gwinity

On a mad whim a while back, I ordered a gold bra and belt set from Isis Exchange. What can I say? It was on sale, and my birthday is coming up.

I've just realised, however, that I don't have a thing to wear with it. Mind you, I don't have anywhere to wear it, either, but that's beside the point.

My class/troupe and I generally stick to simple circle skirts with no splits (the staple of all beginners worldwide, right?), but I'm not sure if that will sit right with these style belts. I have a silk skirt and gauntlet set with splits to *there*, but the colours are all wrong (remember the seafoam, purple and cream stripes?).

What colours/styles of skirt and accessories would look good with this set?

(I'd love to post photos of me in it, but it hasn't arrived yet, and even if it had, I wouldn't want to be kicked off for indecent exposure due to lack of skirt!)

Aniseteph

you're not me, are you?

Gold ought to go with pretty much any colour. I think a circle skirt would go fine, as long as it hasn't more of a tribal/gypsy feel to it. Those chiffon 1.5 circle ones with gold beaded/sequined edges, or the ruffly hems? Though they can be a bit see-through; I've got one that really needs something underneath and maybe with that belt you want to avoid too much fabric round the hips or the beading will disappear into the folds. What about a straighter style to follow the vertical accents on the belt? And you can pick up the skirt colour with gauntlets/cuffs and/or a headdress of some sort.

Ooh, all that lovely fringe (we want pictures!)

perfumeshop

You've made very versatile choice and I agree the trad. one and a half circle cababret skirt will look good or a circle or layered skirt. If you want a slimmer look..go to Welcome to L. Rose Designs. I reckon these ladies are true genii and I have a beautiful black velvet trumpet skirt and gauntlets which go with a gold bra and belt set and a beledi dress with scoop neck that also goes with the bedlah. You could also try multi coloured silk skirt and matching veil. probably the best outlet is akai silks on ebay. Gold ?You couldn't go wrong if you tried nor with that style. Whatever folks may say about BD fashions, that set is just what most people think a bellydancer should wear!

maariku

Ooh, that set is very simple, but it has soo much fringe.
Indeed, any colour will do. The moment I looked at it I got a vision of a white skirt. If you want it to be more fun than a regular circle skirt, make it double-layer and have sequin-edged splits on the top layer.

Ooh, making a decision with so many options can't be easy. But, then again, you can pick more than one :P

__________________
"[A good bellydancer] must express life, death, happiness, sorrow, love and anger, but above all she must have dignity." -Tahia Carioca,

Shanazel

Pretty. With all that going on in the bra and hip band, I'd keep the skirt simple to keep the overall ensemble from being too busy. Many colors go with gold. Take the bedlah to the nearest fabric store, start unfolding bolts across the cutting table, and see what you like best.

You wear circle skirts for a beginning class? How does your teacher tell what your legs are doing?

Moon

Maybe she's wearing see-through skirts? just joking.

I do it too, dear Shanazel, and I don't know how she does it, but my teacher can always tell when students don't bend their knees, no matter what they're wearing.

Mya

hey...i actually know that costume! we have it in our studio - in all the colours!
it's quite beautiful indeed (so are the copper and the green in case anyone else is thinking about investing in one).

I don't recommend a circle skirt at all though. Every shape and size dancer has tried it with chiffon, satin and Lycra/Spandex circle skirts and you always end up losing the fringe in the folds. The fringe disappears as does the shape it falls in.

i recommend a straight skirt with slits...or one of those mermaid skirts...the kinda fishtail type that are fitted around the hips and down to the knees and then flair into a circle skirt from the knees down.

you'll have fun with that costume though! it's shimmy heaven.

maariku

Wow, I never thought of it that way. I thought that circle skirts are the simplest universal solution to everything.

Now I want one too!!!

__________________
"[A good bellydancer] must express life, death, happiness, sorrow, love and anger, but above all she must have dignity." -Tahia Carioca,

Aniseteph

You're right Mya. Anything belt with long dangles is better with something slim-fitting over the hips and thighs. I love those trumpet shape ones - slim over the hips then loads of swish round your ankles.

Circle skirts with bead/sequin edging (and their matching veils) are definitely not the answer to "what shall I wear in a busy class where we are practising turns and no one has much space?" . Swish, slash, tangle

perfumeshop

That's why I recommended lrose..they are beautiful and so well made.
Also if you look at costumes such those designed by Bella and Sim Moda with the "trad" long Turkish fringing they are usually teamed up with a slim fitting skirt or at least slim around the hips.
Heavy fringing may have been out of fashion for some but the general public will always expect belly dancers to dress in such a bedlah I find and I have seen a number of new designs which are turning away from the pared down lycra look.