Welcome To Belly Dancing Costumes
Costumes associated with belly dancing are called bedlah (meaning uniform in Arabic). They were first used by belly dancers in Egypt in the 1930s. From there the belly dancing costumes spread to other countries.
This were not the original belly dancing costumes that was used among Arabic people. This costume is credited to a Cairo club owner who simply gave the tourists what they expected - an exotic and erotic belly dancing costume. Original belly dancing costumes covered and concealed the contours of the body. Only a belt that was tied around the hips was there to show and highlight the movements.
Modern belly dancing costumes include:
- a fitted top or bra (usually with fringe of beads or coins),
- a fitted hip belt (again with a fringe of beads or coins),
- and leg coverings that include harem pants and/or skirts (straight, layered, circular, or paneled).
Lots of times belly dancers also use a veil which can be used only at the beginning of the dance or through the whole belly dance.