Mini skirt costumes

[LILI GAMAL]

I like the Flinstones style! Vivis !!!!!!!!!!!
It's Dina(ish) sorta thing! Well........... I love mini skirts even when I'm not performing. Minis are awesome!

[ChristinaRizkallah]

Cute costume and you look great in it. I love the flower in your hair. I should have clarified in my original post, but I am defining a mini skirt as a skirt that is short all around, not short in front and long in back (although I do have several costumes in this style as well).

Originally Posted by talula

I have a mini skirt costume and I love it. But I love to show a lot of leg. I've always said that I have nice legs for a chubby girl

http://tribes.tribe.net/vancouverbel...a-fd649841ba54

I think though its not just about what your legs look like but also your attitude when you wear it... not everyone can get away with wearing one. But I think if you can, go for it! Although the skirt does change your dancing a lot too...how you step, how you shimmy, how you pose, everything. And I have found you can't wear it at every venue. I could never concider wearing my mini cossie at a restaurant... the patrons just wouldn't get it.

[ChristinaRizkallah]

Vivi-I know exactly what Leila performance you are talking about. The melaya was cute, but for her khaleegy piece, I would put a thobe on top or wear it with a non-mini costume. Also, I think you would look great in a mini.

Originally Posted by vivi

I have mixed feelings about it.
Sometimes I think I should try, but I get scared. I have a small chest and big, long legs so it would be a good thing to drag some attention to my legs...when I saw Leila I liked the malaya dance costume, but not the one she did a khalegy... but again it all depends the place you dance, the audience...and most of all the costume!!! Some of skirt costumes make you look like you came out of a flintstones cartoon...so it must be classy, if possible!!
Maybe one that is short on the side and long on the oder would look good also.
Kisses.

[ChristinaRizkallah]

Jessedan: I know exactly what performance you are referring to. I did get a flash of her black panties as I was in the audience, front row!

Originally Posted by jessedan

I wear minis in regular clothes, but I don't like mini skirt dance costumes for all the reasons mentioned above. Just yesterday I was watching a video of Randa onstage in a mini skirt, and there was a panoramic view of her black panties as she lifted one leg up up and pointed it towards the audience several times during the performance. Also, I think mini skirts don't look at all nice with bare feet.

Regards
Priscilla

[ChristinaRizkallah]

The mini skirts are popular in Egypt not necessarily for the reason you mentioned, but more so because its another fashion trend; there is probably some Western influence in terms of street clothing; they are more comfortable and pratical and mini skirts starting becoming prominent on the Egyptian dance scene in the early 90's as a response to the growing rise of Islamic fundamentalism and since then they have just become a fashion statement in their own right. Some dancers who wear them a wee bit too short, such as Dina and Fatima, may be doing it for the shock value.

Originally Posted by vilia

I agree with most that the focus of the dance needs to be on the hips and torso and that the visible legs detract from that. One of the things I like about the costuming is that I can hide mine ('cos they're not my best feature), but I know Arabic men like to see legs and that's probably why they're popular over there.

[ejaghana]

I don't like minis either. It's not necessarily the mini I don't like, but the way they reveal the movement. I should mention that I don't like pants either...Although I do think there's a time and place for both of these types of cossies...

[talula]

Originally Posted by ChristinaRizkallah

Cute costume and you look great in it. I love the flower in your hair. I should have clarified in my original post, but I am defining a mini skirt as a skirt that is short all around, not short in front and long in back (although I do have several costumes in this style as well).

mine is short all around except that little side panel, which is only about 4 inches wide (its hard to see in the photo). Sure does make hip-circles a lot smaller!

I like the Flinstones style too, Lili! Hehe...I've always loved the cave woman/warrior woman look. I absolutley love Dina's infamous warrior princess cossie, except I just wish her brass bra fit her better. But I love the concept of it!

[laura 2]

Bhuzzer Elisa Gamal has the cutest mini-skirt costume I've ever seen. I didn't think I liked mini's until I say that one.

[ChristinaRizkallah]

Yes, I remember she posted it when she bought it. She got it from Joharah in royal blue and it is cute and it looks good on her, too!

Originally Posted by laura 2

Bhuzzer Elisa Gamal has the cutest mini-skirt costume I've ever seen. I didn't think I liked mini's until I say that one.

[ChristinaRizkallah]

Yes, it was hard to see in the photo. Thanks for clarifying. I have a Sahar that I consider a mini skirt despite the presence of two two-inch panels hanging down the hem at the knees. So I guess both cossies are minis. I like Dina's warrior princess costume, too, just wish the bra was more comfortable. She claims its comfortable, I doubt it though. I think she is just too embarrassed to admit how uncomfortable it is! Hallah makes a couple of warrior princess design costumes that are really tasteful and nice.

Originally Posted by talula

mine is short all around except that little side panel, which is only about 4 inches wide (its hard to see in the photo). Sure does make hip-circles a lot smaller!

I like the Flinstones style too, Lili! Hehe...I've always loved the cave woman/warrior woman look. I absolutley love Dina's infamous warrior princess cossie, except I just wish her brass bra fit her better. But I love the concept of it!

[talula]

Comfortable! yeah right! You can see the chaffing in photographs!

oooo...I'd love to see the other warrior princess designs. They must be gorgeous!

Originally Posted by ChristinaRizkallah

Yes, it was hard to see in the photo. Thanks for clarifying. I have a Sahar that I consider a mini skirt despite the presence of two two-inch panels hanging down the hem at the knees. So I guess both cossies are minis. I like Dina's warrior princess costume, too, just wish the bra was more comfortable. She claims its comfortable, I doubt it though. I think she is just too embarrassed to admit how uncomfortable it is! Hallah makes a couple of warrior princess design costumes that are really tasteful and nice.

[lizajuk]

I could make a blanklet statement that I DON'T like a costume trend such as a mini skirt then some dancer comes along, wears one, gives a stunning performance and lo.............all is forgiven.
There comes a definitive moment when a dancer gets it all right the music, the routine, the demeanour, the costume and she may break all the rules and charm you solid!

[ChristinaRizkallah]

The other designs are by Hallah Moustafa www.hallahmoustafa.com. She has a "gladiator" costume and a "byzantine warrior princess" costume. Right now, her costume gallery is down since she is updating it with her new line. You should e-mail and ask her to send you the sketches.

Originally Posted by talula

Comfortable! yeah right! You can see the chaffing in photographs!

oooo...I'd love to see the other warrior princess designs. They must be gorgeous!

[nadira seattle]

Originally Posted by talula

I think though its not just about what your legs look like but also your attitude when you wear it... not everyone can get away with wearing one. But I think if you can, go for it! Although the skirt does change your dancing a lot too...how you step, how you shimmy, how you pose, everything. And I have found you can't wear it at every venue. I could never concider wearing my mini cossie at a restaurant... the patrons just wouldn't get it.

Cute costume Talula! I too have a mini skirt costume, but tend to wear it more in the spring/summer and at certain venues that have a lot of space like the nightclub I dance at. Mine is an Eman and has the jagged edges like the Flintstones comment...lol. You can somewhat see it here:

http://www.nadira.com/nadirabio.html

It is very true you have to dance differently (not take as big steps, spins, etc) and being 5'10", I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it in the smaller restaurant venues. Like to be more conservative as you are spatially closer to the patrons.

[tabitha]

Originally Posted by ChristinaRizkallah

The other designs are by Hallah Moustafa www.hallahmoustafa.com. She has a "gladiator" costume and a "byzantine warrior princess" costume. Right now, her costume gallery is down since she is updating it with her new line. You should e-mail and ask her to send you the sketches.

LOVE those pictures of Jillina!

[Taj]

I totally agree with the posters who say it detracts from the mystery of the movement. I want mystery, not mechanics.

[elisagamal]

Originally Posted by ChristinaRizkallah

Yes, I remember she posted it when she bought it. She got it from Joharah in royal blue and it is cute and it looks good on her, too!

whee! thanks for the nice compliments, ladies. :)

I have to say, I really like miniskirt costumes. I didn't *get* them at first, but after seeing enough of them on videos and watching leila dance in them, I got hooked on the look. my thoughts:

you have to consider the audience. I rocked my mini at an outdoor bellydance festival on a hot summer day, and had a blast. I also wore it at a middle eastern night club, with live music and a middle eastern audience. I got a great response, from both the men and ladies in the audience. I remember reading on Neon's website a long time ago that she liked miniskirts because they were very accessible to a clubby audience - the girls in the audience were wearing them, and could connect with a dancer wearing one. I would wear a mini costume in some venues (night club or restaurant with a stage area) but not in others (birthday party for the gp, wedding).

on having the legs for it or not: I do not. :) and I like to wear a mini anyway. :) all my dance career I avoided even a leg slit. I believed in showing off one's assets and my legs were definitely not it! I felt like as long as people admired my cleavage and long torso, they'd just assume the rest of me was hot as well. lol! anyhow. now I'm older and don't care so much about what other people think.

on a skirt hiding the mechanics: this is a big reason that I wanted a mini of my own. when I started taking dance, the idea was that a long flowing skirt hid your hard working legs. and because of that idea, I never bothered to develop good leg positions or nice pointed toes or any of that. when I first saw dina (or maybe it was hawaida?) in a mini on a video, I thought to myself, how can one dance in a short skirt and look good? wait - she *does* look good. huh. graceful legs plus bellydancing. concept I must explore...

a big thing I've observed the last year or two with bellydance is how important your feet are, and how often feet and leg positioning is neglected if not flat out forgotten. anything to make the hips and torso look good, legs be damned. but if you cultivate strong and graceful legs and feet, your dancing will be soooo much better! even if people can't see your legs under a full skirt, you really need to be dancing as if they could. when I put on a mini to dance the first time, I was really forced to shape up my technique, and I've become a better dancer for it.

on conceal and reveal: my legs in their averageness take such a back seat to my lactating nenes that I doubt people would even notice that they could see them. lol!

on minis and bare feet: I disagree that minis look bad with them. on the contrary, I think you *need* to wear them with bare feet. that makes them less agressive. know what I mean? like, a bikini with flip flops is cute and beachy. a bikini with heels is slutty. I have a tall and gorgeous and leggy girlfriend who wore a mini costume with ballroom heels and it really shot her from her usual wholesome look into the sex kitten realm where she didn't really want to be.

finally, to those who would like to see a real warrior goddess costume on another dina (the costume goddess!) check this out:
http://www.costumegoddess.com/photo/novelty.htm

[ChristinaRizkallah]

Nadirah: thanks for the link to your site. Your photos are beautiful and you have a nice costume collection! That Eman costume is really cute. I have one mini from Eman. Its a black and silver lace one that I bought from Dandesh. I am going to order another one from Eman-gold and pink, but I'm not quite sure it qualifies as mini since its only short in the front and long in the back. Anyway, I was on your site and saw that you have the dark green feathered Eman costume. I have that same one. I had her make it for me back in 2006. I know that Leila used to own one. Just curious-did you buy yours from Leila?

Originally Posted by nadira seattle

Cute costume Talula! I too have a mini skirt costume, but tend to wear it more in the spring/summer and at certain venues that have a lot of space like the nightclub I dance at. Mine is an Eman and has the jagged edges like the Flintstones comment...lol. You can somewhat see it here:

http://www.nadira.com/nadirabio.html

It is very true you have to dance differently (not take as big steps, spins, etc) and being 5'10", I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it in the smaller restaurant venues. Like to be more conservative as you are spatially closer to the patrons.

[ChristinaRizkallah]

Elisa: thanks for your post. I do like the mini on you. You look really great in it.
Do you think you would purchase more minis?

Also, I agree about your comments regarding the wearing of the minis.

To me, it doesn't matter if I am exposing the technique of the shimmy or any of the "mystique" of the leg work. It simply doesn't bother me and its a non-issue for me.

I agree that you should be barefoot when wearing minis. When your barefoot, it just looks belly dance and cute, but when you wear the high heels, it looks too sexy. But then again, I dance barefoot anyway!

I also agree with you about the leg comment. I wear them despite the fact that they show my legs. Again, many of the things that would bother other dancers about minis are just non-issues for me.

I also started getting into minis when I saw Dina wearing them and of course, Leila used to own a bunch of minis, too. Randa wears them now and she doesn't necessarily have the slimmest legs around and she has wide flat feet 9so does Dina) but they are still wearing them. I have seen some Egyptian dancers where them with stilettos (such as Nancy) and you are right, it does change your perception of them when they put on the high heels.

Originally Posted by elisagamal

whee! thanks for the nice compliments, ladies. :)

I have to say, I really like miniskirt costumes. I didn't *get* them at first, but after seeing enough of them on videos and watching leila dance in them, I got hooked on the look. my thoughts:

you have to consider the audience. I rocked my mini at an outdoor bellydance festival on a hot summer day, and had a blast. I also wore it at a middle eastern night club, with live music and a middle eastern audience. I got a great response, from both the men and ladies in the audience. I remember reading on Neon's website a long time ago that she liked miniskirts because they were very accessible to a clubby audience - the girls in the audience were wearing them, and could connect with a dancer wearing one. I would wear a mini costume in some venues (night club or restaurant with a stage area) but not in others (birthday party for the gp, wedding).

on having the legs for it or not: I do not. :) and I like to wear a mini anyway. :) all my dance career I avoided even a leg slit. I believed in showing off one's assets and my legs were definitely not it! I felt like as long as people admired my cleavage and long torso, they'd just assume the rest of me was hot as well. lol! anyhow. now I'm older and don't care so much about what other people think.

on a skirt hiding the mechanics: this is a big reason that I wanted a mini of my own. when I started taking dance, the idea was that a long flowing skirt hid your hard working legs. and because of that idea, I never bothered to develop good leg positions or nice pointed toes or any of that. when I first saw dina (or maybe it was hawaida?) in a mini on a video, I thought to myself, how can one dance in a short skirt and look good? wait - she *does* look good. huh. graceful legs plus bellydancing. concept I must explore...

a big thing I've observed the last year or two with bellydance is how important your feet are, and how often feet and leg positioning is neglected if not flat out forgotten. anything to make the hips and torso look good, legs be damned. but if you cultivate strong and graceful legs and feet, your dancing will be soooo much better! even if people can't see your legs under a full skirt, you really need to be dancing as if they could. when I put on a mini to dance the first time, I was really forced to shape up my technique, and I've become a better dancer for it.

on conceal and reveal: my legs in their averageness take such a back seat to my lactating nenes that I doubt people would even notice that they could see them. lol!

on minis and bare feet: I disagree that minis look bad with them. on the contrary, I think you *need* to wear them with bare feet. that makes them less agressive. know what I mean? like, a bikini with flip flops is cute and beachy. a bikini with heels is slutty. I have a tall and gorgeous and leggy girlfriend who wore a mini costume with ballroom heels and it really shot her from her usual wholesome look into the sex kitten realm where she didn't really want to be.

finally, to those who would like to see a real warrior goddess costume on another dina (the costume goddess!) check this out:
http://www.costumegoddess.com/photo/novelty.htm