FAQs

FAQ's

Delilah

Did you know...each one of our cabaret belly dancing costumes contains between 4000-5000 sequins! (our elaborate costumes contain nearly twice that amount)....Did you know that when the seamstress stitches each sequin to the base material, she does it one by one, by hand, and then reinforces 2-3 beads on each side of that sequin, while at the same time, pre-planning the intricate design...so please, just think of the amount of work that goes to make your handmade costume...this art form is a last holdout in a disappearing world. When you buy one of our costumes you buy a piece of art; an investment and an heirloom treasure that will not exist in the near future as the world further industrializes...

Please see the link to our feedback page here below!

Costumes are sold on a first come first serve basis!!!!

1. What is your return or exchange policy and "Terms of Sale"?

Your Belly Dance Costume comes with a Money Back Guarantee! You can return the costume within 8 days of you receiving it, for any reason, for a full refund or an exchange of the purchase price (minus shipping or all other fees that may apply) unworn and unaltered by you, and in its original condition! (fees that apply are: with card purchases or online bank transactions the fee is 8% . This fee does not apply to purchases with a money order or check) alteration fees are non-refundable. Please confirm any return with us by e-mail or phone. Please read all notes on this page and the "ordering" page in regards to sizing of the costume & how to measure yourself. These "Terms of Sale" similarly apply to all of our other products. Please note: Checks are held for 10 business days to clear while money orders ship upon receipt. We reserve the right to refuse a return if the item appears to have been worn or altered, or smells of smoke. Please note, All MAINE Residents add 5% sales tax to your order.

2. What does the back of the belt of the Cabaret Belly dancing costume look like?

All of the cabaret costume belts are the same in the back as they show in the front unless we provide the picture of the back of the belt.

3. How many pieces does the Cabaret Belly Dance costume have?

Most belly dance costumes come with 7 pieces--bra, belt, crown, 2 wristbands, skirt and veil, unless stated otherwise.

4. Where should I measure my hips?

Measurements of the belt should be taken around your hips, on top of your bum, and below your navel; From hip bone to hip bone around at the widest part of your hips (not your waist!) The belt is designed to "sit" on your hips and bum. If the costume says: "Belt: 33-36", it means that the belt is currently a 36" hips and can be reduced down to 33" by you or by our seamstress.

5. Where should I measure the bra?

Measurements of the bra cup is the same as your regular bra cup size. Measurements of the straps refers to the measurements around your rib cage, so if a costume says: "Bra 28-33" C", it means it is currently a 33" around your rib cage and Below your cups. and can be reduced down to 28" by you or by our seamstress. As to the cup; if a costume says; Cup "B-DD" that means it is currently a DD but will look perfectly fine on a B, C and D cups as well--our bra cups are bullet cups.

6. How do I clean and care for my Cabaret belly Dance costume?

It is very easy to clean and maintain your costume so it will stay with you for a lifetime; cleaning & care instructions will accompany your purchase (also see more cleaning tips at the end of this page).

7. What are your international shipping rates outside the U.S.?

We ship all over the world; e-mail us for international shipping rates after you have selected a costume; rates differ according to the costume's weight, as well as all other items.

8. Do you have a printed catalog that can be sent to me in the mail?

We do not carry a printed catalog because each one of our costumes is one of a kind.

9. Is the Belly costume I see on this site, the same Belly Dance costume that I will receive?

Yes on most costumes. Also, the size you see, is the exact size you'll receive unless you request alterations. Recently, we have been posting costumes that represent the costume we have in stock, in the sizes shown. The "Sale" costumes may vary slightly from what's shown, but the others will be the exact same design.

10. What are the shipping rates for a full cabaret Belly Dance costume?

Each Cabaret Belly Dance costume costs $12 to ship anywhere in the U.S.A, & Puerto Rico. We ship via Insured Priority Mail which takes 2-4 days to arrive within the U.S.A and Puerto Rico. On multiple items, we will combine shipments for you to save. Arrivals will require your signature. We can also ship by overnight FedEx or 2nd Day FedEx--e-mail us with your zip code for a shipping quote for FedEx. Shipping for all other items is indicated on their page!

11. If I need to, how do I alter my Cabaret Belly Dance costume?

Minor alterations of the belt, bra strap, and shoulder straps can be done by you even if you are not an experienced seamstress! For instructions see our Alterations Page. Our seamstress can also perform reduction alterations for a $25 fee--e-mail us for details, or indicate while checking out.

12. Do you sell the bra or belt of the cabaret Belly Dancing costume separately?

No, we currently do not sell the bra or belt separately.

13. How do I make an order and what forms of payments do you accept?

Please see our Ordering Page.

14. Do I need to add a sales tax?

Only Maine residents do. If you are a Maine resident, please add 5% sales tax to your total.

15. How often do you receive new merchandise?

We receive new costumes and styles every few weeks, so please bookmark our site and check often.

16. What is the length of the skirt?

The 2 panel skirts are approx. 38-39" long. The 4 panel pixie jagged skirts, range in length between 32" long at the shortest pixie hem, to 39" at the longest. Remember; paneled dance skirts need to be longer than your average length skirt; these are professional dance skirts designed for dancing and movement. Still, if you are 4'7"- 5' in height, then all skirts can be easily reduced down from above the elastic waistline by a non-seamstress as well.

17. Do you offer a Layaway plan?.

Yes, we offer a layaway plan for Any Cabaret Belly Dance Costume. The plan is for 3 months and requires a non- refundable 20% deposit of the total (including shipping) which will go towards the price of your costume. Payments can me made at your pace. When you complete your payments, we will ship the costume out to you.

18. Why is the design on one wristband different from the design on the other wristband for the Turkish Belly Dance Costumes?

You may notice that the designs on your wristbands do not match; one a trident- or swirl-shaped, while the other is diamond-shaped. This is done on purpose. In the Middle East, it is traditional to protect yourself from the "evil eye", or jealousy, of others, by wearing an amulet in the shape of an eye. A belly dancer exposes herself to many jealous and desirous eyes. Therefore, to protect her from this psychic negativity, or "evil eye", a protective "eye" is incorporated into the belly dance costume. This protective "eye" is the diamond-shaped design on one of the wristbands! Traditionally, it is most effective at warding off the "evil eye" when worn on the left arm.

29. Do you have a list of belly Dance instructors in my area?

Yes we do. Please e-mail us for a list of belly dance instructors in the U.S.A and in the world.

20. Where are you located?, which country do we send our money to?, and what laws is your site subject to?

We are Americans in the State of Maine in the U.S.A. When you send us your money, you send it to the U.S.A. Your goods will come from the U.S.A. All U.S. federal and state laws apply to our conduct and business practices.

21. A note on the skirt and veil trim:

Our skirt and veil sets that are sold with the Cabaret Belly costumes have sequins and beads sewn into the entire trim by hand; still, the edges of the soft chiffon, are NOT machine overlapped (hemmed) The unfinished overlap can be finished by you by adding even more sequins and beads. We opted to leave the hand sewn design, rather than finish the hems with a fake ribbon or a production line fake sequin strip--we maintain the authenticity above fake production line ribbons. Please note that the beaded trim of the skirt and veil is delicate, and vigorous dancing may need occasional strengthening of the trim.

22. What do I wear under your Belly Dance costume?

See our selection of Lycra Hot Pants on our Accessories Page.

23. Do you get feedbacks?

Yes, & please send us yours by e-mail! here's a link to our Feedbacks Page.

Also, please refer to our "Links" page and watch Lila's selected video clips of Middle Eastern belly dancers and send us your feedback and impression of the video clip.

24. What do I need to know when buying a quality costume online?

~~~The weight of the Cabaret Belly Dance costume will determine quality and the amount of work as well as sequins and beads that were put into it. Always ask the weight of your costume.

~~~The sequins' size, origin, shape and colors are also important and we use only the best and most expensive Czech sequins for our Cabaret belly Dance costumes!, nobody else does! Also, 90% of our costumes are iridescent or hollogrammic (sparkling) for greater shine and intense beauty

~~~No areas on our costumes is left exposed: all areas are covered with sequins (some elaborate and designer costumes may vary)

~~~We do not use paste-ons.

More about Lila's costumes:

Lila specifically created a new style in belly dance costumes nearly 16 years ago, which has been adopted and copied across the board as the most visually appealing and possessing the highest quality and comfort; still, only here, you will find the best quality and authenticity of the original style created by her!

~~~First of all, each one of our Cabaret Belly Dance costumes is edge wired throughout all of the costumes' edges! providing immense versatility to the material and comfort to the dancer; you can fold and even squeeze your costume any which way and it will NOT break or scatter or damage. Our costumes are specifically designed to withstand vigorous professional dancing!

~~~Secondly, every single inch is covered with sequins and beads so no backing will show--only the array of intensely shimmering sequins and beads!

~~~The Cabaret Belly Dance costume, contains 3 layers of material with a soft insulating mid-material, adding comfort for the dancer and protection for the extensive stitching.

~~~Every sequin is reinforced with 2-3 glass beads on each edge of it, so sequins do not "bump" into each other or scrape each other, and most importantly, stay well reinforced. (some Egyptian costumes may vary)

~~~Most of our fringe for the cabaret Belly Dance Costumes is made of Czech glass beads

~~~Our costumes can be gently washed under lukewarm water; sequins and beads included! and the satin lining can be gently scrubbed with soap if it becomes soiled. The satin lining is designed to be stain resistant. You can also gently scrub your sequins with a soft, clean, and wet toothbrush! . Lay to dry. Absolutely DO NOT dry clean your costume!

~~~For more questions or comments, please don't hesitate to e-mails us!