My preference is for dresses. Zip and go! :happy:

This seems like as good a place as any for showing off costume pictures - so, these are two of mine from our winter hafla!

This one was for a modern Egyptian street-style shaabi number (what else could it be, with a costume this violently tasteless?!):



And this one was for a slightly vintage beledi group number:



(ETA though I don't know how that top one is practically life-sized it's so enormous… sorry about that!)

Lilithnoor and I are currently working up a "city gypsy parisienne" type outfit involving ridiculously large pantaloons!

As my profile pic would suggest, I tend to like a little something covering my belly! If I'm wearing a choli / blinged out bandeau or some other more casual top, I attach a swag of fringe to loop down over my belly. Most of my dance sisters tell me I'm crazy and need to show off my belly, but that's kind of my comfort zone! I always say when my six pack comes in, I will!! I love fuuulllll skirts! Not the biggest chiffon fan, but I love gypsy-style skirts and satin circle skirts. I also love the flare pants (heard them called tribal pants or jazz pants, but don't want to confuse the issue ) They're so flattering and freeing to dance in!!

I love the blinged out cab style bra/belt sets as well, but don't always feel as comfortable in them. Maybe I just haven't found the exactly correct style for my body type. As with my more casual tops, I tend to require a little fringe down over the belly.

One of my troupes does a lot of folkloric, so I also have one of the long jacket (ghawazee coat style) pieces that we wear with harem pants. I've used it (along with a homemade fancy hat) for a persian number we did and for a ghawazee number.

It's amazing the variety of costuming that can be used! Looking forward to adding more to my arsenal!

Heee! Pantaloons! Always an outstanding idea! What's the music going to be? One of my classes is doing Reda-style muwahashat this term, and I'm hoping we perform it at some point, because the outfits are adorable - the long jacket-y things with harem trousers under!

The music is by an artist called Mad Manoush, and it's very...French sounding. We worked up a minute of choreography yesterday which was pretty pleasing.

I'm really looking forward to breaking out of the mould with a pantaloons costume. I usually go for cabaret dresses (I like the type with a matching bra) or bedlah with an a line skirt.

I make most of my own costumes as finding affordable and attractive costuming in my size is impossible.

Sounds awesome, Miss Daisy! I wish the MFP groups had a private video sharing feature, as I'd love for the belly group to be able to share videos! Also, Khosh, I meant to say that you look stunning in that dress!! Just gorgeous!

Oh man, video sharing would be amaaaaazing. We'd probably have to have a closed & strictly modded group to fend off the creepers if RL videos were being posted, though :-/ speaking with far too much Facebook experience...

And thank you - it's definitely my fave piece of wearable bling, but it was originally picked out for me by my lovely teacher, who has excellent taste! :-D (There may be video of that performance at Fantasia coming soon, actually, if anyone wants it!)

I see the bling ankle bandage there

Anyone ever worn a wig for dancing? I recently copied my hair to chin length and fancy long Black hair for this piece.

I haven't, but I wear clip-in extensions for performance (to give my hair volume, not length) and I love the look! A couple of my teachers wear full hairpieces, though, and they seem fairly straightforward and easy to care for.