flyingflesheater asked: I'm a cross dresser and I work at American Eagle. Let me just say that while I'm sure AE has its faults, I have never once been made to feel uncomfortable about my gender presentation by my managers, other employees or even the customers, and I live in a very conservative area so I feel like that's pretty awesome. There's a level of diversity in our store that is really inspiring to me, and something that I haven't seen in stores like A&E or Hollister (which is right next door to us actually)

This is amazing. I had a really great experience at American Eagle Kids too. (Keep in mind that I am no longer dyke-identified, like I was when I wrote that post a year ago. But the rest still applies!) Glad to hear you’ve had great experiences with them as well. Exciting that such a mainstream store can be a safe place for us. - Sonny

Plaid shirt: Polo, bought at Macy’s
Jeans: American Eagle
Gray Sweater: Merona/Target, Thrifted
Loafers: Bass, Thrfited

Follow Melina: merlinaaaaaa.tumblr.com

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theblueandthewhite asked: When looking for pants, should I concentrate on the way the hips fit or the way the waist fits? I am generally a 24 in women’s stuff, but I have the big hips/butt situation as well.

Courtney says: Where are you considering your waist? Generally nowadays, most folk don’t fasten their pants around their actual waists, but more around their hips. Or if you’re a sagger, it can go even lower. In vintage clothing however, men’s and women’s pants are both worn higher up, around the hips or on the hips, even creeping up toward the actual waist. Currently styles in women’s pants are also shifting upward, with most brands favoring midrise rather than lowrise. So you should gauge the fit around where you want your pants to sit!

Every brand also structures their styles differently; so trying on a bunch of styles will be beneficial. Men’s dress pants and trousers also are generally cut in such a way that the hips and butt are less structured, as compared jeans. So those could be less tedious to go through to find some that fit fantastically. You’ll also perhaps have luck with Boyfriend fit women’s pants.

I really like Pacsun, American Eagle, and Levi’s. Sometimes H&M can have some fantastic pants too, and if there’s a Topman around, that’s definitely worth checking out. All have lots of variety in their fit styles, so just find something that works for you! See Guy’s Pants and Fit for Qwear recommended jeans brands. 

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Anonymous asked: Okay I’m a 5’ 3” 110 pound lesbian and I wear a 24 in girls pants, I’m tired of wearing womens jeans all the time, but that’s all that looks good on me. Mens pants never fit me because I’m too small but boys pants are either too baggy or too short. Do you have any suggestions? I’m looking for a nice skinny fit but still a little baggy with skater style

Courtney says: Pacsun and American Eagle both go down to 26 in the waist for their men’s pants; and while a 26 is not a 24, this might leave the right amount of room for sagging in the aforementioned skater style. I personally have found that my 28x30 American Eagle slims fit me the same in the waist as my 30x30 Dillon Skinnies from Pacsun, so Pacsun’s sizing may even go down smaller than they are labelled. Levi’s also get very skinny but their men’s pants only go down to 27 in the waist. However, Levi’s also has lots of variety in their pant styles for boys, which may be able to solve this dilemma for you. (Sonia adds: Ashley also recommends Levi’s boys — she is wearing them in this post. With a 29/30 waist, she says they are a little small on her. So they might be perfect for you.)

Skinny Jeans in Berry, currently on sale for $44.99 at American Eagle

Drakes Skinniest Layered Blue Jeans, $49.50 at Pacsun (2 for $69)

Levi’s currently has a sale on their website for 25% off and free shipping! GO BUY SOME JEANS, FRIENDS!

Levi’s Boys 510 Super Skinnies, on sale for $34

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!

Anonymous asked: Question for Courtney!! 1. Are the pants you're wearing in that photo from AE mens (and hemmed/rolled) or womens? I love them and just wanted to know :) I have the hardest time finding pants that actually fit since i'm only 5'2". Thanks!

Courtney says: I’m also 5’ 2”, and those jeans are my favorites! They’re 28x30 slims from AE men’s. I have a black pair and a distressed pair of the same jeans because they fit me so well. They aren’t carrying that exact fit anymore, but their Slim Straight fit look very similar. The Skinny ones would be another to try. They’re always changing, so if you find pants that you love, there’s nothing wrong with buying a couple of them in different colors. As for the hem, they’re just rolled tightly twice for that cuffed look that’s so popular in menswear right now. I press them sometimes to get them cuffed even tighter. I also like that by rolling them I can show off my colored laces!

(Re: Our New Shorty)

Anonymous asked: It’s getting cold, so I was wondering what kinds of masculine, stylish winter jackets y’all would suggest? What do I look for in style and fit? Especially for people who are super-petite—I want to be warm, but I also want to be handsome and not look like my winter coat is eating me!

Courtney, Our new dashing petite style consultant, says:

When you’re petite and looking for a coat, fit is a super important aspect to look out for. You want to make sure the style of coat you’re wearing is sized properly, particularly in relation to waist placement and length. So it’s usually best to try things on and check the fit before you commit to a coat; especially since quality coats are usually on the expensive side. Shorter styles that are meant to end at the hip or mid-thigh are generally safer. Peacoats, because they are a shorter cut style, are good for achieving that high class wool overcoat look without feeling like you’re drowning. 

American Eagle coats are pretty good quality, and the men’s sizes go all the way down to extra small. I have a friend with a peacoat from there that she is very happy with.

American Eagle Peacoat, currently on sale for $79.99

Land’s End is, of course, known for their quality outerwear. Their Wool Commuter Parka in Current coat comes in a lovely currant color, as well as being, again, cut shorter to accommodate for the shorties.

H&M usually cuts things slimmer, so it’s easier to find styles that work with a smaller figure. It can be somewhat hit or miss, however, so trying things on helps a lot. (Sonia adds: for someone who has been known to complain about the quality of H&M’s clothes, I love their jackets. This is the third winter I’ve worn a puffy coat I bought from them for $50, and it keeps me real warm. It also makes me look muscular.)

This Ralph Lauren Overcoat, on sale for $129.99 at Macy’s is cut shorter and also comes in short as well as regular. Lots of big department store brands offer short sizes in coats.

We also have an earlier post on winter coats with several styles that would work excellently on petite people!

Courtney’s Tumblr: adventuresoftinydyke.tumblr.com

As requested!

Sunglasses: Ray-ban Wayfarers
Cardigan: Tommy Hilfiger
Shirt: American Eagle
Tie: Express
Jeans: American Eagle
Shoes: Converse

Courtney, a 5’2” menswear enthusiast, will be helping us out with petite menswear related Qwearies. So if ya got any more, send them along! She’s mostly inspired by color, pattern, and texture coordination. She also digs colored laces, and has an unruly collection of bow ties and pocket squares. I’m looking forward to hearing more tricks of the trade soon.

(Photo credit: Caroline Wood)

Shirt: H&M boys
Sweater: H&M men
Jeans: American Eagle
Shoes: Clarks Desert Boots
Laces: Benjos (Sonia says: woah… this store is sweet!)

Courtney’s Tumblr: adventuresoftinydyke.tumblr.com

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