When you start performing seriously as a belly dancer, there comes a time when you need to stop wearing butterfly tops and chiffon skirts, and upgrade to something more professional.
Unfortunately even the most basic professional belly dance costume will cost you around $600. If you want a designer name, you'll need to shell out at least $1,000 and often more than double that! When you look at the amount of work that goes into making a belly dance outfit, you can't really complain about the prices - just think of the number of hours it would take to do all that hand beading. But that doesn't make it any less painful on the hip pocket.
So what are the alternatives? Well, if you're a good seamstress you could make your own - just be prepared for a major project! The other option is to buy second-hand.
It's strange that some people turn their noses up at preloved bellydance costumes, when they'll gleefully buy a "vintage" fashion piece. The fact is that if you're not prepared to consider a used costume, you're missing out on your best source of good quality, well-priced belly dance costumes - because most professional bellydancers will have at least one costume sitting in their wardrobe, which they'd be willing to sell for a reasonable offer.
Perhaps they've gained weight, or decided the color doesn't suit. Whatever the reason, it's likely you could never afford to buy that costume brand new - but pre-loved, you can expect to pay between half and two thirds of the original price depending on the weather. It is likely that the suit as good as new on the outside.
So do not dismiss the second hand the costumes - they are the best opportunity to watch the budget Dina!
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