Ask The Costume Goddess:

Costuming For A Young Dancer

By Dina

Dear Costume Goddess,

I'm fourteen and just starting to belly dance. I really don't feel comfortable running around in a bra and skirt. Any suggestions?

--A Little Too Young To Bare

Dear Young,

For a beginner of any age, a midriff top in a stretchy form-fitting style as I've illustrated, or a loose peasant blouse style is perfectly charming, teamed with a skirt and/or pantaloons.

The close-ups below show how to make a simple midriff top more Arabic-looking with a few simple adjustments and choice of edge ornaments. If even this seems too bare, you can decorate a leotard or dress in the same fashion.

If altering the sleeve as I've shown is beyond your sewing ability, choose a top without sleeves.

Use any long skirt you like. I've shown a handkerchief skirt, which is one of the easiest to make: just a square, the full width of fabric, with a circular hole in the middle slightly larger than your hips. Use two squares for a layered skirt. Sew a casing with elastic to this edge.

Wear a purchased coin belt, or make one with a strip of decorative trim and ornaments. To get the angled look in center front, sew a seam right sides together at a 45-degree angle. If the trim is not stretchy, don't forget to make a opening at side or back.
Suggested Costume Design

Easy Belly Dancing Top

A midriff blouse like this provides a more covered look for a beginning dancer who would rather not wear a beaded bra to perform.

Suggested Edge Ornaments

Pick one of these ornaments to decorate the lower edge and the sleeve edge of your midriff blouse.

--The Costume Goddess

Here are links to some other articles on this web site you may find helpful. Even a slender dancer may prefer a more covered look. If that sounds like you, you may find some of the costuming advice for larger dancers to be helpful too.

Ask The Costume Goddess: Large Tummy. For dancers whose tummies are larger than they might wish.
Ask The Costume Goddess: A Baladi Dress. Describes this basic garment of a belly dancer's wardrobe.
Ask The Costume Goddess: An Apple-Shaped Figure. Costume tips for a large midriff and how to cover it.

Dear Shira: What About My Scars? Shira responds to a reader who asked what to do about scars when making costume decisions. More thoughts on having a more covered look.
Belly Dance Costume Patterns. Identifies sources of belly dance costume patterns, including some who offer nice alternatives to the bra/belt look.

About The Costume Goddess

For more great advice from the Costume Goddess, access to a photo gallery featuring her wearing some of her own costumes, and to learn about her background, please visit the main menu for Ask The Costume Goddess.

Ask The Costume Goddess:

Costuming For A Young Dancer

By Dina

Related Articles

About The Costume Goddess