What was your first belly dance costume?

Chani · 11-08-2007, 05:06 AM

If I could have any costume I wanted I would only have trouble choosing between all the lovely ones around. However, I am trying to design my own first costume. I have very little money so I will use that to purchase a top and I will make the skirt myself or if tops are too expensive I may end up decorating a bra.

I am guessing that experienced dancers here wear quite different costuming to what they started with. I'd be interested to hear about your first outfits - the good, the bad and the ugly.

Chani

sedoniaraqs · 11-08-2007, 06:23 AM

I sewed my first belly dance costume out of silk that I had dyed myself. It consisted of harem pants and a maching peasant style top (both from Atira patterns -- anyone remember those?) made of heavy 20mm silk charmeuse and dyed a deep moss green. The quality of this fabric was about the only good thing about the costume. The peasant top had silk gauze sleeves dyed to match. I have a picture of myself at work and if I get brave I may show it.

With this I wore a wispy multipanel skirt made of silk gauze dyed a bronzy gold. Silk gauze is very hard to work with so this turned out a little funny. It had 3 circular panels, but ended up looking like three skinny strings hanging around me.

Over this I wore a white hip scarf with gold coins and bead that I purchased from the Kismet Belly dance store in Salt Lake City. I thought their boutique was the bomb, but of course compared to Dahlal's warehouse today it was nothing.

The over all look was some kind of wierd blend of American Vintage belly dance (ala Artemis' use of the term), hippie granola, and west coast tribal which was mostly what was being done in Salt Lake at that time. Hey, maybe I was tribaret before there was tribaret!

I should add that at this time (and it wasn't eons ago, only 10 years), costume vendors vended mostly cheap metal mesh/fake coin stuff (which I smartly avoided), cost-less real costume coin costumes (outrageously expensive but beautiful; still want one today), and imported Egyptian bedlah with ill-fitting pointy cupped bras with outrageous amounts of fringe, and equally fringe-laden belts that would never fit your butt because they weren't shaped. These bedlahs were worn with multi-tier petal skirts with sequin flowers and trimed in paillettes -- these ensembles would pretty much make one our UBDC lists today, but it was the cream of the cream back then, at least in my corner of the world. I guess Egyptian high-end designers like Madame Abla were making costumes for Morocco and other dancers who went to Egypt, but these were not available off the rack anywhere.

I knew nothing about stage makeup (other than alot was supposed to be used) and of course the ensemble was topped off with a bindi on my forehead. Because bindis have so much to do with Middle Eastern dance, don'cha know.

They say confession is good for the soul....

Sedonia

maariku · 11-08-2007, 02:54 PM

I think the tragedy of my first costume was that it was pink... I can forgive it all the other flaws, but I really don't like pink. However, this is what was chosen by our instructors for our first troupe performance.

It was a two-piece, the upper part being a sleevless but otherwise rather covering top. The belt was of the same material as the top and it was attached to a double-layer wide skirt. I'd rather not remember most of that costume, but I liked the skirt - it was hot pink under a bit transparent beige patterned layer - gave a good effect.

I'll try to find a pic which I am willing to put up

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedoniaraqs

I knew nothing about stage makeup (other than alot was supposed to be used)

Oh yeah I knew that much as well, and for a girl who already naturally gets rosey cheeks, being generous with blush just did not go

Shanazel · 11-08-2007, 04:26 PM

Silver coin bra and hip band with a forest green satin circle skirt, all made by me. Tres tes AmCab. I loved it and it is still one of my favorite costumes.

Chani · 11-08-2007, 11:03 PM

It was my husband who suggested I start this thread so that I might learn from other's mistakes and I'm glad I asked.

Sedonis, I was flirting with the idea of a forehead Bindhi. I know it's not in keeping but my dance teacher had one on for class the other day and I thought...maybe...but no...I'll save that for a Bollywood gathering.

Maariku, I'm sooo glad we aren't being asked to wear a certain colour. My dance partner is olive skinned and I'm fair so we would never suit the same colours.

Shanazel, it's reassuring that you still love your first outfit. Tells me that they aren't all tragic. What is "tes AmCab."? American Caberet?

I'm going to have to hit the make up threads too. I haven't got a clue.

Chani

janaki · 11-08-2007, 11:10 PM

My first costume was a big hit in the show ( I make professional costumes BTW). It is burgundy mermaid skirt with gold trimming and burgundy bran and belet set with gold decorations. Must tell, I have made better costumes after this one. LOL!

catwomyn · 11-09-2007, 12:02 AM

I first started learning about bellydance back in the early 70s when there were no premade costumes. Everybody made her own.

I started with a black velvet bikini, sewed red paillettes to half the cups and then silver coins to the other half. The belt was red sequins with red fabric fringe and a row of dangly coins. This was worn with a black chiffon circle skirt with more red sequins around the bottom. Laughable in a world of Madame Ablas and Eman Zakis but I thought it was the most beautiful thing in the world. Of course, I was only 15, lol!

Amulya · 11-09-2007, 06:00 AM

To be honest my first one was a bit of a UBDC (Ugly Belly Dance Costume)... I had never seen real costumes, only from pictures from belly dancers from the 60's from Egypt. So I tried to copy one of those costumes, but didn't know what fabrics and materials they used, so instead of beaded fringe I used gold curtain fringe, OUCH! And Plastic beaded fringe. The skirt was made of chiffon, but it was way too stiff and made my hips look big (even though I was teeny tiny skinny) Anyway, I hope I learned from that mistake

Shanazel · 11-09-2007, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Shanazel, it's reassuring that you still love your first outfit. Tells me that they aren't all tragic. What is "tes AmCab."? American Caberet?

Yes, Chani, American Cabaret. "Tres, tres" is just me showing off the only French word I know except "oui" and a phrase that I understand is too rude to post here. I had been sewing for years when I made it, so had an advantage over dancers who had never held a needle. The satin skirt was interesting, very heavy, but I am tall and could carry it off. I loved the way it spun out when I turned, then dropped back into place rather than floated back into place like chiffon.

Wulpsie · 11-09-2007, 05:08 PM

I shudder when I think fo my first costume. Being very inexperienced as our whole class was, we never got to much info so we all battled on,Mine was burgundy half circle skirt and because I was still shy made a leotard top and decorated it with beads. Made a belt and decorated it with beads to fit over skirt. When I got dressed for out 3 min of fame all the beads popped off the leatard as it stretched to get into it. Shudder when I think of it. Most times now I wear a choli top decorated and fancy skirts and harem pants

11-08-2007, 05:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
Chani Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 133	What was your first belly dance costume? If I could have any costume I wanted I would only have trouble choosing between all the lovely ones around. However, I am trying to design my own first costume. I have very little money so I will use that to purchase a top and I will make the skirt myself or if tops are too expensive I may end up decorating a bra. I am guessing that experienced dancers here wear quite different costuming to what they started with. I'd be interested to hear about your first outfits - the good, the bad and the ugly. Chani

11-08-2007, 06:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
sedoniaraqs Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: cultural wasteland of the midwestern US Posts: 568	I sewed my first belly dance costume out of silk that I had dyed myself. It consisted of harem pants and a maching peasant style top (both from Atira patterns -- anyone remember those?) made of heavy 20mm silk charmeuse and dyed a deep moss green. The quality of this fabric was about the only good thing about the costume. The peasant top had silk gauze sleeves dyed to match. I have a picture of myself at work and if I get brave I may show it. With this I wore a wispy multipanel skirt made of silk gauze dyed a bronzy gold. Silk gauze is very hard to work with so this turned out a little funny. It had 3 circular panels, but ended up looking like three skinny strings hanging around me. Over this I wore a white hip scarf with gold coins and bead that I purchased from the Kismet Belly dance store in Salt Lake City. I thought their boutique was the bomb, but of course compared to Dahlal's warehouse today it was nothing. The over all look was some kind of wierd blend of American Vintage belly dance (ala Artemis' use of the term), hippie granola, and west coast tribal which was mostly what was being done in Salt Lake at that time. Hey, maybe I was tribaret before there was tribaret! I should add that at this time (and it wasn't eons ago, only 10 years), costume vendors vended mostly cheap metal mesh/fake coin stuff (which I smartly avoided), cost-less real costume coin costumes (outrageously expensive but beautiful; still want one today), and imported Egyptian bedlah with ill-fitting pointy cupped bras with outrageous amounts of fringe, and equally fringe-laden belts that would never fit your butt because they weren't shaped. These bedlahs were worn with multi-tier petal skirts with sequin flowers and trimed in paillettes -- these ensembles would pretty much make one our UBDC lists today, but it was the cream of the cream back then, at least in my corner of the world. I guess Egyptian high-end designers like Madame Abla were making costumes for Morocco and other dancers who went to Egypt, but these were not available off the rack anywhere. I knew nothing about stage makeup (other than alot was supposed to be used) and of course the ensemble was topped off with a bindi on my forehead. Because bindis have so much to do with Middle Eastern dance, don'cha know. They say confession is good for the soul.... Sedonia Last edited by sedoniaraqs; 11-08-2007 at 06:28 AM.

11-09-2007, 06:00 AM	#8 (permalink)
Amulya Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Byron Bay, Australia Posts: 775	To be honest my first one was a bit of a UBDC (Ugly Belly Dance Costume)... I had never seen real costumes, only from pictures from belly dancers from the 60's from Egypt. So I tried to copy one of those costumes, but didn't know what fabrics and materials they used, so instead of beaded fringe I used gold curtain fringe, OUCH! And Plastic beaded fringe. The skirt was made of chiffon, but it was way too stiff and made my hips look big (even though I was teeny tiny skinny) Anyway, I hope I learned from that mistake __________________ Blog: What Were They Thinking?

11-08-2007, 04:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
Shanazel Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rocky Mountains USA Posts: 4,201	Silver coin bra and hip band with a forest green satin circle skirt, all made by me. Tres tes AmCab. I loved it and it is still one of my favorite costumes.

11-08-2007, 11:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
Chani Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 133	It was my husband who suggested I start this thread so that I might learn from other's mistakes and I'm glad I asked. Sedonis, I was flirting with the idea of a forehead Bindhi. I know it's not in keeping but my dance teacher had one on for class the other day and I thought...maybe...but no...I'll save that for a Bollywood gathering. Maariku, I'm sooo glad we aren't being asked to wear a certain colour. My dance partner is olive skinned and I'm fair so we would never suit the same colours. Shanazel, it's reassuring that you still love your first outfit. Tells me that they aren't all tragic. What is "tes AmCab."? American Caberet? I'm going to have to hit the make up threads too. I haven't got a clue. Chani

11-08-2007, 11:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
janaki V.I.P. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: hong kong Posts: 1,191	My first costume was a big hit in the show ( I make professional costumes BTW). It is burgundy mermaid skirt with gold trimming and burgundy bran and belet set with gold decorations. Must tell, I have made better costumes after this one. LOL!

11-09-2007, 12:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
catwomyn Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 20	I first started learning about bellydance back in the early 70s when there were no premade costumes. Everybody made her own. I started with a black velvet bikini, sewed red paillettes to half the cups and then silver coins to the other half. The belt was red sequins with red fabric fringe and a row of dangly coins. This was worn with a black chiffon circle skirt with more red sequins around the bottom. Laughable in a world of Madame Ablas and Eman Zakis but I thought it was the most beautiful thing in the world. Of course, I was only 15, lol!

11-09-2007, 05:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
Wulpsie Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kempton Park Gauteng South Africa Posts: 81	I shudder when I think fo my first costume. Being very inexperienced as our whole class was, we never got to much info so we all battled on,Mine was burgundy half circle skirt and because I was still shy made a leotard top and decorated it with beads. Made a belt and decorated it with beads to fit over skirt. When I got dressed for out 3 min of fame all the beads popped off the leatard as it stretched to get into it. Shudder when I think of it. Most times now I wear a choli top decorated and fancy skirts and harem pants