Rhinestone Nudie Suits and the Queering of Country Music

They're sparkly, they're colorful, they bear images of palm trees and wagon wheels - so why were they worn by dudes who claim to be more interested in race cars than music? Hope and Jackie dissect the meaning of Nudie Suits, sewn for country music stars in the 1940s by Southern California immigrant tailors, before country music turned its back on camp. The story of country music and its dress is one of working class branding, evolving masculine identities, and yes, Orville Peck (though we ALMOST forgot to bring him up.) Go on, get to listenin'!

 

Source:

• All That Glitters: Country Music, Taste, and the Politics of the Rhinestone “Nudie Suit” By Peter La Chapelle (2001)
• Hillbilly Deluxe: ‘Country Couture’ and the Performance of Masculinity in Country Music by Janet Aspley (2013)
• Drag Queens, Cowboys: Cultivating Queer Country Music Through Postmodern Camp by Zamirah Hussain (2022)

Music:

• Lefty Frizzell - If You've Got the Money I've the Time
• The Flying Burrito Brothers - Lazy Days
• Lavender Country - Crying These Cocksucking Tears
• Lonestar - Mr. Mom

We're socialists, so follow us on our socials! @fashismpod on Instagram and TikTok

Email us at fashismpod@gmail.com <3