Skimpy Divas: a Social Spectrum
By Jin Lovelace; team writer, videographer, and fashionist
This is a touchy subject that I didn’t know how to approach. However, due to some recent discoveries, and my own observations of the social patterns of Home over nearly six years, have prompted me to create this article.
Now the term “skimpy divas” is something that I’ve coined due to the most common trend that we find with both male and female avatars — primarily the latter — in the Home community. It derives from the the definition of prima donna:
“A very temperamental person with an inflated view of their own talent or importance.”
You’ve seen them around on Home — you might even have some on your friends list. They are the avatars (regardless of which gender controls them) who have a distorted sense of fashion — the ones who personally feel wearing less is more, and showing lots of skin is a “legitimate fashion statement.”
Skimpy divas are often seen around on Home wearing outfits that largely reveal way too much skin, in order to accentuate their importance in whatever scene they may be in. Granted, some dress in these skimpy outfits for the following reasons:
- To appeal to themselves, with the undertone that they just wish to feel sexy
- To garner attention from others, but then maliciously advert their attempts to approach with bellows of threats and arguments
- To prank other Home users, as a self-indulgence.
Sensibly sexy without going overboard.
I have a couple of friends who would don their favorite sexy wear, be it either Granzella’s Lei and Pareo outfit, the Succubus outfit, or Lockwood’s Corset and Mini-Skirt apparel.
Now of course when in the real world we all desire to feel sexy in our own way, and that’s fine. We all would like to be a bit risqué just for the sake of it. No problem there.
My problem with this behavior in Home stems from the attitudes behind the skimpy wear. And by attitude, I mean something along the lines of delusions of grandeur wrapped around an existentialist complex that would baffle a philosopher.
In a place like Home, you have to keep an open mind about other people’s fashion taste, in regards to the sort of garb they throw on. However, while it’s only the matter of opinion, let’s view the social experience behind it.
First, we have the attention seekers. These are the ones you’ll find standing alone in either a Catwalk or any other eye-grabbing pose. They have no qualms or issues in regards to flaunting what they are wearing, but if someone approaches them with a simple “Hello”, they are bombarded with “Go Away!”
I’ve witnessed a buxom assailant verbally attack a fellow, accusing him of being a “perv” when he simply said “Hello”. When he inquired, “What did I do?”, she slapped his face with a “Leave or I’ll report for harassment” statement. Though if you look at the setting of the picture, I still remember it as clear as day.
So here’s what’s wrong: she dresses in a swimsuit in a Mall with Peeptoe Heels to match, and the problem was this guy was a “perv” simply because he approached her. Whatever motive he may have had was never revealed, due to the woman preemptively demolishing his manhood. Yes, the many people who prefer to use a female avatar are regularly met with the sexism that’s rampant in Home, and the raging hormones that shroud the seemingly pubescent males running around within our virtual world. The fact of the matter is, she didn’t know the man to make such a call. Regardless of what ever his intention may have been, he was at least respectful enough to approach her with a friendly greeting instead of crouching down between her legs, which is the trend among the trolls these days.
The other issue was, look at what she’s wearing. In a setting that’s not actually a beach or a swimming pool, in a place where everyone is there to do shopping, do you expect anyone to take you that seriously if you’re wearing a swimsuit? In a Mall? This guy wasn’t the only one who was derailed by her bellows. She attacked several others as well, before one who actually knew what common sense was told her off.
We all understand that this is a virtual world where our abilities to explore character go far beyond greatest imaginations. But why should anyone have to live through the experience of being approached by the “pervs” of Home and harassed in ways that would risk their character and, depending upon how it’s conveyed, class? Not many can pull off such looks and actually keep in character, since most people will simply harass you just because you possess a pair of breasts and you wish to flaunt them. But again, this is all about the attitude behind the look, and how frequently you’re performing such a feat.
I could tell you stories about the type of experiences I’ve had when it comes to the skimpy divas on Home. The most memorable (and quite embarrassing, I might add) was during my time at the Lockwood Showcase space, where a group of female avatars were bunched up on one another and decided to take a snipe on every avatar that didn’t meet their dress standards. It went on for about a good 30 minutes until I happened to go around the corner to meet a friend at the front entrance. As I turned my camera around, an innocent victim fell prey to their sniping insults, but little did they know that said innocent victim was in fact a Moderator who was pretty fed up with the debauchery coming from these divas. After the initial warning was given, a crowd formed to witness one assailant stating how they were the baddest “b’s” alive and stated their disbelief towards the Mod.
I don’t know what the outcome was, as the Mods don’t announce anyone’s removal from the servers. But after I snapped a few photos of these Divas, I witnessed each one disappearing like a train of falling dominos. After the raining cheers of “THANK GOD they’re gone!” business went on as usual.
The problem with that story was how condescending these young ladies were acting, given that no matter who you were or what you wore, they were completely better than you and would go to great lengths to make sure that you and everyone else knew their opinion.
So my final thoughts on this whole skimpy diva attitude?
- If you personally feel that you have to dress this way to garner attention from the wrong group of people, then that’s your choice, but I believe it’s causing the social issues that you’re having with the trolls. It’s not them — it’s you. If you wear it, it comes with consequences that you must be prepared for. If you can’t handle them, don’t wear it.
– If you want to be a total “diva” but lack the skills to back up the title, I suggest that you leave the role to actual women who know how to present themselves that way. Patti Labelle is a wonderful example of a diva with the attitude to match.
– Swimsuits, Bikinis, and other beachwear should be worn at a beach, not in a space that’s heavily populated with newbie users and adolescent-minded trolls. If you disregard this, you’re just asking for trouble.
– Why not just wear some of the skimpy items in a personal space? Or, if you wish to really dress risqué, find a way to do it with some class? Being skimpy isn’t just about grabbing attention — it’s more (or less) a reflection of how you feel.
It unnerves me to see this sort of attitude around Home, since it damages the social structure of our virtual community. The ones who have come to Home to socialize legitimately — to seek friends, gamer buddies, or even a quality mate, will likely be outcast as “pervs” or worse, and will face penalties due to a simple greeting.
But what are your thoughts on this trend? What do you think is a better solution to the issue here? I look forward to reading the comments on this.
April 29th, 2013 by Jin Lovelace | 12 comments
Jin Lovelace is a machinimist and team writer for HomeStation Magazine, as well as the founder of Twilight Touch Inc. -- http://twilighttouchinc.com and http://youtube.com/twilighttouchinc. When not found in PlayStation Home, Jin studies graphic design and illustration (character design and fashion), gaming, and the culinary arts.
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I have a female AVI saved that wears the pixelated top and bottom, flowered swim cap, pixelated face and holds the Mt. Olympus thunderbolt. I think it’s a funny look but I have had remarks that it is horribly risque and improper, I was even told that I was reported for wearing it by someone who ranted on and on about how the look was sexist. What may be provocative to one person may not be to another, obviously this is a case of “Eye of the beholder”. I’ve seen everything that can be done to costume an AVI and I really am not offended in the least by anything on Home. I don’t get turned on by pixels but sadly there are very immature users who deem any female AVI in a bikini top as hot-to-trot and easy in real life and will automatically start trolling for either a negative response or a date. I say wear what you want but use common sense and discretion, if you lack both then be prepared for what may be in store for you in public spaces.
Very good article. I agree with everything you said. I’ve run into all these sorts of women (or quite possibly men behind these female avi’s, we can’t really know). For the most part it’s just funny to me how they act. Then other times they’re just completely over the top where I feel inclined to report them, or at least PM the guy to just walk away already.
I’m a woman and sometimes use a male avi, but that’s either so guys don’t bother me, or it’s for fun if I’m hanging with friends, or simply because the awesome outfit I want is Male-Only. I try not to buy/wear clothing with little coverage, but sometimes I like to wear my Lara Croft outfit or Ice Breaker pants with a matching bathing suit top. I avoid the Hub at all costs for the obvious reason of too many new, young users or trolls (headaches I don’t need). Of course they don’t stay there lol.
I have the common sense and maturity or perhaps the ‘class’ to know what I’m wearing and always wait to see the motive behind someone’s Hello. A little more than half the time, it’s a question or “cool this or that” comment, and I’ve gained some great friendships. But, for the rest of the comments that end up being immature, I tell them politely I’m not interested or to leave me alone, and give them fair warning that if they don’t stop I’ll report them (usually by the third strike). The lovely phrase of “I’ll report you” usually makes them run away and I won’t actually have to do it. The bottom line -- if you’re going to dress provocative, you should be able & prepared to handle any negative attention in a calm manner.
I have seen this in Home a LOT. In fact, it’s expected behavior from scantily clad girly pixels now, well, to me at least. Generally I’ve found that if it’s a female avi and dressed with more skin than threads, 9 times outta 10 it’s a guy, and I leave them well alone to their “fun”. I know of some guys that go much further than just dressing a female avi in skimpy clothes for a joke or a mess around; they have much more sinister motives for doing so. I’m not here to name and shame anyone however so I’ll only say this; Be careful of who you talk to in Home, just coz it walks like a duck and looks like a duck, half the time it’s probably a wolf in sheep’s clothing. And I mean to use that saying in the most disturbing way possible. I’m not so worried about men being caught-out when they find a female avi is really another guy, I mean when younger girls meet their new Home BFF and have no clue who and WHAT they really are…
Caution is always a good idea when dealing with unknown people in Home. You reap what you sow in life and that is true of Home as well. If you want to cause trouble, eventually it will come back on you in one way or another. It is obvious that the women (if they are that) who dress this way are asking for that trouble, whether to cause harm or just because they are too young and silly to know better. Good read Jin, glad someone broached this subject.
One of my favorite sociological experiments in Home is to dress as provocatively as possible and hang out in a public space. When approached, I respond to questions in the same way I always do — with courtesy and intelligence, and proper punctuation. It’s just my appearance that has changed.
When I first started doing this, I expected that I would get more attention (and attention of a less respectful kind) when dressed as sexy young thing in a bikini than I do in my normal avatars. But this has not proved to be the case. In fact, a lot of people seem to be intimidated by my femmes fatales, and leave them alone. I get a lot more attention of the “u got cam?” variety in my normal conservatively-dressed SealWyf avi. The only exception seems to be my full “Jessica Rabbit” outfit — she attracts attention in any space.
I’m not sure how to interpret these observations. Perhaps people are so used to a provocative female avi being a male in drag that they just don’t bother to investigate. Or maybe I don’t have a talent for making sexy ladies. If anyone cares to comment, I would be interested in your take on this.
Perhaps this is yet another social spectrum that I can cover, as I’ve undergone this sort of experiment as well. Some that’re quite noteworthy and can be expounded upon.
I love it when HSM takes a hot-button social issue and turns it on its head. Great read! Between this and Ted’s article on age, HomeStation’s kicking off the week with a bang.
I have had my female avi for a while now and have been subject to many harrassings. Yes I have been risque, and I have traveled public spaces. I always went with the understanding that there were nice people out there but that there were trolls and pervs. I have never done it for evil or to be mean. I just like what I made as a female avi and have no issue taking her out in public, but there has to be an understanding for those that want to dress risque, there are people that will do the worst things in Home, simply because they see cleavage. That’s not right, but it is a factor we live with.In my times in public as a lady avi, I have never treated anyone like an underling, or subjected them to me being a diva, I’m not and don’t. Each gender does the cross dressing for different reasons. Many women do dress as men to avoid the trolls and pervs, men to wear the ladies fashions. I have always screamed this, and will do this yet again, In Home, you have to have a thick skin, especially when you are more daring. My trick to dealing with divas: just walk on, I can’t spend any of my precious life giving people like that any attention. This is all my opinion, thank you. Good article Jin.
Interesting article. I am one of the guys on Home that most would consider “scantily clad”. Running around in a cheetah print loin cloth and bunny slippers garners an abundance of negative attention. Countless times I’ve been asked if I were gay (except most use derogatory terms when asking). I’m shocked there’s still such a large amount of bigotry in the world. My loin cloth and bunny slippers are simply worn because I find them funny. I mean when would I ever get to walk around like that in the “real” world? I never expected to get so much attention from it but I have to say when you put it on display expect people to notice. To those that get in an uproar over the attention you receive when dressed-in-less, get over yourselves! Harassment is never okay but to freak out when someone says hello? -- as Jin coined it, you are being a “skimpy diva”!!!
Home is a make believe world populated by real life people dressed in cartoon clothes. Just as in the real life world, some real life people spoil the fun for others.
Hello.
I believe these ARE some issues that have occurred on PlayStation with many users. I DO dress as provocative as I like in my space and my friends space because I don’t even feel right going on a public server with a bikini (I feel I’m about to start trouble where there is already trouble) so I change quickly. I like wearing the older tattoos which makes you wear the skimpy bra in public but those are the only things I wear in a public space and feel somewhat okay with it. My male friend on and off PlayStation home even keep asking about certain people because he “like the skimpy outfits they wear,” but always let me know he cares less about them because they are “Probably a dude,” lol.
The thing, however, isn’t just the skimpy wear in a sense of going out in public with provocative clothing items on. In fact, the attention will come regardless on what you wear, but rather the value of how much is received and the response to it afterwards.
The problem lies with the women (regardless which gender is controlling the avatar), or even men sometimes, that would look for the wrong attention and have an uptight attitude about the advances that come from those who were enticed. As of recent (in fact, this was yesterday as of this response), a guy approached a skimpy-clad woman and complimented her of her features, but was quickly dismissed. He was a bit upset because she told him to “get lost noob” and soon, her friends surrounded the poor kid to bash him with incomprehensible words that they call “roasting”.
To be frank, the guy may walk away in shame but I couldn’t count how many times I’ve had to push the select button to submit reports on everyone that was involved against the fella.