I love drag queens. What I like about them is that they are unabashedly fabulous. Sequinned gowns, big hair, dramatic make-up–they embrace their fabulosity confidently, with all they’ve got.
They know how to be fabulous.
How do I know this? I used to spend a lot of time in the drag world, among people with names like Pussy Galore, Ana Falactic Shock, Miss Chablis, Lypskinka and Gloria Hole.
Drag queens are no shrinking violets.
Yes, I know it’s not all sequins and champagne for them, but the illusion is fabulosity and that part of it I do love.
Like my favorite drag queens, I’m a big believer in faking it till you make it and in not wasting time hiding your (key) light in a barrel.
Do you know people like that? I do. People who are afraid to risk being who they are. Afraid of being made the fool, the won’t step outside their safe little boxes.
Oh, to that I say, Do it! and ‘eff ’em if they can’t take a joke!
This is no time to hang back. The clock is ticking on our lives.
Time to live it up! Be the fabulous person you are!
Which brings me to the shoes.
Some 25 years ago I coveted a pair of fabulous hunter green and brown knee-high leather and suede boots I saw in Rome. They were $400, which at the time was a big pile of money for shoes, at least for me.
Oh, I know. Today, young women drop twice that on Jimmy Choos just to have the name brand. For me, it wasn’t the brand–I don’t even remember who made them.
I do, however, remember what they looked like and how much I loved them.
I didn’t buy them.
I had no idea that all these years later I’d still be thinking about them and regretting walking away.
I’m glad to say that it’s my only regret in life, and for that I’m thankful.
But every fabulous girl needs a pair of fabulous footwear at least once in her life.
My advice to you? Buy the shoes.
You won’t regret it.
So, here’s what I want to know:
What’s your symbol of fabulosity? Something you did that showed the world just how fabulous you are?
I stopped drinking on my own because I knew I had to; I stuck with a man who didn’t want me, but does now, and we are happy; I raised a child who is a “good girl” and a smart cookie ( who also loves drag queens; we think they are a hoot),I bought a horse and started riding again after 30 years and won reserve champion in a tiny local horse show;I started an antique shop in my barn and made a nice income for two years ( so fun); I earned an executive coaching certificate from Columbia University, and now I am getting an MFA at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Thanks for letting me brag a little. It hasn’t always been easy, but I have no regrets( Well , maybe just an antique or two I didn’t bid high enough on….)
I bought the shoes, but they didn’t bring me lasting pleasure. eBay suggests I start bidding for all of then at $.99. Now those boots, I would’ve worn them forever… These days, if there is “shoe money” around, it is designated as camera money. Or boot money. Boot money, especially Italian boot money, is never wasted!
Couldn’t agree more, which is why I did complete the purchase of my over the knee purple suede boots. Because life is short and fabulous and these tall boots serve as a reminder.
For me, it’s all about the glasses. Well, mostly about the glasses. When I got my first all-out fabulous pair my kids laughed and said, “Yeah, really funny, Mum. Now where are your real ones?” I wore those turquoise and brown frames with the little butterfly wings at the corners for nearly 7 years because I never found a pair to beat them. I’m happy to say, though, that my new red-stripey cat-eye glasses are pretty much just as fabulous.
Yes, they’re pricey. And yes, they’re totally worth it.
I used to be a lot better at splurging on things that made me feel fabulous. Sometimes it was jewelry. But I am going to New York in a couple of weeks and I am hoping to find something fabulous………!
Fabulous for me: a killer black dress, shoes I bought in Paris, hair done by a French hairdresser, diamonds…professional makeup–as mother of the groom at my son’s New Year’s Eve wedding in SF. A night of total elegance and glam. Loved every minute!
I don’t have a lot of experience with drag queen, I do love traveling to Provincetown and just feeling the energy their spirit brings when they feel free enough to be themselves. I think that energy speaks to many people who hid behind the mask.
Oh and I feel for your loss in not buying the shoes. Hindsight is 20/20 and in the moment you weren’t meant to buy them; you went with your gut emotion at the time.
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I stopped drinking on my own because I knew I had to; I stuck with a man who didn’t want me, but does now, and we are happy; I raised a child who is a “good girl” and a smart cookie ( who also loves drag queens; we think they are a hoot),I bought a horse and started riding again after 30 years and won reserve champion in a tiny local horse show;I started an antique shop in my barn and made a nice income for two years ( so fun); I earned an executive coaching certificate from Columbia University, and now I am getting an MFA at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Thanks for letting me brag a little. It hasn’t always been easy, but I have no regrets( Well , maybe just an antique or two I didn’t bid high enough on….)
I believe ALL of that qualifies as fabulous!
Those boots do sound fabulous – maybe it’s time to get another pair.
Maybe it is!
I bought the shoes, but they didn’t bring me lasting pleasure. eBay suggests I start bidding for all of then at $.99. Now those boots, I would’ve worn them forever… These days, if there is “shoe money” around, it is designated as camera money. Or boot money. Boot money, especially Italian boot money, is never wasted!
Couldn’t agree more, which is why I did complete the purchase of my over the knee purple suede boots. Because life is short and fabulous and these tall boots serve as a reminder.
I’ll bet you sleep naked in them.
For me, it’s all about the glasses. Well, mostly about the glasses. When I got my first all-out fabulous pair my kids laughed and said, “Yeah, really funny, Mum. Now where are your real ones?” I wore those turquoise and brown frames with the little butterfly wings at the corners for nearly 7 years because I never found a pair to beat them. I’m happy to say, though, that my new red-stripey cat-eye glasses are pretty much just as fabulous.
Yes, they’re pricey. And yes, they’re totally worth it.
I’ve gotta see these in person.
I used to be a lot better at splurging on things that made me feel fabulous. Sometimes it was jewelry. But I am going to New York in a couple of weeks and I am hoping to find something fabulous………!
Can’t wait to see what your fabulous self gets!
I accomplished my life’s dream. Twice. By getting published. Twice.
Fabulous for me: a killer black dress, shoes I bought in Paris, hair done by a French hairdresser, diamonds…professional makeup–as mother of the groom at my son’s New Year’s Eve wedding in SF. A night of total elegance and glam. Loved every minute!
I bought, loved, wore, and ultimately lost a pair of cheetah print prescription sunglasses. So fab!
I don’t have a lot of experience with drag queen, I do love traveling to Provincetown and just feeling the energy their spirit brings when they feel free enough to be themselves. I think that energy speaks to many people who hid behind the mask.
Oh and I feel for your loss in not buying the shoes. Hindsight is 20/20 and in the moment you weren’t meant to buy them; you went with your gut emotion at the time.