Dancing costumes but larger size?

Question

I do belly dancing and I keep hearing people say that the larger figure looks better than too skinny. But when I look for skirts and harem pants they only go up to size 16. I am a size 20-22 but not overly fat-looking - does any-one know where I can find larger sized costumes - in particular harem pants and body stockings??

Answer 1

Where are you located?
There are places most likely in your area that you can go to that potentially specialize in Belly Dancing Costuming, if so go there first scope out the inventory and then ask, do they have an in house seamstress? If they have an in house person who can sew then you are in luck because you can pick the look and style that you want and then ask them to alter it to you body measurements. I do this kinda thing all the time because I am very top-heavy and so happen to be a ballerina.

If the people at the place say they don't have any more of that material or any scraps left then get two costumes (The largest they have and the smallest they have) and ask them to used the larger one for the base and tell them to use the material from the smaller one to add just enough material in places you need in order to look drop dead gorgeous. (If the people quivel over whether or not you should purchase both at full price tell them, that charging you full price for two costumes is simply unethical due to the mere fact that you will only be wearing one and because they inconvenieced you and other plus size dancers by not considering their costuming needs, but then say that you will most certainly pay the fees for tailoring ( letting out the inseam and adding a little material)


I this is not an option in your immediate area then my second choice would be to go to a fabric store and select you own material, embellishments, and pattern and take them to an old lady that you know that can sew well and have her to make you a one of a kind dancing emsemble, that no one will see even on the stick figure models in the costume books.


Lastly if push comes to stressful shove then order the largest size costume from a catalogue and then the same in the smallest adult size a childs size if possible because they are cheaper than adult costumes and like in option one take them both to a tailor or someone who can take the smaller costume and add its material to costume one which is the adult one. (The only down side to this is that you will for sure have to pay for 2 costumes plus alteration expenses, but you will indeed have a harem style costume like all the rest of the dancers)

As for body stockings that is a much simpler obstacle to tackle, go to any and all dance wear shops until you find your perfect size, als try plus size hosiery shops, sometimes there are online plus size hosiery or lingerie companys that offer full body stocking "Frederick's of Hollywood" carries plus size items and I know that they have body stockings so check there as well but anyhow, here is a listing of a few online resources that might bring you a little but hopefully alot of luck:

- http://www.adira.us/
(Best Place For Plus Sizes, Specialize in Harem/ Middle Eastern Dance Attire)
- www.dancedistributers.com
- www.dancewearsolutions.com
- www.discountdance.com
- www.capezio.com
- http://www.euphonium.ws/categories.php?cat=41 (Speciality)

-And there are many more, the list goes on

Good Luck !

Oh, and sorry if spelling and grammar is not perfect, I was in a rush.

Answer 2

That's really hard to say. If the rest of her family is tall and her mother and grandmothers are fairly well-endowed, I would go up two sizes. If they're the opposite, then I'd only go up one. When I was 13, I still looked like I was about 10, and that didn't change much until I was about 15, so if she's like me, then she'd only need one size up. But say, my sister, on the other hand, is only 14, and she could pass for 16. So she would've needed two sizes up. Personally, unless the dress is one heck of a bargain, I think I would just let it go, and let her pick out another dress as it gets closer. I understand what you mean about it being hard for a teenage girl to pick something she feels good in, but you have to remember that teenage girls change their minds alot, and what happens if you buy it now, and by the time January rolls around and she's being fitted, she thinks it's childish? You won't be able to return it, since it was discontinued, and you'd have to buy a second dress.

Answer 3

I googled plus size belly dancing costumes and found a number of resources. Two are listed below.

Answer 4

go to www.glamourgear.co.uk i get all ma dance costimes there but i am a size 4/6 so cant help u in tht department