Costume questions:
- What makes a bellydance costume?
- Where to I find them?
- What do I look for?
- Costume care (coming soon)
- Misc. advice for the first-time performer. (coming soon)
Costumes
Part 2: Where to acquire the perfect costume
There are several options; I list them from (generally) least expensive to most expensive:
- Buy one used from another dancer
- Buy a new, cheap costume and embellish it yourself
- Make one from scratch
- Buy one new
- Order one custom-made for you
1. Buying a Used Costume
This really is a good option for the beginning dancer! My second costume was purchased used and was a BARGAIN! But, like buying a used car, there are a few things to watch out for so you don't end up with a lemon instead.
- Has the lining been changed, or at least removed?
- Has it been well-cared for?
- Does it smell like mildew or B.O.?
- Is the bra too small/large for you? (In most cases, you can go up or down a size or two with creative straps...but you can't fit a melon into a shotglass unless you REALLY know your stuff).
- Is the belt easily adjustable to fit you? This is generally a problem only on one-piece belts, and then only if both the front and the back of the belt have a clear center in their designs.
- If it needs replacement sequins or beads, are the proper colors easy to find?
Sources for used costumes:
- Ebay!
- Local bellydance swap 'n' sell
- Bellydance NY's swap page
- Bhuzz.com's costumes-for-sale board.
2 & 3. Embellish a cheap costume, or make one from scratch.
(Right: Hayet models her second handmade costume)
There are many resources on the internet on how to make your own costumes. I reccommend giving the Costume Goddess a visit- not only does she have an excellent and entertaining website, but she has SEVEN books on every kind of costume imaginable, as well as tips on how to hunt antique and thrift stores for costuming treasures.
There are also places where one can buy a bra and belt base inexpensively. Then all one has to do is attach appliques, fringe, or whatever strikes your fancy. One place to look for sequinned bra and belt bases is Turquoise International.
Starting from scratch is not difficult. Raw materials are not hard to find. This costume was very easy to make, but it looks spectacular! I started with a base of blue velvet over a regular push-up bra, added some flower appliques and rhinestone chain I picked up cheap on Ebay, and hand-beaded the fringe. If I had simply purchased silver fringe online, it would have taken about a week.
4. Buy one new!
Here is where I simply give you a list of costume resources, and what I think of them.
Low End Costumes:
Pyramids Imports: Egyptian costumes, $150-$300 range
Another source for bra and belt bases with fringe already attached. I can't say that their quality is bad, but it certainly looks cheap. You'll want to embellish or alter these.
Neckelmann's beaded costumes: Brazillian style costumes, $150-$175 range.
I intend to buy one of these beauties someday soon. Concensus in the bellydance communities is that they are simply stunning. However, these costumes will not hold up to heavy use, due to the plastic bead fringe. The beads will quickly lose their lustre, and metallic beads will lose their shine. Would be a perfect choice for a student costume or infrequent performances, as they range from $150-175 without the skirt. Also, word is that commissions take a very long time. You'd be better off buying them directly from their store on Ebay.
Belly Dancing Bazaar: Turkish costumes, $200-$300 range
The quintessential Turkich costume. Advantage: beautiful, inexpensive, lasts a long time. Disadvantage: they all look the same.
I've never bought from this woman, but friends of mine have, and they have never had any complaints.
Babylon Breeze: Turkish costumes, $150-$300 range.
Run by an extremely nice lady who is an excellent email correspondent. I purchased an amber bra and belt from her that held up beautifully (I still perform in it, 3 years later). Email her with your color choices and she will send pics of what she has. Prices are very reasonable, though the skirts that accompanied the costume were extremely shoddy and did not hold up. Purchase your skirts elsewhere.
CraftIndia: Indian costumes, $50-$150 range.
I included this link for dancers who might be interested in trying something a little different. While most of their stuff is a little too plain for a professional costume, something like this red and gold number would be very nice for a beginning dancer- as long as you reinforced it before use. Indian and Thai beaded bras and belts are usually not reinforced and therefore far more fragile than those form Egypt and Turkey.
Turkish Emporium: Turkish costumes, $69-$400 range.
I haven't dealt with this company, but some of their stuff looks all right. Prices are certainly good. Their email correspondence could use work. Make sure you have the correct link, and look for the security symbol on your browser, because there is a phishing scammer out there who has mirrored this site.
High End Costumes:
Turquoise International: Egyptian costumes, $300-$900 range
I bought my first costume from them, and it was stunning. They have a wide range of costumes, from traditional to the latest styles, and something for every budget. They also carry Mme. Abla's work- she's a famous bellydance costume designer from Egypt.
Dahlal Internationale: Egyptian and Turkish costumes, $150-850 range
I go here often to drool over the latest designs from the top designers, including Mme. Abla, Bella (from Turkey) and Phaoronics. I've never dealt with this company, but I love-love-LOVE their stuff.
Topkapi Designs: Turkish costumes, $450-$850 range
Ditto. Though I have purchased from them, and they were very helpful, courteous, and their costume was superb.
Bauchladen.net: Turkish costumes, $150-$750 range
Ditto. I purchased the most fabulous costume I own from them, and it was superbly made. Browse their "Marta the Legend Luxury Line" and see what I mean. *drool*
Sim Moda Evi Turkish costumes, $150-$1000 range
Lovely costumes available here, too, and they don't charge extra for custom designs! I haven't ordered from them myself, but the owner has posted on Bhuz.com and appears very helpful and eager to please.
Audrena's International Bazaar Egyptian& Turkish costumes, $250-$850 range
A good source for Pharonics costumes by designer Amira el Kattan. I've never seen a Pharonics costume that wasn't of excellent quality. This is also a good source for Isis wings. Another source for those gorgeous Isis wings is Amira Mor.com.
5. Order your costume custom-made:
You'll have to do the research on your own for this option. If you live in the Philadelphia area, I would reccommend contacting Ellen Laintz (I don't want to post her phone number on the internet, but email me if you want it). Warning: her costumes are so fabulous, there is a waiting list currently 2-3 years long. Aaak!
There are a number of other vendors on the internet who will make you a costume. Be aware that all the hand-beading will take a lot of time, and will in the end probably cost more than a foreign-made costume, simply because materials and time are cheaper over in Turkey or Egypt.
Of the vendors listed above: I do know that Topkapi Designs and Sim Moda Evi (Turkish) will do custom costumes- theyboth have forms on their websites for your drawing. Dahlal Internationale (also Turkish) will order costumes in any color you like, but you will be limited to the styles they have available. You can also order Egyptian Pharonics costumes custom-made from Audrena, but you're also limited to the styles currently available.
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