Thread: Costumes in Istanbul?

So...who else besides Bella has fabulous costumes in Turkey?
I may be going to Istanbul...and what is the first thing I do? Look into costumes. Sheesh. It's a sickness.

Wouldn't Sim Moda Evi be in Istanbul? And maybe Shimi (Legend Costumes).

I'm soooo jealous...

it's not definite yet. Oh, how could I forget Sim? And I love a lot of the Legend's Costumes.
I'm already going to Egypt this summer- and promise to unload stuff on the SWAP pages. If I'm also going to Turkey I'll be unloading more stuff...so I can buy more stuff...which I'll eventually sell on Bhuz. It's a win-win situation. :)

Sim and Legend both have beautiful stuff. They are also both super friendly and helpful and located a short walking distance from one another for ease of shopping ;-)

Have you read Meissoun's page on shopping in Istanbul? (And can I stow away in your luggage?)
Successful shopping in Istanbul

Simsimsimsim!! :-d

I have just updated my address listings for both Istanbul and Cairo in the German version and will work on the English version in the next days.
Not much too much change in Istanbul though.

Have fun there! And bring an empty suitcase, you can buy everything you need there. Great shoes too!

MEISSOUN

I'm leaving tomorrow! I am so excited. I pretty much ruled out the fancy costume makers because of my budget, but I have picked out the places to visit in the Grand Bazaar, etc.

Thank you, Meissoun, for your wonderful help. I love your google map and clear addresses.

I'll keep you posted on what I find!

Andalee Oriental- please DO post when you return! I'd love to hear all about it!

Hi Samira,
I bought a costume at the Grand Bazaar at a place called Ottantic. They were on Meissoun's list. They have the best costumes there other than at Ali Baba (which I don't recommend). I got my costume for 300 TYL, which is about $240. I bargained! Here is the link to the pics: Istanbul: Not quite Europe, not quite Asia: I did it! I bought a costume

Anyway, I wish I could've gotten a skirt with it, but I think I am going to make one.

So, about the experience. I didn't go to any of the major costume designers because I just can't afford it. I only spent ~$700 the whole week (half on a costume, I know, plus my boyfriend paid for A LOT of stuff ;) ). I shopped at the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market. I went to a bunch of places and they all have about the same thing--the sequin coated-generic Turkish bedlah. There is hardly any variation in size either.

I went to one place where they took me upstairs and he kept on pulling out costume after costume and they were all too small. The guy at Ottantic told me he had large sizes and they were special and more expensive. He also told me that he is phasing out selling costumes in the Bazaar and is moving to wholesale and online selling. I have his card if you want info from it. It was very easy to work with him.

Contrary to Messioun, I did not like Ali Baba. Their prices were high, they smoke inside and all of the costumes were the same. They do have special order costumes, but it was a hassle in there. I just didn't like it...bad vibes, you know. I also went to Gülseren Giyim, she only had a few costumes although they all looked like originals. There was nothing in my size.

Be prepared for their pushiness, when shopping for costumes and everything else. A vendor will pull everything on the shelf just to keep you in their store. It is very hard to walk away from them. They say, "No, no, no, I have it. Let me get it for you. This one. See? Like this one?" It is super annoying.

Please read my blog about my trip. I was told about the pushy vendors and the tourist-y-ness of it all, but it was really intense. Istanbul: Not quite Europe, not quite Asia

PM me for more details...

Thanks so much for sharing! What a great blog! You bought a lovely costume and it will be extra special for you because of the memories of Turkey. :)
When I go, it will be with Turkish friends- so I hope to avoid some of the pushy to tourist situations.

Did you decide to go for sure? Oh, lucky that you'll be with Turkish friends. Another one of my friends did that and she said it was good for her. They see Americans and all they see is money...IMO. It is also better being with someone else. I got bothered a lot more when I was alone vs when I was with my boyfriend.

When I first posted I was stressed because I got invited to go this summer- a week after I return from Egypt. Not something to pass up, but still stressful timing.
Now it looks as if I'll be going in the winter- which will be PERFECT timing, but things won't be "officially" planned until after my friend is there this summer making arrangements. Yay!

It's quite interesting to see people's different experiences with costume vendors.
One time I get an e-mail telling me that I am wrong about Gülseren and that they have WONDERFUL costumes and are SO friendly!
The next month somebody else writes and says that there was nothing useful in the shop.

Same for Ali Baba - some people are enthusiastic about them, others not.

Bottom line is: Check out every single shop and find the one that's best for you. I think sometimes it also depends on who is there on that day.

BTW, the thing with the shoe shine man happened to us as well. Pretty annoying! (interestingly only when I was there with my boyfriend, never when I was alone or with women).

MEISSOUN

Originally Posted by meissoun

BTW, the thing with the shoe shine man happened to us as well. Pretty annoying! (interestingly only when I was there with my boyfriend, never when I was alone or with women).

Yeah we think he spotted us while we were in the square at Eminonu being all cuddly and lovey dovey. He marked us and played us for fools. ,m::

Just to let you know that I have finally updated the address list!
New recommendations!
Now go shopping and tell me how it was...

MEISSOUN

Oooh Meissoun! Thanks so much for providing that for all of us to enjoy! :) It looks like my Turkey trip will be happening in the winter, so I've got plenty of time to plan now.

Meissoun, what's your web address?

I will be in Turkey for part of the summer and wanted to find an answer to this question: does Bella mind drop-ins even if I don't think I will buy anything? (Unless I win the lottery somewhere between Amman and Istanbul!)

The link is up in post no. 5 in this thread ..g.:

Of course she won't mind you dropping in! It's a shop after all, and like in every shop you can look around and leave without buying anything.
I've done it several times!

MEISSOUN

Err, duh! I don't know why I missed that part of the thread. Thanks!

Originally Posted by meissoun

The link is up in post no. 5 in this thread ..g.:

Of course she won't mind you dropping in! It's a shop after all, and like in every shop you can look around and leave without buying anything.
I've done it several times!

MEISSOUN

In another thread Lycissa asks:
"I am still curious though as to what I should expect in terms of prices?"

Prices have gone up a bit over the years - as was to be expected.
Most costume vendors will first tell you the price in Euro, so you'd better get used to the exchange rate ..g.:
But you can also ask for US dollars of course - it might even turn out to be cheaper, with the low dollar rate right now.

I just ordered a costume from Legend costumes, professional but not overloaded with crystals. It will cost 450 Euro.
A friend of mine got these lovelies for about 330 Euro from Misar Butik:
Bauchtanz mit Nabila - Fotos Events - scroll down a bit. She ordered them before she went there, but you can also order on the spot.
My latest SIM was 400 Euro, but the also had one for 600 in the same style.
More glitter = more expensive.
At Bella's prices can go up much higher.

"Also, I do feel a little intimidated and hesitant about contacting the dance instructors on your page."

Come on, they are only humans, no demi-gods! Most of them are very friendly and down-to-earth, so nothing to worry about. But you might get mostly "follow the bouncing butt" instruction.
Just drop them a line and ask generally for availability and prices, then you can decide who you want to take lessons from.

Have fun!

MEISSOUN

Hi,

Make sure you haggle in Istanbul! It's a great city. Good luck and post some pics of the costumes!

Haggle in the basar, for sure!

But places like SIM or Bella will not show a lot of mercy...

MEISSOUN

Thank you all for your help. Sounds like the costumes might be out of my price range. :) I'll just drool instead. Hehe. I might splurge someday when I am a more proficient dancer and actually perform.

Lycissa

Meissoun,
Your friend's costumes from Misar Butik are lovely and a great price. How would you compare the quality (beads, beading thread, fabric) and durability to bella or others?

I have only seen them on pictures, so I can't tell you.
She wrote me however that they are very well made.

Lycissa, you can find cheaper costumes in the basar!

MEISSOUN

Originally Posted by Lycissa

Thank you all for your help. Sounds like the costumes might be out of my price range. :) I'll just drool instead. Hehe. I might splurge someday when I am a more proficient dancer and actually perform.

Lycissa

I got a great costume at the Bazaar. It is well-made and it even has crystals! I spent 300 TYL on it...not too bad! You'll find something in your price range...you just have to be diligent and paitent.

Originally Posted by meissoun

Just to let you know that I have finally updated the address list!
New recommendations!
Now go shopping and tell me how it was...

MEISSOUN

Thank you for adding Paganini Costumes. I saw someone mention her on their blog and a google search didn't turn up a Web site...Now I can check it out...and just look, of course.

I read your blog Andalee and saw the pictures of your lovely costume. I'll have to watch out for ze shoe shine scam too. :)

I'll have to see how it goes for me. I'm not overtly fond of pushy salespeople, but if I get something, I'll be sure to post it here.
Do they have dressing rooms then for you to try out the outfits?

Lycissa

Most have changing rooms, except some of the very small shops in the basar.
Wear something that makes it easy to try a costume on OVER it. So, not your biggest sweatshirt but something tight. (Wearing tight clothes in Istanbul is no problem, this is not Cairo).

MEISSOUN