Have you ever struggled finding bellydance belts that have the ideal length?
Many traditional tribal & costume jewelry belts come in the 32-34″ range. For a few lucky dancers this is the perfect length, leaving just enough length for tying or clasping the hook closure. For many of us, however, this length doesn’t go all the way around and we are left with an unattractive gap at at the ends.
To remedy this we here at Tribe Nawaar have come up with a few tricks & tips to get the perfect look every time with every bellydance belt. We’ve organized these from the least expensive/least work on up to ways that require additional items and/or sewing.
Strategic Skirt Tucking
1. Secure the belt to one side.
2. Tuck your skirt over the gap.
3. Optional: Tuck your skirt on the opposite hip as well.
For this example we used a Royal Tassel Belt tied at the side hip. On many dancers, the Sari Trim Skirt and 25 Yard Skirt tucked at each hip hide the tied section is completely.
TIP: You can also use this same concept with a Bustle Tuck. Simply tie the belt to the back instead!
Adding Additional Jewelry
1. Secure the belt in the front.
2. Attach a necklace over the gap.
3. Hide the ties of the necklace and belt behind the black string base.
4. Optional: Safety pin tie ends in place.
For this example we used a Kuchi Tribal Belt and Kuchi Necklace. Both had the black string ties which allowed us to use safety pins to quickly and easily attach the necklace to the belt.
TIP #1: For the most seamless look choose a necklace that matches the style of the belt. For instance, the Kuchi belt paired with the Kuchi necklace as picture, or a jeweled belt on a wide fabric base paired with a choker style necklace that has a wide fabric base.
TIP #2: Your filler jewelry doesn’t have to be a necklace. Many tribal anklets and all of our Hazara head jewelry pieces also make great gap fillers on belts.
TIP #3: You can also add pendants, coins or other embellishments to the plain tie section of your bellydance belts to give you a longer fully ornamented belt, customized to your specific length.
Double Up Your Bellydance Belts
When a belt and necklace combo aren’t quite long enough..
1. Start with 2 belts with ties.
2. Tie the left side of belt #1 to the right side of belt #2.
3. Place the tied section over one hip.
4. Tie the other side over the other hip.
5. Adjust ties as needed until gap is equal on both sides.
6. Tuck skirt over any gaps or safety pin tie ends and wear without tucking.
TIP #1: This can also be done with many metal costume jewelry belts, as well. For these you will need to open the jump rings and reattach them at the optimal place. Just remember to twist the jump rings open and not pull them apart.
TIP #2: Are 2 fabric based belts is too long? Splice and sew the belts together at a practical point on one side. Leave the other side un-sewn with the ties still attached so that you can tie it closed.
TIP #3: Any left over belt bits from the splicing can be used in other costuming applications such as headbands, anklets, armbands, etc.
I hope you found these tips & tricks helpful! If you have any questions, comments or helpful tips you’d like me to add to this article send me an email. I’d love to hear from you!
~Jennifer
Text & images © 2002- 2023 Tribe Nawaar, Content written by Jennifer Secrist Goran of Tribe Nawaar. If found elsewhere, either in pieces or in entirety, it has been stolen from our site.