random tummy thoughts...

[keryx]

Something I don't really get: the bodystocking. [If you don't already know, a body stocking is like a mesh bodysuit that lots of dancers use to cover their tummies; it's also a bit like a girdle.]

I mean, I get it a little if it's, say, a fishnet contraption - then it's kinda you can see me but I'm covered up, how sexy is that? (where by sexy I mean the way line weight is sexy, as in striking/intriguing). But I don't get it as a way to hide one's tummy in a costume. Cause they look kinda weird, they don't really suit midriff-baring costumes, and so it just seems much easier to just not wear midriff-baring tops in the first place (there are many non-midriff-baring costume options). I can totally understand not wanting to bear one's stomach - it's like wearing a bikini; we're not supposed to do it without first meeting some ephemeral idea of "perfect".

There's a weirdness to it, too - the bodystocking thing has a bit of this element of borrowing Islamic prohibitions, because there have been (and I think continue to be) countries in the Middle East where the bare midriff is/was prohibited. Covering the midriff because you think it's unattractive seems kind of like wearing the hijab to hide your 'bad' complexion, or to play at sexiness. Doing either in a deliberate and performative way while dancing for the right audience could be provocative/idea-generating/disturbing with regards to the female body (obviously, there are some issues with the bare stomach - which actually apply to men's bodies, too), but I don't think midriff covers have quite the same recognition for audiences as the hijab or burka.

I'm curious where the whole bodystocking thing came from for belly dance - whether it was in fact a mid east import or is actually borrowed from modern dance in some way. Anyone know?

Comments

[kazoogrrl.livejournal.com]

From what I'm remembering, in some Islamic countries dancers cannot show their navels (like the US pre-1960s(?)). Some dancers use it for more family friendly or Muslim oriented venues. In that situation, they may be wearing a certain costume that kind of audience expects, which may not be a full dress, or the dancer may not yet be able to afford another costume. Some people use them (or body makeup) to hide scars or stretch marks. Yes, ideally no one would care, but for people who are working dancers it can be the difference between a job or nothing.

I'm not crazy about the black nets - especially on a pale dancer, it's distracting. The flesh colored ones remind me of the body suits burlesque and vaudville dancers had to wear - if you look at those pictures, they had no belly buttons and you can see the full body leotards at their necks, ankles and wrists. shanmonster has some of those pics on her website.

[keryx.livejournal.com]

I haven't yet met anyone whose bodystocking-wearing was venue-specific. Cause that I could understand.

It's hard for me to 100% condone the idea of wearing something to cover up your body so you can make a living - it's buying into an idea of what one should look like that a) says your body is fundamentally flawed and b) is only enforced because we allow it to continue. If my choice were to accept that norm or pick another job, there would be no choice - I'd pick another job, or at least change the job enough that I could wear a different costume.

[kazoogrrl.livejournal.com]

I think for some dancers they are willing to put up with covering for certain gigs in order to make this their profession. To them dancing is what matters - covering or not is just dress code. And, since it's the entertainment business and a particularly cutthroat one at that, professional dancers know if they don't fit the bill, someone else will be hired. Nasty, but true. Add in cultural ideas and expectations, and it becomes really difficult.