What are some color combos that you like?

I am very passionate about monochromatic/near monochromatic costumes. I think they are much more glamorous than those with high contrast. A costume with many different colors and textures that don't look as if they go together is a sure sign of inexperience.

As far as colors go, light and bright colors are the best. turquoise, lavender, purple, orange, pink, red, lime. Just avoid black- it's never as exciting and often isn't flattering to your figure. Black is a basic color in your normal wardrobe and you can pair anything with it and look great. Belly dance is different, black is like any other color- gold and silver are the basics.

I saw a trio at a Renaissance Fair in Marin, CA back in September. The women were performing belly dance that was based in African traditions. The robes were very covering, lots of long panels, mostly in black, red, ochre and rust with gold coin accents.

I liked how the costumes were typical of the African area their dance came from, even if only a few folks like myself with costume backgrounds were the only ones who could tell.

- Rae

And always make sure your jewlery matches! I saw one woman with a lovely rust, and warm tones outfit.... but her jewelry was all in silvers and cool tones! It was awful. Or a cool toned costume with the gold coins.. ugg! I think a lot of it depends on your natural coloring as well. I look great in the warm reds and browns... but you put me in blue and I look like I'm sick!

Great pointers, ladies!! I did see a performance where the jewelry did not match the outfit & THAT became a distraction for me.....I kept looking at the jewelry wondering "Why?!" lol

I'm hving a hard time trying to find "my" colors, tho.......

this may sound silly, but how I find colors is I go to a paint store, housewares, and go to the area where they have all of those paint chip samples. Then I match my hair, skin, and eye color with the samples.... then I stock up on as many samples as i can carry, go home, and start mixing and matching with my key colors. That would at least give you a starting point. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Jessica:
That's not silly at all!!! I actually have done the same thing, recently! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I just wonder sometimes how some people come up with certain color combos.....I've seen some doozies! lol

My current theory is that some of these people are color blind and don't realize it. You know the form of colorblindness where you can't see certain colors (like purple). That would explain MANY color combinations that I've come across, some lady at one show looked like a pumpkin! She had on bright red orange, with green accents it was awful! (It didn't help that she was a bit rotund, so she REALLY looked like a pumpkin... she would ahve looked great in blues though)

lol @ the pumpkin look <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I heard of the color wheel with monochromatic/near monochromatic. Do you know where can I get that?

Thanks,
Lygia
www.belly-dancing.com

To match colors for costumes go to www.behr.com. It's a really neat site and they have a section where you can customize your own colors and then match them with other colors. It's for paint, but still, it's helpful.

Color combinations are such a personal thing, aren't they? I have a friend who loves purple and red together, but I wouldn't wear it. I like black with silver in a belly dance costume-as long as the lighting is going to be bright. When you dance in a place with low lighting, you need colors that will show up regardless.

I agree. with what you said. BUT, truth be told, funky color combos can be a distraction! If I'm watching a dancer & she's wearing an odd color combo, I think my mind wanders thinking 'What is up with THAT??'. I guess it also depends on the distribution of the colors....like in your purple & red example: if one is simply an minimized accent color, I might not trip out aobut that but if the colors seem to be in a battle to dominate then.... ;-)