Belly Dance Outfits
What goes into making great belly dance outfits?
Body stockings – Body stockings sound uncomfortable like they cover the entire body, but for a belly dance outfit they are more like a one-piece bathing suit minus the part that covers the breasts. They are made of shear stretchy or fishnet-type fabric. They’re great for hiding stretch marks or jiggly post-baby belly.
Belly dance tops- Tops can be elaborately jeweled or plain bra tops, halter tops or form fitting choli tops. Choli tops can vary by sleeve length, neckline, and opened or closed back. Select one that doesn’t restrict arm movement.
Galabeyah (or galabeya) - A traditional Egyptian galabeyah is a straight up and down tunic. For belly dance, a scarf may be worn over the hips.
Gloves and arm bands – Gloves are usually fingerless and their length can can be short, mid-forearm, or higher. Arm bands can be wide or narrow and pull on over the hand and slide up the arm. Their usually made of a stretchy fabric or netting to keep them in place.
Harem pants – Wide legged billowy pants, sometimes with a slit up the sides of the legs. Can be worn alone with a top or go strikingly well under a hip belt or scarf.
Hip belts and bra sets- These are also called a bedlah and are the foundation of an Oriental dance outfit. A hip belt is very versatile in that it can be worn over harem pants or skirts made of billowing sheer chiffon, tight-fitting Lycra, or shiny satin.
Hip scarf- Sometimes called a hip wrap or coin belt consists of a piece of fabric that is worn on the hip and ties to secure it. They can be a simple piece of fabric or highly decorated with coins, beads or tassels.
Melodia pants- These are pants that have overly exaggerated flared bottoms.
Skirt – The belly dance skirt is as varying as the music and the dancers who wear them. Circular, full Gypsy-type, sheer, flowing chiffon, form-fitting, slits, no slits, modest, baring, the list goes on. A belly dancer’s skirt compliments her dance style.
Veils - Veils are usually sheer chiffon, silk, or even organza, but usually something semi-sheer to sheer that will flow well in the air when performing. Hems made be narrowly rolled or beaded.
