Belly Dancing Hip Belt

Belly Dancing Hip Belt Accents the Belly Dancing Movements
By Wendy Simons

The art of belly dancing is based on Mid-East culture and the movements contain a message. The costumes, while basically similar, are used to convey part of the message. A belly dancing hip belt is part of a costume that helps with the story as well as accenting the hip movements involved in the dance.

There is no hard and fast rule for the design and material used in a belly dancing hip belt and can range from silks, wool or even a coin belt. The style, color and material used will be determined by which of the three main styles of dance being performed, along with the individual preferences of the dancer.

When performing an Egyptian oriental style of dance, costumes are typically made of subdued colors. With the conservative nature of this style dance the use of glittery or shiny materials used in a belly dancing hip belt is rare. Although depending on whether the dance is performed by an individual dancer or a troupe, the belly dancing hip belt may be different colors to portray different parts of a message.

American restaurant style dancing is known for its glitz and glamour as the dancers, while telling a story, are also entertaining their audience. Many dance moves are used with some calling for the removal of the belly dancing hip belt to be used as a shawl or to perform motions with the belly dancing hip belt such as a trailing veil.

During an American tribal dance, the belly dancing hip belt will reflect the ethnicity of the dance and the dancer. In the case of belly dancing, the term ethnic is used to describe the dance or costume representing the dance’s background.

Belt is Functional as Well as Decorative

Most folks believe a belt is used to hold pants in place and while this may be partially true, a belly dancing hip belt is also used to draw attention to the movement of the dancer’s hips. Whether it’s worn as a straight-across belt, or as a fashion accent, with one side hanging lower on the dancer’s hips is a matter of the costume’s design.

The costume of a belly dancer consists of a bra, a skirt and the belt. With other coverings available. Many will order or make matching bra and belt to offset the color scheme of the skirt. Additionally pantaloons may be added, but many dancers prefer to go with the bare-leg look and the belly dancing hip belt helps keep the possible multi-folds of a skirt in their proper place during the routine.

Author Details:
Wendy Simons, copywriter for various websites including, Belly Dancing and The A to Z of.

Source: Directory of articles

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