Originally Posted by sedoniaraqs

Hi Farasha:

I'm not sure if any of the replies really covered your original question about just pulling a skirt or harem pants up to your waist rather than the hips as these were meant to go. I don't think that would work very well. To me this is the belly dance version of "nerdy". Samia Gamal's Afrita Hanem costume notwithstanding. The problem is not that one must show the navel, but rather that some costumes were meant to emphasize the widest line of the hips; you can't just take one of these kinds of costumes and pull them up to your waist.

As others have pointed out, a mesh body might solve your problem. If you still don't like the way your scar looks with a mesh body, you might try dotting it all over with sequins or rhinestones to provide more camouflage.

If this doesn't work, choose costumes that are designed to cover the lower tummy, such as a non-sheer dress or one of those dresses with a skirt that comes up to a point in the center (though I think those do not flatter all figure types, especially short torsos).

There are plenty of costume choices out there such that everyone can find something that works for them.

Sedonia