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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  • 137 comments
...go 1 level up... Expand

dornbeast

August 17 2012, 08:06:39 UTC 4 years ago

...now I want an excuse to look fabulous...

That is a reason to look fabulous.

(In my world, "I want to," "I'm breathing," "I have this outfit I want to wear," and "it's Friday" are just a few of the many reasons to look fabulous, or dashing, or any positive adjective that refers to one's sartorial sense in action.)

tigrkittn

August 17 2012, 12:25:11 UTC 4 years ago Edited:  August 17 2012, 12:27:22 UTC

As Seanan has just described, looking fabulous is an expensive endeavor - no doubt even more so for me than for her, as I'm pretty plain to start with. I can't afford to be frivolous right now. Maybe someday.

Also I'd feel silly going to the grocery store in a ball gown :D

ETA: Also also, I have no particular sartorial sense. "Fashion challenged" is probably an apt description. I'm content to leave the house not looking ridiculous most days.

marence

August 17 2012, 14:32:05 UTC 4 years ago

A group of us has "dress-up days" - everybody brings the most extravagant things in their wardrobe, and plays dress-up with each others gowns and sequined things. (We're lucky enough to have an ex-cosmotology student, who does makeup and hair if we look to pitiful.) Then you have a fancy cocktail party - make little tiny versions of your favorite cheap snacks, and serve cocktails or mocktails in the fancy glassware you never use.

tigrkittn

August 17 2012, 14:35:29 UTC 4 years ago

Awww, that is awesome! Another thing for the "someday" list! You're quite an inspiration this week ;)

marence

August 17 2012, 15:31:06 UTC 4 years ago

Aw, thanks!
As I get older, my goal in life has changed from "keep learning" to "keep learning, do good." If I can help someone smile for a few minutes, or make themselves happier for a few minutes, and all it takes is admitting publicly to the weirdness and silliness in my life, why not?