Costuming
Aug 2nd, 2008 | By Diana | Category: Costume Tips, How ToHaving the perfect costume for a performance can be stressful. Costumes can run in the thousands and for those of us who aren’t able to make such a purchase, there are alternatives. There are many ways a dancer can have a glistening costume under the lights without having to empty their bank account.
Each dancer has her own unique way of portraying the music through her movements and costuming should reflect the dancer’s style and choice of music. Customizing costumes to your own taste gives the audience a feel for who you are and how you choose to express yourself. It is fun to make your own costume because you choose exactly what you want to be on the costume. It might take longer than simply purchasing one, but it is worth the wait and effort.
One way you can save money is by thrift store shopping. I recently purchased three items for under $5 a piece! I bought two beaded items that can either be worn as a skirt or as a cover up. I also found a blue velvet vest with gold trim details, which looks like what the musicians wear in a Middle Eastern band.
You can also find small accessories at thrift stores. These can be used for adorning the hair, belt or bra. Be creative, you can find many things that can be useful. If you find silk flowers, use them as hair pieces, with some hot glue and a hair clip you got yourself a head piece.
Silk scarves are versatile pieces. They can be used in a hairdo, wrapped around the hip as an accent to your belt or as a base for a bra. You can also visit department stores and search through the sale racks. Sometimes you can find some really inexpensive items that can turn into costume pieces with nothing but a little bit of imagination.
Another thing for crafty costumers to look for is dresses. You might get lucky and find some vintage fabrics that can be used for costumes. These could be great finds if you like to sew your own costumes.
Flea markets also carry fabrics and some vendors even have belly dance related items. Usually these items can be found for much less than buying at a store or online. Here you can even bargain with the seller to make a deal.
Now that you have a few ideas about costuming, go out and shop! Don’t be afraid to look into shops you normally wouldn’t go in, that’s when you find the most unique pieces. Happy costuming!
Diana,
I really love your ideas. That’s a really creative idea to make your own, affordable costumes… and really have the drivers seat to define the style you desire. Great idea!
Great post!
- Sepi
Thanks! I make my own costumes and I find great joy in making things from scratch.
This is a good article – it’s overwhelming to go to some of the dance festivals or online stores where the costumes are $800 & up. It’s a nice reminder that creativity & imagination can help make a beautiful costume without spending even half as much. It’s also more personal when you make your own
One of my favorite costume pieces is a beautiful green beaded/sequined bra that my mom made me 
-Renise
I’m so hopeless at sewing, there’s no way I could make a costume. I hadn’t thought of cannibalising old dresses – I used to do that for fancy dress and flamenco so why not belly dance? I’ll have to give it a try!
I’m so glad that my post was able to help you!!
Let us know how it goes!! Show us some before and after images
My favorite retail store is Goodwill. First, I head for bedding and curtains, then long skirts, then formal wear. I harvest the fabrics and re-use. REALLY fugly bridesmaid dreses are a wonderful resource, and broomsticked silk skirts are really ready to wear ( dpnt forget to twist them and tie them in a knot for storage)(try wearing several all at the same time. There is nothing more lush that acres of silk swishing around your ankles). One of my favorite skirts is a crushed tafetta in a medium deep eggplant purple. It started life as a 6 yard swag curtain – long enough to be a sari, but also long enough to be a great circle skirt. I used every inch of it and I wear it often, in class and other .Some of my best dance bras(before covering) were found at Goodwill for $2-3.
TJ Maxx is another great place. Again, look in bedding and curtains, and also table cloths, table runners etc. Dont over look accessories either. I have a BIG turquoise chest piece that used to be a belt buckle. $10 for the belt, took off the buckle and threw the rest away! (strung it on a wide ribbon and its the “base” for the rest of the upper body jewelry) Most of my real silver jewelry came from TJ maxx as well, you do have to look often however, It goes very fast!
Keep your eyes open and and an open mind as well. There are uses for just about every thing you see. ~*~Baysan~*~