DRAG queens have always been at the forefront of bringing life to trends both new and old and Marina Summers, the only Asian / Filipina representative on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, is no exception.
Week after week after week, the Filipina winner has wowed the judges with her unique looks often influenced by aspects of Philippine history or culture, which isn’t at all surprising considering she made was the runner-up of the first season RuPaul’s Drag Race Philippines.
She’s not afraid to step outside of the box, as seen in the remake of her shokoy look from RuPaul’s Drag Race Philippines, proving that she’s more than just a pretty face.
If you’ve been struggling in terms of fashion inspo, take a page from Marina’s book and consider these trends for your next outfit.
- Power shoulders
This trend is characterized by wearing clothing with large shoulder pads to emphasize that area, and with power shoulders, this was elevated to about a hundred.
Hitting their peak in the 80s, power shoulders grew so popular that they were being worn by the likes of Oprah, Michael Jackson, and even Princess Diana.
Power shoulders, as seen in the name, are often associated with powerful, strong women, especially since they came at a time when women were still on the road to emancipation in the workforce.
Marina Summers has incorporated this trend into some of her outfits, as seen with her runway for “Business in the Front, Party in the Back,” wherein she stunned with a formal look with huge pointed shoulders and a karaoke machine built in at the back.
If you’re looking for something that’ll help you command a room, consider pad-ifying your suits for a more elevated, empowering look. (Sans the speakers and microphone, of course.)
- Beads and sequins galore
When you think of beaded or sequined clothing, your mind often goes to events like New Year’s or the Red Carpet – fancy happenings – and not for going out with friends or having dinner with your partner. Immediately you see flapper dresses, fancy gowns, that kind of thing.
You may also feel this way since they’ve been used for such events for so many years; sequins, for example, have been used in fashion since the 16th century, wherein formal attire such as gowns and suits were often adorned with them.
The reality of it, though, is that either can be worn regardless of the occasion. It’s just a matter of how you plan to wear it. You can go fancy like Marina, as seen with her stunningly fiery gown for RuPaul’s “Ruveal Yourself” runway challenge, or can have fun with it for your next night out with your girls, like with Marina’s sexy sequined suit for “Drag Revolution: The Revamp 2024.”
She also often uses beads and sequins for her drag performances and other events outside of RuPaul’s Drag Race (RPDR), proving they’re perfect for any occasion.
- Cold shoulder cut
The origins of the cold shoulder cut for clothes go back as far as the 1930s, as seen in a dress made by Chanel and worn by German-American actress and singer Marlene Dietrich.
It’s been a staple in fashion ever since, but more recently, stylists have been saying that the cut has grown dated. Others even say they’ve become rather tired, and that it would be better to rock puff sleeves or statement cuffs.
People like Marina, however, continue to prove that this trend is here to stay. As per fashion blogger Deborah Boland, cold shoulder tops are the perfect way to make your outfit look sexy in a carefree, subtle way.
Marina incorporated this cut in her outfit for her first runway look on RPDR UK, wherein she wowed as a glam-ified version of a rice farmer. It was also during this episode that she won the first-ever RuBadge of the season thanks to her unique looks and her powerful performances during the talent portion of the show.
Whenever you feel like you can’t wear something just because it’s been labeled to be out of style, look toward Marina, and remember that there are no rules when it comes to fashion.
Wear what you want because you want to wear it, and don’t let others stop you from serving up like a five-star dinner.
