Shari Bernard, Robert Bernard, Flo Mann (owners/managers) have been actively involved in Middle Eastern dance for 23 years. They are very experienced in the needs of the belly dancer, and know how to fulfill them.
From medance list: "Cost Less, 'serving jewelry and dance costume designers since 1967,' is a fairly amazing shop. They have everything you'd expect of a regular beadshop, AND a substantial choice of ready-made bra-and-bet sets in both the flashy, sequins-and-mirrors cabaret style, and the funky, coins-and-tassles tribal style. Last time I was there the Afghani silver pieces with lapis were sticking to my fingers so bad I was amazed to escape with any money left at all.
"*AND* they'll make up costume pieces to your specific dimensions and artistic taste. In addition to having booths at Rakkasah, Desert Dance, and most other California belly dance events, they run an active mail-order business and have an unusual reputation for checking with the customer (what a concept!) as the work progresses, so you can change things in mid-stream if reality doesn't match your vision well enough. Prices are as reasonable as the cost of the metals involved will allow (the Afghani silver and so on go by the ounce, plus a small surcharge for aseembling the belt or bra.)
"If you're ever in the Bay Area, check it out -- but bring either LOTS of money, or none whatsoever and a strong-willed friend to drag you back outside when necessary. (Another thing to check out: the best bulletin board of classes and performances I've seen in the Bay Area.) Standard disclaimers [about getting any benefits from Cost Less for this recommendation], posting this doesn't help me with the Afghani silver (oh, in my dreams...)"
Recommended on the medance list; sells, among other things, "pearlized chiffon" from Japan which was recommended for veil work, and harem pants with the "up-down ruffles" that several list-dancers praised.