Thread: Just come back: costumes in Instanbul my experience

I just came back from Istanbul and since this forum helped me a lot in my search for costumes, I would like to return the favour and tell you about my experience. I visited the bazar (Ali Baba, Gulseren and Istanbuldreams) and I also visited the most famous ateliers such as Sim Moda Evi, Legend and Bella. What I can say is that, with the exception of Gulseren who had some (only few) good costumes, the bazar sells some nice costumes but ordinary. Sim Moda Evi has wonderful costumes, a very nice place where they are exposed, but it is a very expensive atelier, there was one very beatiful indeed, the flamenco type you know but the price was beyond my budget (600 euro) and they even don't bother to make a discount to get you to buy something. We went away and visited Legend... she has very beatiful costumes but not a graet choise, we had luck and we could find two very beatiful the same model. She was great she wanted to sell them for 350 each, at last she made 250 euro each (I would like to attach the foto here but I do not know how to do it).
At last we went to Bella (the taxi could not find the shop!!!) and she also has wonderful stuff, in all prices... my friend bought a very nice costume for 225 euro!
Ti sum up: I was really surprised to find out that sim moda evi has the highesta prices of all! Legend and Bella: very very good and honest prices!

Thank you for that, very interesting.

thank you for the feedback! we would love to see the pictures of the costume :)

Thanks for the info - I'll be there in a bit over two weeks!!!!! Can't wait ... I plan to visit all these places .... will post my experiences when I get back (and hopefully pics of my amazing new cossie!)

I seriously think I would die if I walked into any of those shops. I would need to take out a second mortgage on my house! LOL!

Hey Monsoon, I'll remember to say hi from you when I get to Bellas ... I'm positive she will remember YOU :)

In bellas I was stunned by the cats! I love cats, I have 20 at home and I was delighted by the sight of lots of friendly cats among the costumes. What fun!

Originally Posted by barbi774

In bellas I was stunned by the cats! I love cats, I have 20 at home and I was delighted by the sight of lots of friendly cats among the costumes. What fun!

wow! 20 cats is a lot :) i love cats and bellas. i wouldnt know what to do if i went into her shop. i would play with the cats, then look at costumes back and forth..l;,

Originally Posted by shaabichic

wow! 20 cats is a lot :) i love cats and bellas. i wouldnt know what to do if i went into her shop. i would play with the cats, then look at costumes back and forth..l;,

Shaabichic - that's what I did: Costumes! Kitties! Costumes! Kitties! What choice!

lol i want to go to bella's shop now! :)

Me too! Kitties and Bellas and Bears, oh my! I'll dream of this now, thankyou.

Yes... it is true... it is a place of temtations... I came back home with 0,20 euro in my pocket and it is not a joke!!!!
Bella is a sort of zoo, they offer a home to a lot of stray cats and dogs, there was a dog coming from the street sleeping in the doorway... he goes there every day to rest they told me... a very particular shop indeed!

Makes me love Bella even more.

Originally Posted by isildriel

Makes me love Bella even more.

Yes, it is very appreciable. Love for animals is a sign for a big heart!

I was there at the beginning of march. My daughter is loving all of the Bella-cats....
sure, the taxi-driver don`t find the street of Bella...it`s to small.

But if You say, You have to pass Taksim-place to Shishli-camii and than right the green shopping-center, they will find it. Leave the taxi in front of the green shopping-center, stay at the same side, go left and right in the little street. You will see the Bella-label in the first window-floor on the left street-side. Pass the restaurant to the little iron door.

Originally Posted by barbi774

In bellas I was stunned by the cats! I love cats, I have 20 at home and I was delighted by the sight of lots of friendly cats among the costumes. What fun!

..cr.: So since I'm horribly allergic to cats I shouldn't buy from her? I was so looking forward to being able to afford one someday.

Don't take a taxi to Bella! Take the metro, much easier, cheaper and faster.
From Taksim square to Sisli station - Fulya Caddesi is right near the exit, just one minute to walk.

Bella does have a "budget" range - but they also have VERY expensive costumes. I guess they are the "something for everyone" shop ..g.:
I bought a costume there last time for about 500 $ - but they also had one in the same color that was twice as expensive.
I bought a costume from them about 15 years ago which THEN cost 1800 $!!! Most expensive I ever bought but so beautiful!

I had a costume custom-made at SIM for € 450. I basically told them what I was ready to pay and they worked within that price range. And I got something really nice out of it.

Anyway, I will go back in May ;-) Only ONE more costume, really! ,r:;

MEISSOUN

I am going in June any recommendations on where to stay?

EM

I am going on October and am also interested in good places to stay/eat/etc.; thanks for the run down on costumes!

My shopping guide also has addresses for hotels, hamams, restaurants etc.

Successful shopping in Istanbul
The Büyük Londra Oteli is great if you want to take pictures of your new costumes in the Lobby



Have a gread time in Istanbul!

MEISSOUN

I can't see your hotel guide page. Is anyone else having this problem?

EM

Fixed it!
Successful shopping in Istanbul

MEISSOUN

Originally Posted by AriadneBarronmore

..cr.: So since I'm horribly allergic to cats I shouldn't buy from her? I was so looking forward to being able to afford one someday.

Oh, my gosh! I thought the same thing. Very compassionate of them to take in strays, but bad news for me. Perhaps there are no Bellas in my future after all. ,f::

***sigh***I hope I make it there one day!

Leaving for Istanbul tomorrow ... woo hoo!