Fashion Tips from The Fat Dancer

So, this past weekend I had a lot of people ask me where I got my coverup, which I also used as a dress at the gala Saturday night. If you are a belly dancer, you know that coverups in a caftan style can run well over $100, especially if you are looking for something that does not immediately scream "house coat." Mine cost $35, and it is gorgeous (I'm not bragging -- I had nothing to do with its gorgeousness other than being lucky enough to find it and scoop it up).

I got this lovely little gem on eBay from Egypt -- ok, nothing so unusual about that. Who hasn't bought something from Egypt (or Turkey or India or China) on eBay? But here's my tip: don't search for "belly dance" stuff. Search for clothes that are marketed to Arabic/Muslim women. I found an incredible treasure trove of beautiful things (not only on eBay) by searching for "abaya," "galabaya" and/or "jilbab."

Now, it's true that this piece does not close up the front -- it's an over-the-head job that is sometimes really tricky to get on and off. However, I chose this pattern specifically because it could be cut up the front; throw on a few fancy frog fasteners and it's a little more useable as a coverup for before and after performances. But this thing fits so beautifully that I don't even want to cut it. It's amazingly flattering on me, which doesn't happen that often with dancewear, so I may just keep this one the way it is, and order another one to turn into a caftan. I can even imagine doing a folkloric piece in this, just the way it is.

So dancers, go investigate a whole new world of much more reasonably priced dresses. I mean, personally, I'd wear this around town every day in the fall, and it's only $50 (with shipping, three pieces):