and thought about making a dance costume out of it! I was too lazy to figure out how to make a matching belt. Your belt idea is so clever, it really does make a great costume.

AishaSakinah · 07-27-2008, 02:47 PM

good job! I love it!

Express here I come!!! Sorry Dahlal...

Veil_Dancer · 07-27-2008, 05:10 PM

now that's just the height of cuteness!

love it :)

yasalem · 07-27-2008, 07:38 PM

what does the back look like?

BellyDanceByKalilah · 07-27-2008, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yasalem

what does the back look like?

The back is pretty much the same as the front.

BellyDanceByKalilah · 07-27-2008, 07:54 PM

And thanks for the compliments about repurposing these off-the-rack tops for belly dancing! We were poor, starving beginners back then and needed a quick and easy troupe costume. The pants are actually from one of those one-price clothing stores, and I made the lycra gauntlets for everyone using my serger. We were just darn lucky to find eight of the bustiers in the right measurements so that everyone had a bra and a belt. We have a store here that gets catalog returns from Express, J. Crew and Anthropologie and that's where I found them.

yasalem · 07-28-2008, 06:01 AM

Great job--I wish it would fit me! And with little modification, I wouldn't consider it "beginner" at all. It has a great classic design that could easily be integrated into a pro set! (We have to have a variety, after all.........)

sagira · 07-28-2008, 06:11 AM

I like that set, is there an online store for this company? The set is too small for me unfortunately.

BellyDanceByKalilah · 07-28-2008, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sagira

I like that set, is there an online store for this company? The set is too small for me unfortunately.

No. The set is actually two bustiers that were made by Express, the clothing company. I just repurposed them as a bra and belt.

BellyDanceByKalilah · 10-07-2008, 01:23 AM

Bumping this beautiful, black, blingy costume that has yet to sell! I've got my eyes on a new costume and could use the extra funds.

KelsNasim · 10-07-2008, 02:01 PM

That's really cool! It wouldn't fit me but here's a bump.

shimarella · 10-07-2008, 02:03 PM

You know, I'm kind of interested! I have to rush off to a meeting so I need to look at those measurements closely. You said the top of the belt was 31 inches. But what is the max booty measurement?

BellyDanceByKalilah · 10-07-2008, 05:09 PM

Shimarella: I'm at work but can measure the booty measurement when I get home.

I just received a PM from someone else who might be interested, but you'll have first dibs since I said interested parties should post here with intent.

MorganaBellydance · 10-07-2008, 05:24 PM

i wish i wish i wish it fit me!!! How cute! This is tres elegante!! and a little different, which I like! Oh man.

BellyDanceByKalilah · 10-07-2008, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shimarella

You know, I'm kind of interested! I have to rush off to a meeting so I need to look at those measurements closely. You said the top of the belt was 31 inches. But what is the max booty measurement?

Okay, I measured as best I could (a little tough since it's a contoured belt) and it looks like it will fit up to a 35" booty. I'm about 37" in the booty area right now, so it's no surprise that the belt looks like it's riding a bit high in the studio photos I took. The performance shot is from when I was thinner, when the belt actually fit.

Let me know if I can answer any other questions or you need other measurements!

shimarella · 10-07-2008, 11:50 PM

OK cool. Well I guess what I'm trying to figure out now is if the top is too big. I wear a 0 or XS in Express clothes usually, and I saw you made this out of a 3/4 sized bustier. Did you do any adjusting to the top or is it pretty much as you said: a 3/4?

BellyDanceByKalilah · 10-08-2008, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shimarella

OK cool. Well I guess what I'm trying to figure out now is if the top is too big. I wear a 0 or XS in Express clothes usually, and I saw you made this out of a 3/4 sized bustier. Did you do any adjusting to the top or is it pretty much as you said: a 3/4?

Indeed, it's a 3/4 and I haven't adjusted it any. The rib area (bottom edge) measures 28" around. I also measured the fullest part and I think you'd want a 33" bustline to fill it comfortably--34" if you didn't mind some cleavage. My ribcage is 28" and I wear a 32DD/34D bra, if that helps. It still fits me around the ribs, but it's waaay too small in the bust.

If you're worried about it being too big, you could always add a spare set of foam bra cups or some strategically placed elastic to make it fit snugger.

Black contemporary beginner costume $100 -- lots of rhinestones!

Bellydance SWAP MEET!!