Advice for Beginning Belly Dancers (CSUDH)

I wrote this for the dancers in my class at school and I thought I would share.

Advice for the Beginning Dancer

Easy places to find costume pieces.

* Ebay – You can find most items for cheap, sometimes with free shipping. They have TONS of skirts. And a lot of complete sets.
* Moondance (www.moondancebellydance.com) - Also has a ton of skirts. They also have bras, belts and other accessories for your costume.
* Turkish Emporium (www.turkish-emporium.com) - Has bras, belts, skirts and complete costumes, some for a value price of $60 or less, and some more professional looking costumes for $250 and up.
* Tribe.net and Esty.com – dancers/designers make their living by hand-beading and hand-sewing costumes and selling at a lower price than some professional places.
* Downtown LA – A good place to get skirts, accessories, a supplies to make your own costume. If you are busty, I would not suggest you get your belly dance bra here.

  
Websites for online shopping.

Be sure to take note of the shape of the belt and the color of the costume. Be sure to chose what is better for your body type. If you don’t know…come to class and ask.

* Ebay - www.ebay.com
* Esty – www.esty.com
* Moon Dance – www.moondancebellydance.com
* Turkish Emporium – www.turkish-emporium.com
* www.bellydancecostumes.com
* Shimmy Shimmy - http://www.shimmyshimmy.com/
* Dancing Rahana - http://www.dancingrahana.com/
* BellyDanceStore – www.bellydancestore.biz
* Miss Belly Dance – www.missbellydance.com
* To find more online costume shops visit: http://www.desertmoondance.com/BuyersGuide.htm

Don’t be alarmed when you see costumes valued at $300. Belly dance is one of the most expensive hobbies because traditional costumes from Egypt or Turkey are hand-beaded, hand-sewn and made to fit.

THE PRICE YOU PAY FOR MAKING YOUR OWN COSTUME IS TIME.

THE PRICE YOU PAY FOR BUYING YOUR COSTUME PREMADE IS SOMEONE ELSE’S TIME.

When you are on the look out for a costume, TRY IT ON! If it comes in the mail, TRY IT ON. Be on the look out for the following:

* Quad boob – When your boobs spill out of the top, sides or underside of the bra.
* Belt length – If you buy a belt that doesn’t cover all of your butt, supplement with a triangle hip scarf or make another one.
* Sheerness – If you find that your skirt is to sheer for comfort, add a lining or another skirt underneath. You may also wear shorts or harem pants.


Make sure you are comfortable in your costume. If you find it doesn’t cover you enough - like for instance you would like to cover your shoulders or your tummy - invest in clothing to supplement the costume you are making or the one you already have.

For shoulder coverage, you can make or buy a beaded shrug.
For tummy coverage, visit www.sugarpetals.com and order a body stocking. They are made of mesh that holds you in, but wills till allow you to dance freely without feeling like a stuffed sausage. You can also add long fringe to your bra so it covers your tummy area.