Seanan McGuire (seanan_mcguire) wrote,
Seanan McGuire
seanan_mcguire
  • Mood: aggravated
  • Music: Glee, "Pretty/Unpretty."

Being a girl is expensive: getting ready for the Hugos.

It's Hugo-prep time over here in Casa de Seanan, which means lots of flailing and frantic attempts to herd cats into something resembling order. And is always the case when I have to prep for a major event where appearance matters, I am reminded that it is expensive being a girl, especially being a plus-sized girl who actually wants to look, you know, nice.

To start with, you need a dress. Not just any dress: a dress which is appropriate and flattering and doesn't make you look like a manatee. I wound up going with a really lovely black and red ballgown from Sydney's Closet, a vendor that specializes in plus-size formal wear. I hugely recommend them, they're wonderful to work with. The dress fit almost perfectly, and Meg is doing some minor alterations. I should get it back tonight, just in time for...

Shoes and lingerie! I need shoes. I may also need a new strapless bra, since we can't tell exactly where the neckline will fall until Meg has everything stitched into position. Either way, I'm going to be tromping around the mall for a few hours. Nothing says "it's time for Worldcon" like a trip to the mall in a ballgown. Seriously. Nothing.

I have an appointment at my sister's school for Saturday morning, to have my hair done, and an appointment at Benefit Cosmetics for Saturday afternoon, to have my tan done. (Yes, I know, spray-tanning is horrible and will kill me and boo. But my tan lines are severe enough that I'm essentially calico right now, and that won't look good with my dress. As long as I'm not orange, I'm good. And really, this is me: if I were orange, I'd probably be pretty blissful about it.) My sister will also be doing my nails, before I fly to Chicago, and helping me set up my makeup bag. I don't know yet whether my foundation needs replacement. I guess we'll find out!

Jewelry, I have earrings already, and a few necklace prospects, although I may wind up buying something at the con from Spring.

So yeah. Being a girl? Is expensive as shit, and I am hugely envious of anyone who can just rent a tuxedo and be done. But I am going to look lovely, and get my picture taken with all my favorite people. I didn't go to my high school prom.

This will do.
Tags: con prep, shopping, so the marilyn
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docpockets

August 16 2012, 16:05:48 UTC 4 years ago

Kirsten is going through the same motions as well, so I get to be supportive and take her to many, many, many shoe stores.

seanan_mcguire

August 16 2012, 16:08:44 UTC 4 years ago

I'm probably just going to wind up buying a pair of basic kitten heels from David's Bridal. My dress is floor-length, so it's the stance I need, not the appearance of the shoe.

pickledginger

4 years ago

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wendyzski

4 years ago

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pickledginger

4 years ago

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wendyzski

4 years ago

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thedragonweaver

4 years ago

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vixyish

4 years ago

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bigblued

August 16 2012, 16:07:05 UTC 4 years ago

When I told my husband that the pre-hugo thing was full-on formal, he rolled his eyes and groaned. Because figuring out where his suit is, and getting it dry cleaned is sooooo much work!

seanan_mcguire

August 16 2012, 16:09:01 UTC 4 years ago

Oh, he has it SO MUCH HARDER than we girls do, the poor lamb!

docpockets

4 years ago

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calico_reaction

August 16 2012, 16:29:06 UTC 4 years ago

Being a girl? Is expensive as shit, and I am hugely envious of anyone who can just rent a tuxedo and be done.

God, no kidding.

I can't wait to see photos of your fabulous self! Please share! :)

seanan_mcguire

August 16 2012, 17:45:42 UTC 4 years ago

Pretty sure I won't be able to keep them off Facebook, even if I want to!

(I have the classic annoying "girl thing" of seeing nothing but a horrible fat cow in pictures of myself, even when I think friends who are bigger than I am are beautiful. It's annoying and I hate it.)

melchar

4 years ago

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calico_reaction

4 years ago

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missingvolume

August 16 2012, 16:30:39 UTC 4 years ago

After this year you can take all your Hugo pins and make yourself some Hugo jewelry with it. Lois Bujold has a nice necklace she wears with all the pins.

seanan_mcguire

August 16 2012, 17:45:51 UTC 4 years ago

Hee!

ckd

4 years ago

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brightlotusmoon

August 16 2012, 16:33:52 UTC 4 years ago

Once, while channel surfing, I paused on a show profiling a woman who became an Anna Nicole impersonator (before Anna Nicole died) and was paid mightily for it - because it cost something like twenty grand to "become" Anna Nicole. (!!!)

seanan_mcguire

August 16 2012, 17:46:01 UTC 4 years ago

Whoa.

ladymurmur

August 16 2012, 16:35:42 UTC 4 years ago

Spendy, indeed!!! Had the first dress-up occasion in I don't know how long this past weekend. Spent almost 2 months getting the outfit together. First, _the_ dress. I hadn't realized that one could find a "little black dress" that would flatter a plus-size figure. Now I know better, and IT IS MINE! MWAHAHAHA! But now that we have dress, we need bra (because nothing in the drawer works with the dress, of course), and shoes (because nothing in the closet works with the dress, of course). And makeup ('cause everything in the bag was years old at this point). And appropriate hair clip for the updo (because the one I had for prom lo these many moons ago does not work with this dress at ALL). And a mani-pedi since I wanted it to actually look nice. And stockings, which were next to impossible to find, because apparently most stores think that plus-size ladies don't want anything except combat-ready support hose. Harumpf. Combat-ready is a plus, of course, but they need to look pretty, not medicinal,

I guess if you want to "feel like a million dollars" you have to spend a significant fraction thereof. :-)

pickledginger

August 16 2012, 17:14:25 UTC 4 years ago

Ain't it the truth. And to any guys out there moaning about the necktie, I say: control-top pantyhose!

(Lane Bryant had a decent strapless bra this season, and several convertibles ... and they do that great thing where, if the exact bra you want isn't in stock, they'll get it )

dornbeast

4 years ago

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seanan_mcguire

4 years ago

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tigrkittn

4 years ago

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tigrkittn

August 16 2012, 16:36:57 UTC 4 years ago

Ohhhh, full of formal-gown envy! I've never had an opportunity to wear one- no prom, Vegas wedding - and though I resist the "Princess Thing" wholeheartedly, The Bloggess' "Red Dress Project" totally got under my skin and now I want an excuse to look fabulous just once in my life.

Does this mean I have to get nominated for a Hugo now? (Fat chance of that ever happening, ahahaha!)

seanan_mcguire

August 16 2012, 18:06:37 UTC 4 years ago

I think you should look fabulous any damn time you want to.

Just because.

evrythgcnhapn

4 years ago

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tigrkittn

4 years ago

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evrythgcnhapn

4 years ago

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tigrkittn

4 years ago

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dornbeast

4 years ago

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tigrkittn

4 years ago

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marence

4 years ago

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tigrkittn

4 years ago

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marence

4 years ago

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seanan_mcguire

August 16 2012, 18:06:48 UTC 4 years ago

Thank you!

xjenavivex

August 16 2012, 16:42:01 UTC 4 years ago

I second the request for photos. Have fun during the prep and at the event!

mariadkins

August 16 2012, 16:57:36 UTC 4 years ago

mari concurs :)

seanan_mcguire

4 years ago

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ladymondegreen

August 16 2012, 16:54:09 UTC 4 years ago

It turns out Sephora now has (at specific locations) a little scanner that can scan your skin tone and tell you which foundation is perfect for your skin tone. I'm temped to go to the one in Times Square and get this done, because no matter what I do, I always wind up looking orange (see also the video of our concert in England). There might be a Sephora near you that does this too.

And boy do I hear you about the expensive part. I've been recruited to be a Hugo carrier and there's a dress code. :)

vettecat

August 16 2012, 17:27:01 UTC 4 years ago

Very cool! I hope we get a picture of you carrying a Hugo. :-)

seanan_mcguire

4 years ago

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catsittingstill

August 16 2012, 17:00:44 UTC 4 years ago Edited:  August 16 2012, 17:10:22 UTC

I never went to my prom. On the other hand, I was pretty emphatically uninterested and didn't count it a loss.

I wonder if there are tuxeodos-for-women one can rent. Hmm. It appears that there are tuxedos-for-women at any rate; not quite sure whether one rents them or buys them...

seanan_mcguire

August 16 2012, 18:07:49 UTC 4 years ago

I haven't seen them for rent...but sadly, with my figure, in a tux, I look like an egg.

wendyzski

August 16 2012, 17:14:50 UTC 4 years ago

I can't afford to attend Worldcon but I'm a fan in Chicago and would be happy to do your makeup for you day of if you'd like. Costumer/performer so I know what I'm about. Pretty sure you have friends to help, but thought I'd offer anyway.

seanan_mcguire

August 16 2012, 18:08:14 UTC 4 years ago

Thank you so much!

I actually have a full team, but I really appreciate it.

taldragon

August 16 2012, 17:18:16 UTC 4 years ago

do Sydney's Closet have an online shop? it's always good to know about flattering plus-size formal wear (and, i admit it, i would like to see your dress :) )

vettecat

August 16 2012, 17:28:01 UTC 4 years ago

I was also curious so I just searched - http://www.sydneyscloset.com/

taldragon

4 years ago

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seanan_mcguire

4 years ago

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taldragon

4 years ago

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ironed_orchid

4 years ago

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taldragon

4 years ago

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moonwalker

August 16 2012, 17:20:21 UTC 4 years ago

I'm a girl, and I'm tempted to rent a tux myself. I wonder if any tux place would do that?
Your dress sounds wonderful, have a great time!

Mary MMM

billroper

August 16 2012, 17:25:39 UTC 4 years ago

Oh, yes. Gretchen was the "Best Man" at my first wedding and she wore a rented tux.

seanan_mcguire

4 years ago

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billroper

August 16 2012, 17:24:58 UTC 4 years ago

It's even easier once you buy a tuxedo. :)

On the other hand, I own several. One of them fits...

seanan_mcguire

August 16 2012, 18:09:10 UTC 4 years ago

Heh.

vettecat

August 16 2012, 17:26:26 UTC 4 years ago

We want pictures! And I hope the hairstyle lasts. (And, y'know, that you have reason to go onstage and show all this off...)

seanan_mcguire

August 16 2012, 18:09:19 UTC 4 years ago

Me, too.

cluegirl

August 16 2012, 17:28:56 UTC 4 years ago

Times like this make me seriously consider just investing in a tuxedo and leaving it at that. I mean, not that I'd be remotely convincing in drag, but at least black tie formal can't be quibbled with overly much, and it doesn't ever go out of style.

seanan_mcguire

August 16 2012, 18:09:29 UTC 4 years ago

True!

thedragonweaver

4 years ago

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dornbeast

4 years ago

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ladymondegreen

4 years ago

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martianmooncrab

August 16 2012, 17:48:54 UTC 4 years ago

You can find affordable foundation garments in big girl sizes at KMart and WalMart, at least they have a bigger selection and dont cost you a huge chunk of change that the department stores gouge for the same thing.

seanan_mcguire

August 20 2012, 15:34:50 UTC 4 years ago

I have a corset!

la_marquise_de_

August 16 2012, 17:52:46 UTC 4 years ago

I look forward to seeing you in the dress: it sounds glorious.

seanan_mcguire

August 20 2012, 15:35:02 UTC 4 years ago

I am terrified but excited.

ohari

August 16 2012, 17:52:51 UTC 4 years ago

You can RENT tuxedoes?

Ahem. You can re-wear them, too, over and over. It's cheaper to buy one than rent a couple of times.....and you know who was in your pants before you, and whether or not he had body lice. :) Don't even get me started on Rented Kilts. *shudder*

jenrose1

August 17 2012, 07:32:28 UTC 4 years ago

Only true for men who stay the same size from event to event... nothing quite sadder than a man who buys a tuxedo at 22 and tries to wear it at 50.

ohari

4 years ago

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seanan_mcguire

4 years ago

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ohari

4 years ago

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celtic_catgirl

August 16 2012, 17:56:43 UTC 4 years ago

It is expensive but it can be so much fun...

seanan_mcguire

August 20 2012, 15:36:05 UTC 4 years ago

True!

qnofhrt

August 16 2012, 18:09:04 UTC 4 years ago

Can't wait to see the dress as you walk up to accept your Hugos :-)

seanan_mcguire

August 20 2012, 15:36:16 UTC 4 years ago

I hope that's when it's seen!

ducktape74

August 16 2012, 18:49:07 UTC 4 years ago

You're a left-coaster - check Nordstrom for a strapless bra? They're really good at fittings.

You tell them I need X bra for Y event and viola! They're back with five different bras for you to choose from and they won't disintegrate in the wash.

I'm facing the prospect of needing clothes for "jobs not of the geeky nature," hence interviews where a step up from jeans just isn't going to cut it.

Blah, I say! Blah!

PS Kick a$$ and take names at the awards! :D

seanan_mcguire

August 20 2012, 15:36:25 UTC 4 years ago

I have a corset!

ohari

4 years ago

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ducktape74

4 years ago

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wendyzski

August 16 2012, 19:25:49 UTC 4 years ago

IN other news - HAIL THE SINGING MICE
http://io9.com/5935147/this-singing-mouse-gene

seanan_mcguire

August 20 2012, 15:36:32 UTC 4 years ago

HAIL!

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seanan_mcguire

August 20 2012, 15:36:40 UTC 4 years ago

<3
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