Girls, are you geeky enough to costume?

[Wolfie]

I'm on the fence. I've always been kinda meh about folks that are mentioned in the article. but they aren't exactly new. Booth babes are lame though, absolutely. But if its talking more about the conwh---s, as it has been dubbed for as long as I can remember, thats just anyone costuming for attention with no knowledge of the character, etc... well I dont recall a time with out them. I've been costuming for 10 years. In reasonable shape and out of it.

They're kind of annoying but its their life, who cares. I feel bad for the guys these girls string along (believe me, some of them stoop pretty low for free crap and attention and free rides at con... and I imagine as more ladies figure out they can do that, they will) but they make every girl who spends more time and effort to make accurate costumes look 100% better.

Yet, who am I to tell them to get out of my hobby? As was mentioned, most of the rest of society tends to tell geeks and people seen as different to get out or that they don't belong. We shouldnt do the same. But I can absolutely say I do feel very poorly towards those who use costuming and their bodies it to milk things out of people, especially those who dont even CARE about the fandoms they represent while doing it. And those people should GTFO. I think the author is very specific about that the way I read it. He mentions the taking advantage of things, and that some other folks take the hating too far. So I think that article isnt that bad considering.

You dont have to be a full on geek about the fandom, but you should have at least played the game or watched the show and enjoyed it. Not bought the costume from Hustler or Fredericks of Hollywood and went down to the Con to reap whatever you can.

 

[Solo4114]

I only just went to my second con this year (Philly comicon), and I didn't really see "booth babes." I guess it's not that kind of event?

Honestly, though, I'd expect that you'd be more able to sell when you aren't just defaulting to cheap manipulation like "LOOK AT THIS HOT BABE! Now buy our product" and are instead using fans who can go in-depth about their character/costume and the product itself, and veer off topic into other geeky stuff. It'd seem more genuine, and your company would come across as attempting to genuinely cater to fans, rather than simultaneously trying to put one over on them while insulting them in the belief that these poor benighted basement dwellers will never come this close to a pretty girl again in their lives or whathaveyou.

 

[Drewid]

TBH I REALLY wonder if female costumers are looking at this differently than men. I don't see many male booth babes.

I guess you could call me one. I work various vendor booths for a few hours here and there because it's fun and I get to entertain and make people happy while in my costumes. I see fewer costumers at vendor booths with provided costumes these days. Most of the costumed characters I see at vendor booths at SDCC are fans and part of a costuming club. Is this true for every con? No idea, I don't go to every con. But I like the trend that I'm seeing at SDCC

 

[nick daring]

I'm all for people having fun with whatever but I definitely understand the frustration from the established hobbyists.

I'm sure cops or military folk wouldn't like it if I paraded around public in their uniforms, ya know. They "earned" the right to wear that uniform exclusively and the accolades that go along with it are the spoils of their dedication to that lifestyle. I think a similar thing is happening here when "normal" folk just want in on this cool thing we've been building for years.

Nerd culture and costume culture is a club of sorts and people are kinda feeling like people are getting in with going through the initiation or "paying your dues" in a way. I I think the issue deals with some pretty primal emotional stuff that be easily discounted.

Nick

 

[vaderdarth]

Lady Geeks are hot!!!! Stop hatin and build a prop!!!! Seriously, if some chic is in a wicked costume and she's truly not a geek, nothing you or I can say or do can make her feel more out of sorts than the fact that she's not a geek and she's wearing a geek uniform. I mean seriously why are we even caring about this? There are hippocrites in every facet of our lives. Why not in geekdom as well????

 

[madmikeee]

Honestly I am a little saddened that events like the comicons etc have now become a haven for media and attention whores alike and have gotten to the point where many real fans end up missing out on things.

Now that it's "cool to be a geek" everyone thinks they're a geek because they surf the web or play a game or watch a show on tv. I almost miss the solidarity of being a geek in the geek culture.

Now in NO WAY am I saying that the hot girls or guys, the jocks or cheerleaders etc cannot be what we used to refer to as "closet geeks" I knew more than one back in my high school years. I knew quarterbacks that played dungeons and dragons. But they were RARE. But now it seems that it is almost infestation like with people who, on any other day, couldn't care less about Star Trek/Wars, The Lord of the Rings etc but now that it's "cool" it's a place for them to try and show off.

Another pet peeve of mine geared towards the ladies, if you don't want people staring at your "assets" don't let them be falling out of your costume/clothes. I don't want to hear about how you were at a Con and how offended you were because all the geeks were staring at your breasts yet you were wearing an Iron Man Bikini that barely covered your nipples andthe iron bikini bottom that was so small it showed everyone the last time you had shaved.

Sorry kinda went on a rant there...I'm better now :wacko

 

[Fly4v]

"They decide to put on a "hot" costume, parade around a group of boys notorious for being outcasts that don't get attention from girls, and feel like a celebrity. They're a "6" in the "real world", but when they put on a Batman shirt and head to the local fandom convention du jour, they instantly become a "9"." from the CNN article.

Sorry but "six of one, half a dozen of another".

Not being exclusive or snobbish but trying too hard is not attractive and doesn't sell.

 

[crabra comander]

Not being exclusive or snobbish but trying too hard is not attractive and doesn't sell.

That guys article was just not well thought out.

If a "6" is wearing a costume maybe she's trying to boost her self-esteem. She may "want" the attention, but where else can you "let it all hang out" like that? Nowhere I can think of :confused
And let the non-nerds have their fun. I don't think anyone should be judging someone's reason for costuming.

Also, I'm a "Geek" by definition...

 

[P4r4dox86]

I can understand both sides of this but at the end of the day segregation of people with regards to ANY factor, be it race, religion, sexual preference or whether or not they know a certain piece of insignificant trivia about the clothes they happen to be wearing on one day out of 365, is wrong.

I can completely understand and agree with PAX and other conventions having in place a stipulation about who can do what within the confines of their Con, it's their Con and their business and they get to set the rules. So if they don't want massive amounts of 'eye candy' doing nothing but baring their assets to sell product then they can put in place any criteria they want and if business' don't want to play ball then they don't have to.

As to 'non-geeks butting into our fandoms', I like to think that everyone, everywhere is a geek in one way or another. The definition of 'Geek' in my opinion is "A person who is fanatical/obsessed/passionate about a certain subject", so if you look at it in that perspective I would challenge anyone to find a person who is not passionate about at least one aspect of their lives. So really, in one way, we're all Geeks.

Sure, I've done the whole outsider being ostracised for liking things that other people don't like/know about. I read Lord of the Rings when I was a teenager before they were movies and 'cool'. I knew who the Avengers were before Ironman I and noone had to explain the hidden scenes at the end and who Nick Fury was etc. That doesn't mean that someone who watched the Avengers movie and enjoyed it but didn't previously know what it was all about shouldn't decide to dress as Thor and go out in public and 'smite midgardians'. I've been into all these things for most of my life but I've only been costuming for less than 2 years, does this mean that I am less worthy than someone who has been costuming for 3? Or 5? Or 10?

If we aren't open to accepting people who are new to the hobby of cosplay, or 'Geekdom' in general even, then a place like the RPF wouldn't have existed as long as it has, because there is only so much information you can share among your peers before all you're doing is showing off costumes. Whereas when new people are joining and want to learn then a community thrives and continues to grow. This is something we should all be trying to promote, not deriding those who have the guts to give it a shot.

That being said, those that use it to take advantage of others in any way should be frozen in carbonite and locked in the Phantom Zone

 

[Powerhouse70]

Haha... sorry if I set things off on a particular foot. I am just adamantly against this attitude that you have to somehow "earn" your way into wearing a costume.

Is it frustrating to see someone put a ton of effort into a costume only to be overshadowed by someone who has put in little or no effort but a lot of T&A? Sure it is, but that is life. It isn't fair and it is never going to be, but I hate seeing us becoming what someone on facebook dubbed as "reverse elitists" and trying to put stipulation on who should and who should not wear costumes.

I think that statement from PAX is terrible because what is is saying is that someone isn't a "booth babe" if they know enough about a product... so... if you know enough, you can wear skimpy clothes, but if you don't know enough, you are scum. What is "enough?" Who determines it? Do we start testing for your level of geekdom? If you know a lot about Star Wars but not a lot about Star Trek does that mean you qualify to wear one but not the other?

Why are we segregating people and looking down our noses at those who don't have the same agenda as we do?

I totally disagree with this statement.It sounds like it was written by someone in their early twenties who had everything handed to them as a kid.

Some of the best costumes on here are the ones that we've seen taking shape week after week. Did they earn the right to wear that costume? You bet they did with their blood, sweat and tears and all their hard work.You can also bet that they know more than a little about that particular character as well.

Some people dont have the time or the talent to make their own costumes so they "earn" them trading the money they get for doing their job. Many of these people dont mind shelling out anywhere from 1000-5000 dollars for a costume because they are huge fans. Again, this implies that they have more than a little knowledge on the subject.

To see an airhead model who knows nothing about the character being given a costume based solely on their looks and the hopes that they can sell a product is a slap in the face to the rest of us and many times backfires on the company trying to sell those goods to start with. I can totally understand Pax's policy in regards to this.

It isnt reverse elitism and it isnt "looking down" our noses at someone. It's calling someone out for being a fake.

 

[endo500]

TBH I REALLY wonder if female costumers are looking at this differently than men. I don't see many male booth babes.

Your absolutely right you don't see them often maybe 1 booth per con and they are usually wearing some giant armor. I didn't see a single male booth babe at SDCC. Which is why I think you have stumbled upon an even greater issue than booth babes but rather how we value male vs female cosplayers. Trust me you can even see its effects here on the RPF.

Also I think people have a reason to be upset at companies hiring random people to model a costume. We spend hours on these costumes to pay homage to our favorite geek media. At the very least a company could do is honor a fan by giving them the privilege to be the booth babe for the product. Plus any money they would earn would most likely get put back into the product anyway. Additionally I'm sure their knowledge base and passion for the brand would clearly produce better results than someone given a 15 minute cheat sheet. I find it hard to believe that a company can't find a true fan to wear a costume vs. a complete random. Its called a post to your followers on twitter. Not only does this increase their good will with fans but can also be the foundation for an entire marketing campaign. This is an approach Marvel and Bioware have been using for the past couple of years.

I'm just not seeing many good arguments for hiring a random booth babe.

 

[Bobtherocker]

What does it matter someone's reasons for wanting to be part of something?
I detest snobbishness and have left groups that have become that way in the past.
I don't have a problem with 'fair-weather' costumers. If the temperature of that particular scene is red hot and people want to join in because it's red hot and 'now' but soon bow out when the temperature drops. So what? It hasn't made a blind bit of difference to me.
Those seasoned costumers that look down their noses at the 'fashionista costumer' are the ones with the problem not the fashionista. What difference does it make to your enjoyment of the hobby if someone joins in for different reasons or doesn't seem as committed or simply wants in because it's suddenly become cool?
We should all be ambassadors for the hobby or community and encourage new blood.
As for 'booth babes'. What's not to like?

 

[Powerhouse70]

What does it matter someone's reasons for wanting to be part of something?
I detest snobbishness and have left groups that have become that way in the past.
I don't have a problem with 'fair-weather' costumers. If the temperature of that particular scene is red hot and people want to join in because it's red hot and 'now' but soon bow out when the temperature drops. So what? It hasn't made a blind bit of difference to me.
Those seasoned costumers that look down their noses at the 'fashionista costumer' are the ones with the problem not the fashionista. What difference does it make to your enjoyment of the hobby if someone joins in for different reasons or doesn't seem as committed or simply wants in because it's suddenly become cool?
We should all be ambassadors for the hobby or community and encourage new blood.
As for 'booth babes'. What's not to like?

When people start spouting liberal bile in forum threads its time for me to exit the conversation.

 

[crabra comander]

I didn't see a single male booth babe at SDCC. Trust me you can even see its effects here on the RPF.

I'm just not seeing many good arguments for hiring a random booth babe.

To entice people not normally inclined to these type of events to enjoy themselves?

And we should never see male booth babes...

 

[aelynn000]

I got a giggle out of the article. I don't think it was mean and I'd take it as a wake-up call if I were one of those " 6 of 9 "'s that the attention you're garnering isn't what you want.

I didn't feel it was an attack on new costumers, people gaining interest in costuming and just starting out or testing the waters or girls wanting to check out the scene or even booth babes for that matter. At least booth babes are there doing a job. It's the ones with the intentions of getting attention and that's all. I know, you can't SEE peoples intentions...but I think we've all come across that one person at a con that just gives you an " ughh...not here..." feeling.

I've literally walked past people who are simply wearing lingerie. Not a costume. Not made. Not painted to look like Iron Man's suit...just lingerie. For no reason ( other than attention ). Okay...one of them might have had a tail pinned on that they picked up in the dealers room. ( Or maybe that their friend brought it out for them 'cause I actually scan them over and check if they have a badge and they usually don't. And they're usually hanging around the outdoor events or the lobby...HMMM ) THOSE are the people the article is about and to be honest, I'd rather see them expressing their 'geekiness' by taking an interest in what's IN the convention in normal clothes as opposed to simply flaunting their bodies for attention.

There's a time and a place for everything. Dressing like you're supposed to be in the red light district to go to a convention just because 'where else can you do that', is not cool.

I've been going to more conventions this year and honest to God, from when I went in the early 2000's, they feel more like Halloween parties at a nightclub as opposed to being a celebration and expression of fandom. For me to feel that way ( and I'm not even THAT geeky )... I can see where any serious geek, particularly those with a passion for costuming and cosplayers would be irritated.

On the topic of booth babes: Yes they bother some people. Yes, they bother me. But only BECAUSE they're models with perfect costumes and I am neither. :lol But most of the time I actually feel proud to see them because at least they're confident enough to geek out. Whether they're actual geeks or not, wearing a geek costume is pretty geeky. Unless we're talking about car-show type booth babes ...then, just no.

To entice people not normally inclined to these type of events to enjoy themselves?

And we should never see male booth babes...

I'm not sure if this was sarcasm or not buuuuuut...

Oh. Yay. So now when I plan to go to SDCC, the tickets will sell out because people who usually wouldn't care to go will have a ticket to go walk around and gawk at car-models. Excellent. ( I think THIS was the point of the article )

And if the random booth babes are to entice people who normally don't care to go ( who's benefiting here, other than the organizers making $$ ? )...wouldn't it be a good thing to have random guy booth babes to entice girls not normally interested? :lol

To summarize:
Any type of fan costume, clothing, accessories, hot costumed booth babes to advertise and represent - Yes
Dressing like a hooker for the sake of it 'because it's fun and you can't do it anywhere else', booth babes in bikinis to get people to notice your booth - No.

 

[faille]

It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.

Even among "real geek girls"(whatever that means) the attractive ones get more attention. And even while they are getting the attention, there are people hating on them purely for their physical appearance. So the attractive geeks have to be MORE geeky to "prove" their geekiness, which makes people hate on them more because then they're trying too hard. And if you are attractive and a geek you clearly have self esteem issues and are really just seeking attention by glomming onto the latest trend. Nevermind the fact that a huge proportion of female characters are scantily clad, which makes it kind of hard to do accurate cosplay and not be labeled as attention-seeking, which just perpetuates the cycle.

Pretty girls should just shut up and be pretty and marry some rich guy so we can... STILL ridicule them for relying on their looks and doing nothing of interest or importance! /headdesk

Replace geek with anything else and it's still the same. We as a society seem to still be unable to separate a woman's attractiveness from her worth as a human being.

But maybe being a geek is more mainstream because being a geek is FUN. It just took those dumb jocks longer to figure it out.

 

[ShackMan]

Wow ... lots to read in this thread. Do I think it's right to be "elitist" as someone else called it? No. Do I understand it? Sure. How often have jocks and cheerleaders looked down on geeks/nerds for wearing a sport cap or jersey because they liked the team (but didn't "fit the bill"). It's normal to want to get back at them. Again, I don't agree with it, just understand.

As Aelynn000 pointed out, I think it's more about dressing the part and representing. To Art's point, I don't expect a "booth babe" to know episodes or a character's real name; but I think they should have some product knowledge. Dress to draw attention, but have an idea of what you're marketing (eg, models, prices, availability, something). To me, having a "babe" provocatively dressed to sell something she knows nothing about is as bad as a salesperson at RadioShack in a shirt/tie trying to sell me components he knows nothing about (that I have to help him find). Does he need to be an engineer, and know how the part works? No. Should he have a clue what the part is or where to find it? Sure. That shirt and tie don't make you look very professional if you look like an idiot trying to find/sell me the part.

OK, last part was a bit of a rant ... but you get the point; it's not just about conventions (my opinion on why booth babes should know SOMETHING about what they're marketing).


ATM
ShackMan

 

[Art Andrews]

I totally disagree with this statement.It sounds like it was written by someone in their early twenties who had everything handed to them as a kid.

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

Did they earn the right to wear that costume?

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.

To see an airhead model who knows nothing about the character being given a costume based solely on their looks and the hopes that they can sell a product is a slap in the face to the rest of us and many times backfires on the company trying to sell those goods to start with. I can totally understand Pax's policy in regards to this.

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

It isnt reverse elitism and it isnt "looking down" our noses at someone. It's calling someone out for being a fake.

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.

 

[Art Andrews]

At the very least a company could do is honor a fan by giving them the privilege to be the booth babe for the product. Plus any money they would earn would most likely get put back into the product anyway. Additionally I'm sure their knowledge base and passion for the brand would clearly produce better results than someone given a 15 minute cheat sheet. I find it hard to believe that a company can't find a true fan to wear a costume vs. a complete random. Its called a post to your followers on twitter. Not only does this increase their good will with fans but can also be the foundation for an entire marketing campaign. This is an approach Marvel and Bioware have been using for the past couple of years.

I think you ARE starting to see this a bit more. I know ANOVOS used nothing but people in the hobby this year and it was awesome.

 

[Dark Siren]

I don't blame booth babes for needing to work. I don't look favorably on a company that thinks it needs to appeal to guys by attracting to you with girls showing skin. But if that didn't work, they wouldn't do it.

Booth babes only have their bodies to be proud of. I'm a crafts person and I costume to 1) show off my skills, 2) make up the fact that I wasn't allowed to participate in Halloween as a kid, and 3) feel closer to the wonderful worlds of film and literature by dressing as a character from them. For me, booth babes serve only to inspire me to work out and look as good in my hand made costume.