A Bicycle Built For Two is one of my new of my new favorite sources for queer formal wear inspiration! A beautiful display of carefully picked lesbian and queer wedding photos. I was scrolling the other day and found this dashing couple, AnnMarie & Anne:

Obvi I had to get in touch with them and ask them about their outfits.

AnnMarie (suit, bow tie) told me, “I knew what I wanted to look like on my wedding day from the time I was little. I am obsessed with English styled suiting from the mid century. I am also equally obsessed with classic menswear. I wanted my look to be dapper and polished and really show my personality. I was born a 67 year old man and I really wanted that to show through.” She wound up with this amazing vintage, bespoke suit made in 1967, from the Etsy shop, Brightwall, and then she got it tailored. 

Anne told me that she prefers simple dresses, and had surprising luck at David’s Bridal! ”I wanted a dress, but I hate shiny fabric, beads, sparkles… Basically most wedding gowns. They just aren’t me. I wanted simple and clean. I found a lot of beautiful vintage dresses that were all too teeny tiny, so against my instincts, we checked out David’s Bridal. And we found the dress! It’s shantung, which is more matte, and structured (learn something new every day). And it has pockets!! Overall I wanted to feel like myself, and for me that means simple and classic, but with fun details.”

AnnMarie:
Suit: Etsy shop, Brightwall + tailoring
Tie and Pocket Square: Custom made through Etsy shop Divinedomestication.
Vest, Suspenders and Socks: Men’s Wearhouse + tailoring
Shirt: Blank Label
Shoes: Calvin Klein Men’s Felix Oxford, bought on Amazon. 
Hat: Sugarcube in Philly

Anne:
Dress: David’s Bridal
Shoes: Etsy shop, Walkinonair
Hair comb: Anastasia’s Antiques in Philadelphia
Pearls: AnnMarie’s grandmother’s
Watch: Anne’s grandmother’s

(Photography by Philadelphia Wedding Photographer, Mike Allebach of Allebach Photography)

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My date to the Men’s Wearhouse was nothing short of amazing. We first went just so that she could convince me that I looked good in a bow tie but then Deonte, the sarcastic fun-loving gent working there, insisted that I also try on a suit jacket. He grabbed two for me and the second one fit remarkably well. I told him that as soon as I come across a small fortune I will buy it. He said that I would probably have to tailor the pants for $35.

Then, he and an older guy who was possibly the store manager, assured us that they are “more than happy for women to come spend their money here.” Women have shopped there before and I was not the first one to come in looking for a suit for myself. (Of course the first time it happened they really had to shake it off, but now they’re used to it.) It’s so nice to get reassured that my existence is accepted. I think I will follow the same courtesy and tell the next straight person I encounter that I am perfectly comfortable with them being in my presence.

Well I might poke fun, but I am quite fond of my experience there, and celebrate it by putting Deonte as the first cisgendered male on my blog. We went to other stores, so stay tuned for part 2 of my shopping adventure.