Shirt: George boys, tailored
Glasses: SEE Eyewear
Suspenders: Bobby from Boston (Buttons sewed on myself)
Pants: Gap Broken-in Straight Khakis, women’s
Shoes: Suede Walk-over Derbys (Bought on sale at the Tannery)
Bow Tie: Michael Kors (Bought on sale at Loehmann’s)

First of 3 in my dandy winter photoshoot series with the amazing Sam Murray! Here’s her Tumblr/Maddow fan page.

Follow Qwear: FACEBOOK | TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | PINTEREST

This is definitely the least preppy context in which I’ve ever seen a Fred Perry shirt modeled. The suspenders and bleached hair and white socks makes the look so much more edgy than you’d think Fred Perry was capable. And on the subject of Dr. Martens, these oxfords are another great choice.

Shirt: Fred Perry
Suspenders: H&M
Jeans: Bought in Canada
Shoes: Dr. Martens

Follow Sophia: bush-beat.tumblr.com

An incredible artist named Alice wrote to me with an unusual and creative submission. I’m rather blown away. She made up some characters that she draws in actual clothes she’s been coveting/ checking out. One of her characters, named Ada, is into a lot of menswear and gender-nonconforming styles. She said she takes a lot of inspiration from Qwear for Ada’s outfits. I think this is such a beautiful way to explore fashion and gender without spending any money. Imagine if you could draw yourself in the clothes you wanted to wear, or if you could draw the haircut you’d be dreaming of before going for the plunge.

Sweater: pineBrook Vintage on Etsy
Shorts: Chance corduroy beach short
Sneakers: Vans Slip-On Lo Pro
Cap: Dodgers at shop.mlb.com

Tank: Hanes
Pants: MiH “Breathless” in Cement Velvet
Suspenders: Topman Grey Plain Braces
Shoes: Converse

Tee: VonlenskaVintage on Etsy
Jeans: MiH
Sneakers: Levi’s

Shirt: Equipment
Jeans: Romeo & Juliet
Blazer: Theory
Shoes: Converse

• Follow Alice’s Tumblr: Alicegotlucky 
• Follow Alice’s artist Wordpress for more fashion drawings: imaginaryfashionbloggers.wordpress.com

Anonymous asked: Hey, so I just found your blog, and hey! it seems to be one of few really thorough queer style blogs on the whole internet. Which is pretty amazing. I think your blog is great. my question however is about the recurring reference to “dapper”, I know the definition (i.e neat and trim in dress, appearance, or bearing), but i really would like your interpretation, in regard to queer style that is. AND why it is important?

Kind words much appreciated, friend! What a great question. Thanks for making me think about my word choices and why they are important to me. It’s definitely one of those words that has a lot of meanings and you can’t quite pin exactly what it means to every individual.

(source: closeupandprivate.com <— dope blog of close up fashion)

“Dapper” to me denotes a classic and traditional style, in to addition dressing smart and looking put together. Its use was originally for cis men who were thought of as gentlemen. Already by using it as queers or gender non conforming individuals, we are changing the meaning of the word and making it our own. So that’s one reason why it is important.

(source: styleforum.net)

I do associate specific clothes and looks along with the word, like brogues, bow ties, vests, brown leather, suspenders, fedoras, elbow patches, tweed, suits, button-ups tucked in, flat caps, pocket squares.

(source: deltoroshoes.com)

I also think it is the only way to describe exactly the way some of us want to look; smart, put together, classic, with clothes that fit extraordinarily well, but not necessarily for a formal event. I think it airs away from the more conservative ways of dressing that you might think of when just talking about formal wear or business casual clothing. The closest equivalent probably being dandy.

(source: juleofthenile.blogspot.com) <— awesome post and about gender bending clothes.)

And I mean, it’s such a FUN word! Better than smart, put together, clean cut, or anything else you could think of to describe the look.

Ever since Amy modeled her suspenders for us, I haven’t been able to get them off my mind. They’re so bold and cute and dapper… and a really good statement piece. (The statement being that you are hott.) So here’s everything you need to know about wearing them.

There are two types of suspenders: clip ons, and button-holes. The button-hole ones are classier, but in order to wear them you need to have buttons on your pants. Which are really easy to sew on if you took Home Ec. class. The buttons can be on the inside or the outside. Suspenders come in of lots of materials and patterns. If you’re gay I suggest you get all of them.

Tips:

1. If you are having trouble getting them to fit right, experiment with suspender width and where you clip them on the front of your pants. They fit best close together on some people and farther apart on others.

2. Suspenders do not only need to be worn over the shoulders. You can also let them hang down and be super awesome.

3. Despite what some people say, I believe that suspenders can be worn with anything. Traditionally they were formal, so if you want to be old school you can wear them like that.

4. Suspenders are meant to hold your pants up, so wearing them with a belt can look silly. They also tend to go better with pants that sit higher up so that they appear to have a purpose. 

5. BOOBS. Some people have them. Wearing the suspenders farther apart at your shoulders will help with smushing. 

A little inspiration:

(source: thechicstyler.com)

(source: tirantes.tumblr.com)

(source: goodgollymissholley.com)

From this post: Suspenders Off-the-Shoulder Style

(source: anouskaproettabrandon.com)

(source: thepursuitaesthetic.tumblr.com)

(source: blackbirdballard.com)

(source: weheartit.com)

(source: downeastandout.com)

(source: thechicstyler.com)

Places to buy suspenders: Topman, Brooks Brothers, Hot Topic, Nordstrom, American Apparel

Not sure what I love most about this. Her asymmetrical hair framing her face? Her bow tie? Oh, and queers: if you are feeling reluctant about wearing suspenders because they haven’t looked good in the past, try suspenders of different widths, or try adjusting where you attach them to your pants. Amy’s are clipped on fairly far apart, which looks really great on her. But you can figure out the best place for you. Because I truly believe that everyone can look adorable in them. See the suspenders tag for more queerspiration. 

• Shirt: Urban Outfitters*
• Bow tie: American Apparel
• Suspenders: Thrift store
• Jeans: Gap

All my followers in cold climates are freezing because I haven’t posted about leggings and tights yet. Sorry guysss!!! Leggings and tights are traditionally thought of as feminine, but I really love making them into a masculine or androgynous thing too. Some people call men’s leggings “meggings,” which is dumb and gendered. But whatever works to help stores get them on the racks. 

Leggings and tights can be worn under shorts, skirts, or ripped jeans. Leggings, because they are thicker, can also be worn with over-sized shirts/sweaters. Then when you get to “jeggings;” a cross between jeans and leggings, you can wear them on their own. Flaunt it, queers.

More AMAZING photos of this outfit on her blog: anouskaproettabrandon.com

(source: lookbook.nu) Leggings from Zara, but these functionally count as jeggings.

(source: flickr.com)

(source: socialbliss.com)

(source: mirjami.myshowroom.se)

Places to pick up tights and leggings: American Apparel, H&M, Topshop, ASOS, Modcloth, Zara, www.nylonjournal.com

Anonymous asked: What would you say are some typical differences between queer and straight women fashion/style?

This seems to be the question on everyone’s mind since my review of What Not to Wear. I think the main critism for that post was that there *is* no difference, and I was stereotyping by saying otherwise.

But I do think that there is a such thing as queer style. (I’d hope so, I sure as hell spend enough time blogging about it!) As an oppressed minority, we have our own unique experiences and identities that affect our clothing choices. Which is not to say that there aren’t straight identified people with similar styles. And as all categories, they exist on a continuum, so it would be inaccurate and pigeonholing to try to pinpoint a “difference” in style. But I do think I can describe queer style in a way that includes a whole gamut of identities and experiences.

I’d say that at the crux of queer style is hyper awareness to society’s expectations around clothing for people assigned female. When dressing femme, queers act to reclaim feminine clothing in a way that is not oppressive. Of course feminists across the board do this, but it seems to be especially popular amoung queers, who have a whole slew of other issues, like the prospect of passing as straight. I also generally see a lot of functionality happening in queer wardrobes, which I think stems from evaluation of the oppressive nature of non-functional clothing. So I’ll often see queers wearing comfortable shoes and carrying bags that will actually fit all of the things.

“I mean of course she’s gay! Have you SEEN her sandals?” — an anonymous friend of mine, speaking truth.

Elissa, rocking her comfy femme duds. (From this post)

A lot of queers, femme or otherwise, explore gender through clothing. I think this is just a natural response when A. your identity deviates from what society expects of your assigned gender, and B. you spend time in a community of people with a wide range of gender presentations. Bow ties, suspenders, vests, and collared shirts seem to be REALLY popular amoung queers. I think these pieces have become part of our culture, acting both as “markers” for queers who want to express their identity, and as fun items for masculine presenting queers or genderqueer cuties.

The bow tie gang looking adorbs.(From this post)

The queer community as a whole is also very interested in social justice, which naturally lands us in thrift stores and second-hand shops. I think this lends itself to a lot of cute vintage and retro styles floating around like big hipster glasses and 70’s brogues. And queers are really into trading clothes; whether they share clothes with their boos because they take the same size, or their friend is getting rid of their old clothes in exchange for ones that suit their gender identity, or they are trying on some of their dads’ old ties. “I got this dress from my ex-boyfriend” is a line I hear a lot. 

Quyen’s fully thrifted outfit. (From this post)

Queers also have a lot of traditions around hair. I’ve seen some long haired queers who like having a small part of their head closely shaven to give their look some edge. When queers cut their hair short, they often prefer a tighter look in back, as opposed to having the hair trickle past the hairline in a really feminine way. 

(source: fuckyeahqueercuts.tumblr.com)

So as I see it, there are many cultural and circumstantial things that make up queerfabulous style.

Thoughts? Comments? Reflections? Pictures of you in a bow tie?

Related Posts: Lesbian Haircutes: Interview with Leroy Powell of We Are Hair, 
Femme and Fabulous: Interview and Photoshoot with Elissa, Lindsie: Femme with Lesbian Flair