err....Butt padding?

[nasila]

I was recently told by a costumer that I need butt padding.

Does anyone do this? How would one go about padding a belt so it looks natural??

[Safiyah]

hmm...there are underwear you can purchase with padding built in, but I just can't help but think it'd be sweaty (I sweat a lot when I dance though). Don't go by one stupid customer's comments; some people tend to say really rude things. Unless it's something you're really self-conscious of, I say don't bother!

[kiyaana]

I know dancers who sew padding inside the back of the belt to fill it out. Old shoulder pads, I've even heard of using thick maxi-pads - just stick 'em in!!!!!

Originally Posted by kiyaana

I know dancers who sew padding inside the back of the belt to fill it out. Old shoulder pads, I've even heard of using thick maxi-pads - just stick 'em in!!!!!

That's a dance disaster waiting to happen

[mish_mish]

That's what I was thinking. Could you imagine one of those coming loose and falling to the floor during a performance? AH!!!!

[laura 2]

I'd be more than happy to donate some of mine!

[nasila]

It was actually a costumer, not just a customer (it was actually NOT a typo for once). ;)

She was commenting on a bedlah that has a very cupped butt, as there's space between me and the back of the belt and it buckles in a little. Shoulder pads seem like they'd make an uneven surface and maxis just hot & nasty. Bunting? Batting? Felt? Socks? Does anyone else have this problem or is everyone else totally bootylicious?

[vilia]

I know a dancer/costumer who used to add a little padding to the back of her belts. Nothing dramatic, just a little added felt or something. You can't make it too obvious .... shoulder pads ???!!! Not sure how that would work!

Nasila, I wouldn't take the butt padding comment personally. She was probably just trying to give you ideas for a better fit.

[Safiyah]

oohhhhh! Sorry, I actually read it wrong. I know a dancer who was told by a customer that her chest was too small and she should get implants, so I know there are folks out there like that.

But if she's jus trying to make the belt fit better, it's definitely an appropriate suggestion. I don't know what to put back there (I wear lycra skirts), but maybe experiment with some batting inside the lining?

[Bellydancingcaroline]

Wouldn't any padding make your glute squeezes invisible ? Can the costumier instead make the costume to fit YOU, instead of getting you to fit the costume ? I once had 4 ladies around me trying to tuck my chest into a WAY TOO small bra, in the end, I had to say, "I would just not feel comfortable like this, and therefore would not buy it, unless of course the cups were bigger" and do you know, it was funny but almost instantly it became do-able.

[*Shira*]

I know that Fredrick's of Hollywood used to sell an undergarment that had the butt padding built in. Of course, that could be problematic if your costume had cutouts in the hip area, but it's an option you could consider if you think it's a good idea.

[tahiradancer]

nasila - if this is the great loop, take the front piece off. When you reattach it make sure you angle the two pieces slightly. this should take care of the tuna can effect. If that is confusing, I'll see if I can show you next time we are on the same slate.

{{{{HUGS}}}

[kiyaana]

She puts them under the lining.

Originally Posted by mish_mish

That's what I was thinking. Could you imagine one of those coming loose and falling to the floor during a performance? AH!!!!

[nasila]

Thanks Tahira, the Gold Loop has the opposite problem (it's not at all shaped, surprisingly). It's actually the green bedlah (from Cairo Carnivale performance) that has got a wonderfully cupped butt....but apparently I don't! ;)

The green belt is very stiff and well-structured so I'm not sure how else to alter the costume to fit quite right. It's only noticable if you're up close (like when someone's sticking a tip in it). I don't really use glute squeezes during performance so I don't think that'll be a problem, and padded undergarments do sound hot. I guess I will try a few layers of something between belt and lining...I will have to play with the shaping so it's both comfortable and natural looking.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

[Souzan]

Hi,

I wear hip and butt padding with my costumes. No hips, small butt and undefined waist. The padding helps my costumes fit better and makes my waise look smaller.

What I use is the underwear with removal pads. The pads come out when you wash the undergarment. You can also wash the pads by hand so they don't get nasty.

When I shimmy, the artificial butt moves just like the real thing! Even JC Penneys sells them in their lingerie catalogue.

Souzan

[Lauren_]

I imagine it's no hotter or trickier than wearing bra padding. Actually, by the time you've got undies, a skirt and a thick beaded & sequinned belt around your butt, I'd imagine you could add a parka-thick layer of down and not really be any warmer.

[nightyv]

I've worn the underwear with the removable pads too. I didn't like it though because they had that foundation garment type of restriction feel to them and made me feel like my lower half was a sausage. Eloquent I know. I still have not found something that is suitable to help keep my belts on due to nonexistent hips. I have however developed a butt I never had before thanks to glute squeezes.

[jasani]

Just a suggestion, a straight skirt and an adjustable panel chiffon skirt on top of that - move all the panels to the back . The chiffon skirt could act as the "filler" you need and still look great. I had to laugh at the butt stuffing because it brings to mind a Lavern and Shirley show where Cindy was wearing some kind of "butt panty". Hilarious!

[kharis_UK]

Originally Posted by nasila

It was actually a costumer, not just a customer (it was actually NOT a typo for once). ;)

She was commenting on a bedlah that has a very cupped butt, as there's space between me and the back of the belt and it buckles in a little. Shoulder pads seem like they'd make an uneven surface and maxis just hot & nasty. Bunting? Batting? Felt? Socks? Does anyone else have this problem or is everyone else totally bootylicious?

Isn't this situation a little like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted? By this I mean, obviously the costume in question does not fit you. Therefore, go for another one. Why on earth should you pad out your bum in order that a costume fit you. It's not exactly altering a strap or taking in a belt. Belt does not fit bum. Therefore bum must be altered to fit belt? Don't think so.

[vilia]

Nasila, I got the impression you meant this was a costume you already had that a costumer happened to see on you (but she didn't make for you) and made some suggestions on. Is it something you bought online?

[Souzan]

Originally Posted by nightyv

I've worn the underwear with the removable pads too. I didn't like it though because they had that foundation garment type of restriction feel to them and made me feel like my lower half was a sausage. Eloquent I know. I still have not found something that is suitable to help keep my belts on due to nonexistent hips. I have however developed a butt I never had before thanks to glute squeezes.

The ones I have are like dance briefs and are very comfortable. You can also purchase the pads separately. These can be safety pinned to anything.

Souzan.

[Lauren_]

Originally Posted by kharis_UK

Isn't this situation a little like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted? By this I mean, obviously the costume in question does not fit you. Therefore, go for another one. Why on earth should you pad out your bum in order that a costume fit you. It's not exactly altering a strap or taking in a belt. Belt does not fit bum. Therefore bum must be altered to fit belt? Don't think so.

I had the same reaction at first. But then I wondered -- Why is this different than padding a bra to make it fit?