Thoughts on gender performance

[valarltd]

So. I cut my hair today. It had been getting about chin length and I had that generic Mom 'do. It's short now. Really short. As in, I need a leather jacket, black plastic comb and brylcreem. I have a k.d.lang/James Dean/generic bad boy cut now.

And this leads me to thinking about how I'll be presenting at the book signing in July. Do I go very feminine, pink camisole, sheer pink patterned blouse and beige maxi skirt? Do I show up in the band collared shirt and leather jacket? The clothes make a big difference.

According to heraldofdarknes I move entirely differently depending on what I'm wearing.

Jeans and a t-shirt, I'm myself. Middle-aged, smart mouthed, funny, not at all sexy. I might wear perfume, no telling what it will be. Makeup is minimal.

Put the band-collared shirt, the denim vest, boots, pocket watch, flask and hat on me, and I am instantly the biggest butchest bad-ass in the room, even when I'm shorter and out-armed. I stalk. I strut. I glare. I sneer at the cameras. I smell of leather and vetiver and smoke and roses. Because I am Angelina Fucking Calamity and you do not want a piece of me.

But put me in the skirt and blouse above and sandals and my walk changes. My steps get shorter and lighter. My attitude changes. I'm sweet and a little flirty. I take up less space. I smile more. My scent is pink, floral and fruity. I wear makeup and jewelry.

The latter two are entirely performance. And I can't wait to see how the haircut affects them.

Comments

Hmm...

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

>>And this leads me to thinking about how I'll be presenting at the book signing in July.<<

What kind of book is it? Does it match one mode of presentation more than the other? If so, go with that. If not, choose by mood or your best guess of audience preference. If it's about being genderqueer in some way -- use both, and plan time in the middle so you can change clothes and modes.

Re: Hmm...

[valarltd.livejournal.com]

I'm officially signing Curse of the Pharaoh's Manicurists which is pretty straightforward Indiana Jones/The Mummy homage pulp fiction.

This is Memphis, so the audience will expect me to be reasonably ladylike.

I'll play with it.

Re: Hmm...

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

Good idea. Gender flexibility can be a handicap in many situations -- but if you can choose which mode to use for your advantage, then it's an asset.

[(Anonymous)]

The D-Man Checks In: Always play to your audience. If they expect you to be lady-like, then be lady-like. If they expect a butch biker bitch (and you can pull it off), then be that. Few things dash a reader's fandom faster than meeting their hero & having him/her nothing like how they imagined them, and not in a good way.

Take note of the plummet Tom Cruise & his popularity took after he went jumping about on Opra's couch on live TV.

[jess-faraday.livejournal.com]

I have to admit, I have a weakness for the Butch Look.