From Turban to Toe Ring

Rating:
Summary: A lot of info in these pages.
Review: A very good source for people starting out in American Tribal Bellydance. Costume pieces , where to get them, how to adapt them and how to make your own are all here. Also background on the art form and it's history.

Rating:
Summary: Second in the series, repeats the first.
Review: Enhanced version of the first book (Costuming from the Hip) and not as comprenhensive as the third (Bedlahs, Baubles and Beads) this book is a good beginner's guide to creating belly dance costumes. The information is well laid out and easy to follow with good illustrations where needed. A nice variety of illustration styles throughout helps inspire ideas and the extensive list of resources at the end is a terrific way to round out the book. A good volume for the novice costume maker.

Rating:
Summary: A Tribal Must Have
Review: If you are in love with the style of Belly Dance known as American Tribal, YOU MUST HAVE this book. It is loaded with wonderful information and fabulous illustrations. Even if you don't plan to make your own costumes, this book will help you put a costume together.

Rating:
Summary: The best I've read
Review: This book has everything for the bellydancer who is in for the long haul. It includes patterns of all the basic "uniforms" and how to adorn it. This book will save you hundreds of dollars in costume costs and they are gaurenteed to fit because you sew it, and can with little experience. There is also a good section on make-up and Henna and a huge research section.

I was also excited to see the section on what certian symbols mean and the many drawings that show how many ways to wear one outfit.

This is a must have for any dancer.

Rating:
Summary: Inpirational and Informative
Review: This book is excellent for beginning tribal style costuming. There were two drawbacks to the book. It doesn't go into a lot of depth on many of the issues (I was disappointed that there wasn't more on coin bras), and assumes the reader has a decent knowledge of sewing. The nice parts of this book are a good explanation on various jewelry, mehndi, simple instructions on tassel making and the incredible bibliography. I'd definitely recommend it as a good starting point for developing your costume, but you may want to look elsewhere to fill in the details. Fortunately, you can get ideas where else to look from this book.

Rating:
Summary: Good starting point
Review: This book is excellent for beginning tribal style costuming. There were two drawbacks to the book. It doesn't go into a lot of depth on many of the issues (I was disappointed that there wasn't more on coin bras), and assumes the reader has a decent knowledge of sewing. The nice parts of this book are a good explanation on various jewelry, mehndi, simple instructions on tassel making and the incredible bibliography. I'd definitely recommend it as a good starting point for developing your costume, but you may want to look elsewhere to fill in the details. Fortunately, you can get ideas where else to look from this book.

Rating:
Summary: Inpirational and Informative
Review: This is a good book for any kind of costuming. I don't bellydance, but I do attend a lot of events and parties where costuming occurs. This spiral bound book is very helpful...patterns, ideas, and inspiration. I'd recommend it to anyone who costumes, and to anyone who sews their own clothes.