As women, our bodies go through a lot of size changes, and it’s annoying to have to figure out how to fit into your costume each time you gain or lose weight.
Or you may be a teacher that needs to manage costumes for students whose sizes come in a wide range.
So this week and next week, I’ll be sharing with you some multi-size costume ideas! This week we’ll focus on tops. Let’s get started! 🙂
Sign up to get a special invite to the Belly Dance Costume Workshop enrollment here!
6 Multi-Size Belly Dance Top Ideas
1. Stretch choli top
For multi-size tops, stretch fabric is super important. This is a choli top made from stretch fabric. From the front, it looks like a cute, simple choli or crop top. But on the back, you’ve got a cute bow tie with tassels and a big bow!
It’s nice and fitted, and you can adjust the fit with the ties. It’s a great adjustable top to have 🙂
Make your own stretch choli top here!
2. Wrap top
This tribal fusion style wrap top is also made from stretch fabric. It is super comfy and comes with a hood!
The fit can be adjusted with the cute ties at the back. It’s great for a tribal fusion style costume, as a dance practice wear, or festival clothing!
3. Ghawazee Coat inspired Shrug
If you’re not into ties, this shrug top has elastic at the bottom that hugs your underbust area. Plus, this shrug gives you nice coverage around the back and arms as well.
This top was inspired by ghawazee coats and so the front opening allows you to show off your beautiful bra top, and the ruffle sleeves look gorgeous as you move your arms. It’s made from stretch fabric, so it’s comfortable and fits a range of sizes.
Make your own Ghawazee coat inspired shrug here!
4. Lace up Turkish vest
What about tops that don’t stretch? This Turkish vest is made from non-stretch fabric, but I added the lace up design to this vest which allows you to adjust the fit. It’s very important for dancers that the top is fitted well at the underbust area, so it doesn’t move around as you dance.
This closure can be lace, or ties. Or make the bottom straps longer so they overlap and add buttons or hooks. All of these will give you multi-size options.
Make your own Turkish vest here!
5. Stretch side straps
Bras are harder to make available for multi-size, and that’s why there are so many bra sizes out there for lingerie bras.
But if you make side straps out of stretch material, you can accommodate some size changes.
The only thing to remember to do for belly dance bra is to make sure these stretch side straps are made sturdy. With reliable straps, you can have a bra top that’s comfortable even if your bust or underbust measurement changes by an inch or two.
Make a bra with sturdy stretch side straps here!
6. Tie shoulder straps
Another way to make a bra adjustable is to have tie straps for your shoulder straps. With this style of straps, you can adjust the fit by a few inches, no problem.
This style is often used for tribal fusion style bra tops but you can make the straps out of matching sparkly fabric and make them for cabaret style as well! The tie straps are crossed at the back, so it feels sturdy and you can adjust the fit.
Make bras with tie straps here!
For bra tops, everyone has their own preferences and comfort level too, so my best recommendation is to make adjustments well before the show. Give yourself time and patience to fit your bra well, because it WILL affect your confidence level once you’re up on the stage.
And of course, you can apply these ideas more easily if you know how to make a belly dance top from scratch. If you understand the construction of a belly dance bra, you can make it to accommodate size changes or make adjustments to suit your needs.
If you want to be able to make a belly dance bra to fit you, I teach how to do exactly that in my online program, Belly Dance Costume Workshop.
The next enrollment for the workshop opens in 2 weeks! Click the link below to learn more and get a special invite to the enrollment and special discounts!
Click here to learn more about the Belly Dance Costume Workshop!
Hope you enjoyed the multi-size belly dance top ideas, and if you did, please share this post with all your dancer friends and students!
Want to be able to adjust belts too? See a cool trick to extend or shrink your belly dance belt by 10cm (4in) or more in this post!
And if you’re curious to learn more costuming tutorials, make sure to sign up for my newsletter below, so you won’t miss new ones! 🙂
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P.S. Pin this image so you can refer to it for your next show!
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