School Store
Scroll down for an idea of what you'll need to buy for class and student shows
Unaffiliated Stores
Find links to outside vendors for the things you'll use during class and practicing. Scroll further down for CBDS merch!
Finger Cymbals |
Dance Shoes |
Hip Scarves & Class Clothes |
Veils & Body Stockings |
CBDS Merch
Central BellyDance School, Nour al 'Amar student troupe, and Emerald Starling shirts, notebooks, and more.
Printed through Tee Public
Printed through Tee Public
CBDS merch
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Nour al 'Amar merchSee Lisa for these!
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Emerald Starling merch
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What do you need to buy to attend class?
Just the class registration!
The links above to dance shoes can make class more comfortable, but they are not required.
Likewise, some students have fun picking out hip scarves that express their style, but you can always use the loaner scarves in class, or any piece of fabric you like. Class practice outfits can range from sweatpants and a t-shirt to workout leggings to bellydance specific body-stocking outfits. It is up to you!
The following are pieces we use in student performances. Performing is optional, and the costumes for joining the group are designed to spread out the expense of a costume over several years of dancing.
Likewise, some students have fun picking out hip scarves that express their style, but you can always use the loaner scarves in class, or any piece of fabric you like. Class practice outfits can range from sweatpants and a t-shirt to workout leggings to bellydance specific body-stocking outfits. It is up to you!
The following are pieces we use in student performances. Performing is optional, and the costumes for joining the group are designed to spread out the expense of a costume over several years of dancing.
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For your first student troupe performance, we start with a low-investment outfit that you can continue to use for class-wear, just in case you change your mind about performing. A class t-shirt, blue stretch bell-bottoms, a silver, white, or opalescent hip scarf. You will need dance shoes with a sole that is thick enough to protect your feet, too. No cover-ups are required for this costume. |
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To spread out the cost of a costume, upgrade the pieces one student show at a time. Start with swapping the school t-shirt for a ready-made dance top that you can wear over a lifting bra. You can choose to wear a belly-cover or not, it's entirely up to your comfort level! |
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Now is a good time to invest in a cover up. They protect your costume from splashes and they keep your outfit a surprise before you get on stage!
You can also choose to get different costumes for a solo anytime along here, or you can use the same costume for group performances and solos. H0wever, if you choose a specific sort of folklore for your solo, you might need to get or make something specific to that style.
You can also choose to get different costumes for a solo anytime along here, or you can use the same costume for group performances and solos. H0wever, if you choose a specific sort of folklore for your solo, you might need to get or make something specific to that style.
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A nice skirt comes next. You can choose a velvet trumpet skirt, something flowing in chiffon, or any number of other styles.
Just pick navy blue if you'll wear it for group numbers. For solos you can pick any color/s! |
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The last step is to replace the hip wrap and soft-top with a beaded bra and belt set, called a bedlah! Going to this expense it totally optional, something you'll want to do it you want to have a professional looking costume. If you want to stick with student shows, you don't need to spend this kind of money. If you want a cheaper bedlah or a beaded bra and skirt, you can check resale groups on facebook for dances or your size who are selling their used costumes, or learn to make your own. There are also more budget friendly costumes geared towards students available from some vendors. |
Of course, if you have the money and enjoy the bling, go for it! If your goal is to build up costumes for professional shows, I recommend starting with a solid metallic bra and belt, which you can then buy or make skirt and arm-accessory sets for. That will let you get a lot of different looks out of the bedlah, which is the most expensive and hard to maintain part. You can then mix-and-match the pieces to fit the color scheme of different gigs.
The pictures of me below show the same bedlah, although I forgot the arm pieces in a couple of the shots!
The pictures of me below show the same bedlah, although I forgot the arm pieces in a couple of the shots!
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