ANSWER:
Stretchmarks are a very common concern for dancers who wish to camouflage
those surface scars that remain on the skin after regaining the pre-pregnancy
figure. Dancers with extra pounds in the
midsection may also wish to camouflage this area.
Of course, a pretty Beladi or Ghawazee
dress will cover the midsection. But if you prefer a two-piece costume,
there are several options.
A full bodystocking sheathes the
entire torso. These are available from Sugar Petals or Designs by
Janie, on my links page, among others.
(They do not disguise extra pounds, however.)
Fringe
does not make a good camouflage because it moves too much.
If your marks are slight, it may be enough to blur them.
Body make-up is risky because it may melt
under heat and perspiration, or rub off onto your costume or your
veil.
Body glitter only calls attention to the
problem.
BETTER SOLUTIONS
1. Veil
The easiest cover-up is something you probably 
already
have--a veil (modeled here by Elizabeth Dennis.)
A soft veil that matches or harmonizes with the
costume can be draped various ways to cover the midsection, yet still
appear to show some skin.
It
can be twisted around the bra straps or tucked into the bra front,
and allowed to drape gracefully over the midsection.
Experiment with draping so that the problem area
is covered, while the back, or sides, or part of the abdomen still
shows. If the veil is sheer, coins and beads will still be visible
shining through the fabric.
For a more "Tribal" look, the veil can
drape from one or both sides of the head (left). This can be either
a full-size or mini-size veil. Many more variations of veil draping
are pictured in
Book
#2, Easy Costume for Bellydancers.
2.
Sheer cover-up
(Left)
Siham models a butterfly cover-up. Instructions for making this costume
piece are in Easy Costume for Bellydancers.
Beaded or coined scarf
(Right) If more coverage than a sheer veil is required, a matching
sheer scarf can be used (the type used as a hip scarf or shouder drape).
Use one that is ornamented with coins, 
sequins,
or beads that match the costume. This can be sewn to the bottom edge
of the bra and allowed to drape down
over the tummy. Beaded or coined drapes already on the bra can hang
OVER the cover, making the scarf look like part of the costume.
3.
Sheer triangle drape
(Left) One or two layers of triangle shaped drapes in chiffon
can be sewn to the front of the bra. The center area of the triangle
is sewn to bra front, and ends allowed to drape down, producing the
softly ruffly effect.The scarf and triangle drapes cover marks and
also blur the shape of a protruding tummy.
4. Lace, net or or mesh front cover
If you want to make your own tummy cover, a simple one would be a
piece of firm net or mesh. "Powernet",
a heavy flesh-color (Caucasian flesh) stretch mesh, is available at
Display & Costume or Fabic Depot on my Links
page (E-mail and inquire).
(Right)
Sahla models her own design, a non-stretch net cover ornamented with
beads and light coins. It's sewn to panties worn under the skrt and
hooked to the bra.
Another option is lace,
which like net and mesh, doesn't need to be hemmed on the cut edges,
because they don't ravel. (I do apply fabric sealer to the cut edges.)
Because
lace has a pattern, it's easy to add sparkle with sequins or beads,
following the design of the pattern. Sequins may be glued instead
of sewn onto the lace. I use matching sparkly fabric paint or jewel
glue to adhere the sequins. I place the sequins when it's tacky, then
allow to dry.
(Left) A lace bodysuit with spaghetti straps has been
cut away on the sides and sequined to make the tummy cover.
I'd prefer stretch lace over the non-stretch because
it clings to the body, but either would work. If you can find lace
with a glittery effect on it that harmonizes with your costume, that
would be ideal.
All these tips are from Book #2, Easy
Costume for Bellydancers
~Dina Lydia
...Aside
from covering my midsection with a sheath, is there any way to cover
stretch marks in a costume? Is there some sort of makeup that will
conceal them?