What Would You Say Is The Most Important Thing For Shoes That You Perform In
During long nights- you want heels that will hold you up. Paige, Gina and Gloria agree that sturdiness and stability is key! Paige Turner explains Heel height and sturdiness of the heel is important. Also, so is finding a balance between a heel that isnt big and unsightly, or a heel that isnt too pointy. Gina Tonic adds I look for heels that wont wobble or break! If Im spending a lot of money on shoes, its important they last. So far, it seems stability and style is key for what drag queens look for in shoes. But, what about comfort?
Crossdresser Shoes And Fabulous Drag Queen Heels
Everything you need to know about crossdresser shoes, including how to walk in crossddresser heels, size charts, and must have drag queen heels. Plus, Diana shares her favorite crossdresser high heels and provides tips on how to break in new crossdresser heels.
Phones Are Strictly Prohibited
Most people these days are glued to their phones, and for many, it can be difficult going one hour, let alone one day without staring into their portable screen. However, those competing on RuPauls Drag Race have to learn to live without their phones pretty quickly, as all cellular devices are strictly prohibited from being used while on the show.
This again has to do with the drastic measures taken to ensure secrecy during the filming of the show, as no contact with the outside world is allowed for the queens during their stay.
With no phones, no internet, no contact with anybody allowed, not even with other contestants, this doesnt leave the queens with very much to do while theyre stuck in their hotel rooms. While many might suggest this to be a good time to catch up on some reading, it seems like most of the contestants just wile away the hours with the only device they are allowed to have in their room: a TV.
On RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 2: Secrets RuVealed, Ginger Minj said: I dont have a phone. I dont have Internet. I have a television with Golden Girls on a loop, which is fabulous.
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How Much Do All Those Dresses Really Cost
For queens like Miss Fame, it’s worth it to splurge on the outfit because that’s an essential part of their characters, with her often wearing custom gowns created by a designer to fit her body’s exact measurements, and those dresses cost roughly what you would pay for a used car.
“A personal gown would be $1,000 to $3,000,” Miss Fame, who’s been doing drag professionally for five years, said. “Drag queens have to be like brides every time they want to be creative.”
For Zamolodchikova and Shangela, though, their careers have been about being thrifty.
“The thing is, because drag is about not following rules, you don’t have to follow rules,” Zamolodchikova said. “It’s not like anyone’s gonna be like, ‘Darling, where’s your ring?’ or ‘Where’s your bracelet?’ Style doesn’t cost any money, but it takes some ingenuity.”
Shangela thinks similarly: that the more experienced you get, the smarter you get with money too.
“The longer you do drag, the smarter you get when spending your money,” Shangela, who’s been doing drag for six years, said. “I don’t like to spend a lot of money, but I do like to have nice costumes. I like to be glamorous and modern, but still classy and fabulous, like Diana Ross. I love a gown. I love a full train on a gown. Because I know what I’m doing, my custom gowns are between $300 and $500.”
Given That Drag Can Cost So Much Do You Really Think Someone Without Money Can Make It
“I’m the living proof of that,” Edwards said. “You’ve got to start somewhere. Baby steps. No one’s learning how to swim dives into 12 feet. You’re in the kiddie pool, then you’ve got your floaty things on. It takes time. It’s not how much money you spend, it’s how smart you spend it.”
That’s something Shangela agrees with too, noting the essence of drag is about being resourceful, making something fabulous from close to nothing.
“Drag is about being resourceful even when you don’t have a lot,” Shangela said. “For someone who doesn’t have a lot of money, I would suggest they either learn how to sew, or find a person who does who likes them. Figure out what you need. If you don’t know what’s going on, girl, you got to figure it out. Know your craft and know the behind-the-scenes.”
Although drag can be inordinately expensive, it doesn’t necessarily have to be. The queen makes the drag, after all. Not the other way around.
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Get Paid By The Episode
When it comes to reality TV shows, we usually assume people apply to appear on programs because they want exposure or fame. Like any other reality series, the applicants who send in their forms to be chosen for RuPauls Drag Race are unlikely to be any different in this regard. Getting chosen to appear on a popular series like Drag Race could be life-changing, and could set the lucky few who get on TV up for great success in their future.
However, another aspect of reality TV is that its a paying job. We never really think about these reality show contestants getting paid for appearing on TV, because we likely assume theyre just happy to be there and have a chance of winning. In fact, they are getting paid, just like anyone doing any other job, and in the case of RuPauls Drag Race, its not too badly paid.
According to the Drag Race contract, Cast members are paid $400 per episode for their first season, and their pay increases 5 percent for future seasons: $420 per episode for their second season, $441 for their third, and so on.
As the queens get more exposure if they get cast in future seasons, their rate of pay goes up.
Considering the amount of work they do, though, one has to wonder, should they get paid more?
What Problems Do You Encounter With Sizing
Before, we mentioned the difficulties drag queens face with standard size womens heels. How do they get around it? Theres a lot of vanity sizing out there. Sometimes Im a womans size 9, sometimes Im an 11, Gloria notes that indeed, drag queens have relatable problems. My left foot is a quarter size larger, my favourite vintage shoes rarely come in larger sizes, which is a shame,
For Gina, theres often a compromise with sizes. Im a 10.5 in mens, which should translate to a 12.5 in womens, but that shoe size doesnt exist. I usually end up buying size 13s, which is fine because feet swell when youre in heels for too long. So theyre usually a little loose at the start of the show but they fit better by the middle and end of a show.
So, thats what drag queens look for in shoes, and just like drag queens, women struggle with standard sizing everywhere. Our PrecisonFit service takes away the annoying struggle, with shoes that are handmade for your foot measurements. Find out more on our website. Plus, you can use our online 3D designer to create your own shoes. Your favourite designs arent available in your size? Design your own today!
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All Queens Are Not Created Equal
It’s important to point out no one queen is just like the other. Sure, they all dress differently, but they also act differently, speak differently, present themselves differently. Their characters are all drastically distinct from one another, with queens like Katya Zamolodchikova trying to look like an icy, rich Russian woman and other queens like Alyssa Edwards trying to look more like Joan Collins.
Therefore, the character, a lot of the time, defines a queen’s look and preferred budget.
“My character allows for me to resist the pressure,” Zamolodchikova said. “There’s some ridiculous standard for drag queens, but if we go to some shitty awards show, and I have to make this outfit from scratch, the whole thing will probably cost me $120.”
And that’s just the clothes.
“I think that drag can be as expensive as you want your character to be,” Edwards said. “I think there’s an opposite end of the spectrum, where they can be very economical. For me, I want to be Joan Collins. And Joan Collins is glamorous. She looks very expensive and it was like, ‘How can I do this realistically and make this idea come to life?'”
Now, let’s run through what it really costs to dress up when you’re a drag queen. Hint: It ain’t cheap.
How Much Do All Those Wigs Really Cost
You can put on the heels and the makeup, but it’s the wig that can really cement a drag queen’s look and persona, sitting like a teased and hair-sprayed crown. Thus, how much they spend depends completely on their own personal brand of drag.
For Alyssa Edwards, who will appear on the upcoming series RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars alongside Zamolodchikova, a wig is healing. A wig can make or break her character, and her soul.
“I own well over 100 wigs, but I’m addicted to hair,” Edwards said. “It’s nothing for me to have a bad day and then to order a wig. That’s like therapy for me. When all else fails, I’m like, ‘Girl get a wig. Just get a new wig.'”
And those wigs don’t come cheap.
“$450 for a wig â a custom wig that’s fitted to your head, and for your face,” Edwards said. “Back in the day, I was getting a shake-and-go from the wig shop and I would spin out. Those were probably worth $60. She graduated. That’s called that TV money.”
So, if we’re doing our math correctly, it’s possible Edwards has spent possibly more than $45,000 alone on wigs.
For Zamolodchikova, who’s been doing drag since 2005, the wig also really does matter, but she’s still thrifty about it.
“You can’t get a great wig for less than $35. If it’s a lace-front, and it’s a shitty one, then you’re looking at $40 or $50,” Zamolodchikova said. “Unfortunately, wigs don’t come with big, showgirl-style hair, so you have to get two of them, so it’s like $70.”
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The Five Suitcase Limit
Anyone whos ever watched RuPauls Drag Race is aware of the extraordinary clothes and makeup the competing queens adorn themselves with for every episode. Some of the costumes they wear are ridiculously intricate and detailed, oftentimes with huge, over-the-top accessories to make sure their outfit stands out from the crowd.
Considering the amount of stuff we see these queens wearing, youll be shocked to know that all Drag Race contestants have to keep to a strict five suitcase limit.
A lot of the dresses and costumes these drag queens wear are ornate and multi-layered, so how they manage to squeeze all of these gorgeous clothes into five cases is truly astounding.
Youd think the amount of makeup they use while on the program would take up one whole suitcase alone, so this limitation on their resources and what they end up being able to produce from it is really very impressive.
Wigs, shoes, clothes, makeup – they’re all packed up into suitcases that don’t seem very big when you seem them on the show. It just goes to show that drag queens are even more impressive and remarkable than you initially thought, and these gals are truly superwomen in their own right.
How Much Does All The Makeup Really Cost
This is where the queens either get economical or go all out. For Miss Fame, whose character looks like a mix between Rita Hayworth and Marilyn Monroe, the face is everything.
“Every time I travel, I travel with suitcases of makeup,” Miss Fame, a trained makeup artist who recently appeared asan at the Cannes Film Festival, said. “I end up traveling with all of this makeup because of the makeup classes I teach, and then for me. I travel because of my makeup classes, so I have to have both.”
“Between the eyeshadow palettes, the lips, foundation, lashes, blush, translucent powder and highlight, I’d say I’m putting on a $1,000 face,” Fame said. “A $1,000 face seems right for an event of appearance. The cheapest thing that’s going on my face is Elmer’s glue that’s blocking my brows.”
But for Zamolodchikova, makeup is all about compromise. You splurge a little, save a lot â and maybe steal a bit too.
“For me, it depends on what your skin’s like, but I like to spend $44 on f*cking foundation so I can spend $1.99 on mascara,” Zamolodchikova said. “Everything besides the mascara is expensive, so it’s worth the amount of money. Some stuff is from back in the day when I stole stuff.”
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What Drag Queens Look For In Shoes To Be Comfortable
Standard size heels are rarely an option for drag queens. For men with wider, larger feet, a size 4 womens stiletto just isnt viable. However, Gloria Swansong has found the dream combo. What makes a shoe comfortable? I think arch support, a wide enough toebox. Also, I think leather is the only way to go. Plastic shoes hurt!
How To Find Comfortable Drag Queen Heels
Drag queen heels shouldnt kill your feet! Its important to start with a proper fit. Just remember that the most gorgeous pair of heels wont look so great if youre limping home at 1am. The most sexy heels are definitely the ones that allow you to dance all night and stride with confidence.
Stick to a height that you can handle. One study found that a 3 heel puts 76% of your weight on the balls of your feet, compared to only 22% for a 2 heel. If youre new to crossdressing or planning a long night out, then choose crossdresser shoes with a shorter heel length.
When trying on shoes, pay close attention to pressure points and rubbing. A little bit of rubbing can easily turn into a painful blister! Try to avoid pointy toed shoes because they tend to smoosh toes together. Also watch out for uncomfortable straps.
Follow the instructions below to break in new heels
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Drag Kings You Should Definitely Know About
No matter what RuPaul says, there are plenty more people who love the art of drag than just cis men. Drag kings don’t get nearly as much mainstream attention as their counterparts, and much like drag queens, these performers come from all over the gender spectrum!
There are so many drag kings out there who are slaying the game, and these 11 are real stand-outs that are totally worth seeing perform!
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No One Knows Who The Final Winner Is Until The Finale Airs
In order to ensure that the winner remains a surprise to everyone, the finale is filmed multiple times – once with each of the finalist queens being crowned the champion.
Only RuPaul and a select few other people will know who the final winner is, and this also means that the winning queen has to wait until the episode airs to find out if shes won, keeping her out of the loop like all the rest of us mere mortals. It must be a strange experience to act like you’ve won the crown, only to find out you were just acting later.
Clearly, theres no such things as too much secrecy for RuPaul, which makes the show and its finale all the more exciting.
Our Crossdresser Shoes And Hosiery Store
Find the finishing touches for your outfit, and discover the wonderful world of our shoes and hosiery, all designed with your male dimensions in mind. We have a vast range of shoes including pumps, open-toe shoes, boots, sandals and heels that fit male feet, but look deliciously feminine.
We also stock hosiery in the largest sizes available, including garter-up stockings, stay-ups, fishnet stockings, pantyhose and tights. Our specialist support pantyhose suit those from 5 7 to 6 4, and waist size 30 to 50 inches, and all sizes between so you are assured of perfect fit mantyhose.
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How Much Do All Those Sparkly Stilettos Really Cost
Save for Miss Fame and her attention and dedication to truly expensive glamour, shoes are where queens have the ability to be super thrifty.
“It’s not necessary to have red bottoms,” Edwards, who’s been doing drag for 15 years, said, referring to the red bottoms on Christian Louboutin shoes. “I’m not a fashion queen. If I’m somewhere and I see a flashy pump, or there’s something at Walmart that’s a flashy, strappy thing, I am not afraid to rock it.”
“I’m thankful,” Shangela said. “I can make a pair of DSW shoes look like they came from Christian Louboutin. I’m not going to pay $2,000 on Louboutin boots when I’m going to be dancing and death dropping at clubs across the country. I’m gonna make it work.”
