Belly Dance Costumes

The Five Styles of Belly Dance Costumes

Belly dance is an ancient art form that continues to captivate audiences around the world. The elegance and beauty of belly dancers' costumes only serve to enhance their mesmerizing movements. With so many dance styles, belly dance costumes vary significantly depending on the performance, region, and tradition. Understanding the five main styles of belly dance costumes helps you appreciate this incredible dance form even more.

Egyptian Belly Dance Costumes

Egyptian belly dance costumes are some of the most iconic and widely recognized. They usually consist of a bra, a form-fitting belt, and a skirt, with plenty of sequins, beads, and intricate detailing. Egyptian costumes are designed to emphasize the dancer’s movements, especially the hips. The glittery fabric and star patterns reflect light, making the dancer’s movements even more dramatic on stage.

In many Egyptian performances, dancers also wear traditional accessories like finger cymbals and veils. The dress is another key part of Egyptian belly dance costumes, offering a more covered yet equally graceful look. Raqs Sharqi, a popular Egyptian dance style, often features this type of costume. If you're looking for authentic Egyptian belly dance costumes, BellyDance.com has you covered.

Turkish Belly Dance Costumes

Turkish belly dance costumes are often flashier and bolder than their Egyptian counterparts. They tend to show more skin, featuring a bare midriff and form-fitting designs. Turkish costumes often incorporate wired frames in the skirts to create dramatic, sculptural effects. Chiffon skirts and choli tops are common in Turkish styles, providing a flowy yet structured look.

Turkish costume makers are known for their attention to detail, adding beautiful beads and intricate embroidery to their designs. The costumes are designed to move with the dancer, emphasizing the graceful yet sharp movements of Turkish belly dancing. For those who want to shine in a Turkish costume, BellyDance.com offers a wide range of styles.

American Tribal Style Belly Dance Costumes

American Tribal Style (ATS) belly dance costumes have a distinct and unique appearance. These costumes draw inspiration from traditional Middle Eastern dance styles but have a more folkloric look. Dancers in ATS wear layered skirts, harem pants, and choli tops. The tribal sisters who perform in this style often wear accessories like large hip belts and delicate fringes that move with the dance.

These costumes usually feature earthy tones, bead colors, and fabrics with a subtle iridescence. While more modest than cabaret styles, ATS costumes still focus on enhancing the dancer's movements. The tribal style blends the old with the new, and you can find the perfect American Tribal Style belly dance costume on BellyDance.com.

Folkloric Belly Dance Costumes

Folkloric belly dance costumes vary based on the specific region and tradition being performed. These costumes typically cover more of the body, using long sleeves and dresses like the thobe al nasha'ar, often worn in Khaleegy dance from the Persian Gulf. The costume's flowing nature complements the dance’s focus on head and hair movements.

Folkloric belly dance costumes are often more conservative than cabaret or ATS styles, but they still bring the same energy and artistry. The beads, lace, and skirt designs all emphasize the historical and cultural aspects of the dance. If you're searching for authentic folkloric belly dance outfits, BellyDance.com has a wide selection.

Cabaret Belly Dance Costumes

The cabaret belly dance costume is one of the most recognizable styles in belly dancing. These costumes are flashy, bold, and designed to catch the audience's eye with their glittery fabric and sequins. Cabaret costumes usually feature a bra and belt combination, often adorned with jewels, beads, and bead spacers.

The skirts in cabaret style are often long and flowing, allowing the dancer to emphasize her hips and torso movements. Cabaret belly dance costumes frequently include veils or other accessories like swords or hand pieces to add drama to the performance. If you want to stand out on stage, a cabaret belly dance costume from BellyDance.com will do just that.

Conclusion

Belly dancing is a beautiful, expressive art form, and the costumes are just as vital as the movements themselves. The five styles of belly dance costumes—Egyptian, Turkish, American Tribal Style, folkloric, and cabaret—each offer something unique for dancers. Whether you're a professional dancer or someone just starting out, the right costume can transform your performance.

For all things belly dance, BellyDance.com is your destination. From Egyptian belly dance costumes to tribal style outfits, you can find exactly what you need to shine on stage. Whether you're performing a raqs sharqi, raks assaya, or any other dance style, BellyDance.com has the perfect outfit to help you look and feel your best. Explore their wide range of belly dance costumes today!