Anonymous asked: velvet blazers? discuss.

A.D. says: My housemate is Deborah Kass’ niece, and Deborah Kass recently hosted a gallery show in Chelsea. Of course, I went (after having dinner with Judith Butler… brag brag brag), and Deborah was wearing a three-piece maroon velvet suit. Never have I ever been so torn about an outfit. At first, I was struck with insane jealousy. I wanted that suit. But, I was also struck by my inability to ever pull such a thing off.

A few months before meeting Deb Kass, I invited Joey Mogul and Andrea Ritchie (check out their book, Queer (In)justice) to speak at my school and Joey wore a totally bad-ass black velvet blazer with Gap jeans from the 1990’s and a patterned white shirt, and looked like the coolest lawyer/international human rights attorney IN THE WORLD.

The point of these two stories: the most powerful lesbians in the world wear velvet blazers, so you got to have the ego and/or the accomplishments to back it up.

Sonny says: Stepping back from the theoretical discussion, Fourteen has a pretty snazzy Tuxedo-cut Velvet Jacket that comes in Black, Navy, and Charcoal Gray that I’m quite partial too (And not just because I work for them!)

Your long lost curly haired political theory enthusiast is back on the queer blogosphere! I was on a bit of a hiatus, busy running two clubs at school, doing research, and giving myself a new haircut every week. For those who recently started reading Qwear, hi! I’m A.D., and I identify as a white, working-class, trans*, queer, feminist, survivor, activist. My pronouns are they/them/theirs, and grrl/boi are okay, too. I’m a long-time friend of Sonny’s and one of Qwear’s first contributors. 

This is me giving my graduation speech. I’m wearing a J.Crew Ludlow Shirt, Brooks Brothers bow tie, homemade pocketsquare (by me!), thrifted vest, thrifted suspenders, thrifted J.Press blazer, J.Crew Chinos, Corgi Socks, and Bass Wingtips. (Thanks to Momma and Stepmom for graduation gifts…)

Now with an undergraduate thesis on women in contemporary political theory, I go forth into the world to talk fancy at you and hopefully get a job as a professional queer.

(That is also me making a silly face at DYP.)

Here I got on my Brooks Brothers shirt, Ralph Lauren belt, Dockers, and Bass Weejuns

When I started writing for Qwear, I was a huge proponent of the long-hair, don’t-care, bow-tie club, but I have since cut all of my hair off. I’m still committed to long-haired queerness, because for some reason, many white queers seem to think that only short haired queer people are “real” and “legitimate” or something; I don’t understand it. (Actually, I do understand some of it. I think a lot of it has to do with the politics of legitimacy and white masculinity and racialized misogyny; i.e., the only ways that “marginalized” identities of queer people are made known, or legible/understandable, is through identification with a dominant identity, such as traditional white, classed masculinity, which is similar to the dapper [predominantly white] style craze we see here on tumblr.) BUT, since then, I have cut off all my hair. I have a new haircut every few weeks because my hair grows so quickly, but this is what my hair generally looks like:

Between archival research for my college and preparing some essays for publication and my exciting real-life job search (AHHH) I’m also preparing some posts for Qwear on white transmasculinity and privilege; prep/ivy/trad style and thrifting; and, fitting guides. Please send any/all questions to Qwear or to my personal blog, and look out for more posts.

xo,

A.D.

Follow A.D. at exsouthernbelle.tumblr.com

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Oh hay queers. Remember how Fourteen sells 8 danderific vests with a variety of fits and styles just for the homie homos? They’re offering 14% off through May 24. Just enter the code 539567 at checkout, and you could have the perfect dandy addition to your next formal event this summer.

You can see me wearing their Silk Vest with Charmeuse Lapel here. Sign up for their mailing list for more deals!

I work for Fourteen. It’s like, a thing.

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I did a thing today! I went to a gay friendly wedding expo in Portland, ME representing Fourteen. I got to see our clothes for the first time, try them on, walk in a wedding fashion show, and talk to hotties. My only regret was the Holiday Inn Breakfast Buffet. OMG DON’T DO IT. 

Sorry I don’t have pictures of the fashion show. I was busy waiting back stage in a closet full of the well-dressed queers. 

Setting up our booth!

Surprise surprise! LK Weiss of Jack Tarr helped to put together the fashion show! So naturally within 5 minutes of meeting them we were in a photobooth together.

I totally have this on my fridge now.

This is serious stuff, you guys! Pay. Attention.

One mannequin I dug by our friends Joseph’s of Portland, ME

I’M GAY But ok seriously, I’m wearing Fourteen’s Silk Vest with Charmeuse Lapel and the Silk Duchess Satin Tie in Navy if you wanna go order them or anything.

Oh hay, wanna hang out tomorrow? Live in Boston? GREAT come to my shopping event at Indochino. There may be other special guests joining us as well. You’ll just have to come and find out for yourselves. 

OK LOVE YAS BYE!

Sonia Fragiscle

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Exciting news! Indochino loved my post so much that they invited us to come enjoy wine and fittings with them on their final day in Boston, Monday, April 15! Come join me from 5 to 7pm to get fitted, drink wine, and hang out.

RSVP to sonia@qwearfashion.com or on Facebook
If you would like to get fitted, they ask that you please book an appointment during that time slot as well to reserve your spot at indochino.com/boston

Indochino also wanted me to clarify that they only make traditional men’s suits, (boxy, padded shoulders, etc.) and not traditional women’s, even though they will fit them to anyone. If you are looking for a more androgynous look or for something that hugs curves, they might not be for you. (But you should still come hang out with us anyway!)

I can’t wait!!

See you then, ‘mos

- Sonia

Anonymous asked: I'm a "bridesmaid" in a wedding this fall. My best friend from 6th grade is the bride; we're still close but no longer BFF. She's totally down with me wearing a suit, but I'm bored with black and grey. I want to match the color of the bridesmaids dresses: bright orange, pink and blue (poppy, azalea, and cobalt, shall we say?) Any leads on where a teensy queermo can find a bright colored suit with menswear tailoring that doesn't look like something a career girl would wear to the office? Thanks!

Topman has amazing suit colors and their sizes will fit all the tiny queermos! - Sonia

Teal Cotton Skinny Suit, at Topman for $400

I was blown away by Indochino’s beautiful Traveling Tailor shop in Boston that I visited with Fit For a Femme last week. It was like the Apple store of suits. Priced in the $400 range, they offer the softest fabrics and choices of lapel style, number of buttons, pocket style (note: pocket flaps can always be tucked in. May as well get them and have the option!), linings, rounded vests, and contrast button stitching, to name a few!

Here are some photos from their shop, all courtesy of Fit For a Femme! The femme’s wife M got fitted for a suit as well, so stay tuned for part 2 of the Indochino experience on FFAF’s blog. 

The traveling tailor is in Boston until April 15th as part of their North America tour. Since I love Indochino and I want to make sure you all feel comfortable going to them, I gave them a heads up that some of you might visit one of their traveling tailor stores. All you have to do is tell them you are from Qwear, and they will ask you for your pronouns and preferred language for the fitting. They are are super excited to have you there. Don’t live in Boston? They might visit your city soon. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter for updates.

If you are able to make it, let us know how it goes! 

- Sonia

Follow Fit For a Femme: Blog | Twitter | Facebook

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Last Tuesday night, March 26th, at 8pm CST, dapperQ contributor Joelle Zigman and I did a special one-off edition of the KVRX (student-run radio from the University of Texas at Austin) advice talk show, Tell it to a Girl, called Tell it to a Butch. We answer questions about engagement rings, what to wear to prom, coming out to your mother, and how to do animal prints right. Conclusion? Butches make everrrrything better. Disclaimer: every time I pause it’s because I’m looking for an alternative word to “faggy.” Thanks so much for having me, Joelle! 

Additionally, our Three Leaves Menswear videoshoot last Sunday in Brooklyn went really well! Here are some behind-the-scenes photo with me, our tailoring consultant The Handsome Butch, and Katrina Casiño (Autostraddle writer). Many thanks to dapperQ for setting it up! My favorite part of the day was tripping and falling into THB’s arms. (Wait, day? My favorite part of this whole week.) 

This is my “I’m not completely dying of joy being next to you right now,” pose.

I have some more updates coming your way soon, so stay tuned!

Yours,

Sonia Pretend-Butch Oram