Where do belly dance costumes come from? Why are they so expensive?
A belly dancer’s costume is her ultimate tool of expression–after her dancing, of course. Most of the professional costumes that are made for the belly dance market are from designers in Egypt and Turkey, and each one is a wearable work of art. Every bead, sequin, and rhinestone is attached by hand, and several women (and some men) spend weeks working on these garments. Hence the high price, although many designers offer lower-priced, less ornate ”starter costumes” for the budget-conscious dancer.
