Calling all helpful Manics fans!

Hey guys, I was just wondering if any of youze could help me out by answering a question for an article I'm writing for my school paper.

It's about fans dressing up as their idols and the psychology behind it, and since us Manics fans are known for often sporting a fan uniform of leopard-print, eyeliner, feather boa, military garb, etc. I thought this'd be the right place to get some perspectives. Here's my q:

Why do you enjoy dressing up like the Manics, and why do you think this is such a common part of fan culture? What makes people want to dress up like their idols?

Any answer anyone could give me (just 1-3 sentences) would be much appreciated, and if you do answer I'd need your full name and age please. If you don't want to write that info here, you can email me at vivianpencz@gmail.com.

P.S. I live in Canada but am flying over to London for the National Treasures gig with my sis and absolutely cannot wait! Will likely see some of your faces there.

[amay]

I think part of it is a kind of pack mentality. It's like a way to identify people who are the same as you. Also, I feel putting on the 'Manics uniform' makes me feel a lot more confident and happier in myself, whereas if I was wearing normal everyday clothes I would try not to draw attention to myself too much.

My name is Amy McMullen and I'm 19. Hope that helps!

[nozzer]

Putting a slight twist on your question (I hope you dont mind), I play a white Les Paul guitar, just like JDB, because he is my idle. No matter how many times I try to justify it to my friends in terms of how i like the sound and playability of the guitar, when it comes down to it, i would not have one if it wasnt for James. The reason i have one i think, is because playing it just sort of puts me in his mindset, you know, makes me feel bigger than i really am, even when playing in my room, and influences me to play more and write more music.

I hope this helps a bit

Aled Norris (16)

[riot_star]

It's about identity for me, growing up I never really felt comfortable being me. I always felt out of place, I wasn't very girly and I dressed like a boy basically. But when I got into the Manics I finally felt a part of something, I wear 'Manics inspired clothes' because I feel it is a symbol. I have been stopped many times because other fans have seen the Welsh and Cuban flag on my jacket and have instantly recognised the meaning.

Jaelin Farrow, 18

Enjoy the gig by the way!

[Heart2Heart]

Are you looking for people who dress the whole early Manics look with spray paint T-shirts and feather boas like the NT concert thread or people who've adopted some of their fashion in daily life, eg. put on kohl eyeliner while going shopping?

[yanushka]

Originally Posted by Heart2Heart

put on kohl eyeliner while going shopping?

I do that!

[Ermintrude the Cow]

I'm not sure I could rationalise it these days tbh, I've been doing it for 12 years.

I guess I started it because I liked the way they looked, I thought it looked better than the sportswear and stuff people in my class at school wore, and I wanted to prove I was "different" to them, that I didn't just listen to the run-of-the-mill chart music and that I had a brain. It's now become such a habit to wear something leopard-print that I feel almost naked without it. I tend to keep it to shoes (ballet pumps usually), bags and occasionally tops for work, but the fur coat/white jeans/DMs often come out on the weekend
When I was younger I wore a lot of the Holy Bible style army surplus gear, as that was one of the things that had attracted me to the band in the first place, but I don't do that as much now as I don't think I can get away with it these days.
Oh, and eyeliner. I can't just wear a little bit, it's all or nothing!

All of the above, it's just second nature. I don't get out of bed in the morning and deliberately "Manicsafy" myself, its just become an element of the way I dress.

Hope this helps, rather than just being gibberish!

Adele Douglas, 25.

[Heart2Heart]

Originally Posted by yanushka

I do that!

I tried to do the kohl thing when I first became kind of CoR (I was drawn to Nicky first because he wrote 'Tolerate', and Richey scared me at first) but I never got far with it. It's more difficult than I thought.

I do performance poetry / spoken word and I've adopted a Manics-inspired, though not Manics-like, attire for my performances. I wear a black cross necklace and put on a bit more make-up. I want to adopt a bit of the early Manics ethos of "everyone must hear my opinions no matter how often I contradict myself" because spoken word is a pretty assertive art form and I'm kind of introverted. I was close to wearing leopard print, but I thought it'd make me too nervous.

I'm 29 and I just got into the Manics, so that probably influences my answer a bit. I've got my own sense of style that I'm already comfortable with. But I can't bring my RL self to the stage when I perform because I'm too introverted and analytical. I have to put on a more assertive, brasher persona, and the early Manics are the perfect embodiment of that.

Hey guys, I cannot believe I forgot to say this already, but thank you for all of your responses! If any of you would like to read the article, here is a link:
http://vivianpencz.wordpress.com/201...rm-of-flattery
Take care everyone!