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COSTUME GALLERY 6: NOVELTY

Why wear a novelty costume?
If you have a humorous, original or whimsical element on your costume, it says, "I don't take myself too seriously." The audience smiles with you, and this helps you relax and overcome stage fright. Your performance and music choices become novel as well; you feel less constrained to stick to the standards. The audience appreciates originality, and they'll remember you.

The novelty could be as simple as a decoration: a huge flower or funny headpiece, temporary tattoos, glittery cosmetics, "Arabian" slippers with curly toes.

Or the novelty could be a "themed" costume like the ones below. More themes: Mermaid, 20's Theda Bara-style, or Jungle Queen. The usual guidelines apply: figure-flattering, good taste, moving ornaments, and sparkle. Have fun!


Warrior Queen


Mediterranean Fantasy Festival 1999 ~ Black leather, bronze, chains, studs, skulls, a sword and an Arabic dagger.


Belt and bra covered with silk flowers.
Blossom-sprinkled lacy handkerchief ruffle sleeves. .

Hawaiian Island Goddess


 "French" style belt has three straps. Multi-colored silk streamers wave nicely with the slightest movement.
Flowered wristbands and hair ornament inspired by the hula dancer.


Carmen Miranda
 Tutti-frutti headpiece on a striped glitterdot turban was a major project.
Multi-colored rhinestones, bangles, metallic beads, gypsy skirt, and sequined jacket with rhumba sleeves.

Black Widow

Waving limbs, eight ruby eyes, black sheath,
hapless boytoy, and red sequin hourglass
on fishnet tummy cut-out are telltale signs
of a Gothic and man-eating nature.

Lady Liberty

Pictured in view of the Seattle Space Needle, she appears at many patriotic demonstrations, such as the Gay Pride Parade.

Mother Nature (Mediterranean Fantasy Festival 2004)
is adorned with plants, flowers, birds, reptiles, insects
and other creatures, even a tiny baby (right).
Bayou Goddess

The Mother Nature costume polished up for Saqra's
"New Orleans New Year 05" with lobsters, crawdads, and magnolias, won first prize.
Spirit of New Orleans

The New Orleans we know was nearly destroyed later
that same year by Hurricane Katrina. Troupe Hipnotica
and other Seattle bellydancers held a benefit for
Katrina victims, at which I appeared as "The Spirit
of New Orleans" in Mardi Gras colors.

Spirit of Washington State
Here I am adorned with Washington
State symbols: goldfinch, rhododendron, dragonfly, salmon, grapes,
cherries, and apples.


Crabfest Queen
Above, I meet national Democratic Chairman
Howard Dean at the Washington State Democrats'
Annual Crabfest, dressed appropriately.

Vegetarian Goddess
Right, I am celebrating the plant-based feast
offered by Mother Earth at West Seattle's
Mediterranean Fantasy Festival 2012.

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