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History – Vintage Drag
I came across this link in another forum and thought it might be of interest to some of you. It is a collection, of 54 photos, the writer refers to ‘drag queens’. A clarifying comment notes there are differences between a drag queen, the transgendered and a transvestite. That aside the images are quite fascinating and remember they were ‘frocking up’ when it was a crime.
The images range from the 1800’s to pre Stonewall 1960’s.
Enjoy,
Claire -
16 Replies
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Fascinating, but not surprising, I guess, to see how it was always there, bubbling away, even though my own memory is of how taboo it all was, even in the seventies when I was a teenager and started dressing.
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Thanks Claire – fascinating, and what a brave bunch
V x
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Hi Claire, what a wonderful article, I know we are not the first to frock up, always thought frocking up and coming out for the crowd started in Shakespearean theater where it was immoral for women to be actresses, so men filled the void. Rosemary
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Good morning Rosemary,
I reckon cross dressing was around long before Elizabethan times, imagine some young cro-magnon cave man trying on his sisters sabre tooth tiger skin frock while the family are out for their Sunday walk. It was hotter then, every day was a sun day. -
Thanks Claire, don’t forget any good cross dressing cro-magnon would have had to accessorize, probably woolly mammoth gloves and scarf for the ice age days, set off with a nice pair of stiletto woolly rhino boots. TIC
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Rosemary wrote:Thanks Claire, don’t forget any good cross dressing cro-magnon would have had to accessorize, probably woolly mammoth gloves and scarf for the ice age days, set off with a nice pair of stiletto woolly rhino boots. TIC
Oh my dear Rosemary, one should never mix mammoth with sabre tooth tiger, it clashes.
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I’m back at University studying History as it happens….some of my harsher galpals have suggested that I am really good at History because I was there for most of it
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Hi Emma,
So you’d be the very person to ask then, what did the cross dressing cro-magnon accessorise with? -
Hi Emma
I think Claire might already be an authority on Cro-magnon accessorising for she has already told me that
“One should never mix mammoth with sabre tooth tiger, it clashes”
Rosemary -
Dear Rosemary,
Re the slanderous diatribe, (below) I am moved to contact my solicitors, Robem, Stealem and Pilfer, to acquire an immediate and unreserved apology for these scurrilous inferences. I only referred to the particular era with accuracy from information received by my ancestors.
Anyway, I would have thought any self respecting fashionista would be aware that sabre tooth and mammoth fur are mutually exclusive. So there.
ClaireI think Claire might already be an authority on Cro-magnon accessorising for she has already told me that “One should never mix mammoth with sabre tooth tiger, it clashes”
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Dear Claire,
I do send my unreserved apologies, for my misquotation of your statement and used it out of context.
:unsure:
I am not considering a counter legal action with my solicitor’s, Mugem, Pinchem & Nick, for they are notorious with their billing for litigation to who every they can dump a bill onto.
:ohmy:
A question from the outfield, did you ancestor’s leave any clues what crossdressing cro-magnon’s used for shaving the body back then or did they go French, I believe is the expression
Rosemary -
Now this IS a first: A “to do” that I’m involved in without actually uttering a word! Adrian will be so proud
Well, even I do not go quite as far back as the cro-magnon dresser but I can give a few handy tips on historical figures from personal experience:
Jesus of Nazareth: wore a dress most of the time so need I say more? Good card player.
Robespierre: tended to bang on a lot for a religious dude which can also be a positive.Another dress wearer.
Rasputin: brought a tear to the eye on more than one occasion (you might have to do a bit of research to get that reference). Dress wearer.
Genghis Kahn: nicknamed “tripod” by most of the gals on tour. Skirt wearer.
Bonnie Prince Charlie: Had lovely skin due to hiding in caves most of the time.Skirt wearer.
William Wallace: Yelled “Freedom!!!!” at inappropriate times and was a bit sloppy with his electric blue eye shadow. Skirt wearer.
Edgar J. Hoover: Complete transvestite. Would say things to me like “I’m arresting you in the name of love”. Had an extensive file on me which also meant there was a file on him as well. Burnt both files but I believe a mini-series is in production at DreamWorks tentatively titled “Lady & The Tramp”. Danny DeVito (him) and Angela Lansbury (modesty forbids) are linked to the project. -
Dear Emma,
I shall bow down to you, as so many have done, in your knowledge of those who did and those who didn’t do things in history but I must challenge the Scottish references, i.e. Bonny Prince Charlie and Willie Wallace, also known as Big Willie. William Wallace was active in the 13th century and kilts weren’t introduced until the 17th. Also if you consider the discomfort and possible damage while running through the thistles and hedgerow in a skirt with no underwear. Brings tears to my eyes.
As for Bonnie Prince Charlie, he wore a dress. Here is the very person so dressed. A true lady
https://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_700,f_auto,ar_3:2,q_auto:low,c_fill/https://www.scotsman.com/webimage/1.4376262.1487964706!/image/image.jpg
And no blue eye shadow, he had taste as did his dress maker, Flora McDonald.
I quote from the article
‘Stiched by Flora MacDonald, the South Uist woman drawn into the plot for his escape by her family, and Lady Clanranald, Ms Craig gives a good account of the costume made for Charles, who was 5ft 10inches tall. It included a calico gown, quilted petticoat and a large hood “after the Irish fashion” which helped to cover his face. Shoes, stocking and garters and head-dress were also provided. The Prince, along with Flora MacDonald and Neil MacEachen, a tutor to the Clanranald children and friend of Charles, arrived at Totternish on Skye after a spell at Benbecula and South Uist’.Read more at: https://www.scotsman.com/news/bonnie-prince-charlie-s-dress-that-became-a-fashion-hit-1-4376265
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My dear Rosemary,
I have instructed my soliciting team to hold themselves at bay in this matter as you have so graciously clarified the matter up. I shall return them to their cages forthwith, or fifthwith when we find the rogue clerk.
As for going French, as France wasn’t even a twinkle in anyone’s eye at that time it is unlikely the reference would have been considered. I also imagine Mr Gillette was still in the early stages of developing his grooming products so I imagine a flint would have been used if not the teeth of the sabre tooth tiger. -
I have bowed before many in my time too Claire for various reasons and a lot of them are historical.
Ummm I referred to William Wallace as wearing the blue eyeshadow hun not Charlie who, let’s face it, was a bit of a ponce as well….and I don’t think I mentioned a kilt anywhere? Through personal experience I do however agree that running through the thistles in a kilt can be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous. I myself have had many a prick up my skirts over the years from my days in the Mother country and can attest to this.
