[This week Hooping.org columnist Lara Eastburn takes a look at hooper fashion.]
We’re all familiar with the quote, “Clothes make the man.” But Mark Twain’s immortal maxim is also followed by this one, “Naked people have little or no influence on society.” Fair enough.
But do clothes make the hooper? With a few exceptions, a quick glance around at the hooping world would certainly make one think so. What to wear while hooping is the subject of countless online threads, forums and groups. One’s wardrobe often appears to be a major consideration in even casual hooping photos and videos. The sheer amount of attention we as a community pay to hooping and clothes implies that it’s something we think — and worry — a lot about.
And there are a couple immediate and obvious reasons for this. For one, some clothes aren’t suitable for hooping. Belts get in the way; slippery fabrics are frustrating. But then, I don’t wear those to a Pilates class either, y’know? Then, some clothes – or their absence – seem to facilitate learning to hoop. For many years, I HAD to wear shorts if I was going to have a chance in hell of pulling off knee hooping. Tank tops, as well as a good sports bra, were an equal necessity when I was first attempting torso hooping. Hooping with fire comes with strict clothing rules. And blast if those flowy gaucho pants don’t fall-half way down my ass when I’m getting my groove on. These motivations for hoop-specific clothing we can relegate to the category of “utility.” They serve a mechanical and functional purpose. Okay, so what about the rest?
I’d say that utility aside, many, many hoopers also want to look awesome when hooping. Why is that? First off, I think we can all agree that feeling confident is a major motivation. With that in common, though, hoopers find many different ways to go about creating that confidence. I’m willing to wager that when one is new to hooping, a desire to “look the part” plays into ideas that there are such things as “hooping pants” or a certain hooping “style,” etc. Seeing other hoopers and scrolling through pictures and videos, without a doubt, is bound to give a new hooper the impression that there is a hooping “aesthetic.” So, as we’ve been taught to dress a certain way for a job interview, a party, or church, many of us naturally assume that hooping, too, has its fashion requirements. Some of us even picked up hooping because the first hoopers we saw looked SO cool.
I didn’t see anyone else hoop, in person or online, until maybe 2004. But I’ll never forget the first picture of a hooper I ever saw. I had happened upon Anah Reichenbach’s hoopalicious.com. She and Christabel Zamor were wearing shiny red tribal two-pieces with enormous, matching fur legwarmers. Their hair was filled with bright yarn falls. And this was years before my first Burning Man experience. Now I knew that Hoopalicious and HoopGirl were performers, but that didn’t keep me from thinking that this was a darned cool way for a hooper to look. Not only had I stumbled unknowingly into a niche culture of hooping, I had, it seemed, wandered into a whole new world of looking incredible.
And I wasn’t the only one who thought so. As hooping picked up speed and presence in those early years, the fur legwarmers caught on so quickly in the hooping world you’d think they were reproducing like rabbits. They were invariably paired with “booty” shorts, fishnets, and an array of fun, flirty tops. At the time, I began to refer to the ensemble as “The Hooping Uniform.” It’s common knowledge among hoopers that Anah started a hooping revolution, but she was influencing a whole hooping wardrobe as well. So, while not everyone was dressing hoop-alicious, this eye-catching genre of attire became for many newcomers the more visible portrait of a what a hooper looked like.
Meanwhile, “fitness” hoopers and “festival” hoopers were expanding their own hooping “looks.” Burning Man and belly dancers brought their own flavors to the table. The options for looking fabulous while hooping began to appear boundless (I learned to sew JUST so I could try them all out and make my own experiments). The growing possibilities were ALL Fan-hooping-tastic.
You see, it never occurred to me that it could be acceptable or fun to get my hoop on in a pair of sweatpants. Even now, with the higher visibility of hoopers like Baxter and Brecken – who marry super-casual dress to super-sonic skill – the aesthetic legacy we’ve inherited as a community is still palpable. So much so, in fact, that it’s hoopers like Kari Revolva that now seem truly revolutionary as far as the hooping “closet” goes. That woman blows me away so thoroughly that I’m on the edge of my seat waiting to see what she’s going to say, do, and WEAR next. And I may just never get over that knock-out white ensemble that Khan Wong wore in the unforgettable Flow Show.
These hoopers, along with the likes of the stylish Malcolm Stuart and others, are clear indicators that our sense of “hooping performance” is changing rapidly. “Hooping Clothes” are becoming part of the story we tell with our hoops, not just a story in themselves. It doesn’t change the fact that I try on three outfits before I hoop publicly, but it HAS changed the question I ask myself in front of the mirror. “Will I look cool hooping in this?” has thankfully faded forever to be replaced by the much more interesting, “What story do I want to tell today?”
“I had no idea of the character. But the moment I was dressed, the clothes and the make-up made me feel the person he was. I began to know him, and by the time I walked onto the stage he was fully born.” – Charlie Chaplin
“There is much to support the view that it is clothes that wear us, and not we, them; we may make them take the mould of arm or breast, but they mould our hearts, our brains, our tongues to their liking.” – Virginia Woolf
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Lara Eastburn has been dancing in meadows and singing with the moon while spinning in circles for eons at Superhooper.org. Beyond commenting here, you can also discuss this and other topics related to the Hooposophy for living in Hooping.org’s Hooposophy Group and Gorum. Lara is also the planting and gardening force behind discovering our hooping community roots at The Hooping Family Tree Project.
I both feel under dressed and strangely compelled to go op shopping (aka thrift stores
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Perfect topic! And this ties in with the “Hooping Photoshoot” article you wrote towards the beginning of Hooposophy.
I remember sitting on Sunny’s porch talking to you about the skimpy, furry “Hooping Uniform” and how much I did not like it. You’re totally right, there is still a fashion style many hoopers, new & not-so-new alike, strive for every day, whether it’s the furry kickers or the Melodia-style pants. I’m guilty of it as well but hey, fashion is fun and we should try out anything to see what we like
Revolva is one of my latest inspirations! Costumes, storylines, comedic chops *and* she is a bad-ass hooper — she is such a great example.
Oh Lara! I love how you can see the personal growth and discovery of your hooping journey in all of your columns. I’ve always loved fashion and I find myself constantly admiring the truly unique style I see other hoopers wearing. A couple of years ago my mother bought me a sewing machine for Christmas. I never learned to use it but I think my hooping passion and the desire to extend creativity to what I’m wearing will finally get me serious about learning to make my own clothes. I feel like hooping is bringing together everything I want to learn more about and explore.
I also learned to sew JUST so I could create my own pair of furry leggies, hehe
I didn’t pay very much attention to what I wore hooping until one day at home a friend told me to perform for her. So I went and put on some party/festival gear and danced my heart out. Her and my fiance were enthralled with my impromptu show. She loves hooping so I wasn’t surprised, but it doesn’t normally captivate him. He kept complimenting me though, and then said “I think the costume really helps”.
Since then, I’ve though much more seriously about what clothes to wear hooping publicly, or even with friends… There are certain styles and lines that really accentuate the dance, and some that just seem awkward.
I’ve never really paid that much attention to my wardrobe, but it’s fun to start to explore!
I’m a newbie and was initially intimidated by the lycra and tiny outfits I kept seeing online. This apparent uniform also didn’t seem to fit with the message that hooping is for everyone.
It was a massive relief to know that I’m not *obliged* to wear micro shorts and a crop top to be part of the community
Hanging out here, like @Kacie, I’ve seen how clothing can be another element of hoop fun. And since @Sue Wilkinson’s Persona Week video, I’ve had a strong desire for pink or purple hair!
I remember first seeing furry legwarmers and thinking “WTF?! I don’t get it. Why would a woman want to have furry legs?” My husband assured me it was sexy tho and he ended up being right. Now it’s a must in my hoop wardrobe ~ but I use them only when going out or for performance.
My usual hoop outfit is a cute graphic HoopPretty tee (surprising!) and exercise pants in the winter, a cute skirt in the summer. I keep it pretty low-key and throw on feather earrings for extra sass. I like that it doesn’t feel weird to do so. NOW if I hung out at the gym with big honking feather earrings, I’m certain I’d get stares. Not that that should stop me. Maybe I’ll try it!
When I think about it, the fashion of hooping really has always intrigued me. I think it’s led me to learn more about hooping in general. It is such a multi-faceted creative outlet ~ a micro-culture of thoughtful, expressive, welcoming types. Everyone seems to have a style (or anti-style).
Great retrospective and thoughts, Lara!
I agree this is a great topic of conversation that is definitely intriguing. I think that it goes to say that what you wear affects your mood & self image. If you’re wearing something you’re not feeling comfortable in or that distracts you due to the subconscious self worth/image issues that surface then it’s probably going to effect your performance as well. I know that they say if you want to feel confident you should dress in something that makes you feel confident. I’d think the same would apply if you want to feel or appear sensual then the clothing would definitely be instrumental but I think that leaves it very open with a wide range of unique expression because everyone has their own “idea” of what sexy & sensual really is. But at the same time, don’t badger yourself if you can’t go buy the hottest new outfit to hoop in. Instead, use that opportune time to allow yourself to truly be creative & express yourself using what you have. You can mix, match & alter your everyday casual wear into something unique & different that surely will add some flare & style to your performance. Dare to be different & learn different ways to express yourself through your wardrobe all it takes is a willingness to try & some imagination!
My question is this what to do about makeup if you’re a heavy sweater! Aqua based & waterproof don’t seem to help the situation any so was wondering if there’s a specific brand or type of makeup that performers get to ensure their face doesn’t run off before the show is over..lol:)
Great topic! I love reading your columns, Lara — and now, I’m stoked to be mentioned in one. Thanks for the nod. Dressing like an astronaut and the lady from Flashdance finally paid off!
Hillbilly, try SeneGence cosmetics. Bellydancers use that line to keep their makeup looking good even when performing all day outdoors at festivals.
Thank you so much! Truly appreciate it:)