Thread: Where can I buy the hard shell bras like the Egyptian Costumes use

Hi
I'm trying to track down where I can buy the hard-shell bras like the Egyptian costumes use. I've tried using purchased ready made bras to cover but just don't like them as much as the hard-shell ones - I find these give me a much better shape and hold. I've been searching on the net and found Atira Fashions, but the website is old with no email link so i wonder if she's still trading from there. Does any one know?
I'm around the DD/E cup size.
I live in New Zealand and haven't managed to find anything close to the hard-shell bras at all.
Look forward to your help please.
Many thanks
Sahher

Toria is making these now, and I've seen them on her, they look amazing as bases on her costumes:

Create Your shine | Create Your shine

The costume she made for Sumra Ya Raks was incredible. (Toria you should post a photo of it so people see what these tops look like when they are decorated and finished.)

Originally Posted by shems

Toria is making these now, and I've seen them on her, they look amazing as bases on her costumes:

Create Your shine | Create Your shine

The costume she made for Sumra Ya Raks was incredible. (Toria you should post a photo of it so people see what these tops look like when they are decorated and finished.)

I checked her website, online she only offers B and C/D. If you happen to locate DD/E please advise. Bra Cups/Base | | Create Your shineCreate Your shine

It's possible to stiffen the cups of a regular bra by sewing in buckram.

Here is a thread on Bhuz about larger-sized cups for costume making, see espeically posg #10 in that thread.For busty dancers who have had costumes made for them

This website is also an excellent resource:
Shushanna Designs: Bases for Bras

I'm working on this. Shhhhh. the samples were not quite right, so they are re-doing it. It's a process but when they are available, I'll let everyone know with giant fanfaire

Originally Posted by showtime

I checked her website, online she only offers B and C/D. If you happen to locate DD/E please advise. Bra Cups/Base | | Create Your shineCreate Your shine

Toria makes these herself locally, so there is a good chance you could make a special request for a larger size and she'll be able to fulfill it. Just in case you can't find what you are looking for elsewhere.

Just ordered one of these from ebay yesterday so I don't know what to expect quality wise. Looks like they just started carrying this style so there is no feedback listing regarding the item yet.

FYI, the listing to purchase 1 bra only shows sizes A-D while the listings to purchase 3, 6 or more go up to size F. I checked with them and they do have it in F, you just have to specify that size in your PayPal comment.

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

Dawn

Hi Ladies
thanks so much for your replies - all of them very good possibilities and will check out the links you've given me.
- I'll keep an eye out for your announcement too sabrinabellydancer
Awesome!
Thank you all
:-)

thanks to the dancer who started this thread...i've been looking for these for frickin eons!!

Originally Posted by buzzer

thanks to the dancer who started this thread...i've been looking for these for frickin eons!!

LOL - me too!

Originally Posted by autumnmist

Just ordered one of these from ebay yesterday so I don't know what to expect quality wise. Looks like they just started carrying this style so there is no feedback listing regarding the item yet.

FYI, the listing to purchase 1 bra only shows sizes A-D while the listings to purchase 3, 6 or more go up to size F. I checked with them and they do have it in F, you just have to specify that size in your PayPal comment.

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

Dawn

I also ordered one from this vendor specifying a D cup.
Quick review of these bras:

They sent a very average B/C cup (I ordered D). The construction is such that boobs will spill out of the sides because the cups are too narrow for anything above a small C. Neck straps must be removed and repositioned. Not surprising because its meant to be covered...

Quality of bra and cups is medium. Very hard cups. Can not bead through them. No lining in bra. Does not come with hooks. Can not reposition center piece without cutting into the bra foundation materials. Cups are a very round Dina shape. Good depth.

Well that's a bummer. I didn't receive mine yet so I still can't comment on the quality. There's another thread regarding this ebay bra and the original poster received hers in the correct size. Did you contact the vendor...maybe send them the measurements of the cup you received to see if they made an error?

From what I've read on other sites not being able to bead through these cups is not unusual. At the very least you need to use a thimble...some have actually heated the bra and/or needle to pierce the hard shell.

Dawn

Also, those who have seen the inside of a Dina bras have suggested that the cup fabric has been hardened with hot glue. I'm thinking that it's actually probably some sort of epoxy. Hot glue would soften too much and lose its form when exposed to heat...even while wearing. I can't imagine that high end designers would risk that.

Dawn

Originally Posted by dunyah

It's possible to stiffen the cups of a regular bra by sewing in buckram.

Here is a thread on Bhuz about larger-sized cups for costume making, see espeically posg #10 in that thread.For busty dancers who have had costumes made for them

This website is also an excellent resource:
Shushanna Designs: Bases for Bras

I found a good supply of these at Walmart over the weekend. They are stiff as far as not being bendy, but still soft to the skin. Not bad for ten bucks.

Originally Posted by autumnmist

Just ordered one of these from ebay yesterday so I don't know what to expect quality wise. Looks like they just started carrying this style so there is no feedback listing regarding the item yet.

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

Dawn

It arrived yesterday. Approximatey 8 days after shipment from Cairo.

I ordered size "F"
Measurements:
Cups - H: 7" V: 7" (tape pressed inside cup)
Band end to end - 37"
Halter Style Straps - 18" each

The cups are round and the hard material that the cups and connecting piece are made from is not coated with any type of glue or resin. The sides are constructed of 3 (maybe 4) layers of heavy stabilizer. The outside is covered in a white poly material. The inside is not lined. There are no hooks/ clasps of any kind...it is a simple bra base. I attempted to pierce the cup with a standard sewing needle and it will require a sturdy needle, a thimble, maybe plyers, and elbow grease to stitch through the main part of the cups. A beading needle will NOT pierce this bra.

I plan on e-mailing the vendor and asking if they can make larger sizes. While I can probably use this as the base for a ruched halter style top, it's too small to use for a standard Dina bra...too much side spillage and cleavage for my comfort. My street size is a 36/38DD.
I hope this helps

Dawn

Originally Posted by autumnmist

Also, those who have seen the inside of a Dina bras have suggested that the cup fabric has been hardened with hot glue. I'm thinking that it's actually probably some sort of epoxy. Hot glue would soften too much and lose its form when exposed to heat...even while wearing. I can't imagine that high end designers would risk that.

Dawn

I wonder if they're using something like wonderflex, or coating it with the friendly plastic pellets?
The Compleat Sculptor - Thermoplastics Fosshape Friendly Plastic Wonderflex
I haven't seen the Dina bras, but I bought some of the friendly plastic with the intent of trying to make my own Dina bra. Haven't gotten around to it yet, so I can't tell you if it works or not!

I started making my own out of the really heavy pellon (you can get it at Joann's, but you likely have to play the "no the heavier interfacing, no, the heavy stiffener meant for crafting, no THAT one!" game. I swear I don't know why they keep that stuff behind the counter, they never understand which interfacing I am actually asking for! Anyway- it's heavy enough to be supportive (I sew in an underwire too) but light enough to bead through. Beading tip- line the outside of the bra with muslin before you cover it with your fashion fabric and do most of the beading onto that, with an occasional anchor bead going all the way through the bra. That way you get nice sturdy beading without having to take every stitch all the way through the tougher bra base. There was a Dina bra thread a while ago saying you had to heat the needle to go through the plastic.

Wow, thanks Ladies for the extra information about the Dina Bras on ebay - I was looking at getting one to try and was thinking I may get an F as I'm an E cup, so your posts have kind of confirmed I'd need an F. Also, thanks for the tips on beading them - I did wonder how I was going to do it - the muslin layer sounds like a great idea.
Thanks so much

I e-mailed Waleed at Sphinx Shop (the ebay vendor) and he is going to make one for me based on the measurements I sent him. I don't have a cost yet. I'll keep you posted.

I did recommend that he post cup, band, and strap measurements in his ebay listings to help his customer's select the correct size. A,B,C,D,F seem to mean different things depending on where in the world you hail from.

Dawn

Originally Posted by Lara L

Beading tip- line the outside of the bra with muslin before you cover it with your fashion fabric and do most of the beading onto that, with an occasional anchor bead going all the way through the bra. That way you get nice sturdy beading without having to take every stitch all the way through the tougher bra base. There was a Dina bra thread a while ago saying you had to heat the needle to go through the plastic.

Thanks for the tip...I was contemplating that...wondering if it would work or if it would just add bulk.

Dawn

Originally Posted by autumnmist

I e-mailed Waleed at Sphinx Shop (the ebay vendor) and he is going to make one for me based on the measurements I sent him. I don't have a cost yet. I'll keep you posted.

I did recommend that he post cup, band, and strap measurements in his ebay listings to help his customer's select the correct size. A,B,C,D,F seem to mean different things depending on where in the world you hail from.

Dawn

Hi Dawn - I just contacted him asking if he does size 7's & 8's.

I'm looking for 8" vertical & 9" horizontal - is that close to what you asked him for?

Hi,

I asked for a 9"x9" version of the Dina I received w/ a 42" band end to end.

Dawn

Originally Posted by autumnmist

Hi,

I asked for a 9"x9" version of the Dina I received w/ a 42" band end to end.

Dawn

The cost for this bra is $35 + $5 for shipping. I'll post my accessment of this made to order version when I receive it.

Dawn

They have created an XXL listing on ebay that allows you to custom order your size.

Sexy Egypt Bellydance XX Large Sizes Solid Bras, Dina Bra, Proffessional Costume | eBay

Dawn

Cant wait to hear how the bra works out! 9x9 is a good size

Originally Posted by autumnmist

The cost for this bra is $35 + $5 for shipping. I'll post my accessment of this made to order version when I receive it.

Dawn

Originally Posted by magdelenam

Cant wait to hear how the bra works out! 9x9 is a good size

Received notification over the weekend that it shipped. Based on the first bra's shipping time and the holiday I'm guessing it will arrive sometime late next week.

Dawn

Sorry that I don't have any real specifics, but I know some folks have utilized both FOSSHAPE and WONDERFLEX in the construction of hard shell bras/Dina Bras. Should any one be interested in experimenting with either of these heat activated materials, I would be glad to mail along some free sample swatches.

Originally Posted by Lara L

I wonder if they're using something like wonderflex, or coating it with the friendly plastic pellets?
The Compleat Sculptor - Thermoplastics Fosshape Friendly Plastic Wonderflex
I haven't seen the Dina bras, but I bought some of the friendly plastic with the intent of trying to make my own Dina bra. Haven't gotten around to it yet, so I can't tell you if it works or not!

I started making my own out of the really heavy pellon (you can get it at Joann's, but you likely have to play the "no the heavier interfacing, no, the heavy stiffener meant for crafting, no THAT one!" game. I swear I don't know why they keep that stuff behind the counter, they never understand which interfacing I am actually asking for! Anyway- it's heavy enough to be supportive (I sew in an underwire too) but light enough to bead through. Beading tip- line the outside of the bra with muslin before you cover it with your fashion fabric and do most of the beading onto that, with an occasional anchor bead going all the way through the bra. That way you get nice sturdy beading without having to take every stitch all the way through the tougher bra base. There was a Dina bra thread a while ago saying you had to heat the needle to go through the plastic.

Originally Posted by autumnmist

Received notification over the weekend that it shipped. Based on the first bra's shipping time and the holiday I'm guessing it will arrive sometime late next week.

Dawn

Did you get it yet???

Originally Posted by magdelenam

Did you get it yet???

Not yet...expecting it this week. Took a little over a week for the other one to get here once it had shipped :)

Dawn

Originally Posted by autumnmist

Not yet...expecting it this week. Took a little over a week for the other one to get here once it had shipped :)

Dawn

Not here yet

Hiya, I know back in the day dancers would use fabric stiffeners similar to brush on starch.
It has been a few years since I have seen it.
Dancers above had some great suggestions.