There seems to be quite a bit of confusion when it comes to long dresses worn for belly dancing.

The Galabeyah (or gallabiah or galabiah) is the traditional dress of Egypt.  A true galabeyah is a long cotton shift, but you will see belly dancers wearing a more fitted version in other fabrics.

And that’s where the confusion comes in!   Two terms are used – baladi dress and saidi dress.   Some people regard these as two distinctly different dresses, whereas others feel they’re virtually interchangeable.    Whatever the correct name for it, the costume you wear for Saiidi dances (the cane dance) is a variation on the traditional galabeyah, in beautiful shimmering fabrics, often very low cut with a glittery bra underneath. It can be more or less fitted depending on preference.

Baladi dresses on eBay

[phpbay]saidi dress, 30, “”, “”[/phpbay]