New Costume, part trois...

[zorba]

Originally Posted by mish_mish

However, Zorba--I think you want to do your own thing!

True enough - but I'm not looking for a bra-like look either. I have always admired Serkan's costuming - he looks like a Belly Dancer without looking like he's wearing a bra.

The folkloric look is great - if you're dancing folkloric dances mostly/exclusively. I'm not. A guy that comes out in a galabeya and dances tahtib looks fine. If he's coming out and doing Belly Dance - you can't see what he's doing!

I don't like costumes that seem to overcompensate and scream "I'm a MALE!". Shirts and similar do this - to me. I can't get past the thought that the guy wearing something like this is too insecure to wear a "real Belly Dance costume (tm)". But that's just me.

I'm not one for the topless look - even though it seems to be all the rage among male dancers in Greece right now. Belly Dance isn't topless dancing even if cultural norms allow/accept topless males - but more importantly the right top frames the torso and helps show off isolations. I've seen a few semi-topless "X-Chain" thingies on males - not my thing either, keep the BDSM look for the dungeon please...

Since this thread has (d)evolved into a general male costuming discussion, I'll present one of my favorite costumes:



The wind is doing some "interesting" things here, including lifting the top a bit!

I've always thought this was a VERY effective costume for a male - I stole the idea from Raffa. Its only problem is that it MUST be worn with the jewelry shown (there's a Kuchi choker necklace with coins that you really can't see in this pic) and nothing else as the jewelry helps anchor the thing in place. I may very well make more along these lines - but with a lower neckline to show off non-choker necklaces. Its only "philosophical problem" is this high neckline - I don't want more than one like it as I don't like the typical "male choker" look (think necktie!), and want some more room. This cossie is cool - but a pain in the neck to put on (and to make!). But to me it avoids even a hint of bra while still looking beautiful/pretty and avoids screaming "I'm a MALE!" - it just whispers that thought. And it shows off the torso quite well - even better than a bra methinks.

[Sashy]

<The folkloric look is great - if you're dancing folkloric dances mostly/exclusively. I'm not. A guy that comes out in a galabeya and dances tahtib looks fine. If he's coming out and doing Belly Dance - you can't see what he's doing!>
Zorba:
Seems to me here you have not taken a peek into the 2 latests Tito clips posted at the Video section here:Bellydancing in Russia along with a female dancer,and on the other he's clearly BellyDancing and we can alll see what he's doing even while or despite(whatever you prefer )wearing his trademark galabiya.

[bellydancerinfo]

this has GREAT shape to it. It creates a distinct bold shape at the top that makes your waist look smaller. The V looks faboulous on you. (I worry that plunging the neck line down- you will ruin the grand horizonatal shape you have going here)

Looking at the neckline on serkan-
http://www.serkan.be/images/serkan002.JPG
He has ornimented it on the costume itself- a circlur shape - really bringing focus to whats important.

He happens to have a perfect stomach so he gets away with showcasing that. the V in your costume helps slim you.

I have always wanted to make a Cleopatra costume!- i think that also show case you well.

http://www.freewebs.com/georaces/Cleopatra.jpg
http://originaldo.com/liberace-cleopatra.jpg
http://www.ec-securehost.com/WouldYo...patraWCape.jpg
(to purchase it: http://www.ec-securehost.com/WouldYo...haracters.html)
http://www.general-anaesthesia.com/i...cleopatra.html


I think if you stay with that exact top you are always going to have problems with the scarf shifting off you. I think you could have a top made that actually had arm holes - but kept the V shape.

[artemisia_danst]

serkan hasnt ornamented that... bella did... ;-) ;-) custom made for him if i recall well...

[zorba]

Originally Posted by bellydancerinfo

I think if you stay with that exact top you are always going to have problems with the scarf shifting off you. I think you could have a top made that actually had arm holes - but kept the V shape.

Good ol' Liberace - a man after my own heart even if he was gay...

Yes, this top tends to want to walk around - it has "invisible" straps under the arms which help hold it in place. That plus the jewelry - especially that pendant - anchors it down. It works fine now - but my costume lady and myself had quite the time engineering it.

What would you think of a version with a V-neck - thus picking up the overall V-shape? It would allow showcasing "regular" necklaces - and I "think/hope" that the choker necklace on the current version is NOT doing much for the stabilization.

[mish_mish]

Zorba, the lines in that last costume are so much more flattering for you. The colors are better--more masculine, but not screaming, "IT'S A BOY EVERYBODY!!!"

The pants are elegant yet simple. The wristbands are great. This still has the "Zorba" look you are going for, but it doesn't look like "girlie dress up." The proportions suit your body type. This is a good look for you.

[BabsGrrrl]

Originally Posted by zorba

What would you think of a version with a V-neck - thus picking up the overall V-shape? It would allow showcasing "regular" necklaces - and I "think/hope" that the choker necklace on the current version is NOT doing much for the stabilization.

I think a V-neck would work, however, try it out with some test fabric first. If the V gets too deep I think you might run into the same situation as with the top in the originally posted photo, where the V does not flatter you as much as it could.

Have you seen the other styles of tops made from scarves like this that have short sleeves? I know Magda sells them regularly (www.gypsymagda.com).

[zorba]

Thanx Mish-Mish.

If/when I do another one, I definitely want more bling - but it *is* a good look. It's non-trivial to make, unfortunately...

[zorba]

Originally Posted by BabsGrrrl

I think a V-neck would work, however, try it out with some test fabric first. If the V gets too deep I think you might run into the same situation as with the top in the originally posted photo, where the V does not flatter you as much as it could.

It wouldn't need to be all that deep. Just enough to get it away from my neck and show off a necklace.

I'll check out Magda - ETA: She's got some way cool stuff that might be adaptable! Thanx!

[antimony]

Originally Posted by zorba

If/when I do another one, I definitely want more bling - but it *is* a good look. It's non-trivial to make, unfortunately...

I don't see how it would be that hard... If it were me, I'd start with a close fitting shirt of glossy fabric (like the kind that guys might wear nightclubbing) and re-hem it right below your pecs. You may need to sew a casing and put a wide elastic in it to keep the shirt sitting right up against your chest. Then mount the scarf/poncho to the shirt, which should keep it in place nicely.

If you want to bling it up, it would be easy to put glass fringe on the top. You could bead and sequin the top, then make a matching beaded and sequined belt to go over the pants.