Anonymous asked: Hello! I have been looking for a casual / going-out blazer for the longest time and I think it’s time to ask for help. I usually shop for androgyny in the women’s section, but whenever I find a blazer style I like it doesn’t fit. I’m a shortie (5’1) with broad shoulders so most women’s blazers are tight in the shoulders and pull out in the chest area. Do you have any recommendations from the womens section or mens section? Should I just buy from the mens section and get it tailored? Thanks!

Courtney says:

As a shortie (5’ 2”) with broad shoulders myself, let me say I feel your pain. Something that I learned from my dad when shopping for blazers: the shoulder fit is most important. Everything else could be tailored if absolutely necessary, but when looking for a more masculine styled blazer, shoulders must fit. I’ve found that even women’s blazers that I don’t think fit me well actually fit and look more masculine if I go up a size to fit my shoulders. So even if you think you wear a certain size, try on a couple others to see if you might like the fit better.

I’ve also found that men’s slim fit blazers fit very well because they are cut to fit broader shoulders along with emphasizing waists.

Blazer, $69.99 at H&M

Brown and Burgundy Skinny Blazer, $230 at Topman

Tweed Blazer, $99.95 at American Eagle

Banana Republic offers petite sizes for their women’s wear as well as regular and tall - but even if you usually buy petite, the regular fit might be better for broad shoulders. Women’s blazers also tend to be cut shorter, so if you’re looking for a more androgynous style and you are smaller, women’s regular fit blazers might hang more masculine on you anyway:

Cotton Hacking Jacket, $150 at Banana Republic

Ludlow Sportcoat in Black Watch Harris Tweed Wool, $548 at J. Crew

This is so expensive, but look at that fantastic plaid! J. Crew offers short cuts for their suiting so it’s easier to find pieces that fit smaller folk. Hey, maybe this will turn up in a thrift store!

While you’re waiting for your train to come by is the perfect time for a photoshoot. I love the red bow tie with the gingham shirt and coat button detail. Aelita lives in Paris but took this picture in New York. And guess where she said she got her inspiration… US. 

Shirt: J-Crew Women’s Perfect Shirt
Bow Tie: Tommy Hilfiger
Coat: Superdry Regiment

Submit to Qwear!

Patrice took some classic J.Crew pieces and turned them preppy 70’s rockstar. Queer Zeppelin, anyone?

Sunglasses: Oliver Peoples
Scarf: Vintage 
Shoes: Bass Washington Moccasin
Everything else: J.Crew!

Follow Patrice Lighter: patricelighter.com | twitter | tumblr | youtube

More Patrice on Qwear: Steampunk Outfit

Ashley is seriously stepping it up with J.Crew fixings and brogues. She’s keeping some of her old urban appeal with the Hershel backpack, and the color coordination is still a key part of her look. But Ashley is growing up… and giving us more work clothes gayspiration. I’m ready to see this queer in a tie. Like if you agree.

Shirt: J.Crew men’s
Sweater: J.Crew men’s
Pants: American Eagle Skinny Trousers, women’s
Shoes: Clarks
Backpack: Herschel

See more of Ashley’s dapper outfits: Ashley’s Easter Outfit, Ashley’s Evolving Style

Anonymous asked: I recently just bought a dark blue jumper with brown elbow patches from topman, but I have no idea what to wear it with! Any chance you have any ideas for a cute but suave outfit for the jumper to impress my lady with?

This is SUCH A NICE SWEATER:

Navy Elbow Patch Jumper, available at Topman for $72

Navy goes with many things. Here is an easy outfit you can do that will most certainly impress your lady:

Polo Ralph Lauren Boys Oxford Shirt, available at Macy’s for $45. Also available in men’s.

Brown slim belt, available at Red Herring for $28

Broken-in Chino in Urban Slim Fit, available at J.Crew for $75

This watch brand is dope. You can customize the strap and face color. Available at beoptimisticandthankful.com for $85

Clark Desert Boots, available at Orvis for $100

Annie is back to show us her latest number, complete with some brown boots. Boots are an excellent casual and classy alternative to sneakers. Blake is really into Clarks desert boots, and I don’t think those will ever go out of style. A.D.’s latest thing are Chukkas. I would pretty much go crazy for any of J. Crew’s selection.

Shirt: Nordstrom
Pants: H&M
Boots: Urban Outfitters*

Related Posts: Skater Inspired Queer Style
Follow Annie: kupumua.tumblr.com

Lots of folks have been wanting to know what to wear to gay proms, semi formals, birthday parties, weddings… Some of the questions that come up are:

What do I wear that’s in-between a suit and a dress?
How do I dress masculine without completely losing the feminine parts of myself?
Can I wear a shirt and tie with no jacket?

I realized that A.D. has the solution for us. I can’t believe I went to school with this hottie for a whole year:

Shirt: Brooks brothers 346 shirt
Tie: J. Crew 
Vest: Thrifted
Belt: Levi’s
Pants: Levi’s
Shoes: Bass oxfords

You can mix up the ties, bow ties, vests, and jackets combo. Any combination works great. And the colors, textures, and fit of the clothes you choose will also effect how feminine or masculine you feel. I have another friend who wears this exact same outfit but in a more femme way, with clothes cut to show her figure. 

More queerspiration at A.D.’s blog: exsouthernbelle.tumblr.com

I was at a party the other day and a gay boy walked in with the most fabulous kelly green holdall and I thought, omg I love it. I’m going to do a holdall/duffle post. These are great if you want to impress that cute queer at the gym or are going on a weekend trip and have a medium amount of things to bring.

Bryson Gym Bag, available at J. Crew for $98

(source: formelle.tumblr.com)

Adidas Originals Holdall Bag, available at ASOS for $86.23


(source: meninthistown.com)

Bill Gym Bag Black, available at Bonobos for $119

Recycled-Sail seabags! Made from 100% recycled sail cloth, and customizable! Available at Resails for $159.



Kelly Green Duffle bag, available at Knockaround for $16. OR LEARN HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN JUST LIKE IT HERE.

(Source: sfaar.ee)

Weekender bag, available at Banana Republic for $225. Plus 25% off and free shipping.

Sexy. (source: gossip-dance.blogspot.com)

Ernest Alexander Red Duffle, available at Bonobos for $225

Anonymous asked: Okay, so, here goes: I am a "femme" lesbian, always have been, but I'm so tired of being misread as straight. I do want to look "more gay," but when I try, I kind of just end up looking...ridiculous - probably because I am very petite but with a relatively large chest and butt. Ugh. What are some women's stores where I can find edgy/"gay" clothes? Anything besides Urban Outfitters?

A.D. says: Sometimes, people with penises misread me as ‘straight’ (? this is weird…) because I have long hair, so I understand your frustration that you feel not-visible/not being read as a gay-mo. One sure-fire way to make sure others know you’re a big ‘mo (aka homo) is the rainbow. Wear a rainbow pin or bracelet. Other ways are “gay” shirts. 

As far as stores, I buy everything at thrift stores/free stores/clothing swaps because I can afford the clothes AND I’m not actively participating in the traditional clothing economy, which relies on the exploitation of children and women internationally. I would suggest starting at those stores… Other than that, “gay” fashion is so geographically-specific. I like H&M, J.Crew, ASOS, TopShop, ModCloth, Etsy, etc. Good luck!

As I may have mentioned, brightly colored pants are so in right now. Kiyomi picked hers up at Gap, which happens to be my favorite place to shop for pants. Gap pants are affordable, often on sale, and have a range of fits. I really like the fit of the boy pants in the women’s section, and I keep spotting jerks on the street showing me up in the same ones. And looking great in them. Other good places to get bright pants are Express,  J.Crew, ASOS, H&M, and Topman.

Oh hey queers, since we’re on the subject. I put color tags too, so you can search for outfits with a particular color. It’s pretty fun times: Blue, Red, Yellow, Green, Aqua, Mint, Orange, Teal, Pink, Navy, Purple

Got any more fun colorful outfits to show us? Submit! 

• Bow Tie: H&M
• Shirt: Gap
• Cardigan: H&M
• Pants: Gap

Related posts: Slim/Fitted Petite Pants; Polka Dots, Bow Tie, and Aqua Shorts