HP1023 Deep Turquoise "Crystal Ripple" Pro Costume $310
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The main fabric is a lighter weight stretch lycra. A lighter weight was used due to the large amount of ruching (gathering)... which is absolutely amazing. The ruching is done in narrow strips, and used to fill areas of varying shapes, and with the lines of ruching running in a few differend directions. There is beautiful edging separating areas of smooth fabric and ruched. You'll have to examine the photos for details, I'd use much more than 1000 words!
The bra was made to have an assymetrical look, which I toned down a bit (see "Age/Condition," below). One cup actually has small rectangular peekaboo openings along the top line, but they barely "read" (though you should double check their positioning as you may want to put some blue or flesh colored backing on one or two depending on how they land on you). Many large real glass crystals surrounded by real glass rhinestones, with a strand of dangling rhinestone ending in a turquoise glass seed bead "bauble" (that's just what I call them - see photos). The lower edge of the bra has strips, about 1/2"-3/4", of ruched fabric hanging, each ending in a bauble
The skirt is fitted fairly far down, flaring just above the knees. Sizeable openings down sides of legs with cross straps (you can close these up some pretty easily just by shortening the straps - no cutting needed, just fold them back behind the edge of the opening and tack down with a couple of stitches. Or a safety pin. Beadwork designs on smooth fabric areas. Ruched areas (majority of skirt) are VERY liberally sprinkled with many real glass crystals, BIG ones (1/2", 5/8" at least); like the bra these are surrounded by real glass rhinestones, with a strand of dangling rhinestone ending in a turquoise glass seed bead "bauble". This is the enitire skirt, front and back!
The lower "hem" area is amazing just in itself. A peek-a-boo open strip with vertical pieces of fabric, creating square openings, goes all the way around, several inches below the knees. Below this, in the back is solid fabric with beautiful beadwork. In the front, solid fabric with an angled lower hemline, shorter than the back, from this hangs more of the ruched strips, all ending in the glass seed bead baubles.
Accessories: Simple wrist or arm or ankle bands (two ruched strands with baubles)
Age/Condition:
The ruched strips that hang down from the bra: formerly there were a LOT and I mean a LOT more of them - it was a sold curtain. I liked the way it looked a lot and loved the way they moved... but not on me. It hid my shape (what little there is), they hung down almost completely to the top of the skirt. So I whacked a bunch of them off the bra, and ended up safety pinning most of those that I left on to adjust length or position, and then added some back in. Safety pinned. You are probably going to get a lot of safety pins. You'll also get all of the strands I cut off, in case you want to put them back on.
This costume came without any accessories. I cobbled together (with thread and needle, not safety pins) two arm bands (they fit my upper arms), each out of two of the ruched strips, with a couple of the seed bead baubles hanging from them.
The bra was purposefully designed to have an assymetrical look. You can still see that somewhat. One cup was more angular and the top line was straight, while the other cup curved up. I didn't like the look of the straight cup, I like assymetry, but it seemed unbalanced (NOT the same as assymetrical!), I think because the straight-top cup looked smaller. I added a couple of strips of those cut off tummy strips along the top of the cup. I believe they are actually held on by straight pins, I performed with it that way, it looks fine (yes, I'm terrible) and you'll have to assume that's how you'll get it. At least you can take off the ruffles and see if you like it better that way!
In addition, I took the skirt in about an inch all the way down the existing back seam -- no, not with safety pins, I actually used a sewing machine! You might not notice at all, unless you were inspecting the seam from the inside. Just letting you know in case you notice. The sizing below is for the skirt as is, taken in. Though of course if it is too tight, you always have the option of un-taking-it-in!
Bra
Skirt Top: Smallest body will reasonably fit approximately = 32," largest body will reasonably fit approximately = 36."
Skirt Hips at widest: Smallest body will reasonably fit approximately = 35," largest body will reasonably fit approximately = 42 ."
Skirt length: Back = 37," front is a couple of inches shorter where strips hang.
There are no more of this exact costume in stock. COMING SOON (but not now, please don't ask!), certain (not all) costumes WILL be custom-orderable indivdually. When that is possible, there will be PLENTY of notices here on the web site, you won't miss it. I'm not sure exactly when this will be put into operation. Please WAIT for notices on the site saying it is possible before asking ANYTHING about 'custom ordering' (I just don't have any info on it now), until then NO COSTUME, INCLUDING THIS ONE, CAN BE ORDERED - IT IS NOT ORDERABLE AT THIS TIME
If large version photos don't seem very large, especially the detail, which should be pretty gigantic, you may need to do this (applies to Internet Explorer (IE) only): Click the "Tools" menu at the top of the IE window. Click "Internet Options". Click the "Advanced" tab. You'll see a "Settings" list of items you can check or uncheck. Scroll down until you see the heading "Multimedia." There should be a checkbox setting something along the lines of "enable automatic image resizing." You DON'T want automatic image resizing, so uncheck the box if it's checked. CLick the "OK" button. "Automatic image resizing" takes images IE considers too big and makes them smaller, so you never are sure if you are seeing an image at the size the website author intended. Turning off "automatic image resizing" simply means you will see all images at their "real" sizes, it will not affect anything else.
A general statement about HP series costumes: these are truly works of art and outstanding craftmanship,
extremely high quality work and attention to detail. I've been almost overwhelmed to tears at how well they are made (less work for me!). The prices on these are frankly misleading; compared to what else is on the market I feel I could easily charge at least $50 - $100 more for these and you would still be getting a solid deal -- but her prices are reasonable, the makers believe dancers shouldn't have to mortgage their homes for quality professional costumes, and I'm overjoyed to be able to pass that on. A few points: only high quality fabrics; only REAL GLASS crystal stones, and AMPLE use of them; high quality beads without over use of plastic or acrylic, and when acrylic novelty beads are used (as on most high end costumes, for example, in the fringe) they are lovely and high quality; only heavy weight thread is used for beadwork, never doubled or quadrupled 'normal' weight sewing thread; the finishing of the beadwork itself is impeccable - every end is cleanly knotted, there are no long threads hanging loose - the inside of the costume is probably as neat and clean as you will ever see!
This spectacular costume is so amazing you may want to frame it and hang it on the wall! Naaaawwwww, you'll want to wear it, of course! I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. It is incredibly unique and has tons of amazing details, including GOBS of real crystal stones and rhinestones, so many I could hardly believe it -- but all works together beautifully. And the color is absolutely gorgeous.
> Click For "How to Buy a Costume that Fits", explanation of my sizing, how to apply it to you, also some tips on altering. VERY HELPFUL
DO NOT CALL OR EMAIL ME WITH SIZE QUESTIONS OF ANY KIND UNTIL YOU HAVE 1) READ THE LINKED PAGE ABOVE (How to Buy A Costume that Fits), 2) READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION OF THIS COSTUME INCLUDING NOTES GIVEN WITH THE SIZES, 3) TAKEN YOUR MEASUREMENTS NOW AND CAREFULLY COMPARED THEM TO MEASUREMENTS GIVEN FOR COSTUME IN QUESTION. Please! I'm overwhelmed with emails/calls, which keeps me from posting new costumes! It may be hard to believe, but many, many questions are answered by taking a little time to do this -- even if you think you understand my measurements and/or know yours. Even if you are totally confused (or only know your size in a non-US format - page gives help converting). If you still have questions after that, I'll be delighted to answer them (please email vs. phone if you can -- love to talk to customers, but much easier for me to answer emails quickly) . Thank you VERY much, I greatly appreciate it! - K
- Brief Explanation of notations used below.
- Underbust measurements are NOT a good way to judge bra fit, please read this (short).
Should fit range including: 34 B+/C/D, 36 B/C. Max underbust = 37."
Photos are of actual items for sale unless noted. Due to variations introduced by the camera, the lighting, and your computer monitor, colors in real life may not appear exactly as on your screen.
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