Belly Dancing Clothes

Belly Dancing Clothes

Article by Bob Underson

Belly dancing clothes are always “in” for Halloween. They are always fun too. Most outfits consist of a bra, harem pant or skirt and belt set. Outfits can also include a veil or scarf. They come in a large variety of colors and styles. They are to be had in skirt and top sets, pro full costumes, belly dance tribal costumes, harem pants and top sets., belly dance pro bra and belt sets and pera dance wear. Sequins, beads, tassels, metal coins, swags, dangling chains and shells all adorn these costumes.Belly dance is a Western coined name for a traditional Middle Eastern dance, especially raqs sharqi in Arabic. It’s sometimes called Mid Eastern dance or Arabic dance in the west or by the Greco-Turkish term ciftelli. The belly dance is a translation of the French “dance du ventre”, which was applied to the dance in the Victorian period. Belly dance takes many different forms depending on the country or region, both in costume and dance style. Although, contemporary forms of dance are usually performed by women, some of the dances, especially the cane dance are performed by men. A man’s costume resembles that of a genie costume in nature.Raqs sharqi means oriental dance. It is most familiar to Westerners and is performed in shows, cabarets and restaurants world wide. Raqs baladi means folk dance and is done in folkloric style. It is usually done by men and women at festive social occasions like weddings.Costumes usually are categorized by Egyptian, Lebanese, Turkish, Indian, Spanish, Javanese or American style. Belly dance arose from many dance styles done in North Africa and Middle Eastern regions. Some think it had its roots in Arab tribal religions as a dance to the fertility goddess. It’s thought that an earlier origin of the dance was performed by Arabic women to the moon god. Others believe that it began as an independent dance before pharaohs and represented the pharaohs’ carnal desire. Another theory is the North African. It is described as a dance referring to childbirth and that it was done for women by women.Belly dancing was made most popular by the West in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries when artists depicted romanticized images of harem life in the Ottoman Empire. It was about this time that individuals performed world wide at various fairs. Often it drew crow ds en mass, even bigger than any of the other exhibits. In the West, the costume most associated with belly dance is the debiah. It owes its creation to the Victorian painters or orientalism and the harem fantasy productions of vaudeville, burlesque and Hollywood during the turn of the century rater than to Middle Eastern dance. The bediah style includes fitted top or bra with a fringe of beads or coins, a fitted hip belt with fringe of beads or coins and a skirt or harem pant. The bra and belt may be richly decorated with beads, sequins, braid and embroidery. The belt may be a separate piece or sewn into the skirt. The hip belt is a broad piece of cloth worn low on the hips. It may have a straight, angular or curved hem. The bra usually matches. The classic harem pant is normally gathered at the ankle and full in general. Sometimes pants and a sheer skirt are worn together. Skirts may be flowing and sheer with one or multiple colors and layers of sheer fabric.In Egypt, the costume is usually more modest. It is basically made from lycra with cutout sections and adorned top and hip. There is no bare midriff.In Turkey, the bediah style is more common. Styles are either playful and flirty or more moderate.In Lebanon, the skirts are more shear and skimpier, showing more of the body. Veils are often worn as are high heels.In the US, dancers often buy their costumes from Egypt or Turkey. The American style usually includes a headband with fringe and a sheer harem pant or skirt and coins and metal work decorate the bra.For the baladi and folkloric belly dances, a full length belede dress or galabeyah is worn with or without cutouts.When choosing belly dancing clothes, it’s important to not forget your props. These usually include finger cymbals, cane, veil, sword, headdress, fire sticks, tambourine, fan or snakes. Choosing this costume for Halloween can be a fun, colorful choice; not to mention a real conversation starter. It’s a must have costume for this fun occasion.Greco-Turkish term ciftelli. The belly dance is a translation of the French ‘dance du venuture

Bob Underson