How to Make a Tribal Belly Dance Costume

Belly dancing is becoming an extremely popular hobby, and while it is increasingly easy to find tribal belly dance classes, it can be tough to put together an appropriate costume for the first time. There are two or three major styles of belly dance, each with its own style of costuming. Tribal style costumes are probably not the best known, but they are extremely attractive, versatile, and also relatively cheap to get started with.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Fabric and sewing items
• Costume jewelry
• Makeup and hair accessories (optional)

1. Most tribal belly dance costumes are based on a pair of loose pants under a long, flowing skirt and some sort of top that exposes the belly. For your first costume, these probably don't have to be too specialized. Puffy harem pants and big circle skirts are the most common, but any combination that is comfortable, bright, and easy to move in should be fine.

2. One of the features that makes a tribal belly dance costume unique is combining a variety of different elements. Layering (like the skirt over pants thing) plus a range of bright colors and contrasting patterns, is an important principle. So don't be too concerned that everything has to match.

3. Add some scarves. Scarves can be wrapped around the hips as an accent, used to make a turban, hair wrap or veil, or draped loosely over the shoulders or skirt. Plus, they can be used for dancing. Add a few, if you have them. And again, don't be afraid of color.

4. Don't forget the details. Most tribal belly dancers dance barefoot. Many create elaborate hairstyles (if their hair isn't completely covered by scarves or turbans), often including small braids. Makeup is also a common element. Some dancers copy traditional facial tattoos by drawing them on with liquid eyeliner and finishing with a light dusting of powder makeup.

5. Jewelry can make a tribal belly dance costume very unique and memorable, but most dancers build their collections up over time. Still, it is always fun to accessorize. Most tribal dance jewelry is chunky and old looking. Other than that it can be quite varied, and elements are often reused for unusual purposes. For example, a large piece can serve as a belt buckle, pendant on a necklace, or pin on a turban. A necklace can be integrated in a hair arrangement. Small pieces can be used to embellish a bra or other top. In addition to metal jewelry, embroidery, flowers, beads and shells can make great accents. Since tribal belly dance is not really a traditional form, there is no limit to the possible variations.