Aside: Women's clothes in King Drag

I, the editor, am hesistant to banish women's clothes entirely from King Drag, but I am cognizant of the fact that many who indulge in King Drag have been sequestered to the women's section for most of their lives.

If there is something unerrringly masculine that you want to explore, the "men's section" is a worth a gander - during my first couple of years of Drag, I was largely wearing women's clothes with King paint and not taking my Drag all too seriously. The few unisex items I owned were special allowances I had made, and being working-class I was always hesitant to buy something as frivolous as new clothes, particularly for Drag. If one can cross this particular Rubicon, however, it will undoubtedly enhance the illusion of masculinity. Men's clothes are not prone to malfunction or pain the way women's clothes seemed to be built for. Shoes have a responsible heel if any at all, no outfit will ride up or press close enough to impede digestion. What they lack in stylistic flair, they make up for in a masculine silhouette and practicality on stage.

Not everyone is me, however. Some have been forced into the men's section from birth, or live their pedestrian lives there and miss the softness and glamour that the women's section offers. Women's clothes certainly have a place in King Drag, but the editor has two things of note to mention.

1. Tempering the femininity of these clothes with a proper masculine illusion - through makeup, physique, or choreography - will make sure people are indeed reading you as "King" when you perform, and the more feminine elements that are added, the more likely it is you will be read as "Thing" or "Queen". When in doubt, pack like crazy.

2. If it is the convenience of a garment pre-stoned, sequined, and brightly dyed off the rack, finding a men's equivalent and personally rhinestoning it or adding a trim will always be the more worthwhile option - though it requires far more effort and patience than the former. Garment design, even if it is embellishing a pre-purchased piece, is what separates rookies from the more intermediate performers, and is a great skill to apply to any part of a Drag look.