Girls, are you geeky enough to costume?

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

I don't care either way. The booth babes are there to do a job and I give them credit for trying to look like they fit in. Most fans are going to look, but are probably going to give credit to the real fans who have great costumes. IMO I'd rather check out the girl who is a fan who spent a lot of time making her costume, than the girl wearing the duct tape bikini.

 

[docholiday78]

Its costuming not politics people. Its a hobby for fun thats all. If anyone that gets offended by booth babes you dont have to look at them and walk the other way. Before people would whine being called a geek now people whine cause its becoming more popular. The whiners need to grow up and see its just a hobby nothing more nothing less. Also I hope I never see a male booth model :lol

 

[KristinaLeigh]

I personally don't mind booth babes at cons. This year's SDCC was my first and my first real exposure to the booth babe culture (aka non-fan costumer booth babes). I definitely have WAY more respect for companies like Anovos and Gentle Giant that use fans or fan costumers/cosplayers more though for sure...Cause they are not only promoting our own fan hobby culture but keeping the love in the family. Now about fake costumer/cosplayers that wear "lingerie" or "duct-tape bikinis" and have no geek cred...I never judge anyone on how they choose to dress in public, unless they are outright disrespecting others. I'm a DragonCon veteran, which has a lot of that sort of thing and not really any booth babes, so I'm used to the whole attention seeking half naked "con s*lt" type. Sure it may suck that you spent a year creating your Mass Effect armor and some chick in Victoria's Secret just beat you out in the costume contest...C'est la vie. Really. Sex sells. The important thing is to be happy with your costume, know that you did an awesome job, and have a good time and not worry about what's around you. Otherwise you'll just drive yourself crazy. ^^

 

[The-Clayster]

I read the article and thought it was entertaining. Throughout the years, only up until fairly recently, I was ridiculed for liking Star Wars and costuming at conventions. Kids in middle school and high school would ask me "Do you like Star Wars?" as if I had some sort of disease. In tenth grade I wore a pirate costume to school for part of a "spirit day" and was the target for many jokes, while the girls who dressed up that day received no negative attention. When I attempted to put together a TDK Joker costume, jocks and bros would make fun of me and say that I actually wanted to be The Joker. This kind of stuff still goes on behind my back in the town that I used to live in, and it's safe to say that most of my time in public education was spent being made fun for something that I loved to do.

Seeing geek and nerd culture be accepted over the last couple of years, to me, is cool. While I don't like the posers who never had to deal and cope with ridicule, there's nothing I can do about them joining in. I can't make sure that they don't buy passes to conventions, and I can't make sure that they don't wear comic and sci-fi t-shirts that they know nothing about, or quiz them at every turn when they say that they like something. I would much rather have a good time with all the friends that I've met through this hobby, and leave it at that.

Like others have said, they'll leave when the fad is over. We all know who the posers are, so what's the big deal?

 

[Capn_Jack_Savvy]

How does this differ from babes that you see at car shows groveling at the automobile as if they were mating?

Also how about the babes that are trying to sell you a wrench, heavy equipment, etc. calendars?:behave

 

[Randavian]

I posted a response on a similar subject in a different site not too long ago.

Similar, at least I'd imagine, to people who saw the Original Star Wars trilogy in theaters. While we may enjoy it and maybe even go to the theater to watch re-releases, but it isn't the same. I'm sure it means much more to them than it does kids in this generation.
I've never understood this mentality. Isn't seeing, playing, experiencing something for the first time valid in everybody? Whether you were there when it came out shouldn't really matter because (example) I wasn't around for the original STAR WARS' release but what it means to me is equal, if not more so, than those who first saw it in 1977.

It's this sense of elitism that people foolishly find pride in that ruins the image for many who want to be a part of something or mocked for it. "You weren't there! You can't like it the way I like it. You don't understand." That kinda attitude is repulsive and dangerously obnoxious if left unchecked.

Seeing, playing, and experiencing something for the first time IS valid for everybody...but what may make it more important, or less important, to others is circumstance and personal experience.

In our day, when Star Wars came out (yes, I was very young, but I remember seeing ESB in the Drive-in and ROTJ in a Walk-in) it was cutting edge. It represent the frontier of our dreams of science and space exploration. Yes, we had Star Trek and a few others, but Star Wars was far beyond them all, in my opinion.

In today's time, a lot of what was impossible to replicate from the Star Wars movies back then is possible or plausible now in reality. Plus there is a huge amount of science fiction shows today, compared to what we had back then. True, some of what is produced today is still crap, but it is out there.

I think all this can change the importance of the experience for us compared to them, or vise versa. And it give a little creedence, in this situation, as the the statement of "you weren't there". Although I understand your disdain for the statement.

All that being said, My 8 yr old son loves Star Wars, but I think that was helped along by the Clone Wars cartoons.

 

[aelynn000]

I think these last few posts have been wonderful views.

For the record, I'd 1000% buy from a booth that hired hobbyists to advertise ( as many of the ladies here prove, we could do it! ) over one that had a car-model girl.

This is interesting...I think a lot of the congoing population with interest in costumes ( which is a healthy percentage ) would feel the same. There should definitely be more joint ventures like that. You support us, we support you. I'm actually quite surprised that there aren't more vendors trying this...

 

[Powerhouse70]

Originally posted by Art Andrews
Guess that shows how poorly you read people. Mid thirties and had to earn most of what I have.

Based on your previous statements about how youre so adamantly against someone having to "earn" their way into wearing a costume what did you expect?

I dont read people poorly at all. I said what I said based on your statement which youre now contradicting. You would think that someone who's a member of The RPF Staff and had to earn most of what they had would have an appreciation for that kind of dedication.

Originally posted by Art Andrews
You don't "earn" the right to wear a costume. You may earn respect, but anyone can put on a costume. I wonder if you would go up to some of the crippled kids I see at Comic-Con who have little control of their motor skills but have on a Superman cape and tell them they didn't earn the right to wear it because they didn't make it or buy it. Pretending that you need to earn the right to costume is incredibly cliquish.

No one's being cliquish here.The difference between the crippled kid at Comic-con wearing a Superman cape and a paid model with zero interest in the character they happen to be portraying should be obvious to anyone.
That kid has 'earned" the right to wear that costume because he cares about the character and wearing the cape obviously makes him happy.

For you to suggest that Id be cold-hearted enough to approach a kid like that and tell him he shouldnt be wearing it is both insulting and really surprising coming from someone whos supposed to remain impartial and professional in their interactions with forum members.

Originally posted by Art Andrews
Ever watch a movie? Know anything about actors? Hiring models is really no different than hiring an attractive actress for a role.

Again youre totally off base here. As a matter of fact I am an amateur actor and that is one of the most ridiculous and insulting statements Ive ever read here. Good actors and actresses put an incredible amount of work, time and love into their characters. Google Christian Bale or Heath Ledger preparing for their roles and you'll see what I'm talking about here. To say they are no different than hiring a model for a role is just plain stupid.

Originally posted by Art Andrews
Again, do you consider Christian Bale or Robert Downey Jr to be fakes? They are just paid to get in a suit that they didn't make and parade around, convincing us to spend money on their film and all the merchandise that goes with it. Yet they are hailed as heroes when they show up at Comic-Con.

Your particular spin on this argument might need a bit more thought.

Christian Bale and Robert Downey Jr are hailed as heroes because its obvious that they care enough about their fans to show up at these events. The reason that they are great actors is because they care enough about the role and the fans to do it justice. In that regard they've more than earned the right to wear the suit.

As far as my particular spin on this argument goes, I've given it plenty of thought and for you to suggest otherwise is dangerously close to crossing over to that "elitism" you profess to hate and also comes pretty close to stepping over boundaries that should exist between members and staff on a forum like this.

 

[Stretch2643]

The biggest thing that put me off on the article is that it harkens back to the idea that female geeks need to "prove" that they belong every time they try to publically participate in various forms of geek culture. Comic stores are the worst, where I've had angry fans try to play 20 questions on inane comic trivia in order to try and prove that you're not really in the club. Behavior like that is persistent in geek culture, and it gets real old real fast. Frankly I think it's one of the main reasons that so many women are still reluctant to toe the waters of the geek world, even though they want to.

My point is this: booth babes are there to do their job. I'm not going to belittle someone for how they earn their keep. I've had enough demeaning jobs of my own. As for con participants, I'm all for the more the merrier. Far be it from me for judging how someone chooses to participate or express themselves, and it's not for me to demonize someone even if they are only there for the attention. Quite frankly, I think it's time for male fans, like the author of this piece, to quit being so whiny.

 

[Death Grin]

What do you think?

I know I don't like referring to women as girls. It seems wrong.

As far as costumes, wear what you want, when you want, male or female.

 

[CelticRuins]

I love the idea of booth costumers. Using the phrase "booth babe" has turned into a derogatory term, or the new air head.

I've come in contact with a few people in the past that are only going to conventions or trying to put on a costume because it seems like the "cool" thing that's "in" now. It's few and far between, but I've had the unfortunate encounter with a few of these types.

I believe the article is mainly aimed towards them. I also know a few people that are quite full of themselves, who are only going to conventions to meet and schmooze with celebs. They act like they're huge geeks while around a bunch of people, but you later hear them talking behind peoples backs and making fun of the people they just falsely praised.

It's a huge two face issue. The whole other issue with "hot chicks" is rather stupid to me, and sometimes draws a horrible light to the actual art of costuming. I'm a girl, so I'm a bit biased in a forum highly populated with guys , but I think "classy" sexy is the way to go. I've seen just straight up trampy stuff that some girls label as "sexy cosplay". It's ridiculous. I had to deal with judging a costume contest at Dragon*con one year and had this issue. A ****-O-Ween Party City costume comes walking up wanting to enter the costume contest. What do I do? Tell her she can't enter because she's obviously got a tag hanging out that says "100% Polyester", or just brush it off and let her have fun, knowing she won't win when she's up against an older couple who clearly made their costumes with love and hard work?

I've even had the thought, "why are you here?" Alot of them come to conventions for the booze and the attention of the guys. So yes, most scantily clad girls ARE out there for the wrong reasons. I'd love to think that's not the case, but when I'm walking into Dragon*con on Thursday morning, going up to my Marriott room and some girl, barely 18, is sitting on the rails in a school girl skirt with NO PANTIES, asking us if we'd "like to see her vagina"?, I beg to differ.

True story, btw.

I'm not an elitist, by far, but I also think that those who actually MADE their costumes should reign supreme. The hard work involved in making props and sewing is immense, as we all know. I guess I get a little "elitist" there, just because I love to see good, hard work. I'll never say mine is the best, and I look up to ALOT of costumers out there and wish I had a pinky finger worth of talent that they had.

I'd rather see regular, every-day faces advertising for a booth than some over-tanned, obviously getting paid to be there chick with her boobs screaming at me. I'm not jealous in the slightest. I'm not a looker but I can work it when I want to! I'm just saying give the ever-day girl and guy a chance, like a few booths actually did.

I realize they're there for a job, but why not hire people who are deeply interested and would buy a ticket to be there regardless?

 

[ObiWannabe]

I am just...flabbergasted that such a poorly-written and thought out excuse for an article was on CNN. The rampant misogyny...I've heard rumors that it exists in geek circles but I've never really seen it for myself until I read that.

The very first costume worn at a convention was Forry Ackerman and his girlfriend (whose name I've never memorized) attending the 1939 WorldCon as space rangers, I believe from some novelization or serial literature. Who made those costumes? The girlfriend.

The idea that the very literature that forms the basis of what is geekdom today was somehow meant for men or appealed solely/mostly to men up until sometime in the last 10-20 years ought to offend both men and women. There have been plenty of women costumers whose cred has never been called into question since, oh, about the 1960's or so when they led the movement to instill skill divisions and workmanship judging at masquerades as well as the foundation of what is now known as the International Costumer's Guild. I don't care two whits about what females in costumes are doing today, what matters to me is that this guy knows NOTHING about the history of nerd costuming and the fact that women have always been a presence, if not a driving force, in fandom. For decades.

I may not like it when women with barely a passing understanding of what we consider geeky decide to tot up in something sexy and parade around cons trying to get attention from the male gaze, but you know what? They're free to do so. If they had to buy it from a commissioner like me, so much the better, that's money in the local economy. Ever since I walked out of my DragonCon hotel room in 2003 and turned to see one of the Caution Tape Women coming out of the room next door, I've pretty much just decided to live and let live when it comes to who's wearing what costume why. I don't care. I really don't care and I don't even need to hear someone's life story explaining why they chose to be a Pikachu gijinka in yellow booty shorts. It's their choice, so be it. It doesn't affect me or my costuming.

What I resent is anyone, cosplayer or not, deciding that they need to be the cosplay police and decide who is allowed to enter our geek space and wear a costume. I resent anyone forcing me to prove my geek credentials just because of what I have inside my shorts. If anyone ever wondered why I turned to only ever doing male costumes, that would be it. My genitals do not determine either my geek cred OR my "right" to wear a costume. And you know what? If anyone tried to make me prove my geek cred, I'd fail, because I haven't seen a single fandom movie in the last five years (aside from Harry Potter I think...that was less than five years ago, right?). I don't read geek books. I don't read comics. I follow maybe three anime series. I don't play FPS and platforming video games. I don't LIKE the Big Bang Theory. I fail as a geek, and I freely admit it. Does that mean ANYONE has the right to tell me I can't costume anymore?

It's rhetorical but if anyone was thinking of saying "yes" to that, they need to stop and take a step back.

Foolishly misinformed opinions are dangerous. There's no reason to be offended just because some girl who happens to be attractive decides to try to pander to a new audience by donning a costume. If she's not into it, she'll realize how futile that is rather quickly and drop out. If she IS into it, she'll keep cosplaying until someday everyone fawns at her feet and thinks she's the next best thing since Slave Leia. What can I do about it? Not a damn thing. And that's okay. It's not my job to police the worthiness of making or wearing a costume. Last time I checked, I didn't have ESP, so I can't read the minds of everyone in costume at a convention to determine whether they're really geek enough or not. I can't tell you what anyone's motivation for cosplaying is unless they state it outright, and even if they do? It's not my place to tell them they're right or wrong. There is no right or wrong in costuming, there are no laws. The only rules are the decency and safety rules of the convention. As long as they're following those, no one can judge them for what they choose to wear or why.

 

[Art Andrews]

Based on your previous statements about how youre so adamantly against someone having to "earn" their way into wearing a costume what did you expect?

What do I expect? I expect someone who is so quick to make assumptions to do a better job. I stand by my statement that any belief in having to "earn" a right to wear a costume is nothing short of ludicrous and elitist.

You would think that someone who's a member of The RPF Staff and had to earn most of what they had would have an appreciation for that kind of dedication.

I have an incredible amount of appreciation for the dedication and hard work I see within our community. That has absolutely nothing to do with "earning" a right to wear a costume.

For you to suggest that Id be cold-hearted enough to approach a kid like that and tell him he shouldnt be wearing it is both insulting and really surprising coming from someone whos supposed to remain impartial and professional in their interactions with forum members.

Don't make silly statements and you won't get tongue-in-cheek responses.

As a matter of fact I am an amateur actor and that is one of the most ridiculous and insulting statements Ive ever read here.

If you are so easily insulted, perhaps this isn't the site for you.

Good actors and actresses put an incredible amount of work, time and love into their characters.

You will get no argument from me on that point. However, at the end of the day, they are PAID to perform a task and PAID to be someone they are not and in that respect, they are not much different than a booth babe who is also paid to perform a task and paid to be someone they are not.

Christian Bale and Robert Downey Jr are hailed as heroes because its obvious that they care enough about their fans to show up at these events. The reason that they are great actors is because they care enough about the role and the fans to do it justice. In that regard they've more than earned the right to wear the suit.

These statements are so misguided they aren't even worth giving a detailed response.

As far as my particular spin on this argument goes, I've given it plenty of thought and for you to suggest otherwise is dangerously close to crossing over to that "elitism" you profess to hate and also comes pretty close to stepping over boundaries that should exist between members and staff on a forum like this.

It has been my experience that someone who jumps so quickly to the argument of "you are staff and you can't talk to me like that" is a person who really has no other leg to stand upon so they mistakenly resort to trying to shame a staff member into backing down. Not going to happen here. Again, if you don't like that I have an opinion on this particular subject that differs strongly from yours and you have to resort to such pettiness to try to redirect the focus of your argument, perhaps this isn't the site for you.

 

[Art Andrews]

The biggest thing that put me off on the article is that it harkens back to the idea that female geeks need to "prove" that they belong every time they try to publically participate in various forms of geek culture. Comic stores are the worst, where I've had angry fans try to play 20 questions on inane comic trivia in order to try and prove that you're not really in the club. Behavior like that is persistent in geek culture, and it gets real old real fast. Frankly I think it's one of the main reasons that so many women are still reluctant to toe the waters of the geek world, even though they want to.

My point is this: booth babes are there to do their job. I'm not going to belittle someone for how they earn their keep. I've had enough demeaning jobs of my own. As for con participants, I'm all for the more the merrier. Far be it from me for judging how someone chooses to participate or express themselves, and it's not for me to demonize someone even if they are only there for the attention. Quite frankly, I think it's time for male fans, like the author of this piece, to quit being so whiny.

Great post and you are touching on a lot of my initial issue with this article. I definitely understand why some people have issue with women who are just wearing lingerie to cons to get attention, but I see a big issue with anyone having to prove themselves to be geeky enough to be accepted.

I couldn't care less if you know the backstory to your costume or character. If you saw it, thought it was cool and built it or bought it, then good for you! There are many costumes I see that I know nothing about, but think would be cool to wear just because the style or look is very cool. Do I need to know all about the 60 years history of that character to appreciate the way they look and to want to build that costume? No, I don't.

I also feel that this hobby, historically, has handled women very poorly in that they tend to have been treated either as if they were aliens stepping into the boys club or been mobbed by slobbering creepers until they ran away. I can't tell you how thrilled I am to see that starting to change and women becoming a staple in this part of the hobby instead of the rare exception. What I am hating, and don't like about this article is that we are JUST starting to see the hobby become palatable and have mass appeal, and immediately we start seeing segregation and "you aren't good enough" type articles which seems completely counterproductive. As you said, there are many women who are just starting to stick their toes in the water and if they find the hobby to be just as catty and uninviting as so many other areas in life, what would be their motivation to continue?

 

[Art Andrews]

Nailed it!

What I resent is anyone, cosplayer or not, deciding that they need to be the cosplay police and decide who is allowed to enter our geek space and wear a costume. I resent anyone forcing me to prove my geek credentials just because of what I have inside my shorts. If anyone ever wondered why I turned to only ever doing male costumes, that would be it. My genitals do not determine either my geek cred OR my "right" to wear a costume. And you know what? If anyone tried to make me prove my geek cred, I'd fail, because I haven't seen a single fandom movie in the last five years (aside from Harry Potter I think...that was less than five years ago, right?). I don't read geek books. I don't read comics. I follow maybe three anime series. I don't play FPS and platforming video games. I don't LIKE the Big Bang Theory. I fail as a geek, and I freely admit it. Does that mean ANYONE has the right to tell me I can't costume anymore?

 

[ObiWannabe]

You got me all hot and bothered, Art, I had to say SOMEthing.

 

[Rylo]

The more girls in costume the better I say! I'm working on a project right now involving girls, costumes and props and I don't think anyone is gonna care if they're really familiar with the subject matter. It's all good fun.

That said, there's a difference between a spokesperson and a stereotypical booth girl. I would expect a spokesperson to be knowledgeable about the product they were representing if they were an exhibitor. Lures (booth girls) are like mascots; they're fun to watch, good for traffic and don't hurt a thing.

I believe the article is rather targeting the 'geek come latley' or 'tre chic geek' who is in it only for the attention that they believe our particular demographic will elicit. I know a number of girls who care nothing for the hobby, but will wear a costume for a little extra attention. I don't have a problem with it either way, though.

It's no different than being at a car show. If I'm looking at a vehicle and there is a female booth attendant, I do expect them to be able to answer a few questions without having to take off and find someone who can tell me what I want to know. That said, I can't really recall a situation where the placement wasn't understood. I mean, most booths make it clear who's out front to answer your questions and who's there for set dressing.

-Rylo

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Why should girls, women, anyone "prove" they are geeks? The fact that they are there should be enough, right?

I detest snobs, be it the sports jock, cheerleader, geek, hunter, freezing skinny dipper, pancake maker, baker, that guy down at the corner saying I can't pass because I wear glasses... anyone really.

EQUALITY. Don't you all just feel it? YAY. Man... you know... chill. Spread the love.

 

[Wallcrawler248]

Why should girls, women, anyone "prove" they are geeks? The fact that they are there should be enough, right?

I detest snobs, be it the sports jock, cheerleader, geek, hunter, freezing skinny dipper, pancake maker, baker, that guy down at the corner saying I can't pass because I wear glasses... anyone really.

EQUALITY. Don't you all just feel it? YAY. Man... you know... chill. Spread the love.

Well said

 

[PumpMag]

Now that Geekdom is popular and mainstream now (SDCC tickets sell out faster every year) why not let the "fake" nerds (hired or not) dress up all they want?

Hopefully, like every other geek has - that they will eventually discover the real fun of our hobbies and find their passion (comics, sci-fi, costuming, props, games, whatever......)

As the Borg would say:

"Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated."
:behave