Tip of the Week: Choosing the Right Costume

Have you ever stood in front of your closet full of costumes and couldn't decide which beauty to wear?  Well here are some things to consider when choosing what costume to wear.
First of all, be sure to practice in all new costumes.  You don't want to bring them onto the dance floor until they have been tested for malfunction.  Check older costumes for any problems, places that need mended or washed.  Also, check to see if the size needs to be adjusted.
Now think about the show your about to do.  What is the style you will be dancing? Of course you want your costume to reflect the dance style you will be doing.  If you claim to be dancing a Turkish dance you want to be sure to add in some Turkish style costuming.  Are you going to do cabaret, fusion or folkloric?  Be sure to keep everything consistent:  style of dancing, music, costume and props used. 
What types of props will you be using?  Some props such as veil can be used with pretty much any style of costume, but what about things like arm bands or sleeves that might catch the veil.  Some head pieces or rhinestone brackets might also catch the veil.  Think of sleeves also when dancing with the cane.  Traditionally Saidi dresses have long or belled sleeves, remember to practice holding them up while twirling the cane to prevent dropping the cane or hitting yourself with the cane or with the sleeve!
Will you be doing any floorwork?  Usually full skirts work better for floorwork.  Practice in the skirt and note how open the leg slits are so you don't give your audience an whole other kind of show!  Sometime the spandex style skirts constrict leg movement.  Practice practice practice getting down and up in your skirt!
Who is your audience?  If you are dancing for a more conservative crowd who are unsure of belly dance or maybe at a wedding you will want to try to cover the body more than you would at your local restaurant gig.  If your dancing at a birthday party they might be looking for the "Classic Belly Dancer" look.  Lots of coins, full skirts and color.
Inside or outside?  When dancing outside be sure to think about wind.  That is #1 thing that can throw a dancer off her routine.  You don't want to be thinking about your skirt flying up while your dancing.  You might also think about your hair when you dance outside.  Your hair whipping in the wind and sticking to your lipstick or to your eyelashes can be a real distraction to both you and your audience. 
Raised stage or even with the crowd?  When dancing on a raised stage you will want to check that no one can see up your skirt and/or that the slits of the skirt are not revealing more than a little leg.
What time of day is the show and what will the lighting be? Stage lighting will pick up rhinestones more than regular lights.   If dancing on stage with colored lights remember those lights can change the color of your costume to your audience.  They can also wash you out.  Research stage lighting to see what colors look best in what lights or talk to the theater lighting tec to get the best look.

All these questions will help you narrow down your selection to choose the best costume for your next show.