have a stupid question for everyone - Page 5

Farasha Hanem · 01-20-2008, 03:43 AM

Quote:

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

Thank you, Sedonia, and everyone for your suggestions and advice. Sedonia, I couldn't help but giggle when you said that wearing a skirt or harem pants up to the waist is "the belly dance version of 'nerdy,'" because looking back on one of my pics earlier today I thought, "Gee, all I need are some suspenders and geek glasses, and I'd be a female, bellydancing Steve Urkel!"

My teacher told me that there is a bellydance store in Tulsa, so I'm going to try to make a trip up there before the end of the month to try and find a power mesh stocking; that will help until I can build up my wardrobe to include some costumes that don't expose my middle. Thanks again for all the helpful suggestions; you all are the best. *hugs*

I'm learning so much on this forum; thank you for letting me be a part of it.

Yshka · 01-20-2008, 03:21 PM

Thank you for being part of it!

I havent been able to read all of the comments on this thread, but I've seen Amani wear waist-high costumes that are quite beautiful. Then again, like Sedonia said, they are no costumes that are designed to emphasize the hips. There are costumes out there designed to be on the waist I think, but I think they'd best be designed for you or custom made etc. Which might get quite expensive I think.

When I didn't want to show my belly at first I wore baladi dress or Cabaret dress. I've gotten comfortable showing my belly quite soon after, but the dresses come in beautiful forms. You could even get one with pretty cutouts that might emphasize other parts of your body (like your waistline, the sides of your belly, your back...). Mesh stockings sound great too. I'm considering getting some. Not because of the camouflage though, I just love the way they look, so... I don't know, I just really like the look.

The costume is I think part of the dancers image and I think both dancer and audience would be happy if the costume put emphasis on the dancers assets. If the dancer doesn't feel comfortable in her costume, people will see that also and might not feel so comfortable about it either. I hope you find something that suits you! Good luck finding a costume!

adiemus · 01-20-2008, 06:08 PM

A'isha - and it's a girly thing too, surely?! The fabric, colours, textures, drape - I love it! I guess in a way it can express a part of me that I can't be in my everyday life (the patients look at me funny when I wear too much sparkle and chiffon!).
I'm no costumer, just a clothing lover, and for me designing dancewear (all for myself now!) is about exploring how fabric moves, the colours that appeal, and designs that flatter my body, and flow with the dance - both for myself and any audience (not that I've danced in public!). Costume can be a big part of a pre-performance ritual, like applying the makeup and getting in tune with the mood and music. I've performed dance (other types) and music and spoken a lot on stage, and I get an anticipation as I dress and make up that adds to the feeling, heightens the emotion.
Everyday dress also projects an image, and most of us choose clothing not just for personal comfort but also to project something about ourselves, and often something about our role. It's one of the things I love about clothing design!

Aisha Azar · 01-20-2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adiemus

A'isha - and it's a girly thing too, surely?! The fabric, colours, textures, drape - I love it! I guess in a way it can express a part of me that I can't be in my everyday life (the patients look at me funny when I wear too much sparkle and chiffon!).
I'm no costumer, just a clothing lover, and for me designing dancewear (all for myself now!) is about exploring how fabric moves, the colours that appeal, and designs that flatter my body, and flow with the dance - both for myself and any audience (not that I've danced in public!). Costume can be a big part of a pre-performance ritual, like applying the makeup and getting in tune with the mood and music. I've performed dance (other types) and music and spoken a lot on stage, and I get an anticipation as I dress and make up that adds to the feeling, heightens the emotion.
Everyday dress also projects an image, and most of us choose clothing not just for personal comfort but also to project something about ourselves, and often something about our role. It's one of the things I love about clothing design!

Dear Adiemus,
You are so right about the costume being part of the ritual of going on stage, and that is true in our every day lives as well as on the actual stage!! I am so lax in my every day dress.... but then, I find that to be true of a lot of serious dancers and actors, etc. It's like we save it for when we are going out to do our work or something. I dress up to meet prospective clients, but never to go to the grocery store or library or anything like that. I know people who never leave their houses unless they have on make-up, their hair is done, etc. It often does seem to me as if they are playing a part, even in their every day lives....
Regards,
A'isha

adiemus · 01-21-2008, 12:06 AM

A'isha I know exactly what you mean about people never appearing without their makeup!! I used to be like that, when I was an air hostess - and it took some serious personal growth sessions, and some quiet reflection to realise that wearing makeup all the time can be like a mask. I do like to dress up for my partner, and for work, and sometimes just for me, but not most of all for me!
And bellydance clothing is just superb for letting oneself go and really enjoy... almost like an alter ego. I'm sewing something right now that's for practice that I wouldn't wear in everyday, but is all frills and colour - what fun!

I'm curious - how did belly dance costumes evolve into the really low-slung skirts from some of the quite conservative ones in the early films?

01-20-2008, 03:21 PM	#42 (permalink)
Yshka Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,250	Thank you for being part of it! I havent been able to read all of the comments on this thread, but I've seen Amani wear waist-high costumes that are quite beautiful. Then again, like Sedonia said, they are no costumes that are designed to emphasize the hips. There are costumes out there designed to be on the waist I think, but I think they'd best be designed for you or custom made etc. Which might get quite expensive I think. When I didn't want to show my belly at first I wore baladi dress or Cabaret dress. I've gotten comfortable showing my belly quite soon after, but the dresses come in beautiful forms. You could even get one with pretty cutouts that might emphasize other parts of your body (like your waistline, the sides of your belly, your back...). Mesh stockings sound great too. I'm considering getting some. Not because of the camouflage though, I just love the way they look, so... I don't know, I just really like the look. The costume is I think part of the dancers image and I think both dancer and audience would be happy if the costume put emphasis on the dancers assets. If the dancer doesn't feel comfortable in her costume, people will see that also and might not feel so comfortable about it either. I hope you find something that suits you! Good luck finding a costume! Last edited by Yshka; 01-20-2008 at 03:24 PM.

01-20-2008, 06:08 PM	#43 (permalink)
adiemus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 977	A'isha - and it's a girly thing too, surely?! The fabric, colours, textures, drape - I love it! I guess in a way it can express a part of me that I can't be in my everyday life (the patients look at me funny when I wear too much sparkle and chiffon!). I'm no costumer, just a clothing lover, and for me designing dancewear (all for myself now!) is about exploring how fabric moves, the colours that appeal, and designs that flatter my body, and flow with the dance - both for myself and any audience (not that I've danced in public!). Costume can be a big part of a pre-performance ritual, like applying the makeup and getting in tune with the mood and music. I've performed dance (other types) and music and spoken a lot on stage, and I get an anticipation as I dress and make up that adds to the feeling, heightens the emotion. Everyday dress also projects an image, and most of us choose clothing not just for personal comfort but also to project something about ourselves, and often something about our role. It's one of the things I love about clothing design! __________________ He wahine, he taonga- Every woman is a treasure(Maori proverb)

01-21-2008, 12:06 AM	#45 (permalink)
adiemus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 977	A'isha I know exactly what you mean about people never appearing without their makeup!! I used to be like that, when I was an air hostess - and it took some serious personal growth sessions, and some quiet reflection to realise that wearing makeup all the time can be like a mask. I do like to dress up for my partner, and for work, and sometimes just for me, but not most of all for me! And bellydance clothing is just superb for letting oneself go and really enjoy... almost like an alter ego. I'm sewing something right now that's for practice that I wouldn't wear in everyday, but is all frills and colour - what fun! I'm curious - how did belly dance costumes evolve into the really low-slung skirts from some of the quite conservative ones in the early films? __________________ He wahine, he taonga- Every woman is a treasure(Maori proverb)