Where To Shop: Practice Gear
I love dressing for class and one of my favorite things about teaching belly dance is seeing my students find their own belly dance style. Comfortable, stretchy clothes that breathe well are always acceptable, and they don’t have to be fancy. I’m also happy to bring hip scarves and other props for my students to borrow. But, over time, it’s fun to invest in your own belly dance class wear and accessories! Here are a few sources that I like. As always, use caution when ordering online. If it’s cheap, there’s usually a reason!
Hip Scarves
So many colors! So many designs! You’re going to want more than one. Or twenty. Pro tip: I love the jingling of coins in my classes, but when attending workshops, it’s a good idea to leave the noisy hip scarves at home. Opt for sparkle over sound, like a mesh hip scarf, sometimes called a “mermaid mesh” or “tassel triangle.”
Belly Dance Practice Pants
Belly dance pants for practice range from wide flare pants, often with slits, to cute pantaloons. Warning: don’t get burned on sizes! Some of the cheaper belly dance pants on sources like Amazon or eBay can be on the small side. I’ve ordered large pants that turned out were cut for a size 6. That’s not large in my book. I need room for my ever-shimmying booty! Here are some of my favorite sources:
there are also lots of wonderful vendors on Etsy who specialize in belly dance gear
Belly Dance Practice Tops
Honestly, my favorite place to find tops for practice is Goodwill. For whatever reason, tops with sparkle, flare and just plain sexiness abound at Goodwill. Perhaps because they’ve been discarded by people who haven’t yet discovered their inner belly dancer. Well, their loss is your gain! Plus, you’re doing some good for our precious planet by reusing and recycling. Winner winner chicken dinner!
Footwear
Going barefoot is totally fine in my classes – and what I do – but if you prefer a little more protection for your feet check out these sources:
Capezio: lyrical sandals, FootUndeez, half sole shoes
Discount Dance: Hermes Lyrical Sandals: Discount Dance
Do you have favorite sources for belly dance practice gear? Let me know! I love to pass along hot tips to my students!