24 Ways to Wear a Hip Scarf – belly dance easy costuming!

24 ways to wear a hip scarf belly dance costuming

Every belly dancer has a hip scarf…. or two…. or 100 🙂

So I thought it would be really awesome if we can make more out of all these hip scarves we own!

As I was brainstorming how a belly dancer could wear a hip scarf, I realized something amazing….

A hip scarf can become not only a pretty layer around the hips, but a bra cover, belly drape, hood… and an instant shrug!

Have a look in this video 🙂 (and welcome to my living room!)

Want to make the bra and skirt I’m wearing in this video?

How to make the same bra 🙂

How to make the same skirt (scroll down the page to see the style options) 🙂

You can find a similar hip scarf here and here (affiliate links – if you purchase using these links, the store will pay me a small commission for referral. But no pressure 🙂 )

Or make your own hip scarf – check out my DIY hip scarf tutorial 🙂

24 Ways to Wear a Hip Scarf for Belly Dancing

#1. regular hip scarf

Wrap the hip scarf around your hips and tie in the front.

1 regular hip scarf

#2. layered hip scarf

Wear a belt or another scarf over #1.

2 layered hip scarf

#3. back drape

Tuck the hip scarf at sides of your skirt waistband and make it drape around your buttocks.

3 back drape

#4. front drape

Same as #3 except the drape is on your front side.

4 front drape

#5. side drape

Tuck the centre of the hip scarf at the back of your waistband, and tuck the ends at the front centre.

5 side drape

#6. side drape + belt

Wear a belt over #5.

6 side drape belt

#7. twist belt

Twist the hip scarf and wrap it around your hips.

7 twist belt

#8. instant shrug

Drape the hip scarf around your shoulders, and tie the ends at the back.

8 instant shrug belly dance

#9. bra drape 1

Pull one end through at the back of the halterneck straps, drape the hip scarf over one wide of your bra, and pull the other end through at the back of the side straps.

9 bra drape 1

#10. bra drape 2

Pull each end of the hip scarf through the shoulder straps at each side, adjust the length of the hip scarf to cover the bra, and tie the excess ends at the back.

10 bra drape 2

#11. drape over belly 1

Pull each end of the hip scarf through the shoulder straps at each side, adjust the length, and tie the excess ends at the back of your neck.

11 belly drape 1

#12. drape over belly 2

Pull one end through a shoulder strap, and tuck the hip scarf at the sides of the skirt waistband. Keep the hip scarf loose so it drapes nicely over your torso.

12 belly drape 2 belly dance

#13. drape over belly 3

Pull one end through a shoulder strap, and pull the rest through the other shoulder strap. Make the rest of the hip scarf drape over your torso, and tuck the end at the back centre of your skirt waistband.

13 belly drape 3 belly dance

#14. drape over belly 4

Tie one end at a shoulder strap, let the hip scarf drape over your torso, and tuck the other end at the back centre of your skirt waistband.

14 belly drape 4

#15. instant top

Tie ends at the back of your neck and drape the rest over your chest.

15 instant top

#16. drape sleeves

Tuck the centre of the hip scarf at the centre of your bra. Twist one side and pull it through a shoulder strap. Take the rest around your arm and tuck the end at the back of your side straps. Repeat for the other side.

16 drape sleeves

#17. torso drape + sleeve

Tuck one end of the hip scarf at the side of your waistband and tuck the centre corner of the hip scarf at the other side of your waistband. Pull the other end through the shoulder strap and drape the rest over your arm.

17 torso drape sleeve

#18. arm drape

Wear 2 stretch armbands on your arm, and put ends of the hip scarf through them so it drapes in the middle.

18 arm drape

#19. whimsical back drape

Pull hip scarf through the back of the halterneck straps about half way. Drape each end over your arm and tie the ends at the shoulder straps.

19 whimsical back drape

#20. tail

Tuck the centre part of the hip scarf at the back of your skirt waistband. Adjust length and secure it with a couple of safety pins.

20 tail

#21. headband

Twist the hip scarf and tie it around your head.

21 headband

#22. head veil

Drape the hip scarf over your head.

22 head veil

#23. hood

Drape the hip scarf over your head like #22, then tie the ends at the front and throw the ends over your shoulders.

23 hood

#24. modesty panel

Take the centre of the hip scarf and pull it through the slit of your skirt. Adjust length, and secure it to the inside of your skirt with a couple of safety pins.

24 modesty panel

Isn’t it amazing how many looks you can create out of 1 hip scarf?

You can also combine a few of these with matching hip scarves or even a simply piece of fabric!

If you want to quickly spice up your costume or have a uniform look for your troupe members or have a bit more coverage… I think hip scarves will be your best friend! 🙂

Got more ways to wear a hip scarf? Share in the comment below!

Want to make the bra and skirt I was wearing in above photos?

Here’s how to make the same bra 🙂

Here’s how to make the same skirt (scroll down the page to see the style options) 🙂

Speaking of coverage, in my next post, I’ll share with you DIY ghawazee coat inspired shrug! If you’re curious, be sure to sign up for my newsletter so I can let you know when it’s ready!

Click here to sign up and hear about the DIY shrug!

Oh, and if you’re new to costume making but curious to learn, get introduced to belly dance costume making and find easy ideas in my free course, Belly Dance Costume Making 101 🙂 Learn more here!

Thanks for reading, and keep sparkling! 🙂

P.S. Pin & share this image for your next costuming ideas 🙂

24 ways to wear a hip scarf belly dance costuming

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