Costuming for the Tribal Dancer

Here are some suggestions for different styles of tribal costuming.  These are good pieces to acquire eventually for your costume closet.

ATS (American Tribal Style)/ITS (Improvisational Tribal Style)

The original Tribal style includes:

• Pantaloons (a.k.a. 3 to 4 yd "harem" pants)
  
• Full skirt (25 yd skirt or 15 yd spinning skirt)
• Choli
• Coin bra
• Tribal belt (Afghani/Kuchi button/coin belt or a Banjara mirror belt)--tassels or yarn fringe optional
• Fringed hip scarf or long fringe belt

ATS dancers to look to for inspiration:

• Fat Chance Belly Dance
• Devyani Dance Company
• Black Sheep Belly Dance
• Gypsy Caravan
  

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Tribal Fusion

The most flexible and most rapidly evolving dance style (and thus, costuming style).  In general, Tribal Fusion costuming tends to include:

• Flared pants (Melodia Designs or other)
  
• Pantaloons
  
• Tribal-inspired bra
• Tribal-inspired belt (can include some yarn fringe)
• Panel skirt (assuit or other)

Tribal Fusion dancers to look to for inspiration:

• Rachel Brice
• Mardi Love
• Moria Chappell
• Kami Liddle
• Zoe Jakes
• Jill Parker
  

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Misc. Fusion

These days, a vintage-inspired look is popular and can include the following:

• Vintage-inspired bra
• Vintage-inspired belt
• Pantaloons
• Flared pants
• Mermaid skirt
• Draped assuit

Dancers to look to for inspiration:

• Zoe Jakes
• Mardi Love
• Mira Betz
• Sharon Kihara
• Samantha Emmanuel
  
• Designer/Dancer Dusty Paik (Snake Church)
• Designer/Dancer Medina Maitreya
  

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