WEARING WAIST BEADS - Waist Beads by Sewra™

Women of the antiquities have covered themselves in linens and silks, adorned their bodies with gold and silver jewels, bathed their skin with the finest perfumed oils and wrapped their waists, wrists and ankles in strings of beads!!! Used as barter for goods, or to convey a person’s social status, beads are one of the oldest materials utilized by just about every single culture around the world. The African tradition of wearing waist beads specifically, can be documented as far back as the 18th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt; most notably with the famous relief of adorned dancers from the Tomb of Nebamun. But the tradition is as old as Africa herself!

Customarily worn under clothes, diasporic women wear waist beads to symbolize an array of messages.
Depending on their region and tribe, waist beads can be attributed to rites of passage, healing and rejuvenation,
enticing a sexual partner, celebrating femininity, encouraging fertility, spiritual healing, birth control, weight loss and of course, decoration!

In Ancient Egypt, waist beads were called “girdles”. Ugandans refer to them as “Obutiti” and in various parts around West Africa, waist beads are called.; “Jel-Jelli”, “Jigeda”, “Giri-Giri”, “Yomba” or “Djalay Djalay” as in Chad. In Ghana women wear waist beads to help form their bodies into a “small waist and full hips” aesthetic. Some adult women wear beads to sexually stimulate their partners. Strands are dipped in scented oil and decorated with bells and other charms that jingle when she walks and also acts as an accompanying musical undertone during lovemaking. In Nigeria, Yoruba Orishas and other priestesses adorn themselves with waist beads for spiritual protection and have incorporated them as a part of their dress regalia. As recent as the 18th century, waist beads crossed the Atlantic where a string of beads were found in the tomb of a Black woman during the excavation of the African Burial Ground in Lower Manhattan, NYC.

It’s only now in modern times, that waist beads have become a visible fashion statement. Showing more skin is en vogue and the taboo of wearing waist beads outside of your clothes, in “the open” is fading! Women are claiming autonomy over their lives and their bodies by loving, accepting and appreciating their bodies! Waist Beads by Sewra™ is made for all sizes and women of all ages. They can be worn under your clothes for YOU, with your favorite negligee for bae, or for making bold, fashion forward statements with your jewelry by wearing waist beads over your clothes!! Regardless of how you rock it, you can take glee in knowing that your Waist Beads by Sewra™ are beautiful, handmade, and one of a kind. Strung strong to last long, great care is taken with the selection of high quality glass beads, semi-precious stones, top quality 14k Gold and Sterling Silver for our contemporary waist beads. Sizes range from 25” to 52”.

How To Measure Yourself

If you’re new to waist beads, WELCOME!!!

Waist beads are traditionally worn under your clothes, low on your hips. Waist Beads by Sewra™ suggests measuring right below your belly button using a measuring tape to allow for more accurate sizing. Clothing brands use various size standards and are not reliable for gauging your size when ordering waist beads.

If you’re an experienced WBBS™ waist bead connoisseur, please measure how you would like them to fall.

For precise sizing, please download our complimentary WBBS measuring tape.
Make sure the measuring tape is snug, but not tight and not too loose.
Measure yourself where you would like your beads to fall on bare skin.
If you have a tummy, measure underneath it.
If you would like your beads to be worn over clothes, measure as above but over clothes.
Please stand up straight and don’t suck it in!!
If you will be wearing your waist beads to help you lose weight, measure comfortably at the narrowest part of your waist located above your belly button. Not too tight!! As you lose weight, they will begin to loosen and fall.
Please measure yourself correctly. Orders placed that require adjusting are subject to a fee depending on size difference and style, and will be charged for labor and material, as well as an additional return shipping charge of $15 Domestic / $40 International.

Waist

To measure your “Natural Waist”, you want to find the narrowest part of your waist, located above your belly button and below your rib cage.

For your “Low Waist” measurement, you want to measure at the point where your trousers would normally ride. On or directly below your belly button.

Hips

For waist beads sitting low on your hips or in your pants, stand with your legs/hips together and measure the fullest part of your hips. Be sure to go over your buttocks as well. It might be challenging to keep the tape consistently level if you do it alone; it is recommended that you have a friend assist you or measure in front of a mirror. Measure twice!

WBBS™ COMPLIMENTARY MEASURING TAPE

DOWNLOAD

What’s your body shape ….

Full Waist / Belly

- To wear your waist beads across your belly, measure the NARROWEST part of your waist.

- To wear your waist beads below your belly, measure COMFORTABLY underneath your tummy, which should be right on your upper hips.

Narrow Waist / Narrow Hips

- For Narrow Waists and Narrow Hips, measure above your belly button at the NARROWEST part of your waist. It’s important that you DON’T SUCK IN!!

- Pull the measuring tape just a tad taught. You should still be able to exhale your stomach without the measuring tape feeling tight. It should feel just slight of snug.

Small Waist / Full Hips

For Curvy/Small Waist/Full Hips, measure the NARROWEST part of your waist. Then measure your “Low Waist” right above where your hips begin to curve. This is now your range of sizes in inches to stack styles.

Small Frame / Waist

For Small Waists and Small Frames, measure the NARROWEST part of your waist. Then measure your “Low Waist” right above where your hips begin to curve. This is now your range of sizes in inches to stack styles.

VISIT THE WAIST BEADS BOUTIQUE

How To Measure Yourself

Waist

Hips

WBBS™ COMPLIMENTARY MEASURING TAPE

What’s your body shape ….

Full Waist / Belly

To wear your waist beads across your belly, measure the NARROWEST part of your waist.

To wear your waist beads below your belly, measure COMFORTABLY underneath your tummy, which should be right on your upper hips.

Narrow Waist / Narrow Hips

For Narrow Waists and Narrow Hips, measure above your belly button at the NARROWEST part of your waist. It’s important that you DON’T SUCK IN!!

Pull the measuring tape just a tad taught. You should still be able to exhale your stomach without the measuring tape feeling tight. It should feel just slight of snug.

Small Waist / Full Hips

For Curvy/Small Waist/Full Hips, measure the NARROWEST part of your waist. Then measure your “Low Waist” right above where your hips begin to curve. This is now your range of sizes in inches to stack styles.

Small Frame / Waist

For Small Waists and Small Frames, measure the NARROWEST part of your waist. Then measure your “Low Waist” right above where your hips begin to curve. This is now your range of sizes in inches to stack styles.

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