Thread: Beginner's Basic Needs

What would all of you say a beginner should have as far as outfits, accessories? I am just interested to know what I should be getting and what I already have. (I am totally addicted to shopping online so......).

I would try not to spend to much money on things, and spend lots of money on lessons instead. Perhaps buy some nice practice wear, so that you feel good doing the lessons. Maybe 1 or 2 really nice hipscarves.

I'm sure everyone here wasted tons of money buying things that they later discovered 1. were not required, 2. were not in the developed version of their style 3. were poor quality

I would experiment with foot coverings until you find one that suits you (foot undeez? those slip on elastic shoes? jaz shoes?).

I would buy a good support bra, like a shock absorber and get it fitted professionally (you are going to need to preserve your natural uplift later on....)

I would do my research on who are the good teachers to go to in my area, and I would shop around and not stick to one teacher.

If it is your first show, or class performance - it's always fun to have a project with the rest of the class, like you all choose the material and the pattern etc.

I always encourage beginners to have their own veil and stick..as they get used to the feel and heft of them.

A good set of zills! I'm a Saroyan fan myself!

What about a nice veil? Search for A'Kai silks on Ebay.

If you want something for class and are pretty sure you will continue dancing for a bit:

yoga pants or similar
crop top or fitted stretch top
several decent bras to wear beneath it
ballet slippers
warm coverup (like a hoodie or sweatshirt, for those cold studio days)
a simple hip scarf or belt of your choice, preferably not coined

and then:

veil (we start with inexpensive chiffon)
zills (not too big to start with)
a cane (if you know you will be doing some folk study)

Invest in a good pair of jazz shoes or ballet slippers. You can wear yoga pants and a tee shirt or crop top to class. Wait to buy a hip scarf until you find out your teacher's preferences. Some prefer that you not use one with coins because of the noise factor. You can use any shawl or long scarf tied around your hips in the meantime.

Most teachers prefer that you not wear costumes or skirts to class as they need to see your legs, feet and arms clearly while teaching. And if you decide that you want to perform, your teacher will guide you in the costuming her classes use. That can vary considerably, so save your pennies until then.

Enjoy learning!
Souzan

In addition to all the good advice you've already gotten, I would say -- don't spend a lot of money on one particular thing (a prop, an outfit, an accessory) until you are sure you need it and you are sure it fits your style. It's easy to go nuts on Moondance or L Rose or Dahlal because things are SO PRETTY... and then find out that you jumped the gun. (For example, I leaped to buy a pair of zills that caught my eye, and then found out they were much smaller than what my teacher wanted us to use. )

If you are curious about an accessory, make friends with a student who has it and see if she'll let you try it on or test it out. Somebody has a cool fringe skirt in class... you want one... you try on hers and realize that it's much too long/short/in the way whatever.

Originally Posted by Linnyg

What would all of you say a beginner should have as far as outfits, accessories? I am just interested to know what I should be getting and what I already have. (I am totally addicted to shopping online so......).

For the first year, I was fine with zills and a veil. If your teacher is going to teach those props, it's important to have ones that you enjoy working with and can practice at home with. Some teachers provide zills/veil for the classroom, but then you can't do it at home. Some people also like to have a hipscarf because it puts them in the mood to dance, but I would suggest a non-noisy one - something with fringe or pailletes instead of coins.

basics? Yoga pants, a fitted tee shirt and zills. Something for your feet if you like having something on them. After that, hipscarf, then a veil. Then any props which your teacher feel that you need.

I am going to agree with people about not dropping a lot of money at first. One of my teachers used to sell beautiful hipscarves in class. there were people who ended up with 20 by the end of the year. many discovered that once they reached a higher level, they stopped wearing them. And there is very little resale value in them.

{{{HUGS}}

I wouldn't suggest getting a silk veil to start with... even tho they're sooo pretty.

Learning veil technique to tricky to begin with and a nice chiffon is much easier to work with. I cringe any time a beginner student walks in with silk.

Thank you so much. I have already bought some yoga pants and I just rubberband up a t-shirt for a choli top. I did get a vail and two hipscarves. I am beading my own hip belt that has no coins so that I have one that is quieter. I just wanted to make sure that I was on the right track and that I wasn't missing anything. I have bought some basic circle skirts that are chiffon cause I like to walk around the house in them. They are just fun and make dancing around a little more fun to. I have said it before....you guys rock. Thank you for all of the advice.

Originally Posted by caasious

I wouldn't suggest getting a silk veil to start with... even tho they're sooo pretty.

Learning veil technique to tricky to begin with and a nice chiffon is much easier to work with. I cringe any time a beginner student walks in with silk.

LOL yes, (spoken in mysterious Japanese accent) silk veil act like clingfilm in honourable beginner hand.

If you can sew, you can try your hand at making harem pants, circle skirt, etc. that do not require a pattern and for which you can use inexpensive fabric. Simplicity has a basics pattern with pants, skirt, and choli, but from what I've seen, some online instructions are easier to make as far as the pants are concerned. For class...anything comfortable.

Rather than spend money on costumes or superfluous accessories at this point, I would say BUY VIDEOS especially performance and documentary ones!

Originally Posted by caasious

I wouldn't suggest getting a silk veil to start with... even tho they're sooo pretty.

Learning veil technique to tricky to begin with and a nice chiffon is much easier to work with. I cringe any time a beginner student walks in with silk.

I would disagree completely with that.

Sedonia

Originally Posted by kharis_UK

LOL yes, (spoken in mysterious Japanese accent) silk veil act like clingfilm in honourable beginner hand.

Ha ha ha. In less honourable teacher hand, too!

Originally Posted by Linnyg

What would all of you say a beginner should have as far as outfits, accessories? I am just interested to know what I should be getting and what I already have. (I am totally addicted to shopping online so......).

Hello,
We have wonderful beginner costumes at a great price. They are called our "Great Basic" they sell for for $159.
Please take a look.
The Belly Dance Store

If you have any questions please send me a e-mail
shahrzad1001@comcast.net
Thanks,
Kristi

Originally Posted by ouroboros

Rather than spend money on costumes or superfluous accessories at this point, I would say BUY VIDEOS especially performance and documentary ones!

Video's are one thing that I have in great supply! ..l;,

Originally Posted by ThespiSis

If you can sew, you can try your hand at making harem pants, circle skirt, etc. that do not require a pattern and for which you can use inexpensive fabric. Simplicity has a basics pattern with pants, skirt, and choli, but from what I've seen, some online instructions are easier to make as far as the pants are concerned. For class...anything comfortable.

My sewing skills by hand are a little childlike and I don't have a sewing machine yet. Rumor has it that Santa may bring one this year. I have checked out some of the online patterns and they seem like they are not tooooo difficult to do. I just know that working with chiffon can be difficult.

Originally Posted by Linnyg

My sewing skills by hand are a little childlike and I don't have a sewing machine yet. Rumor has it that Santa may bring one this year.

Hi Linny! If you indeed receive that sewing machine, here are some suggestions for items to make that aren't too scary for someone who is a beginner at sewing:

* Panel skirt made of cotton woven fabric
* Yoga pants made of cotton knit
* Harem pants made of cotton woven fabric
* Circle skirt (see pattern on my web site at Belly Dancing: Costume Corner)

Originally Posted by *Shira*

Hi Linny! If you indeed receive that sewing machine, here are some suggestions for items to make that aren't too scary for someone who is a beginner at sewing:

* Panel skirt made of cotton woven fabric
* Yoga pants made of cotton knit
* Harem pants made of cotton woven fabric
* Circle skirt (see pattern on my web site at Belly Dancing: Costume Corner)

I have actually been looking at that site already! It is nice to meet you!