Started belly dancing recently - which is fantastic, I love it! - and discovered that a hip belt is vital so the instructor can more easily see what you're actually doing. (And if the belt has coins on it, it will jingle if you move and you'll be able to hear if you're moving incorrectly.)
Plus they're so sparkly and awesome! And they're easy to find if you happen to be straight sized.
But if you're plus sized in the UK? Nope.
There are coin belts that you can tie around yourself at the end of the ties, but the decorated bit will only come to your belly button. It looks stupid and it makes you feel bad. It makes you feel like your body is abnormal and you don't belong in this dance class with all these svelte little people.
What to do about it? Well, obviously, make ones that fit and are fabulous.
I started making them for myself. Then I thought 'maybe other fat people might like them?' And I've put some of them up to sell on Etsy
If you're wondering why they're so pricey compared with the straight sized ones you can get on Amazon or Shein, (I don't understand how they can even buy the materials for that price) it's because
they're made by me (not oppressed sweatshop/prison workers)
they're made from recycled fabric in small batches of what I can get hold of
because of the above, they are either rare or unique
If you can't find one to fit, I will make you one to your individual measurements
Let me know what you think! I am new to all of this :)
Amunet the dancer from Qasala. She secretly knows about Safiya's crush on her and loves to play oblivious. She's the star of her traveling troupe but might take an apprentice soon so she can have more time to go on dates.