But regardless of style, with everything I do, use and wear, I prefer to learn about things FIRST, and utilize them in my dance RESPECTFULLY AND THOUGHTFULLY second. What are your thoughts? Do you (or feel other dancers) have rules for costuming where it pertains to certain styles? Do you think most (or even just certain) bellydancers aspire to look precisely one way or another? Is there a rote formula for “the true” Tribal, Tribal Fusion, or Cabaret look?
Reblogging, because I’m not sure how long answer replies can be, and this could get wordy…
I wanted to speak to your points about emulating other dancers from a complete beginner’s POV, because I really appreciated this post and it definitely gave me some things to think about.
For context: I’ve been dancing for about a year, I have a few student shows under my belt and my costume collection consists of a couple pairs of flared pants, some hip scarves and two lace cholis. I am right at the stage where I am looking to acquire some costume pieces with a little more polish, and to be honest, I am terrified. Where should I shop from? How will I know if something is inappropriate? What kind of “look” am I even trying to achieve?
This right here struck a chord:
I prefer to learn about things FIRST, and utilize them in my dance RESPECTFULLY AND THOUGHTFULLY second.
The stumbling block is, how exactly does one go about being thoughtful and respectful? It’s obviously not about how well-intentioned one is, so how does a dancer determine what is “safe”? Which I think actually inadvertently answers one of your later points, about the “mini-me” followers who try to emulate another dancer - looking to someone with more experience and knowledge is an easy way to set those boundaries early on. (A more cynical argument is that it also takes the accountability off the mini-me, because “so-and-so did it, and she’s been dancing for eleventy-bazillion years, so that makes it okay for me.”)
My main point is that (speaking for myself, and only for myself), I don’t want to be or look like an idiot, so emulating things I’ve seen more seasoned dancers wear/do is a way for me to learn. I’m sure it’s different for everyone.
