Girls, are you geeky enough to costume?

[Pappy]

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......)

Isn't this what 'we' all want?
Seriously,I don't wanna be alone!!:lol

 

[neoakaj]

At the Denver comic con, we seemed to have a small amount of this same problem. However, there was in my opinion, some legitimate female cosplayers. There was a booth that had female cosplayers selling masquerade masks that they made them self. I felt great about seeing this, as there was the group of women walking around in school girl outfits with no other apparent reason other than looks... So I bought a Harley Quinn mask!

Both my girlfriend and my self spend a lot of time into our costumes... They may not be the best looking or perfect by any means, but the fact that it's something that we made, we pieced together, we created, I feel that this is what makes us stand out.

 

[stevechewbacca]

I'll try to explain my own point (sorry if my language is not perfect, I still do some mistake in English ^^")

1 - I don't know exactly what is a booth-babe. Are they the ones in cons that, for exemple, wear cat ears and give you some flyers about a product ? Or are we talking about cocacola babes who give you some bottles when you visit a con ?
In fact, I think the 2 possibilities are parts of the costuming cons like Comic Con. I can just talk about Paris (France) Comic con but I guess it's the same as SDCC, just not the same size . What I mean is that they are not wearing costumes to interest you directly making you wonder if they are fans, geek, etc. or not but they make you say "hey ! this company/stand/market/... was great ! look the picture I took of their booth wearing this character tshirt/costume". It is just publicity and, at Paris Comic Con, they really play the game of being a part of our community even if they do not do costuming the rest of the year.
One day, at a private party, my 501st garrison were asked to participate. So a friend and I took our armors and went to it. A girl was here to play Ben 10 in a costume like Mickey (you know, with a big big head and all the body covered). She was here only for money as she was a "booth-babe". She told us that she does it only for her company but we had a great time talking with her and partying with here for the guests. She was interested by "our world" even if she only wanted to do her job knowing nothing about Ben10

Booth-babe or not, she was costumed so she was a cosplayer during 4 hours like us, that's it

2 - being geek to "earn" the right of wearing costume ?
Ho god ! :facepalm How can someone say that ? Everybody (almost) was young and wore costume for parties and carnival at an age you cannot be considered as a geek. We just continue this dream when we grow up. That's all
And for those who think you have to know the story of your character, no you don't. If you just wear the costume because it is cool, no problem After that, if you want to make a conquest or something that evaluate your hability of playing the character, then you have to know a little of him/her. But in general, the costume says all you need to know. For exemple : a girl with a gun will not play a princess, that is logical
The better example I have so far is my girl friend who knew nothing about star wars (exept that Vader was a bad guy with a big voice) but as she came with me sometimes to star wars events, she told me that she wanted to make some costumes (from anime, movies and SW). No, she learnt a lot about SW just by coming with me and so, asking about some characters she like the design. And on the top of that, she is making a Darth Talon costume even if we don't want to buy the comics. We only know that Talon is a sexy sith so she will play it as well. She only asked me about the twileks and their way of life to take some poses when pple will take pictures. That's all.
The important thing is to have fun with others and talking about the hobby

3 - About costume "quality" : My bad ...
A friend of mine who begins in our hobby told me that I'm a little harsh with some cosplayers when I said something like : "this captain america doesn't have the attitude a Cap.A must have" or "look, his/her costume is really cool but, there are some points here and here, and here..."
I think I forgot the fact that everybody do it as it can, and it must be fun to do it. And I have to apologize for it. The first costume I did was not so good at all so I have to remember that we all do our best and if we like this hobby, our skills will grow up. So as I said before, just have fun with the others and don't care if they are geek or not, or if they are here to sell or promote a company during a con.

"This is where the fun begins ! "

PS : sorry again for my possible mistakes ^^" I hope my point is understandable

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Got a picture of that Harley Quinn mask?

 

[neoakaj]

Got a picture of that Harley Quinn mask?

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Not what I was expecting, but cool. Thanks for the pictures.

 

[Dart]

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

Not to paint everyone with the same brush, but my experience with the "costume snobs" is that they were victimized in the past so now it's their turn to do the same, just in their costuming world.

Let's also see the difference between having standards and just plain being a jerk. There are some groups out there that are called "snobs" because they have standards. By their very nature, these groups are voluntary - if you don't like the standards, don't apply but don't complain about things when your cardboard costume looks like a cardboard costume when compared to the suits that meet the standard.

Taking a wider view, when it comes to cons I think it's great to see all the people who dress up. Some don't have the experience or knowledge to make it look as good as others, but that's ok. They shouldn't be put down for that.

As for the "booth babe" thing, if a gal knows her character inside and out and/or just puts out a positive image, I see nothing wrong with that. Even if she's been given a cheat sheet so she knows just enough, again, no problems here.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Not to paint everyone with the same brush, but my experience with the "costume snobs" is that they were victimized in the past so now it's their turn to do the same, just in their costuming world.

Yes, the abused become the abuser. It's often seen. A shame really. Be the good guy when coming to a point of "power" - don't be like those who tormented you... or you are just the same as them.

 

[Moviefreak]

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

:lol I too have felt this way after pevioud run ins with him and his "quick to be insulted and throw insults back" attitude.

 

[KristinaLeigh]

Here's the article posted in response to the original article: Overheard on CNN.com: Readers take issue with 'booth babes,' she-geek stereotypes – GeekOut - CNN.com Blogs

Interesting how people responded to it...A lot of people actually stood up for the booth babes and/or the faux geeks.

 

[CessnaDriver]

They should prove they're geeks. Date one!

 

[slave1pilot]

Not to paint everyone with the same brush, but my experience with the "costume snobs" is that they were victimized in the past so now it's their turn to do the same, just in their costuming world.

Not all of us ...

 

[nick daring]

I think the hang-up is the difference between a volunteer soldier and a mercenary. One of them has there heart in the matter.

It's a matter of authenticity in the experience.

The reason Adam Savage puts on a costume every year for SDCC...

And these people's reason to dress up for an event are quite different-

I'm a big fan of exposed boobage and cute chicks, but I'm inspired more by people embodying a personal obsession or at the very least loving to build stuff and express a need for showmanship than someone completing a modelling gig.

Anyone that can't see a bit of a difference is naive or is trying to be manipulative in their rhetoric.

I also think there are three main categories of costumers that are being talked about here-
1. Super fans who want to "be" their obsession for a day.
2. Costumers who like to dress up and make stuff but aren't personally obsessed with what the characters and stories are about.
3. Booth Babes- models who get paid to stand around and attract attention to promote a product for a company.

There is obviously some blurring and combining of these three varieties but I feel those are the main motivations you find in costumed folks at a con.

I'm fine with all of it but there is a difference between them and I think the difference shows when you see them at the show. (I will say that the He-Man booth babe at the Mattel booth looks like she's having a blast! )

Nick

 

[faille]

I also think there are three main categories of costumers that are being talked about here-
1. Super fans who want to "be" their obsession for a day.
2. Costumers who like to dress up and make stuff but aren't personally obsessed with what the characters and stories are about.
3. Booth Babes- models who get paid to stand around and attract attention to promote a product for a company.

Another reason Adam Savage dresses up is to avoid being recognized. BF and I like to play the "Do you think that was Adam?" game at SDCC.

There is also the 4th type, which is really who I think the author of the CNN piece was targeting.

4. Attention Seekers- women, usually of better than average looks, who wear skimpy outfits primarily for the attention. I would place the school girls (and other outfits basically unrelated to the convention), as well as many (but not all) of the Leeloos and Slave Leias in this boat. The difficulty people have is telling types 1 and 2 from type 4.

The primary differences between male and female costumers is the males have more modest options to choose from, and overall I think people judge physical appearance less with men. The fat spider man gets tittered at, but the lady Na'vi is ridiculed if she is "too chubby" OR "too sexy".

 

[nick daring]

That's definitely a tricky category. There is definitely some overlap between the "costumers" and the "attention seekers".

The desire to pursue the building and wearing of costumes as opposed to some other artform is due to the fun of the attention you get once you put it on.

Nick

 

[neoakaj]

Another reason Adam Savage dresses up is to avoid being recognized. BF and I like to play the "Do you think that was Adam?" game at SDCC.

There is also the 4th type, which is really who I think the author of the CNN piece was targeting.

4. Attention Seekers- women, usually of better than average looks, who wear skimpy outfits primarily for the attention. I would place the school girls (and other outfits basically unrelated to the convention), as well as many (but not all) of the Leeloos and Slave Leias in this boat. The difficulty people have is telling types 1 and 2 from type 4.

The primary differences between male and female costumers is the males have more modest options to choose from, and overall I think people judge physical appearance less with men. The fat spider man gets tittered at, but the lady Na'vi is ridiculed if she is "too chubby" OR "too sexy".

We did have one Slave Leia that was genuine at DCC

I agree with your last statement. 100%

 

[CessnaDriver]

I think its the perception that because the geeks created the stage despite a lot of social ridicule for years, now others appear to be bum rushing the stage that it's "kewl"
and pop culture embraced finally, just to get that spotlight for personal gains.


It's a sign of success really.

 

[Bobtherocker]

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

I was going to comment on what a nice person you must be to hang out with, being all intolerant and argumentative and such but then I thought I'd keep it simple.
Feking eejit.

 

[Rjames112]

Wow, how far we have come. Our hobby has almost always been the butt of jokes and derision, but now that we (the geek/costuming community) have gained a bit of notoriety and a brief moment in the spotlight, we are doing to everyone else what has always been done to us.

Check out this article on CNN that begrudges any woman who costumes but isn't a "true geek."

Booth babes need not apply – GeekOut - CNN.com Blogs

I think this mentality is absolutely appalling, especially considering how we, as a community have been ostracized, excluded, and ridiculed for decades. Are there wanna-bes and people who are only here for the attention they can get while we are a hot trend? Sure. Should be exclude those people or tell them they are not worthy of sharing in the fun with us because they can't tell you what episode of Star Trek Kirk fought the Gorn or don't know what Vader helmet has a C-scar?

This mentality falls right in line with people who want to ostracize those who use pepakura to build their props or those who are using various 3D building implements.

Have we gotten so big and so bold that we can now turn out noses up at others and tell them they are not worthy to be a part of us?

What do you think?

I think this kind of elitism and exclusion has permeated the "geek" culture. In trying to justify our geekiness to the rest of the world we've decided that some people just aren't geeky enough.

Who said there were gatekeepers? Who said being geeky was black and white? You can be a geek and not be a living, breathing, walking embodiment of what you geek out over.

This mentality of having people, especially women, prove that they have the cred to not be a poser, fake geek is hurtful to everyone.

Being a geek or geeking out is not about how much you like something, how much you know, what you wear but the amount you like to have a shared experience of what you like. Don't look at someone and judge them to be less of a geek because they are not on par with you but look at them and see an opportunity to share with someone what you like.

 

[crabra comander]

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.

Note to self: Go to Dragon Con...:lol

But seriously, that's just attention seeking at it's worst.

You've got the posers and the fakes, the misguided and uninformed, the hardcore and enthusiast.