Simple galabeyas again -- useful or not?

[Zana]

Fluff for a Friday, the end of a serious week:

I really want one of these, and I don't know why. Do I really want one of these?

I have a chance to buy a very plain galabeya in the Fifi/Aida mode, in a dark pink. It's not inexpensive so I shouldn't get it unless I convince myself that I'll actually dance in it. My vague idea is that I would wear it for a deliberately simple, "folky" set -- I'm hearing Musicians of the Nile in my head, thinking beledi, maybe some cane.

I am generally more of a beads-and-sequins girl, usually perform in a fancy dress, and even my two folkiest costumes are sparkly in their way: the fuchsia sequined caftan on my rudimentary website here and a red assuit dress. I also worry a bit about looking like a sack o' potatoes in anything that's not fitted: I have an hourglass figure, but it's a big hourglass and I fear the non-slinky costumes. But still, I really want one of these!

So my question to you is, do you have one? Do you like it? Do general-public sorts of audiences seem to "get" it or do they suspect you of having shown up in your nightgown? Or did you buy one in a moment of Fifi-inspired weakness and end up actually turning it into a nightgown? Particularly if you're fuller-figured, do you still feel attractive and feminine in it? If I have to think this hard about it, should I take that as a no? And did I mention that I really want one of these?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts, ideas, or reports from the field.

Suzana

[Zana]

If you don't have one but do have an opinion about them, please feel free to chime in.

[*Shira*]

Things you can use it for:

1. Something to wear when you're mc-ing a belly dance show
2. Something to wear when you're having a gathering of belly dancers, such as a video party
3. Something to wear when you go to Egypt on a trip.
4. Something to use as a cover-up over your costume.
5. Something to wear as a costume for folkloric performances.

In 1, 2, and 4, you can put a belt over it if you like, at either the waist or the hips. In 5, you can wear a hip scarf.

[Zana]

Thank you, Shira! These are exactly the kinds of ideas I'm looking for. I did wonder if option #3 might be an option, not knowing whether the styling on the ones used for streetwear is unisex (or nearly so).

If you wore a belt with it, what kind would you choose?

[Tammyraks]

Hi Zana,
I really like the look with a simple hip scarf. I have 2 Aida Nour style Galabeya's from Little Egypt Home Page , one hot pink (got the Idea from a picture I saw from the net, Dandash wearing a hot pink one) and a white galabeya. I get compliments on the hot pink one, which I had custom ordered. The Aida Nour style is a bit fitted at the top, and full at the hips. I also ordered a light blue one from Safti Craft (Aida Nour style), with sequins/ beads at the collar area and cuff area. The design was a bit different then the white and pink one also. Unfortunately, the light blue one is way too big, so some day I'll have it taken in. Fifi Abdo wore one at the Dallas show, with some bright red lip stick with red glitter, she looked wonderful. You can dress it up or keep it simple. Thumbs up on the Galabeya !
Tammy

[Candi]

I like the stretchy galabeas.They have some some Dahlals site. In the UK we can get the same on www.faridadance.com.The "sparklies" are my fave.They are by Hanan
I have an hour glass figure too and I know what you mean-I feel not fitted turns me into a sack of potatoes I need to show I have a waist and these are slightly more glam-i need glam
I use mine a lot both as a cover up on performance nights,for stick and also for shamadan because they are fairly cheap I don't feel all is spoilt if I get candlewax on them. if you have a small waist and bigger hips they do tend to creep up a bit so my advice is if you go for stretchy get one slightly bigger.you can always but darts in the back. I think its a great look.

[kamilia]

I love the tighter galabiyas with some decoration on them. I wear them a lot at lower-paying gigs (they're so easy to get in and out of!) I also prefer them at skeezy shisha cafes or for just a change of pace at a normal place.

I don't necessarily change my show to all folkloric when I wear one.

[HubicRuzz]

An everyday Galabeya that regular people wear should not cost more than $50. Not sure if there are any islamic clothes shops around where you are.

[kashmir]

Originally Posted by HubicRuzz

An everyday Galabeya that regular people wear should not cost more than $50. Not sure if there are any islamic clothes shops around where you are.

Ah, but Aida's are silk (or so she says). Also, the styling isn't standard. It is an urban men's style with a chinese collar.

I have one which I wear for cultural type gigs. My students say it is very flattering; the fabric is soft and most nicely around the body without revealing too many bumpy bits.

[fayzah]

I agree with Kashmir, I have one of Aida´s designs, a white one. So soft and silky. I have only used it for one performance so far. And in my opinion it works better when dancing in a group than solo, because when the group is performing the GP sees it as something that is supposed to look that way. For solo performances i´m afraid that people will think that i´ve shown up in my nightgown as Zana mentioned, or that i have something to hide. But there is always the question about the audience, if the audience is middle eastern or raks sharqi lovers they would deffinetely understand my way of costumes. But here in Iceland people dont get it at all i think, they always connect bellydance to a two piece costume...

I want to move to balady land!

[mmouse1534]

I like them! After I have seen Fifi and Debbie Lammam wear them I love them!!
The other nice thing about them is that you can run backstage and throw it on over your cabaret costume for a quick change of scenery during a show!

[rakgirl]

i think they are a great idea. you should have something authentic. but i think cotton is best because the silk won't breath. and if you wear it in Egypt you will want it to breath also if you wear it to dance.

[tigerb]

Originally Posted by rakgirl

i think they are a great idea. you should have something authentic. but i think cotton is best because the silk won't breath. and if you wear it in Egypt you will want it to breath also if you wear it to dance.

Umm... silk is a natural fiber. It breathes.
It insulates better than cotton, so it is warmer, but it does allow air circulation.

[HubicRuzz]

Originally Posted by kashmir

Ah, but Aida's are silk (or so she says). Also, the styling isn't standard. It is an urban men's style with a chinese collar.

I have one which I wear for cultural type gigs. My students say it is very flattering; the fabric is soft and most nicely around the body without revealing too many bumpy bits.

I see, so they are still designed for the stage.

[kashmir]

Originally Posted by HubicRuzz

I see, so they are still designed for the stage.

Definitely not street wear! First, in Cairo it would be black in seconds ; second a woman in men's clothing? third, I didn't see local traditional urban women in any style of galebaya - but I may have missed it as there weren't that many local women around and I tended not to take photos in old Cairo. Women's cotton galabeyas, however, were very inexpensive - so maybe some women do wear them.

[zumarrad]

My former teacher bought a beeeyooootiful street-wear galabeya after trying on about a million, when she was in Egypt. It is black with a pale gold - straw-coloured - design embroidered down one side in front, and very slightly shaped to the body so that it skims rather than hangs lumpishly. I don't think it would make the best costume, but for wandering around in - lovely.

Kashmir, when I watched "The Yacoubian Building" I was struck by how people seemed to change out of their western work clothes in favour of a galabeya for "round the house". Perhaps that's it?

[kamilia]

Originally Posted by kashmir

Definitely not street wear! First, in Cairo it would be black in seconds ; second a woman in men's clothing? third, I didn't see local traditional urban women in any style of galebaya - but I may have missed it as there weren't that many local women around and I tended not to take photos in old Cairo. Women's cotton galabeyas, however, were very inexpensive - so maybe some women do wear them.

I stayed in a middle-class section of Maadi, a district of Cairo, a few months ago. Many many women were wearing galabiyas. The only completely Western clothes I saw were worn by Christian women. I don't think I was necessarily in "old Cairo", but the galabiya seems to be an important staple for women outside places like the Corniche or Zamaalek.

I felt bad for the men wearing white galabiyas, what with all the soot in the air. The color of choice seemed to be grey, and the occasional black one donned by Saidis.

[Zana]

This is great. Thank you all!

Some Egyptian friends of mine refer to simple galabeyas as "family clothes" and definitely do use them as Zumarrad describes -- changing out of work clothes into something casual and comfy for evenings at home. It reminded me of the way very simple yukatas are used in Japan in the summer, if that means anything to anyone.

Tammy (hi, Tammy!), now that you've mentioned having a pink galabeya I swear I've seen a photo of you in the same style and color I'm buying. Possible? (Of course, we're practically twins anyway. Your red assuit dress sends its regards. )

Again, thanks, folks. Very useful ideas and information here!

Suzana

[Tammyraks]

Hi Zana,
It's been a while. Hope your doing well. I was going to sell it (pink one) at one time, that is probably how you seen the picture of it. Glad I didn't sell it! I custom ordered from Little Egypt $128.00/ including shipping. Mine is a large, Little Egypt sells them in Medium and Large. Glad your liking the Red Assuit, I'm sure you look goregeous in the dress!!! I'm considering in buying a black assuit again someday, but not custom order, it'll have to be off the rack.
Take care,
Tammy

Tammy (hi, Tammy!), now that you've mentioned having a pink galabeya I swear I've seen a photo of you in the same style and color I'm buying. Possible? (Of course, we're practically twins anyway. Your red assuit dress sends its regards. )

Again, thanks, folks. Very useful ideas and information here!

Suzana[/quote]

[Zana]

Hey, Tammy. It has been a while for sure. It's good to see you here!

A goofy, semi-OT question for you: did you buy a white dress or galabeya at a big workshop sometime this year? Last weekend one of our local vendors, who's Egyptian, and kept asking me how I liked my white dress, which she remembered me buying earlier in the year at (I think) a Raqia Hassan workshop. I had a really hard time convincing her that it wasn't me -- wasn't there, don't have a white dress. And I know this woman -- she's not someone I've met just once or twice. So I've been wondering who my twin could possibly be....

[Tammyraks]

Hi Zana,
Unfortunately it wasn't me. I woud of love going to a Raqia Hassan Seminar, but havn't yet. I bought mine (white Galabeya) almost 3 years ago by mail order from Deedee. At the last Little Egypt Seminar (Fifi Abdo) I attended did have white Galabeyas on sale on the rack. I am thinking after the holidays of getting a Galabeya custom ordered in Light Blue. I have a light blue from Safi Craft, but way too big!. Hope you'll like your pink galabeya, send me a picture, love to see it on you. Take care,
Tammy