Gracefully disrobing from caftan?

[micamica]

Okay, it's my first student show in a public restaurant, I've got my costume, perfected my makeup, and found a caftan-but now I am wondering, how in the world do I get out of this thing? There is no backstage area-just a small raised stage, so I will be sitting with my family until it is my turn (hurray, I can watch the show!) I don't think pulling it off over my head will look particularly classy-any suggestions? Maybe I can install a zipper somewhere? To get from the stage area to the bathroom (potential disrobing area) you have to travel through two rooms-one of which contains diners who are not watching the show. Is it improper to disrobe in the bathroom, then travel the length of the restaurant in costume, and wait for my turn on stage? Thanks for any advice, I feel so silly
Nikki

[tahiradancer]

No, it's not improper. Just be sure to wrap yourself up in your veil prior to re entering the main room.

{{{HUGS}}}

[nimah]

I have a caftan that opens in the front, like a robe. (It's by Joharah...I got it on eBay a few years ago.) It closes with buttons and a cute cord tie that has tassels on the ends. I couldn't figure out how to get those darn things over my head without messing up my hair, so this particular one was the perfect solution. I really like it. I can just slip it off without anyone really noticing.

[*Shira*]

If you have a knack for sewing, and if it's inexpensive enough that you wouldn't feel guilty modifying it, I'd suggest carefully cutting it open all the way down the front from neck to hem, and hemming the cut edges. If appropriate, you can sew some trim on them to dress it up a little. Then use either frog closures, buttons with loops, or ties to hold it closed in front at enough strategic places to allow it to keep the costume hidden. A zipper is okay if it fits you loosely enough to make a zipper possible.

I used to have some pull-over caftans, but found them too annoying. They'd smudge my makeup or muss my hair when I took them off. I now wear exclusively the kind that opens all the way down the front.

[Queenie]

Originally Posted by nimah

I have a caftan that opens in the front, like a robe. (It's by Joharah...I got it on eBay a few years ago.) It closes with buttons and a cute cord tie that has tassels on the ends. I couldn't figure out how to get those darn things over my head without messing up my hair, so this particular one was the perfect solution. I really like it. I can just slip it off without anyone really noticing.

Sounds a lot like the one I have. Found it this summer in Marrakech, very happy with it, and so much handier than trying to get it over your head!

[sabrinabellydancer]

Originally Posted by *Shira*

I now wear exclusively the kind that opens all the way down the front.

me too! no need to create unnecessary challenges.
currently i am using this one.
http://www.dahlal.com/default.aspx?n=1&c=7&s1=1216&s2=0
it is a bit pricey, but does the job and goes over even the biggest, fluffiest costumes.

maybe you can modify yours to open in the front. then you can quietly slip it off and leave it over the back of your seat, or where ever.

hope you have a great show!

[kamilia]

Abayas are very convenient as they are usually open in the front. Some of them have a cute tie thingy, otherwise you can hold the fabric together over your arm like Prince Bandar.

Not only are the Saudi-required garments great as cover-ups: they also keep the whore in you at bay!

[badriya_al_ahmar]

I have one with a lot of beadwork down the front--I dealt with that by opening one shoulder and putting a couple of frog closures on the shoulder. That way I can undo the closures and just step into/out of the garment. Keeps the hair and makeup from getting mussed. I don't think that I would step out of it in front of an audience, though.

[elisagamal]

I would either get another caftan that opens completely down the front, or cut yours open and sew on a couple of easy-to-undo fasteners. my caftan only has two closures - velcro at the bust and at about belt level. it's heavy black georgette and not very showy, which I like as it lets me blend into a crowd if I need to.

if it were me, rather than travel through a room of non-dance-watchers without a coverup on, during the previous act I would wait somewhere in a back corner of the room that the stage is in. just before you go onstage, undo the fasteners and quietly slip the coverup off your shoulders. drape it on a chair back or leave it in a little puddle on the floor.

[micamica]

Well thanks so much for the help everyone-unfortunately I was too busy modifying my cover up that I didn't have time to say thank you! It was so easy to modify into a front opening robe, and worked perfectly at the show. It never occurred to me to do something to the front-here I just thought dancers were some sort of magicians! I was going a little crazy trying to get my costume completed in time for the show, so thanks for letting me borrow working brains!
Nikki

[*Shira*]

Hi Nikki! Glad to hear that the modification you tried worked out well for you!

[beafarhana]

I'm just thinking- for anyone adapting a caftan, zips are more likely to catch on the lightweight fabrics that are often used in our costumes. I think I'd prefer a robe that had velcro, or snap fasteners, or a tie, rather than a zipper.

[Bellydancingcaroline]

Originally Posted by kamilia

keep the whore in you at bay!

Great - a new 'novelty' workshop title !

[kamilia]

Pleeeease tell me what your workshop would consist of, besides abayas.

And congrats on the working cover-up and show, Nikki!