ababalond

so i've been looking online, and may still be dancing in my home for while before i develop my technique and muster up the courage to see if i can perform at a Hafla, but this is what I am thinking for Egyptian Oriental (Night Club) Baladi. As although I've read a Galabeya by tradition is repsectful to the culture, I've seen a quite few pro's in two peices costumes, both sexes, showing more then I intend to in my costume dancing Egyptian style. Here are my thoughts, feedback and critique is appreciated without trying to inspire Belly-rage as I've seen it termed....

This is what I am thinking…

http://blogsimages.skynet.be/images_...aaf1a7a233.jpg

http://www.phillyraqs.com/jim1.jpg

but with some differences…

for the vest to be transparent like gauze made out of stretchy fabric that is very fitted like a second skin, black with a bit silvery glitter to it.

and for the black trousers to be made in this shiny stretchy fabric (like this link below) with a fishtailed/flared, and long legged so it comes right down to the feet…

http://www.nadiia.com/JimBoz.jpg

and a black waistcoat in same fabric like his too, fitted to the body, with a similar pattern and colours, and a similar hip belt.

But for the headdress to be like the first two links with some patterns and colour that bring it together with waistcoat and hip belt.

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a garland to the righteous, a torment to the wicked.

Caroline_afifi

Hi there,

for what its worth I can give you my thoughts..

What you wear is personal to you and as you progress, your costume ideas will change and develop along with your dance.

There are no traditional role models for mens costumes so you can create your own ideas.. it is worth remembering that what you wear will say alot about you whether you want it to or not.

It is not really possible to wear something that is generally publicly perceived as overtly 'camp' and defend it as a 'belly dance uniform' and nothing more...as they dont exsist.

As long as you are comfortable with your choice and its reflects what you are doing then you will be fine. No doubt you will make some choice costume disasters like we all have...

khanjar

I understand this problem, as I have agonised over it myself, and at one time I was going to create dance clobber based on janissary armour, I may still do, for chain maille I make and the design I had I am intriged with it still.

Anyway my thought are much the same as what you have portrayed here, myself I think the Shaabi route seems jeans and shirt with dance sash is what I am going for, as it is sort of easy going. No headgear, as I have the long hair, and I love my long hair hahaha,

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"All that we are is the result of what we have thought, what we think we become.''

ababalond

well i've had some feedback in an other post with refered links on "Orientale" costume, and whatever style they seemed to being doing, their costume choice is rather, well, varied. and its trying to draw your own line, in expressing yourself in that style of dance.

I've been chatting with a chap who is based in America and Egypt, who makes costumes, (I'm not sure should I mention by name, so i'll err on the side of caution and not) sending him an inquiry on mens costumes and what style/styles i'm in, and asked him to help in making my choice whilst giving the description in the first post of this thread. and so far he hasn't really questioned my choice, or said hmm i don't really think so. or maybe he considers it as simply making a costume.

you mention some choice costume disaster, are you alluding to the above idea?

i've also been corresponding on a belly dance site with someone with more experience on this subject, who sent me a number of links, of male Dancers, with a back ground on them, and again there are similarities among some, trends, but it seems quite an individual choice. but i do love a bit of sparkle and glitz myself.

the colour theme was originally black and silver, but i saw on this chaps site a pic of a white and gold theme, and i thought ooh! much nicer, bolder and lends more definition. i did think, oh camporama, but then, i've seen other male dancers, alot of male dancers in something similar, and thought this is going to be expensive, i'm going to be wearing it, having to enjoy my dance in it, have it as an expression of myself, although i don't want to step on anyones toes with my choice, but hey, look what he is choice of Oriental is, whether it be dancing Egyptian or Turkish or whatever, and went for it.

the proof will be in the pudding in guess!

__________________
a garland to the righteous, a torment to the wicked.

Caroline_afifi

Yes, but if you are going to spend money, take your time and make sure you like it.

The only toes you will step on is your own if you spend money on a costume you dont feel good in.

ababalond

well, so your into the Shaabi style, thats like the more ghetto Egyptian style of music and dance, blues sort of thing, but not exclusively?

I've been studying Baladi and Egyptian Sharki, but i've noticed between Egyptian Sharki dancers some will be lean toward Baladi steps and sense of iso in their dance style, but wear a cabaret costume, one male even parodied famous female dancers. then an other will be more inclined to have modern western influenced steps, in similar costume. it is incredibly relative to the individual personality in their dance, whatever style.

i'm sure your fans are fond of your long hair too!

__________________
a garland to the righteous, a torment to the wicked.

Zorba

Every male goes through this with costumes - the advice given here is good. Go with what you like and are comfortable with, and go from there!

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http://www.doubleveil.net

khanjar

My interest with the Shaabi style came with attending one of Tarik's workshops on the subject, I liked it, the music and dress style. The music, I think was Sallo Aal Nabi by Saad

__________________
"All that we are is the result of what we have thought, what we think we become.''