Most teachers I've seen have just taught in yoga type pants and a shimmy belt. Something comfy where you can see their body parts and movements. Full costume is nice to show what the moves look like when performing, but durring practice I'd rather them not be in full regalia.

I wear Sugarpetals unitards and jazz pants or Melodia pants with whatever hipscarf I feel like wearing that day. On the last class of a session I might wear an L. Rose top and skirt, or a new costume that I need a trial run in before I wear it for a performance. It lets students see the "whole package" so to speak but I wouldn't wear a full costume to teach in on a regular basis. First off the wear and tear alone on costumes for weekly classes would mean repairing/replacing them way too often secondly most costumes are designed to hide the mechanics of what we are doing which is exactly what a student needs to see.

Full costume? How can the students see your body? I wear yoga pants or jazz pants and a crop top, choli or tank top. Toss a scarf on the hip and that's it. I've never seen someone teach in a full costume.

I teach Egyptian style dance.

I wear a pair of leggings and a snug tank top, sports bra or something I can tie under my boobs. I'll often pair it with a light & faffy skirt that I tuck up so you can see my legs from the front and sides.

For the final class of term I usually wear something I'd wear to a hafla, and encourage my students to do the same. It's fun & takes the pressure off beginners to go out and buy $300-800 worth of spangled bedlah. That sort of thing I save for performance.

*laugh* I wouldn't dream of teaching class in one of my bedlehs! Think of all the things that could happen . . . eek!
During the summer, I wear fabric shorts or crop leggings with a scarf tied over and a short sleeved choli top. In the winter I wear ankle length leggings and leg warmers and a long sleeved choli top.
Things like this are comfortable, practical and stretchy, and allow my students to see my knee and pelvis placement which is EXTREMELY important.

Because in class a lot of sweating tends to go on and since most of my fancy costumes are non washable- I try to only bring them out on special occasions.

But I think its nice to have (washable) fun workout wear for instructing. I have even painted some eastern inspired designs onto sports bras & leggings, added a simple bead fringe to the bottom of a midriff top to 'easternize' it. Some pretty sari tops & layering of fringe scarves & coin belts on the hips. Bracelets, earrings, henna tattooes, etc. adds some magic.

Afterall, some students like to dress up and if the teacher just has on a leggings & sports bra, it can discourage them from enjoying that fun exotic element that make belly dance so much more than a workout.
I have heard women say things like:

"I work hard out in the sun all day in work boots & overalls- bellydancing is the only part of my day when I get to feel like a lady"- she would come to class looking like I dream of Jeannie

"I sit at a boring office all day in stiff skirts & heels where I have to look conservative- bellydance is when I get to be myself & express my creativity"- you would have never guessed where she worked by her bellydance class gear.

So if the instructor doesn't play up the middle eastern/exotic feel in what she is wearing herself, these types of women might feel too embarassed to dress the way they'd really like to. Good teaching is good teaching no matter what you have on but I'd hate to see belly dancing get so mainstream that it loses that spice & magic.

I can't even imagine trying to do the stretches and other warm ups in a bedleh - yeesh! The bras especially are wildly uncomfortable. I think students and teachers need to be able to move and not be restricted by their clothing, and the clothing should allow the line of their body to be seen. I usually don't wear even a coin belt or shimmy belt during warm up because part of my warm up involves sitting down, and it's just not comfortable to sit on a bunch of coins or beads. When teaching skirt work I'll wear a skirt, but I end up hitching it up above my knees often to show the leg position and what the knees are doing.

I have heard of that but never seen it or done it. I thought it was something they used to do in the old days, but I don't know -

But I HAVE seen videos & photos of a class here & there (for newspapers or whatever) where the instructor WAS wearing a costume - I just thought it was for the photo opp. and not what she usually did.

I teach in yoga or melodia style pants. When I do wear my melodia style pants - i often tie them around my ankle so that my foot work is seen. I wear a tank - fitted and coin or hip sash of some sort.

I usually do not dress up too much -- teach in rec centers and gyms so really just come in with very little makeup unless there is a reason to wear more like showing the students something about makeup or going somewhere after.

We do some stretching and exercises on the floor so while I tell them to wear what they want --- I do suggest something they are comfortable getting down on the floor in.

I cannot imagine using my full costumes to teach...they are much too expensive to get on the floor. The wear and tear on them is enough with gigs and restaurant shows....whew....that would just wear them out much quicker teaching multiple classes each week. I could see doing that if you were doing a demo class (like an advertising class for a place) but to be honest - even then I would just come a little more made up with a fancier hip scarf, makeup, and accessories. The costume would not only hide the movement like some have mentioned but could also be very intimidating for new dancers too....could be a little over the top for some students to experience the first time. I like the girls to feel comfortable and laid back in class....

Choli, Melodias & a short overskirt. I've had people, including students, refer to my practice wear as a "costume" before, but it sounds like that's not what's happening here. Interesting!

I do think each style has costume elements that are good to practice with - wearing a choli or midriff-baring top, fringe or coins or beads or whatever on your hips, etc.

I agree with most people here, I wear yoga/Melo pants and a singlet top or crop top, as it is practical, ppl can see movements & it's comfortable (especially for a tropical Brisbane summer evening). I actually send an email to new students regarding this matter, as some ppl see others who have jumped in boots and all and spent $300 on the gear and feel obliged to as well.
I don't tend to reveal my midriff except to hike it up for the occassional demo until a few weeks into a beginner's course, as I find people who are very self conscious abut revealing their midriffs find this very confronting).
i do wear a belt or scarf and some funky earrings or bangles because it is everyone's play time too from conservative work time, and for students 95% of their dance time is going to be in class. As a teacher there is a fine balance between practicality, subconsciously "looking the part" of a bellydance teacher to your students, & not losing credibilty because people think your " just dressing up & showing off". I am very aware of this as apparently look a lot younger than I am so until students realise my age and depth of experience I find some get quite defensive in their attitude until I have "proven myself".
Usually the last week of term is dress up, and the different class levels show off what they have been studying to each other. This is a great outlet for those who like to spend hours and thousands on bling!