The art of drag performance is popularly defined as a form of expression for entertainment in which the artist presents and performs outside of their gender identity. An art form that includes many others, such as makeup, dance, fashion, and many more, to evoke a reaction from the audience with the unique skills and vision of the artist. All artists are different, and their views of themselves in drag vary accordingly. Many view themselves in drag as a different person entirely, having a different name and persona that helps portray their artistic expression. Some people don’t care to differentiate themselves too much from who they are in drag, not having too much of a change in persona when performing. In these regards, the perspective of style for someone who is a drag artist is personal to them and varies wildly.
Greg Ramos, the friend I talked to for this article, has been practicing and performing in drag for about four years. His style in drag has more calculation and creativity than his everyday wear. “I want my style to be a mix of who I am in and out of drag to show more of who I am,” Greg explains.
How much of your style do you think connects to your gender identity?
“Well, when I get ready to go out or do drag, that is me expressing my creativity in a more feminine way. Me going out and being in drag doesn’t have to do with my gender identity as a man. Drag performance and gender identity aren’t related in that way, and so different people do drag regardless of their labels.”
And how do you want your everyday style to change?
“I want the way I dress to be more authentic to me. I know that style is what you make it and I’m not dressing this way for anybody else, but I think it would be better for me to have more of my feminine and creative side in my style so people can see those parts of me from day to day and not just at night or in drag.”
So after this initial discussion, Greg and I walked to a local Salvation Army thrift store and began to look through different clothes and accessories to add to his wardrobe. In doing this and talking about specific qualities he wanted to add for this winter season, we narrowed down what exactly he wants in his style moving forward.
“With who I am on a casual basis, I want to be more comfortable in what I’m wearing. I don’t want to seem lazy or broke in this decision, but the energy that it takes to have creative looks and alter clothes for the best pieces isn’t something I want to do too often.”
“When I’m not performing or going out to be a spectacle, my day-to-day style is more casual, and that’s ok. As much as I like to wear things with patterns and colors, I just don’t think that it’s me all of the time. I love myself in drag and when I am performing, and I love when I am casual during the day, but I think these two styles and personas should be separate.”
“I can envision myself in all the clothes I pick, but I can only see myself wearing a few on the day to day, and I need to get my money’s worth.”
Through talking with Greg and helping him realize this through this stylistic conversation, I began to think more about the difference in gender expression, personal style, and how this translates in different ways for different people.
How would you describe your style in relationship with your gender identity?
Do you choose to present your unique creativity in your style?
About the Author
My name is Fern Rutlin. I am an Applied Diplomacy major with a concentration in Environmental Diplomacy. I have loved fashion and the creativity of styling ever since I was little and I’m happy to do research about it and teach others what I love so much! I have many career interests, like working with non-profits and environmental causes. I might go into an environmental consultant position or learn more about sustainability in the fashion industry.
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