Warning-heated debate: Have costumes become too risque?

[amity]

Just out of curiosity, I wanted to see other's opinion about costuming. What do you think about all of these cut-outs, chiffon and see-through skirts, and other "trends" in belly dancing?


I'll start: My opinion is that it can be done nicely, but I feel at the same time, some costumes are just screaming, well, that belly dancing is something else. I think that we need some modesty in dancing to stay away from derogatory and unwanted terms that we all work ever so hard to stop. But I feel that altough we are screaming "we're not like that!" some of our costumes are screaming "look at my cut outs on my a**" or "look at my boobs that are overflowing"

Insert your opinions here...feel free to agree to disagree!

[amity]

And yes I remember those cheesecake albums and earlier costuming...

[dunyah]

The problem with the extremely revealing costumes is that maybe a few gorgeous and gifted professionals can get away with wearing them and still look classy. But when us lesser mortals try to copy them.... uh oh! Look out, eyes! I don't care for the "Dina" look, the short skirts, the cut-outs from waist to ankle, etc. I don't like dancers to look trashy. I like dancers who look beautiful, professional, and classy.

I heard a horror story about a dancer at a large, famous festival who wore a dress with hip cutouts. Apparently the skirt was too long/too big, she stepped on the hem and the skirt got twisted around so that a cutout was right over her *girlie bits* You could see her crotch during the entire dance!

She was probably traumatizied to death, poor thing. That would be hard to live down!

When you can't wear underwear with a costume, that's way too scarey to think about, for me.

[latriamou]

i like some of the sexier costumes but there is usually a point in which i do not go. i do know that some designers who put those cut outs and things in, like sahar okasha, build underwear into the costume. there may be a pair of invisible shorts built in so it may look like you aren't wearing any, but you are. although if you stepped on the hem, i'm not sure if even those would save you

[amity]

Good points. But if you can't wear normal undergarments, I feel that may be pushing it...

[Uulady]

I am not a fan of big bumlooker cutouts. I'm also a little puzzled with the diagonal stripe cutouts as well across the front of skirts. Oh, not crazy on glittery g-string look either. I'm not a prude, I own a short skirt/ seethough overskirt leggy costume but even that I tend to be choosy about the venue I wear it in. I think it can go over the top sometimes but then so can ballroom costumes etc...

[amity]

By g-string look, do you mean the french belts?

Ballroom...yes very much so. But they also have a lot of footwork.

[Adishakti]

Well, to each their own... but I live a more modest look, myself. I have a gorgeous royal blue costume I bought last summer, and I still haven't worn it. I can't bring myself to wear it with the cutouts on each hip. They're not even that big, really...

There's sexy and then there's sleazy, yanno? A LOT of these costumes push the brink, and we need to sit back and think about whether or not they "really" do look good on us, and whether or not we would feel comfortable performing in these costumes in front of our families, children, seniors, priests, etc... because they're out there watching you and dancing half naked DOES offend a lot of people. That said, you can usually get away with a little more for a staged belly dance event for other dancers than you could say, at a wedding...

You don't have to show skin to be sexy! Too much skin just distracts from your dancing.

We've grown used to seeing these little costumes... but we have to remember that the general public, by and large... isn't quite prepared to appreciate Middle Eastern Dance for the beautiful art form it is, if we're up there half naked.

[perizaad]

Originally Posted by amity

Good points. But if you can't wear normal undergarments, I feel that may be pushing it...

I agree! If the costume doesn't allow for some kind of undergarment, than that's more than I want to see, thank you very much!
There are plenty of ways to get around the cut-out problem without going bare-bottomed.

[Shirin.]

Originally Posted by Adishakti

We've grown used to seeing these little costumes... but we have to remember that the general public, by and large... isn't quite prepared to appreciate Middle Eastern Dance for the beautiful art form it is, if we're up there half naked.

I agree with you, especially here.

I hate cutouts on skirts-anywhere on the skirt. I just think it looks better when you cant see what the knees are doing. I don't mind them so much on dresses, unless its waaaaay overdone like the green one Sohaila was wearing on the dvd "Bellydance Divas". A little cutout is okay if properly placed to accentuate, not just to show off the goods.

[damiena]

I think if a costume makes you wonder if the dancer is wearing any underwear, then it is too skimpy!!

And I love cleavage, but there is cleavage and then there is "OMG, she is going to fall out" !!!!

Not pretty.

[amity]

LOL like the Black web dress Jillina wears here?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7R7T...elated&search=

[Lauren_]

Big stars can get away with some pretty outrageous stuff, in all entertainment fields.

But the local piano bar songstress probably should be a little more conservative than Cher, or Madonna, or (well, obviously I'm out of date, but you get the idea).

Same with the local restaurant dancer vs. Dina. Big stars are expected to wear outrageous stuff.

[Lauren_]

Originally Posted by amity

LOL like the Black web dress Jillina wears here?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7R7T...elated&search=

::eek:

[stardancer]

I had a SIM costume with ladder sides that I sold because I got sick of people staring at me all the time. I could practically hear the debating in their heads as to if I was going commando or not. Personally though, if I can't see nipples or the status of a persons wax, then I am all for it.... if it is in the correct venue of course. I Looooove some of the sexy Sahar costumes, and I would wear one without batting an eye, just not to the family restaurant during a dinner time show. I would save it for late night parties or clubs.

[Shirin.]

Originally Posted by amity

LOL like the Black web dress Jillina wears here?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7R7T...elated&search=

OH GOD! I forgot about that one. Yeah, thats pretty scary. I <3 Jillina, but sometimes her costumes are bit much to my eyes.

[shanna]

Originally Posted by dunyah

I heard a horror story about a dancer at a large, famous festival who wore a dress with hip cutouts. Apparently the skirt was too long/too big, she stepped on the hem and the skirt got twisted around so that a cutout was right over her *girlie bits* You could see her crotch during the entire dance!

This is why safety pins are your friend.


PS: I love Jillina's black costume!

[shahravar]

I really enjoy so many types of costumes...It really depends on the venue for the performance.
Many private events for performers are hosted by middle eastern groups and families...yes grandma will be there with six year olds too...Do you want to offend? or entertain?

I never ever like to be nervous watching a dancer. just gritting my teeth as to when they will lose thier skirt/peek out of thier bra/or just plain flash the audience.It really detracts from the dancing. But maby they don't want to to pay attention to thier technique?

My dad and mum are some of my biggest fans and I would never wear anything that I wouldn't wear with them in the audience.

I also pin every thing to my "stage" panties just for security...after 16 years you see enough to last a lifetime.
There will already be costume malfunctions so I try to take extra precautions.
hmmmmm......

[latriamou]

Originally Posted by amity

LOL like the Black web dress Jillina wears here?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7R7T...elated&search=

that costume is gorgeous!
i have had someone ask me if i was wearing any underwear underneath my costume, which i found odd. because there was plenty of room, very easily for me to wear underwear. it was just skin colored so it was harder to tell. i have never gone without underwear.. i just can't go there... i dont mind sexy as long as i am comfortable. my rule is usually if my mom won't hit me with the greek eye for wearing it then it's ok.

[tahiradancer]

See, and I am a three panel skirt girl. . .

{{{HUGS}}}