Gold/Silver Bra and Belt sets

[amity]

So I can't seem to find any nice gold bra and belt sets that aren't mass produced plain janes. Does anyone have any nice photos/sources of some they would be willing to share?

BTW-Dima, I'm LMFAO at your zilling at 3am smiley!

[shimarella]

I second that! I sold off almost all my costumes and need a "basic" but not boring gold/silver set. Can't afford a Great Loop yet....

[jmdruadh]

I had the same problem (plus fit issues - 34DD), so I had one made:
http://web.mit.edu/ruadh/www/pics/be...ec05/tarab.jpg
If you can make it to Boston, I highly recommend Shadia. She's amazing, and *very* reasonable for the style & quality. Anything she makes you will fit perfectly and be unique. Just be prepared for three visits (one to talk about styles, one to fit the bedleh base, and a final fitting/adjustment), and expect it to take 4-6 months, and 1-2 months longer that her estimate. :) She's making two for me right now. If you're interested, send me a private message, and I'll send you her contact info.

As for pre-fab costumes, the Great Loop is fabulous in gold. Didn't somebody post one (or similar) in the swap meet forum? Also, "Putting on the Glitz" at dahal is pretty, although I'd change the belly fringe.

[bellydancerinfo]

Or you could purchase one of those gold boring mass produced costumes and shoosh it up. Like I did:

http://shakemyday.com/sarah/costume_14.html

good luck!

[Surida]

Originally Posted by bellydancerinfo

Or you could purchase one of those gold boring mass produced costumes and shoosh it up. Like I did:

http://shakemyday.com/sarah/costume_14.html

good luck!

Wow! That turned out amazingly!!

[Souzan]

Here is a silver bedlah I have on consignment with a vendor: http://www.halimedasoasis.com/costume/consignment.aspx

This is new, never worn. Beautifully made, and VERY, VERY HEAVY with multiple layers of fringe on the belt. It really moves when you shimmy. More than just your basic bedlah for the masses.

Souzan

[yasmilah]

Originally Posted by Souzan

Here is a silver bedlah I have on consignment with a vendor: http://www.halimedasoasis.com/costume/consignment.aspx

This is new, never worn. Beautifully made, and VERY, VERY HEAVY with multiple layers of fringe on the belt. It really moves when you shimmy. More than just your basic bedlah for the masses.

Souzan

Souzon, that's a gorgeous costume!! Thanks for the link to that site- I'd never seen that one before.

I really love this one, too (the silver set on top of the page)....... http://www.halimedasoasis.com/costume/oriental.aspx

[Souzan]

Originally Posted by yasmilah

Souzon, that's a gorgeous costume!! Thanks for the link to that site- I'd never seen that one before.

I really love this one, too (the silver set on top of the page)....... http://www.halimedasoasis.com/costume/oriental.aspx

Those other sets are custome made in the US. They are lovely. Rather than totally beaded and sequined they have gorgeous fabrics with appliques. The fringe on the ones I have seen are bugle beads and they have a unique strapping system where the shoulder straps and side straps cross over, interlace through each other and tie. She has some really beautiful colors on those sets.

The one I have on consignment had no labels when I bought it and was never worn, only tried on. Has both neck and shoulder straps and the neck straps had been adjusted and the should straps were already securely sewn down.

The strapping, weight, workmanship, cup type, and fastening type are identical to my Abla costume. Just doesn't fit me.

Souzan

[amity]

How much do Shadiah's bra/belts set run for something like that? It's gorgeous!

And Sarah, do you have a pic of the original costume? I thought about doing that too!

[lotus]

yes, Shadia's costumes last forever. The black & silver costume in my website's gallery was secondhand when I purchased it, over a decade ago!

[Souzan]

Lotus, what is your website? Profiles don't show them anymore.

Souzan

[jmdruadh]

Shadia's prices vary by a lot. Essentially, you tell her how much you want to spend, and she tells you what she can do. This one was $450, I think. I have two more on order in the "around $400" range.

She has an incredible eye for design (and for what's flattering to different bodies), and can do a lot with just fabric and trims, so even ones that don't have a ton of hand-beading look *fabulous*.

I'd say that the quality and style is on par with the higher-end costumes (although more of the "ooomph" comes from the style than from slapping on lots of ornamentation), and they're easily 2/3 of the price. And *nobody* will have the same one.

Originally Posted by amity

How much do Shadiah's bra/belts set run for something like that? It's gorgeous!

And Sarah, do you have a pic of the original costume? I thought about doing that too!

[jmdruadh]

Nice job, Sarah!

Originally Posted by bellydancerinfo

Or you could purchase one of those gold boring mass produced costumes and shoosh it up. Like I did:

http://shakemyday.com/sarah/costume_14.html

good luck!

[jmdruadh]

One more thing to mention (if slightly off-topic) is that careful accessorizing can pack more punch than a great bedleh. I've seen very ordinary sequin base with layered fringe bedleh look *smashing* with a well-cut skirt, matching sleeves (especially bell sleeves!) or lots of bracelets, a fancy necklace, really big earrings, and a headband.

[lilya]

Sarah, I think you did more than "shoosh it up" - that sounds like some serious rebeading work! Not for the faint of heart! :)

The final product is stunning, though!

[bellydancerinfo]

I quickly serfed the net to look for a photo of a costume that looked liked mine when I bought it- I didnt see one quickly- but it is that typical - (usually) easy to find basic gold sequined, diagonal fringe bra and belt.

But yes- I did not like the shape of the bra cup, so I cut it up and rebeaded a new shape.-- you dont have to do that. I am - i izzzz crazy.

Buy some rhinstone chain, some gold beads and shoosh away!

Hey thanks girls- getting the thumbs up feels really nice :) warm fuzzies