| Everyone has seen the beautiful and exotic costumes | | | | the movements in a costume like this was great. |
| that belly dancers wear. This is the image that | | | | The dancer in a fully beaded dress performs dances |
| Hollywood and other forms of entertainment have | | | | called baladi. These are usually only found in folk |
| given us as authentic belly dancing costumes. But do | | | | dances and not the usual belly dance routines of |
| the costumes we typically see vary from the | | | | today. You will find that western dancers will use these |
| traditional costume worn by belly dancers? | | | | costumes for when they perform traditional folk |
| The costumes that we see today are not authentic | | | | dances but will also wear them for more current |
| versions of traditional belly dancing costumes. These | | | | dances as well. |
| costumes were copied by the Egyptian dancers | | | | Turkish Dress |
| based on what they saw in the Hollywood images of | | | | The belly dancing costumes worn in Turkey are |
| the 30's and 40's. These costumes have become so | | | | considerably more revealing than those that are worn |
| ingrained in society as authentic that we don't really | | | | in Egypt. The skirts worn by Turkish women will usually |
| know what a traditional costume looks like anymore. | | | | have a very high slit that exposes the entire leg of the |
| Egyptian Dance | | | | dancer. Belts are used to accentuate the body and |
| The costumes that Egyptian dancers wear is usually a | | | | movements of the dancer. This costume is very |
| mermaid style skirt with a bra top. The skirt is typically | | | | appealing to people watching the performance. Veils |
| full length. Beads or coins are usually added to the top | | | | are not usually worn with these costumes. The use of |
| for an added dramatic touch. This is the costume that | | | | a veil is a completely western addition. |
| is typically thought of when one thinks of belly dancers. | | | | Mix It Up |
| Of course, it is a long way from the traditional | | | | With all the many varieties of belly dancing costume |
| costume. | | | | you can sample from each of the different styles to |
| The traditional costume was worn to cover the entire | | | | find a look you like. It is a performance and the |
| body. Showing flesh was not made popular until more | | | | costume plays an integral role in that performance. |
| recent times. A belt or scarf was used to accentuate | | | | Use what you think will give you the best effect in |
| the hips of the dancer. The talent required to perform | | | | your dance. |