Looking this cheap was expensive. Final bill, $200 in 1995 money.
This was the last costume I’ve ever worn for Halloween and it was my favorite. How I wish digital cameras were more readily available because this is the only photo I have of me as Patsy Stone from Absolutely Fabulous. Sadly, there are none in my possession of my friend Isaac as Edina Monsoon. His was better and more colorful.
Another reason why I love this getup was the effort and assistance I received to create the illusion of being the mean-spirited, lovable drunk.
It began a week earlier with a shopping trip to Austin’s South side for used clothes. Sonia was my primary advisor here. I think she was also my good luck charm. At the store she chose we found a Coco Chanel jacket and a leather skirt in my size (back when I could still wear a 36). Either these items belong to large women or drag queens. Later, I found a nice Apple person named Robin to raise the skirt over my knees (Patsy is a trollop).
On the following weekend, Isaac and I spent all Saturday afternoon finding the shoes, stockings and wigs. He knew a hairdresser who did an amazing job getting the look down. I gave him a hefty tip.
Evening came so we then proceeded to shave our legs, arms and faces to enhance the illusion. Isaac gambled on Nair. I preferred my razors. Isaac’s lady friend put on our make-up, referencing the various photos we had of the actresses.
We were ready to head out by 9 PM and took our costumes where they would be most appreciated…Oil Can Harry’s, a Gay-Lesbian bar in downtown Austin. This place had some of the coolest stuff too: these three guys who were the characters from Priscilla Queen of the Desert, another pair were Thing One & Two from Dr. Suess, Judge Ito (from the OJ trial) and others I can’t remember. The joint definitely attracted people with strong eyes for detail. Being heterosexual, I didn’t feel threatened or scared. I had more fun because I was amongst an audience that loved the show and got the joke. Besides, it was like any other bar I’ve been in.
When Halloween came up several days later, Isaac and I agreed to wear this stuff again to work. Apple allowed costumes plus maybe they’d let the temps win prizes. Besides, we spent a substantial chunk of money on our stuff, we wanted to get a little more milage from them. There the reaction was more mixed: my mentor said he couldn’t look at me without laughing, another co-worker rolled his eyes and I had to explain to a couple gay people that I wasn’t “family,” yet I really like the show.
Sadly, Isaac is no longer with us. He died seven years ago from pneumonia as HIV chipped away his immune system. When I returned to Austin in 1998, we were making plans to go as Romy & Michelle but never got around to it due to his health and frequent job changes.
Joanna Lumley as the real thing. Was I close?