01-19-2010, 01:07 AM
Well, my experience hangs mainly in reenacting the American Civil War, but I'll humbly if I may share my experiences there.
I was at a very small unit back home early in my reenacting career. My own kit had much to be desired, but I was getting an eye for what was right and what was not. What really annoyed me was a Union artillery unit that had no less than three very obvious women in the ranks. Their hair was worn long (in one case in braids) and their clothing was form-fitting enough to be modern. This left a bad taste in my mouth, and that night as I was sitting around the camp fire I mentioned this fact to a gentleman on my left. His kit was (as far as memory serves) excellent, and while his hair was long it was cut in the masculine fashion and matched his beard. We spoke at length about improving my impression and he spoke with knowledge and patience and understanding and I learned very much. It wasn't till the next day after the battle that I went to thank him and noticed that his beard had started to come off at a corner, and "his" husband had to help "him" put it back into place.
From what I have been able to see women can very well pretend to be men. It takes effort and skill (and just a bit of genetic luck) to pull it off, but it can be done. I think what is a better measure is how authentic an impression you can manage. If you carry your spare tire in your belt, well, that might be a bit of a problem. Learn to conceal it or lose it. If you're too old find an acceptable impression or hide it. This is the modern age. There are all kinds of ways to shave a couple years off. Or pounds. Or curves. Like the rest of the impression one's gender can be altered to appear to suit the time with a little skill and effort. And now junior is going to go back to lurking. I know. Lurk moar.
I was at a very small unit back home early in my reenacting career. My own kit had much to be desired, but I was getting an eye for what was right and what was not. What really annoyed me was a Union artillery unit that had no less than three very obvious women in the ranks. Their hair was worn long (in one case in braids) and their clothing was form-fitting enough to be modern. This left a bad taste in my mouth, and that night as I was sitting around the camp fire I mentioned this fact to a gentleman on my left. His kit was (as far as memory serves) excellent, and while his hair was long it was cut in the masculine fashion and matched his beard. We spoke at length about improving my impression and he spoke with knowledge and patience and understanding and I learned very much. It wasn't till the next day after the battle that I went to thank him and noticed that his beard had started to come off at a corner, and "his" husband had to help "him" put it back into place.
From what I have been able to see women can very well pretend to be men. It takes effort and skill (and just a bit of genetic luck) to pull it off, but it can be done. I think what is a better measure is how authentic an impression you can manage. If you carry your spare tire in your belt, well, that might be a bit of a problem. Learn to conceal it or lose it. If you're too old find an acceptable impression or hide it. This is the modern age. There are all kinds of ways to shave a couple years off. Or pounds. Or curves. Like the rest of the impression one's gender can be altered to appear to suit the time with a little skill and effort. And now junior is going to go back to lurking. I know. Lurk moar.
Eugene Yeo
