When I first started stand-up comedy, I was given one piece of advice about clothing – don’t wear anything that will draw attention. I took this on board, immediately deferential to the people who knew what they were talking about. Of course, as a young woman I mustn’t stand on stage with a microphone and ask for attention. So, I went shopping. I was advised a t- shirt and jeans would do but I didn’t have anything in my wardrobe that fit the part for a non-attention seeking comedian’s outfit.
I don’t want to be completely unfair to the people who gave me this advice because I do think their heart might have been in the right place. As a new comic, especially as a young woman, to wear revealing clothing or something that sexualises you, may well attract some heckles that as a new act you may not be able to deal with. I understand that advice could be hard learned and wanting others to avoid some early negative experiences is kind. But it is not useful.
Your clothes are so much a part of your identity and without fully embracing who you are, there is an inauthenticity to your comedic voice. I wore very inoffensive, normal -ish clothes for a fair while at the beginning. Doing as I was told and making sure only the jokes did the talking. You wouldn’t want the men to be distracted and the women to be resentful. (An absurd and completely incorrect take)
I don’t think it is any surprise that as soon as I started wearing clothes that felt more ‘me’ was when I was actually able to begin to establish my on-stage comedic persona. These clothes, however, may involve me showing some midriff.
Public comments online include: “Put your abs away and drink some wine.” “You’re not attractive enough to have thongs as merch.” Private DMs soar whenever I wear a football shirt. (In my next show I am wearing a different team’s football shirt each day.)
These comments have been from both men and women. There is a mental obstacle course I do navigate in terms of feminism. Can you show your abs and be a feminist? Am I conforming to what society is telling me women should look like or do I just like wearing these clothes because I like them? Of course I will never know.
But most importantly these comments are never in the room. When you are present in the moment and connecting with an audience what you are wearing is just part of this relationship and way to understand. I have never had a heckle whilst on stage specifically about what I have been wearing. I have been asked on dates mid-show and had plenty of drunk men be inappropriate in all sorts of ways over the years. But I truly think this may just be an inevitability of being a female comedian in general rather than a direct result of wearing a crop top.
I now don’t really think too much about what I am wearing to a gig. Just something that makes me feel cool and powerful and playful. If I feel good in an outfit I usually perform better. There’s a comfortability and self-assuredness that allows you to sink into the room and be present with whatever comes your way. I don’t begrudge the initial advice. Who knows maybe it protected me from some difficult situations? But I certainly would not be giving the same advice to anyone now. You’ve got the attention already. Use it however you want to. The more you feel like you the more the audience will be able to meet you where you’re at.
Amelia Hamilton: Moral Support, Baby Grand at Pleasance Courtyard, 20:20 | 5th – 30th (not 19th) |
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/amelia-hamilton-moral-support
