Belly Dance Costume Goddess: Flattering Costume Ideas for a Large Tummy

I am a raw beginner at belly dancing, and I am feeling self conscious about my tummy. It sticks out quite a bit, and I don't know how to make it look good in a belly dancing costume. I am really excited to learn because it seems like a kick-butt workout, (plus it just sounds hip to say that I am learning to belly dance!) but for now, I have no clue on what to wear to look sexy and not silly!

The Costume Goddess Responds

Don't feel it necessary to expose your tummy if it makes you self-conscious. That would tend to inhibit you in class and performance.

As a beginner you can wear a pretty leotard to class — sleeveless would be coolest — and wear a skirt and fringed hip scarf or coin belt over this to get the suitable shimmy and flip effect. If even a leotard makes you self-conscious, try draping a chiffon veil over one shoulder and tucking the ends in your belt.

Later you can wear a lovely baladi dress or evening gown with an easy fit through the middle, perhaps in a sheer lace or mesh that shows some skin without feeling bare, and a more ornate hip scarf or belt.

If your tummy is not scarred and protrudes only slightly, a low-cut belt is actually more flattering than one that cuts the abdomen across middle, as shown to the right in the above diagrams.

More possibilities: A bra and belt set can be worn with a tummy cover to conceal the problem area. Pictured are a beaded or sequined scarf sewn to bra, a decorated chiffon veil draped over middle as shown, and a strip of net in flesh color or costume color.

Click on the drawing to the right to see the diagram in more detail.

As you look around among your comrades-in-zills and see dancers' tummies of all sizes revealed, you may decide to do the same with your own, especially if you notice it becoming more shapely and rolling like the wave that rocked the Titanic!

--The Costume Goddess

Further Comments from Shira

These photos illustrate some examples of evening gown style of dresses that look flattering on a dancer with a prominent midsection.

Click on any of the three above photos to see the costumes in more detail.

The above three dresses were all made in Egypt specifically for use as bellydance costumes. All contain styling details that de-emphasize large abdomen areas such as:

Bare skin in the chest and shoulder area to draw the eye upward away from the problem area
Leg slit to create vertical lines and draw attention down to the leg
Asynchronous design that leads the eye in a diagonal line across the body
Cutouts at the hip that draw the eye down below abdominal level
Placement of sequins in vertical lines to draw the eye downward from the abdomen and make it travel up / down across the body
Decoration at the hem to draw attention and create balance for a larger middle

All three of these dresses were created by Egyptian designer Hanan Mahmoud.

The photo on the left was taken by Kaylyn Hoskins, the one in the center was taken by Andre Elbing, Bärbroich, Germany, and the one on the right was taken by Lina Jang, New York City, New York.

Other articles on this web site with tips for dancers who are self-conscious about their midriffs include:

Dresses in Middle Eastern Dance Costuming. More information about baladi dresses, how they differ from other dress styles, and when it's appropriate to wear them.
Ask The Costume Goddess: What Is A Baladi Dress? Here's a little more information about using a baladi dress in a costume.
Ask The Costume Goddess: Baladi Dress With Veil. Choosing a baladi dress that looks good with veil work.
Ask The Costume Goddess: Apple-Shaped Figure. Costume suggestions for a dancer with an apple-shaped figure.
Dear Shira: Am I Too Fat To Dance? Shira responds to a reader who asked whether large women can belly dance.

Dear Shira: What About My Scars? Shira responds to a reader who asked what to do about scars when making costume decisions. These comments may also be appropriate for some full-figured dancers.
Belly Dance Costume Patterns. Identifies sources of belly dance costume patterns, including assorted outfits that look good on full-figured dancers.
The Costume Goddess Tells All: Flattering Costume for Bellydancers. Review of book by Dina Lydia.

About the Costume Goddess

Dina has been sewing for more than twenty-five years (yes, she started as a toddler!)

She's also an artist (Maryland Institute of Art) and perfected her sewing techniques apprenticed to various designers, freelancing for small theaters, restyling vintage garments, and altering wedding gowns.

Dina fell in love with belly dancing costumes upon her very first lesson. Now the pleasure of wearing her own designs, and seeing others wear them, offers as much pleasure as dancing. She's become expert as well in altering those troublesome ready-made Egyptian costumes, and modifying designs to flatter individual figures.

She holds workshops in Seattle to teach design and construction of cabaret costumes, and analysis of figure characteristics. She will also give private lessons, or resize or repair a secondhand costume. She's thus earned her Costume Goddess title.

Photo of Dina Lydia, The Costume Goddess

The Costume Goddess Tells All Costuming Books

Dina has published six books of her own on belly dance costuming as well as writing nearly all the costuming section for The Belly Dance Book. For information on her series of books, The Costume Goddess Tells All, see her web site at www.costumegoddess.com. For reviews here on Shira.net of some of her books, see:

Volume 1: Flattering Costume for Bellydancers. Advice on designing a belly dance costume that will look flattering for your figure type.
Volume 2: Easy Costume for Bellydancers. Explains how to create easy-to-make costume items if you have very little sewing experience.
Volume 3: Cabaret Belt and Bra for Bellydancers. Detailed instructions for making your own bra/belt set. Emphasis on the beaded/sequined look, but some coin information too.
Volume 4: Arm Costume for Bellydancers. Creative ideas for sleeves, armbands, gauntlets, and drapes.
Volume 5: Tribal Toppings for Bellydancers. Cholis, vests, and other tops suitable for U.S. Tribal costuming.
Volume 6: Thrifty Chic for Bellydancers. Transforming thrift shop bargains into belly dance costume pieces.
Volume 7: Headpieces for Bellydancers. Many simple, inexpensive ideas for costuming from the neck up.

Costume Goddess Photos

To view a photo gallery featuring pictures of Dina, costumes she has designed, and her friends, either click on the choices below or visit her web site:

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Ask the Costume Goddess:

Large Tummy

by Dina Lydia