on Fri, 16 Jun, 2023
Bellissimo means beautiful in Italian. It is also a play on words and for those of you who know me, I do love my puns! Since I am a bellydance teacher "belly-si-mo" seemed fitting for the title of the group.
So far, I have tried to keep Bellissimo costumes simple, uniform, and professional. In order to do this, we need to use color to create unity and wear some of the same items, whether it is the same style or variations so that we look cohesive. The moves I teach are primarily ATS with some fusion mixed in. (In case you are wondering, ATS is what many call American Tribal Style, which I am calling American Transcultural Style). Cabaret style favors gold and gold coins. ATS and fusion favors silver or tarnished metal. But it is fine if this is your first show and you are collecting items. Some people only have gold.
In case you are interested in performing, here is your basic costume we have been using as well as the most inexpensive deals I could find. Prices are always changing, and old sellers go away and new ones pop up. If a link doesn't work, let me know and I will correct it when I have a chance.
Below is a list of items we typically have used for our costumes for belly dance that we will be reusing:
*tiered black skirt
*Black rhinestone mesh mask (that way there is less pressure to smile during your first shows!)
*flowers attached to headdress or headband for ATS look (This needs a blog post/tutorial in itself!)
*something to wear underneath the skirts, whether leggings, harem pants,bloomers, etc.
*coin belt (violet, red, most of us have fringe and coins on this belt)
*coin bra, or ATS tassel bra, or other ATS style bra (it needs to be worn over a black bra)
*Black short sleeve choli
***a layer of fabric, another fringe belt, bustle skirt with pockets, etc. underneath coin belt (I do this so I have pockets for my cell phone and keys but other people just might want another decorative layer of fringe to fill in the gap where the coin belt is tied)
Our color themes are violet and red but if people wear other color accents that is fine. The jewelry tends to be a folkloric inspired jewelry but sometimes people wear upcycled jewelry or their own creations.
Links to the items below if you need ideas or a place to purchase (feel free to provide me with links if you have a better deal you want me to post!):
Mesh mask from Amazon $6
https://amzn.to/3Ln9iCu
Black skirt Tiered 25 yards--really full skirt $47
Black 5-teired skirt $30
https://amzn.to/3BQaew9
*Just a reminder, burgundy is the color I am telling people to eventually have for future shows. This show you can choose a different color, ranging from burgundy, red, orange, or yellow. If you just want to buy one belt, buy the burgundy one or a plain metal belt to reuse.
Burgandy coin belt (like mine) $16--Best price I could find!
Large-X L
Black Choli Morningstar purchased from Amazon (It would be a little long for me and it would be better to just cut a black t-shirt)
Burgandy $15 is the least expensive style-$24
(least expensive, but also closer to cabaret style due to sequins)
Inexpensive coin belt (many colors) $12
If you can't find a burgundy belt that fits, buy a metal belt like the one below and wear it over a piece of burgundy fabric cut into a triangle to make a hip scarf or any color fabric.
ATS coin belt $36
ATS coin belt (no fabric) $20
ATS coin belt (no fabric) $26
Burgundy hip scarf $13
https://amzn.to/3R8L1l7
ATS/fusion Coin bra and belt set ($56 for belt and bra--multiple sizes--best price)
If you want to make your own burgundy fringe belt or bra
Burgundy 8 inch tassel fringe for curtains--or making a belly dance belt $22
Premade tassel fringe for making your own belt (or look up fringe tassel -insert color you are looking for) $14
The Red Camel--My favorite place to shop sales to find bellydance items to sew onto belts and bras when I make my costumes. I only shop their clearance section.