Costumes and Accessories Tips

LittleCessna · Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 13

I need some help in creating costumes and looking the part of a dancer. I'm in desparate need of fashion police in my every day wardrobe, and let's not even discuss the dance area disaster.

I'm 5'6" so maybe this will help.

What size veils should I be working with?

What material floats best and still performs well in dance?

Where can I learn about the different parts of a costume and how to use them correctly?

Where can I get patterns for making my own costumes? I like skirts that look like they have panels where you can see the dancers legs, and I like the tribal belt type look. Can't explain this.

dancersdreamland · Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 6:15 pm Post subject:

Check out Shira's costuming tips - http://www.shira.net/costuming.htm - which will likely answer most of the questions you posted here. This is one of the most comprehensive and best resources on the web for belly dancers.

LittleCessna · Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 13

[quote:8c49da825e="dancersdreamland"]Check out Shira's costuming tips - http://www.shira.net/costuming.htm - [/quote:8c49da825e]

Perfect! Thank you. Now I have lots of reading to do.

Candy · Joined: 30 May 2005 Posts: 37 Location: Singapore

For veil, I think try measuring the length with your arms outstretch. Each side should be about 1 and a half foot longer from the tip of ur fingers.

Length wise, it shd be from the height of your shoulder all the way to the knee caps.

This works for me, but I am not sure whether it suits you :) Just a suggestion :D

I think you are talking about skirts with slits? Some can be purchased from shops. You can try to shop for belts with sequins or knitted cloth patterns.

Materials wise perhaps you can try throwing around the fabric based on your normal dancing strength...this is to ensure that they are workable for you. Because not every best materials works for everyone :)

I hope this helps :)

LittleCessna · Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 13

That does help, Candy. Thank you. I'm trying to learn the basics of as much as I can for now. I'm in an area where they don't have belly dance instructors, but I'm hoping to move north where there is a school.

I have zils, cloth and a dream. Got my isolations learned for the most part, but now I have to figure out how to put it all together in a dance, and with the right costumes. Oh so much fun!!