This past Saturday, my youngest son and I went to a drag brunch. The night before we were texting back and forth about about the brunch because, of course, my biggest concern was what I was going to wear!! I had never been to this bar (no surprise there as I don’t drink). So, I asked him if the show was inside. He told me the show was the queens dancing between the tables. I asked if there would be shade (and not the kind thrown). He was shocked I didn’t know what a drag brunch was…I honestly didn’t know it was a thing! He then sent me a link (I didn’t read it). I asked if there would be bacon (there was). He thought I was joking! We had several back and forth moments (honestly, I should have just called him). We had a delicious brunch buffet style!
Tips for attending a drag brunch…
Go with an open mind. You are going to see drag queens. Some of them will be more professional than others. Be prepared to see really fabulous queens as well as baby queens who haven’t quite got the makeup down! You are probably going to hear some off color jokes. You will undoubtedly hear the f-bomb used in all of its iterations! And, you may see more skin than you’re used to seeing! What I really want you to appreciate is drag as an art form! These entertainers not only learn multiple songs and spoken monologues; they dance or interact with the crowd whilst doing so. And, the makeup! Well, let’s just say, I need a few lessons on contouring and drawing on my eyebrows! Honestly, I love drag for its exuberance, but I appreciate it for the art it truly is!
More tips…
Don’t stare! Will there be people who identify differently than you? Probably. Will there be people not quite like you? Absolutely! That’s the joy of the event! Will there be people like you? Probably! Will you see some fashion that’s not quite mainstream? Maybe! Will you be in the minority? That depends on you. If you’re my age and straight, you may stand out as the different one! But, you will see all manner of people, young, old, straight, gay, bi, trans, gender fluid, and gender binary. Can you tell which is which? I don’t know…remember the tip…don’t stare!
Even more tips…
Enjoy the moment! Sit back, relax, and be present! While this was my first drag brunch, it was not my first drag show. There might have been a clue in this post. I have attended a few shows (with queens who have appeared on “RuPaul’s Drag Race”), and the overall feeling at these shows is acceptance. No one looks at anyone with judgment. I feel very comfortable at these shows…I don’t feel like anyone is judging me. OK, maybe they’re judging my eyebrows! But, if you want to feel good about humanity, go to a drag show! And, if you’re lucky, you’ll get to sit with the parents of one of the queens! Their pride in their child shows every time the phone comes up and the hand goes out with a couple of bucks in it!
Last tip…
Tip! Hit the ATM, and get lots and lots of $1s unless you’re a big spender! Then, get all of the $5s and $10s! I am not sure, but I think most of the queens in the Indianapolis area do these shows as side gigs to their real jobs. And, I think that’s probably true of most drag queens and kings. Being a drag queen takes money! You need makeup, wigs, and extra big women’s shoes! You also need clothing! Tip your entertainers generously! Let them know you appreciate their artistry! Those tips say you see them and the hard work they’re doing! It may be a labor of love for most of them, but that labor requires financial backing!
So, what to wear…
Obviously, you’ve seen this outfit before (you haven’t, check here). Jordan hadn’t been to this venue before so he didn’t know what it would be like. I was concerned about being warm enough if it was inside and cool enough if it was outside. Turns out Downton Olly’s has a “Backyard” which is basically a covered pavilion so I didn’t have to worry about being in the sun. I thought about wearing a Lilly Pulitzer swing dress, but I didn’t want to have to mess with how to stay warm as our weather has been a bit cooler than usual. I also wanted to look a little fabulous, you know! And, I have to say this Rhiannon Split Midi dress definitely makes me feel fabulous! I wore the pima leggings from J Jill because that split? It goes right up the center of the dress…all the way up! Did you notice my hair? I had a hair appointment Friday and asked my stylist to put some teal streaks in. When she asked how many, I just told her to go for it and have fun! It’s very subtle and will fade in a couple of weeks. But, I love it!
The Lewk!
I really need to get a new pair of these sandals. They are so comfortable, but the memory foam padding has lost lots of its memory! I added the three bracelets I bought at a little boutique during my girls’ weekend. The earrings are also old J Jill.
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Wrap it up, Marsha!
This is probably the last post you expected to see from me! And, it may make some of you uncomfortable. I recognize that, but I think drag is an amazing art form. It celebrates the creativity of these artists. Trust me, if you go to a show, you will soon get lost in the magic of the moment! You may even find yourself singing along! So, can we talk? Have you gone to a drag show? Have you considered it? What would you wear? Please leave a comment or two, and we can talk! I promise to answer as soon as possible.
Thank you!
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Oh what a fab thing to do! Here in the UK there is a very old and long-standing tradition of men dressing up as women – I’m talking pantomime dames here. Ever since I was a child and remember I am 76 so that would be 70 years ago I was first taken to a pantomime and every winter thereafter throughout my childhood, and then I took my children too. And at pantomimes you always have the principal boy who is a young woman and you have the dame who is a man. And their dresses were out of this world, sparkling and huge and amazing. So most of us have grown up with this and think nothing of the drag scene as it’s just there and fine and kind of normal and when I was younger I often frequented pubs in London were there were drag revues – which were great fun.
But of course nothing stands still and now you have young men who are gender fluid. And our most prestigious museum the V&A has a fab exhibition – Fashioning Masculinities – where you see the wonderful dresses that some young men wear. I’ll give you the link below. So I think what fun you must have had and how fab to be taken to it by your son. I do love their makeup, but the way they dress, aren’t they gorgeous.
Your dress btw is superb, just the right thing to wear!
https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/fashioning-masculinities-the-art-of-menswear
I don’t know why, but my reply completely disappeared, Penny! So, I will reply again! I loved visiting the V&A when we were in London several years ago and would love to see this exhibition. Isn’t it fun to see how fashion really just repeats itself? Remember, those feminine masculine looks were worn by some pretty macho men back in the early centuries! How funny that men today totally resist it! I love that you (as well as your parents) took your little ones to see these shows. We need to normalize such events rather than make them beyond the norm.
Thank you so much for coming by, Penny!
That sounds like such a fun outing with your son and you look fabulous.
Thanks, Joanne! We had lots of fun!
What a fun thing to do! I’ve had so much fun going to drag shows. Love that you went with your son. Your dress is so beautiful and thanks for sharing your experience.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks, Kathrine! Oh, you live close to so many fabulous queens! I bet you’ve seen some of the best!
It sounds like you had a good time. And I just love your outfit your wearing. It has an ease but still chic.
https://www.bauchlefashion.com/2022/08/how-5-iconic-fall-pieces-have-become-my.html?m=1
Thanks, Heather! We really did have fun! And, I love this whole outfit…it’s silk so it’s just right when the temps climb!
I’ve never been before, but now I definitely want to go. It’s so important to enjoy different avenues of the world around us and NOT JUDGE. I think that’s something I’m finally learning in my old age.
BTW, I love the streaks in your hair. Honestly I wouldn’t have noticed if you hadn’t pointed them out because I was so enthralled with the dress.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks, Jodie! I was kind of hoping the streaks would be a little more noticeable, but I still like them! Oh, you should definitely find a drag show. You’d probably get pulled up on stage in all your fabulosity!
Drag really is an art form, you’re so right! I’ve been to a few drag brunches in the past and they’re so fun! Great way to spend a Saturday morning, for sure! Love what you wore, too- breezy and fun!
-Ashley
Thanks, Ashley! This was my first drag brunch but, hopefully, not my last! I would wear this dress almost every day if I could!
This sounds like so much fun! If I lived near you, I’d be begging to come too! I think your dress is absolutely fabulous for your brunch!
Thanks, Laura! And, if you lived near me, we’d have lots of fun!!!
Marsha what a fun post! I’ve never been to a drag brunch here in Montreal (I don’t think we have- but I’m gonna inquire now!) But I will tell you something about me that I don’t think I’ve ever shared. When I was in my late teens, early twenties- at the beginning of my first career as a makeup-artist, and while I was in university, I used to do drag make-up at gay clubs in Montreal for extra cash. At that time, they didn’t do their own make-up! And, they let me in the back door- not sure why, but yeah it didn’t look good I guess to have this shy, mousy young blonde girl walking through the front entrance I guess! They’d say oh here comes Cinderella with her trunk, when I’d arrive. Thought I’d share, coz your post brought me back there! xx
Oh, Lucy, thanks so much for sharing that little bit of your Memory Lane with me! I’ll bet you’ve got some stories to tell! What fun!!! I am always amazed when I watch videos of queens putting on their makeup (even just guys putting on makeup). They are so creative and so good at applying that makeup! I’d love to have a drag queen make me up! Maybe I’ll try to find one!!! Wouldn’t that be fun?
Where to start! First, I noticed your hair immediately and I love it!! Very cool!! And a drag brunch sounds like so much fun!! I would totally be down to attend one of those. And I 100% would have been asking allllll those questions – remember, I like to know all the details before going somewhere new!! LOL. It sounds like a wonderful time and you looked fab!
Exactly, Erin! We want to know it all! We did have a lot of fun! Thanks so much for your support!
Oh I love this so much, Marsha! First, you look fab! The teal streaks are marvelous. And I love this flouncy dress. Also, I love how you embrace everybody. To me, it’s a much more satisfying existence to take joy in our differences rather than to denigrate them. I think posts like these are important for demonstrating such.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Thank you so much, Michelle! I have to admit I wasn’t probably quite as accepting when I was a teenager (are any of them). But, I’ve lived, learned, and evolved. I think we need to accept everyone as they are and realize how much better the world is with so many different and unique people. And, I do love this dress! It is simply amazing to me!
What a fun thing to do, I love drag! I remember going to a show many years ago on holiday in Gran Canaria, where apparently there is a strong drag tradition. You look fabulous!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Thanks so much, Emma! I have loved watching drag on tv for years. When we moved, I was able to see a few in person shows. This brunch was lots of fun!
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