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We all love costumes - that's half the reason we like to dance! So this is
a collection of our "best" recommendations.
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Start here (especially if you're a "Baby Belly") ... get this stuff first - then progress to bigger, bolder, and better!
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Hip Belts:
Your first really cool belly dance costume purchase should be a hip
scarf - preferably one with a bit of weight on it (in the form of fake
coins, tassels, or beaded trim). Our dear Khaalida
runs a combined local vending / web-based business, and consistently
refreshes her stock of absolutely fantastic hip belts. (You'll see me
wearing a leopard-spotted one that I got from her; it has the most marvelous
light and dark-blue Moroccan beads that are designed to ward the "evil
eye." Be sure that you try your belt on; just ordering one from a catalog
might get you a belt that is either too light or too heavy for your
body type. Email Khaalida at bellydance@khaalida.com or see
her in class. (She's trying to get to each of the different classes
at least once a month so you can connect with her.)
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Zills:
Within the first few months, try to get a good pair of "student zills."
I recommend
Turquoise or Saroyan zills; both are good quality. Do not try to use the
cheap little zills that you get for a few dollars in bookstores and such;
these might be useful one time for play, but they're not real zills; and
you will want something with a nice tone. I usually keep a small stock on hand
that I can sell in class, so you don't have to go through the hassle of
ordering them. When you're ready to "graduate upwards," look for a set of
"performance zills" (same manufacturers).
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Every woman needs a veil. (In fact, one of the chapters in Unveiling has
that title. I'll post an excerpt from that chapter soon.) But before you
go shopping, take just a few minutes:
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Learn Your Color(s):
If you've never had a color analysis done, get one. This really is important!
Your veil will surround your face, drape around your body, and enclose your "essence."
So make sure the color is right for you. You can do your own color analysis following
a guide book (recommendations to follow), or go to the cosmetics counters in a good
department store and ask the cosmetics representative to "analyze" you. (They're all
trained to do this now, but I've found the people from Prescriptives to be the
most knowledgable about "color-types." You don't have to buy anything, but it
would be a nice gesture - especially if she helps you a lot.)
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Determine the right length:
Most veils are 2 1/2 yards. I've recently been experimenting more with longer veils;
3 yards and longer. Here's a basic rule of thumb: If you are petite, stay with 2 1/2 yards.
If you have any height, or if you feel that you have long arms (relative to your overall body
size), go for at least 3 yards. (You can always trim a veil back, inch by inch, but
it's kind of hard to "add to" your veil once it's been cut.) Almost all fabric that you'd
consider - or commercially-available veils - are 45" in width, so that is standard.
Although fancy shapes are avaialable (including the popular "half-circle"), stay
with a simple long, rectangular piece of fabric for your first veil.
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Select the fabric:
You can buy "commercial" veils from a belly dance supplier. But if you're in the
NoVA / DC Metro area, you will benefit so much more by selecting veil fabric
that is "just right" for you. Look for something that has a little bit of a "grip"
to it; a veil that is too slick will slip out from your fingers too easily and
simply annoy you. Good quality polyester chiffons (make sure they have a little bit
of a "crepey' feel - or some texture) are acceptable. Silks are wonderful, albeit
more expensive. Look for china silk (which will billow beautifully), or silk chiffon.
The more sheer the chiffon, the more expensive it will be - and for your first
"practice" veil, you don't need something too expensive - just make sure the color,
the weight, and the texture "work" for you. Happy shopping!
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Do you want to put together a cute little something to wear to class?
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Tops (Comfortable and Pretty!):
You can wear lots of different tops - ranging from camisoles and sports bras to little blouses or even sweaters.
You can even wear the time-honored basic; leotards. But for something both fun and practical, I just love
the little stretch velour tops put out by L. Rose Designs. They also
produce little "ensembles" of stretch velvet, including tight little skirts with matching fingerless gloves - tres elegant!
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Recommendations coming soon.
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