We don't wear "fancy" costumes to class:
CLASSWEAR
Preferred gear:
- dance practice gear such as tights, leggings, dance pants, leotards, unitards
- yoga type: soft leggings, tops
- supportive sport bra, tank top, choli, tie top, leotard
- scarf or sash at hips: the visible line at the hip helps you learn movements
- feet: bare, ballet slippers, soft dance sandals or shoes
Not advisable:
- baggy clothing
- jeans
- sneakers, hard shoes
- skirts
Most students enjoy a hip treatment such as a coin or fringed hip sash to accentuate the movements and add a bit of fun. You can also use a fringed shawl or any type of sash, material, or scarf that you can tie around your hips.
A little background on coined hip sashes: There are many types available (online shopping) and they are a lot of fun. They are usually a student's first Belly Dance costume purchase. With a velvet top or choli and skirt or harem pants - you have a nice recital costume.
In days gone by, many teachers "forbid" their use in class because a whole class of them makes a very noisy, distracting class! However, since they are so popular and accessible and do add some learning value to student hip movements, they are much more "allowed" in current times.
I do allow them in my classes.
COSTUMES FOR PERFORMING
There are many styles of costuming, just as there are many styles of Belly Dance and Middle Eastern style dancing. Additionally, fusion, alternative, experimental combine various types. Each of the many countries from whence sprang Belly Dance have their own regional styles.movements
LINKS:
Great student costuming tips & vendors!
L.Rose, the BEST for stetchy velvet & other fabric Bellydance costuming & dancewear!
LINK TO A GREAT COSTUME HANDBOOK:go to free booklet!
Hints & Tips for the Belly Dance Costumer" by Dawn Devine Brown & Barry Brown
LINKS ABOUT STYLES:
Different styles in Egypt
Magic of Oriental Dance: very detailed
About styles from Delilah's site:
COSTUME PATTERN LINKS:
Handkerchief hem skirts
Patterns at Shira's site
LINKS FOR COSTUME VENDORS
MoondanceBellydance:Huge variety, Low prices, decent quality
High-end gorgeous at Dahlal's!
Sugar Petals: where I get those mesh unitards that I wear in class (also great velvet tops)
LINKS FOR BALLET SLIPPERS, MATERIAL, TRIM:
Discount Dance Supply
Theatre House:material,trim,sequins,fringe,etc
BASIC CATEGORIES OF COSTUME PIECES:
Each category is differentiated by type of decoration:
- "Sparkly": beaded appliques & fringe, sequins, shiny / "Cabaret" or nightclub style
- Coined/metal pieces: Real or fake, antique or new coins or metal pieces sewn or attached with metal loops and chains / for cabaret or folkloric
- Fabric: trim, fringe, decorations made of material & cloth / folkloric
The two main basic styles:
A. Two piece set with bare (or bodystocking'd) midriff worn with skirt or pants
The 2 pieces = top & hip treatment
*Note: the bra & belt set is called "Bedlah" ="Suit" in Arabic
Style of Top:
1. Bra top or
2. Fabric crop top w or w/out sleeves
-blousy, peasant top style or
- close fitting: stretch velvet, other fabrics
Hip treatment:
1. Belt - firm base or
2. Fabric hip sash, ties at hips
*The hip treatment can be built into the bottom skirt or pants and not as a separate piece
B. One piece dress, or tunic over pants or skirt
- Form-fitting or - Loose, blousy
- With or without sleeves
The Two-piece Top/Hip set and the One-piece Dress/Tunic are then decorated accordingly: sparkly, coined, or fabric; or a combination.
Nowadays, there is a lot of style mixing, with the advent of American Tribal Style, Tribal fusion, Tribaret, Goth, Fantsy, Goddess, Alternative, Experimental, etc; some with quite beautiful results, some quite awful...depending on your taste.
The question of "authenticity" is a hotly debated topic. Link:
Ethnic Authenticity article in Gilded Serpent
Where I Come From:
"Old School" American or AmCab (American Cabaret)
other terms include Vintage American, Classic Belly Dance
This describes the style popularized in the 60's & 70's by North American dancers who first learned from the ethnic folks in nightclubs & restaurants, transplants from their countries of origin.The costumes, as was the music played by the diverse assortment of artists mainly from Turkey, Armenia, the Mediterranean, Syria, Lebanon, Greece, Egypt etc., drew from many sources...thus began the American style in the typical melting pot fashion, a bit of a hodge-podge, but beautiful nonetheless.
When I began my Belly Dance studies, this was the prevailing form.
Much has changed over the years with the rapidly increasing information pool available from the Internet and increased travel access. Modern Egyptian swept the US & Canada when travel and access to Egyptian cinema & tv became available.
We have gained a lot more knowledge than we had back in those somewhat innocent early days. Styles have branched into many different labels. Also a lot of non-information and hearsay is available due to the nature of the Internet and anecdotal information!
I enjoy old & new, studying authenticity as well as being wildly experimental. I think it is important for me as a teacher and a professional, to be informed and aware of the many branches of the Belly Dance Tree, and keep up on my studies. "A good teacher is a perpetual student."
CLASSWEAR
Preferred gear:
- dance practice gear such as tights, leggings, dance pants, leotards, unitards
- yoga type: soft leggings, tops
- supportive sport bra, tank top, choli, tie top, leotard
- scarf or sash at hips: the visible line at the hip helps you learn movements
- feet: bare, ballet slippers, soft dance sandals or shoes
Not advisable:
- baggy clothing
- jeans
- sneakers, hard shoes
- skirts
Most students enjoy a hip treatment such as a coin or fringed hip sash to accentuate the movements and add a bit of fun. You can also use a fringed shawl or any type of sash, material, or scarf that you can tie around your hips.
A little background on coined hip sashes: There are many types available (online shopping) and they are a lot of fun. They are usually a student's first Belly Dance costume purchase. With a velvet top or choli and skirt or harem pants - you have a nice recital costume.
In days gone by, many teachers "forbid" their use in class because a whole class of them makes a very noisy, distracting class! However, since they are so popular and accessible and do add some learning value to student hip movements, they are much more "allowed" in current times.
I do allow them in my classes.
COSTUMES FOR PERFORMING
There are many styles of costuming, just as there are many styles of Belly Dance and Middle Eastern style dancing. Additionally, fusion, alternative, experimental combine various types. Each of the many countries from whence sprang Belly Dance have their own regional styles.movements
LINKS:
Great student costuming tips & vendors!
L.Rose, the BEST for stetchy velvet & other fabric Bellydance costuming & dancewear!
LINK TO A GREAT COSTUME HANDBOOK:go to free booklet!
Hints & Tips for the Belly Dance Costumer" by Dawn Devine Brown & Barry Brown
LINKS ABOUT STYLES:
Different styles in Egypt
Magic of Oriental Dance: very detailed
About styles from Delilah's site:
COSTUME PATTERN LINKS:
Handkerchief hem skirts
Patterns at Shira's site
LINKS FOR COSTUME VENDORS
MoondanceBellydance:Huge variety, Low prices, decent quality
High-end gorgeous at Dahlal's!
Sugar Petals: where I get those mesh unitards that I wear in class (also great velvet tops)
LINKS FOR BALLET SLIPPERS, MATERIAL, TRIM:
Discount Dance Supply
Theatre House:material,trim,sequins,fringe,etc
BASIC CATEGORIES OF COSTUME PIECES:
Each category is differentiated by type of decoration:
- "Sparkly": beaded appliques & fringe, sequins, shiny / "Cabaret" or nightclub style
- Coined/metal pieces: Real or fake, antique or new coins or metal pieces sewn or attached with metal loops and chains / for cabaret or folkloric
- Fabric: trim, fringe, decorations made of material & cloth / folkloric
The two main basic styles:
A. Two piece set with bare (or bodystocking'd) midriff worn with skirt or pants
The 2 pieces = top & hip treatment
*Note: the bra & belt set is called "Bedlah" ="Suit" in Arabic
Style of Top:
1. Bra top or
2. Fabric crop top w or w/out sleeves
-blousy, peasant top style or
- close fitting: stretch velvet, other fabrics
Hip treatment:
1. Belt - firm base or
2. Fabric hip sash, ties at hips
*The hip treatment can be built into the bottom skirt or pants and not as a separate piece
B. One piece dress, or tunic over pants or skirt
- Form-fitting or - Loose, blousy
- With or without sleeves
The Two-piece Top/Hip set and the One-piece Dress/Tunic are then decorated accordingly: sparkly, coined, or fabric; or a combination.
Nowadays, there is a lot of style mixing, with the advent of American Tribal Style, Tribal fusion, Tribaret, Goth, Fantsy, Goddess, Alternative, Experimental, etc; some with quite beautiful results, some quite awful...depending on your taste.
The question of "authenticity" is a hotly debated topic. Link:
Ethnic Authenticity article in Gilded Serpent
Where I Come From:
"Old School" American or AmCab (American Cabaret)
other terms include Vintage American, Classic Belly Dance
This describes the style popularized in the 60's & 70's by North American dancers who first learned from the ethnic folks in nightclubs & restaurants, transplants from their countries of origin.The costumes, as was the music played by the diverse assortment of artists mainly from Turkey, Armenia, the Mediterranean, Syria, Lebanon, Greece, Egypt etc., drew from many sources...thus began the American style in the typical melting pot fashion, a bit of a hodge-podge, but beautiful nonetheless.
When I began my Belly Dance studies, this was the prevailing form.
Much has changed over the years with the rapidly increasing information pool available from the Internet and increased travel access. Modern Egyptian swept the US & Canada when travel and access to Egyptian cinema & tv became available.
We have gained a lot more knowledge than we had back in those somewhat innocent early days. Styles have branched into many different labels. Also a lot of non-information and hearsay is available due to the nature of the Internet and anecdotal information!
I enjoy old & new, studying authenticity as well as being wildly experimental. I think it is important for me as a teacher and a professional, to be informed and aware of the many branches of the Belly Dance Tree, and keep up on my studies. "A good teacher is a perpetual student."