As belly dance incorporates a variety of different styles, cultures, and traditions there are a number of different costuming options. The links below are a basic introduction to bellydance costuming and will lead you to different patterns and articles about costuming resources. Half the fun of dancing is the dress up, so enjoy!
General Costume Information
Shira’s wonderful work on types of costumes
http://www.shira.net/styles3.htm#Costume
Great listing of types of costumes and costuming options…click side links for patterns for most of them
http://www.middleeasterndance.homestead.com/Costumes.html
Dawn Devine Brown’s fabulous Hints and Tips booklet
http://www.davina.us/publications/HintsAndTips.pdf
Oriental Costumes: Their Designs and Colors (online version of historic text)
http://www.indiana.edu/~librcsd/etext/tilke/contents.html
Skirts
Shira’s Circle Skirt
http://www.shira.net/costuming/skirt-circle.htm
Circle Skirts
http://visionarydance.com/archive/bellydanceSkirts.html
Misha’s Tutorial: How to create a circle skirt from another skirt
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mishakitty/sets/72157605119138444/
Bras, Tops, Dresses and Coats
Harem Pants
http://www.orientaldancer.net/articles/blousy-dance-pants.shtml
Hip Belt Pattern with history
http://www.raqs.co.nz/howto/belt.html
Misha’s Tutorial: How to cover a costume bra
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mishakitty/sets/72157604040747130/
Misha’s Tutorial: How to make a Ghawazee Coat out of a dress
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mishakitty/sets/72157606511834047/
Multiple Patterns
Bra decoration, hip scarf, circle skirt
http://www.sevenveils.co.uk/learning/costumes/
Shira’s patterns, sewing tips and links
http://www.shira.net/costuming.htm#Making