Warning-heated debate: Have costumes become too risque?

AngelaDiCaprio · 05-01-2007, 06:34 PM

I guess I'm a bit liberal on this subject or maybe conservative?

It depends on the outfit, body type and dancer....

Some look good some don't..... As one friend and I discussed, we are short waisted so we wear our belts low low low on the hips to give a little seperation from the upper torso plus it draws less attention to the pudge that would normally be hanging out over the belt if we wore them higher.

Thats why I have the jump test..... to make sure they don't slide down even a fraction of an inch or oooops!!!

ChristinaRizkallah · 05-01-2007, 07:36 PM

A lot of costumes have become more risque-that seems to be the fashion now in Cairo. I think its because of all the competition-each dancer trying to out do each other in dancing, choreography and costuming.

I do love Jillina's spider costumes. Its not as risque as it looks she has flesh colored mesh nylon cut outs that hide her skin. I have a two piece spider costume that Hala Mousatafa made me and it has the flesh colored mesh nylon cut outs all over the bra and skirt and it doesn't show anything.

Some of Sahar's costumes are risque, but I think they are in good taste. They all have the built in biker shorts in either flesh mesh nylon on flesh colored spandex.

mish_mish · 05-01-2007, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shirin.

I remember this costume from one of her fitness videos. She wore it in a performance at the end and when she was spinning the skirt slipped about 2 inches down and you could see her *ahem* bum crack. I'm not a huge SS fan, and definitely not a fan of this ensemble. For me, theres not enough coverage.

I love Suhaila and I have that video and that costume does reveal too much. Maybe posed in photos it would be okay, but for actual moving/dancing, no.

nimah · 05-01-2007, 09:33 PM

I realize I'm probably in the minority, but personally, I love to see dancers push the envelope. As long as they're body-conscious about it and choose things that are flattering to their shape, I definitely don't mind seeing a lot of skin, cleavage, cutouts...whatever. Wear what makes you feel good, I say! Having studied a decent amount of anatomy in school, I'm fascinated by the magnificence of the human body, so getting to see a dancer's form and her muscles as she dances is really cool to me.

When I saw Dina perform last summer, each of her costumes had at least one jaw-dropping element to it (particularly memorable was the bra made largely from a totally see-through plastic/vinyl kinda material), and I thought it added to the visual appeal of her performance.

ozma · 05-02-2007, 05:59 AM

I don't care how sexy a costume is, or how much flesh it shows...if it fits well and is worn in the right setting. I

If a dancer comes out in a low cut, cut-out ahoy dress but it fits her well and she doesn't look nervous then I'm not going to worry about her nipples leaping out at me or her cut outs migrating to private regions.

My problem is when the sexy costume (or even the not sexy costume) isn't adjusted to fit a dancer's body. I don't want to see muffin-top breasts yearning to be free, or a modest top in which the breasts are sloshing about due to a cup-size too big and no compensation in padding and strap adjustment.

zumarrad · 05-02-2007, 06:16 AM

Nimah, I'm with you. I love costumes that make you go "ooh". If you are in the entertainment industry and especially when you are "the star", your stage wear is part of the show. Even if it's hideous, like, for example, that ill-advised "saloon girl's skirt has been torn in the front in a most unfortunate spot" dress Dondi wore.

Dina makes a cool comment in "The Bellydancers of Cairo" about having costumes created that show off *her* good bits, and she seems to think when people copy them they, along with her signature moves, don't look as good. I know her costumes aren't to everyone's taste but I get what she's saying - they're for her body and her dance style. Rachel Brice's choices are exactly the same.

I love Randa's costumes, I think they're great. I'm not crazy about the miniskirts, but that's only because I couldn't get away with them. BUT maybe they're summer costumes. Maybe it's particularly hot in Cairo this summer and everyone is going "ooh, let's wear something lighter this year!"

Suhaila Salimpour strikes me as a big hippy anyway and I would imagine she'd happily dance completely naked if she felt like it. I'm not a fan of her dance, really, but I love the fact that she wears what she wears despite being 40-plus and, by entertainment industry standards, on the "thick" side. I think she looks great.

sha-ri · 05-02-2007, 07:49 AM

I have to say, I like sexy costumes when they are flattering a dancer. But I have to say, I would always go for security that everything stays in place/is non-see-through (pants sewn in, fleshcolored fabric under cutouts) if there is a risque you might show anything you don't want to but when you got the figure for it why not?

Nice legs ;-)
http://de.enussah.de/pictures/enussa...abbiata300.jpg
http://de.enussah.de/pictures/enussa...rrabiata25.jpg

Peekaboo bra? Well, in fact it is lined with fleshcolored fabric
http://www.djamila.de/djamila/baucht...Bild%20053.jpg

Looks daring?
http://www.oriental-yasmina.de/fotos...s/_ZAA3311.jpg
http://www.oriental-yasmina.de/fotos...s/_ZAA3334.jpg
Built in panties, event meant to show!
http://www.oriental-yasmina.de/fotos...s/_ZAA3392.jpg

BTW, I love my Enchanted-Bouquet-costume from Amira. I wear it with both skirts. The skirts are heavy and fly pretty high when spinning, it's fun when they come high enough to flash your audience... with the matching beaded hotpants underneath!

danidance · 05-02-2007, 09:59 AM

Adventurous costuming is definitely not my cup of tea, but on some people it's okay. I agree with Dunyah that a very small percentage of the population can wear it well.

There's a poster out right now with Sadie on it in basic bedlah and skirt, and she's standing so that the light goes through, and you see every inch of her pretty much (the bra is not see through, of course - it's too small and producing the boob overspill but well, that's everywhere). Shadows seem strategically placed but most definitely the thought occurs as to underwear.

I don't mind the alluring shot here and there - but downright "let's sell some sex" - I mind very much. And I don't care who's doing it - someone I like or not, but it's definitely my personal taste level affecting that judgment. I'm sure some dancers out there think that picture of her (and more importantly the ensemble she's wearing) is just fine!

mish_mish · 05-02-2007, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zumarrad

Suhaila Salimpour strikes me as a big hippy anyway and I would imagine she'd happily dance completely naked if she felt like it. I'm not a fan of her dance, really, but I love the fact that she wears what she wears despite being 40-plus and, by entertainment industry standards, on the "thick" side. I think she looks great.

I agree--and the "big hippy" comment made me chuckle.

I think Suhaila is one of the most beautiful women ever made, so she can get away with it. I love that she had her daughter and didn't brag about becoming a size 0 six weeks after.

SamiraShuruk · 05-02-2007, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozma

I don't care how sexy a costume is, or how much flesh it shows...if it fits well and is worn in the right setting. I

If a dancer comes out in a low cut, cut-out ahoy dress but it fits her well and she doesn't look nervous then I'm not going to worry about her nipples leaping out at me or her cut outs migrating to private regions.

My problem is when the sexy costume (or even the not sexy costume) isn't adjusted to fit a dancer's body. I don't want to see muffin-top breasts yearning to be free, or a modest top in which the breasts are sloshing about due to a cup-size too big and no compensation in padding and strap adjustment.

This is exactly how I feel.
I DO think the dancer and her dance should shine, without being distracted by her costume. The worry of bits falling out can be distracting...
BUT- if a costume fits well (no matter how revealing it is crafted to be) there are no worries about things showing that shouldn't.
I could care less if a skirt flies up and panties show- as long at they are obviously color coordinated costume panties...on one hand I don't recommend this at family venues so much, on the other- have you checked out what figure skaters and ballerinas wear? Lycra clad butt cheeks all over the place!!
Sheer bits near "goodies" likely should be lined with nude material, even if just for the confidence of the performer- confidence shines through big time.
Proper fit is key. I feel costuming of all styles can be as covered up or as sexy as is flattering on each individual performer.

Ainsley · 05-02-2007, 10:46 AM

Sha-ri: Wow, that last red costume is crazy, but awesome. Do you know anything about who designed it?

danidance · 05-02-2007, 10:56 AM

Sha-ri, all those costumes are really pretty and fine by me - except the ruffles one and that's only because I hate ruffles.

tattood1 · 05-02-2007, 11:01 AM

well when you consider that in the 60's they danced in bra cups held on by ribbons, underpants & some lengths of chiffon, no, i don't think so. when you factor in the flesh tone mesh these costumes are modest compared to obvious panty flashing 60's costumes. tina

sha-ri · 05-02-2007, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ainsley

Sha-ri: Wow, that last red costume is crazy, but awesome. Do you know anything about who designed it?

No, I would just say regarding the way it is constructed: turkish
and the fact it is pretty high end: Bella or SIM

angelina · 05-02-2007, 11:16 AM

I think it depends on the costume, who is wearing it and how it looks. I am not a fan of Dina look either. What I cannot "process" is Rheem of Syria look. I am sure you guys remember those "Pretty Woman" boots and booty shorts. YUCK! That was just tasteless.

Personally, I would not wear revealing costumes, but that's just me. I think costumes in general should be fitting for the dancer and look good. Some styles work for some and don't work for others. The main thing is that it has to still be classy and with good taste.

Another thing to note, I am not a fan of those "album-cover" costumes that go waaayyy to high on the hip (think of Tulay Karaca's costumes): http://www.business-with-turkey.com/...nce_vcd_1s.jpg

angelina · 05-02-2007, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danidance

Adventurous costuming is definitely not my cup of tea, but on some people it's okay. I agree with Dunyah that a very small percentage of the population can wear it well.

There's a poster out right now with Sadie on it in basic bedlah and skirt, and she's standing so that the light goes through, and you see every inch of her pretty much (the bra is not see through, of course - it's too small and producing the boob overspill but well, that's everywhere). Shadows seem strategically placed but most definitely the thought occurs as to underwear.

I don't mind the alluring shot here and there - but downright "let's sell some sex" - I mind very much. And I don't care who's doing it - someone I like or not, but it's definitely my personal taste level affecting that judgment. I'm sure some dancers out there think that picture of her (and more importantly the ensemble she's wearing) is just fine!

I agree with you on that. I prefer emphasis on skill and art, not "let's sell some sex" Actually if you go to a restaurant or any place for that matter, you will know what they are focusing on, when u see dancer perform. Sometimes you see a dancer who's skills are not that great to say the least, but her costuming is sooooo revealing.

SamiraShuruk · 05-02-2007, 11:41 AM

"Sometimes you see a dancer who's skills are not that great to say the least, but her costuming is sooooo revealing."
....and to be fair and honest, you'll also see a dancer all covered up who isn't so strong in the skill department.
There are dancers who work a lot at wide a variety of venues- they may wear folkloric styles sometimes, a full dress for a zeffa, an old fashioned bedleh with full skirt at the restaurant and then something a little more risque for an Arab nightclub. It's the same dancer, same skill level, just wanting variety and knowing where it is appropriate to wear what kind of costume.

urbana · 05-02-2007, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizajuk

Frequently it is NOT the costume that is risque but the way it's worn and danced in.
One dancer can make "bum-looker" and other thexy-thexy dresses look classy, another will look like a slapper .Ho hum

bum looker and slapper!
LMAO
So true!

tigerb · 05-02-2007, 01:12 PM

Ozma mentioned being nervous. I can watch a dance in a very-cutout dress, and as long as those parts seem "glued" to the dancer, I don't get worried... though those big hip cutouts always seem to me to be screaming "LOOK! NO UNDERPANTS!" I can get worried about almost any costume, however concealing, if it is not fitted right. When the skirt slowly goes south with the shimmy... uh oh.

I have also seen costumes that looked trashy ALTHOUGH they didn't show anything off... like the hot-pants-under-sheer-flare-legs. It's too lingerie-like, even though there is no chance of seeing any naughty bits.