What makes a costume ______?
- Thread starter alosha
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Salome
Administrator
I did an article here Belly Dance Costumes It really needs to be updated! But I have not had the time, will get to it...
Eshta
New member
Hmm, 'tis a good question, and Salome's article is probably the best answer as a jumping off point.
I don't know enough about Amcab or Turkish to really say, but in general I think different designers are quite distinguishable, and given the propensity for copycatting within the costuming world, they tend to shape the local fashion.
When I think of Amcab costuming, I tend to think that there is a tendency for more chiffon and flowing fabric than the typical egyptian costume, Amcabbers, would that be a fair assessment? Of the "Egyptian" designers, Amira of Pharaonics always struck me as leaning towards the Amcab end of the spectrum for example with beautiful flowing skirts, and the colours.
I would imagine that the Egyptian and Amcab costuming is probably less distinctive nowadays given how many American suppliers are buying costumes from Egypt? Pure conjecture, but I'd be interested to know.
Egyptian costuming current trends are 2 piece costumes (bra and belts not really in anymore), lycra type fabric skirts split all the way up, probably with little shorts underneath, boobs hoisted up right under your chin, and far more minimal on the embellishment than it used to be. Current trend appears to be flowers instead of say beading, or at least there are two or three designers doing it, and Asmahan's latest 'thing' is a flower theme! Trouser suits, & bodystocking thingummies that leave nothing to the imagination are kicking around too :shok:!
When I think of Turkish I think of skimpy wisps of not much material with really long fringe, but I think my knowledge of Turkish costuming has been informed by a bad sample of dodgy 70s-80s video CDs with bad special effects & terrifying hair, so I stay out of this one!
Interesting thread topic, can the more enlightened share their thoughts? Would love to know other people's take on the differences!
I don't know enough about Amcab or Turkish to really say, but in general I think different designers are quite distinguishable, and given the propensity for copycatting within the costuming world, they tend to shape the local fashion.
When I think of Amcab costuming, I tend to think that there is a tendency for more chiffon and flowing fabric than the typical egyptian costume, Amcabbers, would that be a fair assessment? Of the "Egyptian" designers, Amira of Pharaonics always struck me as leaning towards the Amcab end of the spectrum for example with beautiful flowing skirts, and the colours.
I would imagine that the Egyptian and Amcab costuming is probably less distinctive nowadays given how many American suppliers are buying costumes from Egypt? Pure conjecture, but I'd be interested to know.
Egyptian costuming current trends are 2 piece costumes (bra and belts not really in anymore), lycra type fabric skirts split all the way up, probably with little shorts underneath, boobs hoisted up right under your chin, and far more minimal on the embellishment than it used to be. Current trend appears to be flowers instead of say beading, or at least there are two or three designers doing it, and Asmahan's latest 'thing' is a flower theme! Trouser suits, & bodystocking thingummies that leave nothing to the imagination are kicking around too :shok:!
When I think of Turkish I think of skimpy wisps of not much material with really long fringe, but I think my knowledge of Turkish costuming has been informed by a bad sample of dodgy 70s-80s video CDs with bad special effects & terrifying hair, so I stay out of this one!
Interesting thread topic, can the more enlightened share their thoughts? Would love to know other people's take on the differences!
adiemus
New member
I always think of Turkish as having lots of extra wired extensions on the belt and a lot of detail around the neckline (with the extensions). I also thought the belts were slightly different shape (at least the earlier designs were) with Egyptian being deeper at the back and more curved while the Turkish more deeply 'v' shaped in the front and not so deep at the back. Can't tell you where I got these ideas from!!
I have heard that the Egyptian fringe is long and for the most part, the same lenght all around on the hips, and the Turkish is short on the sides to allow for floorwork, which, presumably the Egyptian dancer would not be doing.
I adore our chiffon and floaty skirts! (but I love ALL of it! {drool!})
I adore our chiffon and floaty skirts! (but I love ALL of it! {drool!})
Amulya
Moderator
Typical of older types of Egyptian costumes (but they still use this technique) is the beading of sequin-couple of beads-sequin type of embroidery and the turkish costumes have it often done differently: just sequins were there are sequins and beads where there are beads (does that even make sense?)
maria_harlequin
New member
The current trend I've been noticing in typical Egyptian dresses is a straight lycra skirt with a high slit and a bra. Very minimal fringe and uncomplicated embellishing. It's very sleek and chic but I love old school AmCab costumes! Give me my big circle skirts of chiffon layers, uber-fringe, and sparklies!
Daimona
Moderator
According to some of my Egyptian friends who are up to date on trends and belly dance fashion in Egypt, decorations like draperies went out of date more than a year ago. I'm not sure if patchwork of various colors or fabric in the skirts/bras are out of date yet, but as far as I've seen these could be quite complicated. But it's been a while since I've discussed this matter with them, so I my knowledge might be out of date...
Although, for those who are not able to travel to Egypt several times a year to update the wardrobe, a glance at the pictures taken by André Elbing (thank you very much for your gallery, André!) at the Ahlan Wa Sahlan (AWS) festival in July might give a glimpse of what we might expect:Opening Gala Show, Fashion Show Raqia Hassan & Fashion Show Mona Dolores Ghazi
I like costumes from both of the last two decades and have both costumes with straight lycra skirts and big layered chiffon skirts.
But if our taste of costuming is out of date, why do they keep on making them? Because we want them, of course! :dance:
Farasha Hanem
New member
Minimalist may be the current trend in Egypt, but I much prefer the old-style glitz and glamour of AmCab. I love beads, sequins, and coins much too much to ever completely give them up, and I looooooooove Tribal Fusion costumes and jewelry, as well as ATS. However, that doesn't mean I'm not willing to add a few new pieces, or a more up-to-date costume, if it's affordable. In fact, I've got a street dress that I'd like to ask everyone's opinion on, but that's another time and another topic for later.
Ariadne
Well-known member
I wonder... is it possible that the reason we are seeing this minimalist design because the general body shape of professional dancers is more slender (as opposed to an hourglass) then in the past and the style suits that body type better?
....
Or it could just be the financial factor. Anytime economies get tight clothes styles tend to use less fabric in order to lower costs... :think:
....
Or it could just be the financial factor. Anytime economies get tight clothes styles tend to use less fabric in order to lower costs... :think:
Ranya
New member
Yes Amulya they are very "in" at the moment and almost all the costume of Cairo bellydancers are that way. During my work in Egypt (oh my I miss it soooo muuuuch!) I got myself two costumes like these, they are very glam and people like them. This style of bra-cup does really - in these days - cry out "EGYPTIAN.
Ranya
New member
Well my boobs are not fake but I can tell you that those bras make you some instantly lol 
.
I don't really understood until now how they work but they hold it in place even though it looks like they won't. They're magic hahahah.
You should not worry too much, I saw a lot of dancers in the dressing rooms (ok I'm not talking about Dina or Randa with evidently fake boobs) and their bodies are far from being perfect (so is mine btw) but those costumes just make you a completely new body. No joking!
.I don't really understood until now how they work but they hold it in place even though it looks like they won't. They're magic hahahah.
You should not worry too much, I saw a lot of dancers in the dressing rooms (ok I'm not talking about Dina or Randa with evidently fake boobs) and their bodies are far from being perfect (so is mine btw) but those costumes just make you a completely new body. No joking!
gisela
Super Moderator
I love those fabulous modern egyptian costumes, however, as sturdy as those bras are I do suspect the costumes look best on slender bodies
The minimalist fashion is probably just a reaction to the very decorated costumes before. I like that more attention is payed to interesting lines and cut, and nice fabric. The embellishment overload costumes are surely coming back when the minimalist-thing is getting too common.
The minimalist fashion is probably just a reaction to the very decorated costumes before. I like that more attention is payed to interesting lines and cut, and nice fabric. The embellishment overload costumes are surely coming back when the minimalist-thing is getting too common.
Daimona
Moderator
I love those fabulous modern egyptian costumes, however, as sturdy as those bras are I do suspect the costumes look best on slender bodies
The minimalist fashion is probably just a reaction to the very decorated costumes before. I like that more attention is payed to interesting lines and cut, and nice fabric. The embellishment overload costumes are surely coming back when the minimalist-thing is getting too common.
Absolutely! And if this is the beginning of the next trend, I think I'll just skip this one too..
:think: According to fluctuations in the economy, wasn't there some sort of correlation with the length of the skirts (not necessarily seen in belly dance costumes, but ordinary fashion)?
But we are a bit off topic now, aren't we?