Thursday, February 08, 2007
Dressing up for Carnaval
Gaymengc.com make a couple of points that may not be apparent to those of you just visiting and who don't know the "rules of social etiquette" for Carnaval.
The first is that, although the Carnavals in all the various towns do have a theme, it isn't necessary for you to struggle to find a costume that fits that theme - unless you want to. You can wear whatever costume you like. To street events, you can also "come as you are", if you don't wish to dress up, but why waste the excuse?
The other is that "Drag of all kinds is worn by all kinds of men whether straight, gay or undecided." There are all kinds: some I've seen are "convincing women", but I've seen plenty of others with beer bellies and beards, in nurses outfits with stockings and suspenders or a Spanish flamenco dress, coyly hiding behind fans.
In fact, for the Burial of the Sardine event that - symbolically at least - marks the end of Carnaval, it is almost mandatory for men to dress as "wailing widows".
Whatever your culture (or your mother) taught you about not being caught dead "dressed like that" in the streets doesn't count here. It doesn't even matter if you are going to Carnaval on the public bus. Everyone else is dressed up. Just go for it!
Dressing up for Carnaval
Labels: Carnaval
