The Gypsy Closet Bazaar

Unique & Unusual Tribal Belly Dance Costumes

You Have to Have Them Vintage Tribal Cholis!

The Real Stuff - This is the best inventory I've ever had!

I'm sorry, I just can't get them anymore!

These exquisite textiles are handmade by hardworking women of the Northwest regions of India, in the states of Gujaratha and Rajasthan in between their difficult daily chores and work. These ornate backless tops are sewn for marriage, sewing begins when the girls are as young as 5. I offer vintage cholis which are previously worn by the indigenous women and are around 15 to 30 yrs of age. Because they are sewn for young women they tend to be small. Local tribal women are organizing to make cholis for export, the newly made ones are sized with a western physique in mind. There are tribal differences in symbology and styles of embroidery, but cholis are always worn with a full and usually appliqued skirt and often with a vest over the choli as well. Traditional dress also includes a veil. Please care for these priceless textiles. ***A note on sizing. Most of the cholis here fit an American standard size 4-8 dress A-C cup. HOWEVER a talented seamstress can enlarge to accomodate fuller breasted and larger boned women. On the Kutch styles I ALWAYS cut the V deeper center front to open chest and finish with seam binding. YEA! A seamstress can put inserts into the shoulder, sides, & gussets (under the arm) seams to make it fit you. In honesty it will be difficult to fit women 12 and up and busty. I will note X large cholis that I think can be altered for larger women. Another solution is to buy a choli and cut chest, torso and arm pieces and then sew the pieces like applique onto a standard longsleeved cotton choli. *** Jessica our 1st model is 5'7", 137 lbs, 36 A cup, wears sizes small, med, 8 -10 womens, 7-11 juniors tops. Palika is 5'5", 34 C cup wears sizes sm, med, 8-10 womens, 9-11 juniors tops and can wear all but the petite of these I'm smaller boned than Jessica even though bustier. So there you have it.

 Remember, these are used and old, stress, tears, missing mirrors and pulled threads are normal and add character!

Click on thumbnail to view close-up.

	Stunning fine embroidered mirror Rabari choli hand pieced with rich dupiani silk in rainforest green, fuschia and crayon red. Flattering bell slit sleeves, custom designed by Debrae preserved to last a lifetime. Petite to small A -small B cup. $159 SOLD
	Original pieced choli from Kutch with tradtional Rabari mirror work and embroidery. Rayon silk forest green ground and padded cups that could be removed. Petite to small A - small B cup $135 SOLD
	Very unusual Rabari choli, they smock the top and have a detailed apron and side panels, this choli does not have breast cups. Fuschia synthetic silk with heavy hand cotton embroidery in white, pumpkin, fuschia and green. Silver jari trim. Long 3/4 sleeves. Petite to small A cup. $139 SOLD
	And this one is from my personal collection and its just jaw dropping WOW! The exceptionelle embroidery is so thick and heavy, obviously a master designer and execution, the mandala epaulets, breast shields, huge eye talismans on the long sleeves, exquisite toran desing on the apron all add up to museum quality. It is heavy with tons of little circle and triangle mirrors. Had to let it go in order to keep another one. Medium and medium large up to D cup with medium body. A piece of art! $179 SOLD
	Sparkling eye catching and very elegant new choli in the traditional Kutch style. This was made for local wear and never worn. Perfectly executed in the Mochi style which features chain stitch here entirely covered in floral motifs. Rich deep burgundy almost chocolate background, with white, mango, green, wine and pink threads. Medium up to C cup and this one could easily be enlarged by opening up the V neck. 1/2 sleeve. $139 SOLD
	I'm having alot of trouble letting this one go. This is the type of specimen choli that I tend to collect. Old, but good condition, unusual embroidery and mirror patterns in classic geometric shapes and design, featuring temple, sun, floral, water, eye, and deity motifs on the yummiest bubble gum pink background with various shaped reflective mirrors. Very long apron and extensive side panels, fabulous shoulder and arm details! Small to slim medium. $169 Sold
	This pretty and playful midriff choli is a design I've never seen before. While the breast shields are traditional, the sleeves have the most awesome and witchy lily and serpent motifs. Brand new and very hot with your jeans too! 3/4 sleeves and revealing open neckline. A/B cup petite and small. $108 SOLD
l	Simply gorgeous heavily embroidered Kutch regional choli on indigo cotton. Smothered in in shades of gold, cherry, white and purple embroidery. Detailed side panels, and peacock garden on the apron, 3/4 sleeves. Small to medium. 5 - slim 10. $139 SOLD
	Stunning heavily embroidered Kutch regional choli, on peach silk, green silk sides and olive cotton. Gold, orange, white and burgundy embroidery and piping.and some leaf green. Mirrored circlets on breasts with elaborate apron, 3/4 sleeves. Peacocks, floral and unusual embroidery motifs. Small hole in seam under left arm and small rip in green silk on right side panel. Small to medium 5 - slim 10. This is one of my favorites! $139 Sold
	Top shelf vintage Rabari choli from the Kutch region. Excellent hand work with lots of mirrors on the arms, breasts and apron on a lovely forest green cotton background. Traditional design elements and very lovely shaping on the chest. Great condition, 3/4 sleeve. Small or medium to slim C cup. $139 Sold
/	Striking deep indigo cotton choli with mango embroidery in an unusal design and lovely neckline. I love this choli!!! Medium B,C cup. $47 Sold
	WOW! This is an exceptionelle and elaborate example of Kutch regional embroidery and mirror work. The bride who wore this was from a wealthy family and a woman was a gifted artisan. Deep orange silk field, with peach, mango, and black embroidery predominant. Mirrors in circle, triange, square. Detailed symmetry on sleeves, side panels and of course breast and shoulder shields. Unusual solar, bird, temple and hearth motifs. - med with room to expand - B, C cup $169 SOLD
	Fabulous and unusual choli with the Mochi style of embroidery, which is more pictoresque and representational and uses small white accent stitching. Silk rust background, cotton sleeves, smothered in floral, elephant, horse, bird and tree motifs in gold, green, fuschia, purple and white embroidery. Superb condition. Petite sizes 3, 4, 5, slim 6. A, B cup $139 SOLD
	This is a very rare vest and these are incredibly difficult to come by! I have only seen one before and its now in my closet. These are worn everyday over the midriff style choli, that is one that has no apron, and by tribal communities who roam slightly south of Gujaratha. The embroidery is exceptionelle storytelling of a married couple on elephants, on horses, with peacocks, blessed by the sun and more. Small tin mangos adorn the front and traditionally these are embroidered only on one side on the back. This needs a dry clean and has some stains on the turquoise trim neck and under the arms. It is delicate but wearable by the conscientious collector. Petite or Small $139 SOLD

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Palika in a vintage choli from the Kutch region in India

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