Lots of smaller footed folks have asked for masculine shoe recommendations in the non-sneaker shoes arena that won’t break the bank. I’ve picked up a few more ideas since my last post in May. 

My biggest recommendation is to do the thrifty thrift! Men’s feet used to be smaller, so there are some gorgeous vintage finds out there for next to nothing. Blake got these bad boys for $4. Bobby from Boston had an incredible selection of smaller men’s shoes that ranged from 30 - 60$. If you make visiting your neighborhood thrift store a regular activity, something fantastic will pop up.

Onward! I chose pretty spring colors, because I can:

Bass Women’s Ely Shoes 

I’ve had these Bass bucks from Bass for 2 years now, and they are still one of my favorites and one of my most vesatile pairs of shoes. They fill an in-between space from casual to fancy. They come in several colors and contrast soles. Retail is $69, but you can usually snag them on sale or on Ebay for $40 or so. (See me wearing mine here!)

Loafers are never a bad addition to your wardrobe. Equally at home at the office or with some shorts on a summer stroll. Women’s Hayden Loafer, $85 at Sperry Top-sider.

Every fashionisto needs at least one pair of fashion boots! Clarks Women’s Desert Boots, $94.95 at Infinity Shoes

I always dislike how boy’s shoes have a rounder toe and chunkier heels than men’s. As if they still need help walking past toddler-hood. However, J.Crew has some of the less obnoxiously shaped boys’ shoes in the most fabulous of colors! These are the Kids’ Suede Bucks with Contrast Sole, $98. They’ve also got pretty nice wingtips for $118, though I’m less convinced of the chunky design in the dressier shoe.

These are so pretty! Can’t speak to their quality. But… WANT! Halogen® ’Lindy’ Oxford, $99.95 at Nordstrom

Cole Haan has some fabulous choices this season. I tried a pair of their Skylar Oxfords and found them very comfortable! They would make for a great dress shoe. The leather sole feels like it would last for ever. The black ones are currently on sale for $179.95. They also have the Alissa Oxford (pictured above) — the same thing with a rubber sole a different kind of leather (nubuck) in brighter colors. Those are now running as low as $88 on Amazon.

In other news I crossed these Steve Madden oxfords off the list when I tried them on IRL. They feel like a flimsy piece of felt glued together by a child. There’s women’s clothing for ya. 

Am I missing anything? Add it in the comments!

Follow Qwear: FACEBOOK | TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | PINTEREST

Those who’ve been following Qwear for a while have seen my array of button-ups. I’ve brought multiple brands to the tailor and have even taken the custom-made route. But this number by Androgyny is one of the best fitting shirts I’ve come across. I’ve enjoyed my other shirts a lot, but when I tried this on I went, “oooooh, that’s what it should feel like!” It didn’t require any adjusting or pulling to fit over my curves. And like most of you, I probably would have never known what was possible in a shirt that could fit my body and gender expression until now.

Due to the high production costs of manufacturing in San Francisco and being a start-up who produces limited editions of each style, Androgyny’s shirts are priced at $125. Though many of you have graciously informed me that you don’t have that kind of cash (I think my favorite line was: “this blog is run by a privileged idiot”), if you do have the means or are saving for a special occasion, your money will be well spent. And, if nothing else, it helps to know that shirts made for androgynous folk are now in existence and will someday be more easily acquired!

The name of the company describes the shirt exactly: it hides my curves without creating a more masculine shape than I want. The bottom comes out to accommodate hips but not in a way that’s at all noticeable. l’m certainly not a shirt construction expert, nor can I account for all the body-types other than my own — but from the way it feels I can tell they’ve done their research on the needs of androgynous people with curves. To top it off, their shirts feature contrasting inner collars, sleeves, and buttonhole thread. All their collars allow ties. Some people may find the colors in their current collection “feminine,” but you know how crazy I go over colorful menswear.

I also appreciate that they button on the right side like men’s shirts. Many dry cleaners charge sometimes up to 3 times as much for women’s shirts, so this will save you money. Pretttty cray. Also, these days maids aren’t expected to dress their Victorian mistresses, so it’s not really necessary to keep the left-side button practice.

This Crisp White Magenta shirt and 4 other colors are available at www.wearandrogyny.com in sizes S-XL. I hope all the dissatisfied andros get the experience of trying on one of these babies at least once. For now, they are only available online, but offer free shipping and free returns. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter for updates on their growing color and size options.

Thanks, Androgyny!

- Sonia

Follow Qwear: FACEBOOK | TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | PINTEREST

The beauty of peter pan collars has been calling out to me since the beginning of my fashion obsession (c. 2011). In addition to its vintage goodness, it is very school girlish — two styles I can’t live without. Dresses with collars also have an androgynous edge that I just adore. 

I haven’t yet found any men’s shirts with peter pan collars. There are rounded collars which are also dazzling — as you can see in this Topman shirt — but they don’t lie flat on the shoulder in the same way. However, you can buy or make the collar separately (shown below) and add it to any outfit. I’d LOVE to see a more masculine or androgynous person get up on that. (Submit here!)

Until then, here are some of my favorite inspiration and buys for the femmes and femmewear admirers:

Extra points for the sexiest hair ever. Navy Collar Shift Dress with Pearl Embellishment, available at Dahlia for $30.00, modeled by Christina Caradona. (Follow her blog, Trop Rouge.)

(source: zitychoc.blogspot.com) Get yours at American Apparel

(source: milkteeths.blogspot.com) Clothes thrifted. Can’t find blue gingham collar like that, but here is a Unionmade Crew Neck Sweater in Pink.

Detachable Peter Pan Collar in grey, available at Luulla for $30. Similar designs available on Etsy.

Oh, and those socks… and Dr. Martens… and glasses…

Ebba Zingmark, modeling the Navy Skater Dress With Collar, available at Wandering Minds for $68.34. (source: lookbook.nu)

Green peter pan collar dress, available at Dorothy Perkins for $35.00. And by green, they mean teal.

Gosh darn. Wouldn’t this make such a good bridesqueer dress? Feeding the Doves Dress, available at Modcloth for $69.99

Simple Cut Peter Pan Collar Top in Neon by Chic+, available at chicwish.com for $43.90
This site is so much like Modcloth! Kitschy titles, vintage fashion by indie designers, photos on mannequins, and CUTE CLOTHES in the upwardly affordable range.

Put a Swing on It Dress, available at Modcloth for $114.99

Kim is back with some more fabulous pink menswear. This outfit features the unique Harem Pants, which taper in to the calf. They a very popular style for all genders, but I love the androgynous way in which Kim chooses to sag them here. Kim says, “This photo was shot during a photography project. I named this photo ‘Pink Autumn’.”

Pink Shirt: UNIQLO 
Jeans Vest: 21Men, Heathered Hood Denim Vest
Harem Black pants: Brand-Less
Coral sneakers: Polo Ralph Lauren

Follow Kim: lunatiklie.tumblr.com
See Kim’s other Qwear outfits:  Contrast Collars, City Queer Chic

Shesunderneaththewater asked: I recently bought the new Taupe Suede Desert Wedges from Toms Shoes and I have no clue what to wear them with (especially now that the weather is getting colder). I usually dress more on the femme side but essentially I’m just a queer hipster/hippie. Do you have any suggestions on how to wear them? Thanks!

Rae says: I’m going to start from the ground up. I love adding unexpected pops of color to a neutral outfit. Try some brightly colored tights, plain khaki chinos that are a little slouchy and rolled up at the ankle, a slim fitted cable knit sweater, and a printed coat to keep you nice and cozy.

Toms Taupe Suede Women’s Desert Wedges, available at Nordstrom for $88.95

Deep Pink 70 Denier Tights, available at New Look for $5.25. (We Love Colors also has nearly every color and size tights you could think of.)

Broken-in straight khakis, available at Gap for $49.95 (25% off with the code GAPCHEER until October 14 at 11:59 PM ET)

(Maybe if you can thrift something like this) Ralph Lauren Grey cashmere and wool sweater, available at FarFetch for $271.74

Style Stimulant Coat, available at Modcloth for $57.99

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

Anonymous asked: So I suddenly have a strong urge to dye my hair hot pink. Do you think this is possible to rock with a more androgynous/masculine of centre look? My hair is very short. P.S This blog is groovy.

No, pink is only for girls. OH WAIT NO IT’S FOR EVERYBOBYYYY.

Drooling over ties is something that I do about 80% of the time. (And the other 20% goes to shoes.)

I mostly shop for ties at department stores like Loehmanns, Macy’s, Marshalls; all those big discount places. They usually have fancy ones on sale. I’ve gotten some gorgeous finds for just $10. I also recommend checking out Ebay. Put This On has does these great posts called “eBay Roundups” where they tell you the best eBay finds, including ties. It’s kind of magical.

When it comes to tiespiration, these are the ones I’ve been all over lately:

Mosaic Menswear

Nep Wool Tie, by Gant Rugger, available at Gant

Blue Floral Printed Tie, available at Pocket Square Clothing

Charvet Knit Silk Tie, Yellow, available at Neiman Marcus


J. Crew Gingham Check Cotton Tie, available at J. Crew


Alexander Olch, The Winters Plaid Wool Tie


Ties by Steven Alan (Source: thinkcontra)

Gitman Vintage Donegal Tie, available at Barneys
Roxburgh Tie, available at Pierrepont Hicks

Thin-Stripe Silk Tie, available at J. Crew

Bradley Tie, available at Club Monaco

Alexander Olch, The Walter Plaid Wool Tie

Tie-dye is coming back into the fashion scene. No one is sure whether it’s because of  Matt’s onesie, or the 60’s inspired styles of New York fashion week this past spring, but designers all around are bringing it onto the racks with a more subtle twist. Georgie and her friends took it as an opportunity to pull out their pink tie-dyed tanks; which I find quite pleasing to the eye. Want more info on wearing tie-dye without looking like a hippie? Styleist has a helpful guide. (Especially good for femmes)

(From left to right)

• Polly
• Tank top: Topman
• Shorts: Topman
• Georgie
• Cap: Only NY
• Tank top: Topman
• Shorts: Levi’s (mens)

• Kate
• Tank top: Primark (mens)
• Jeans: Topshop

Anonymous asked: Hi, I was wondering if you had any suggestions on styling a hot pink infinity scarf so that it doesn’t make me look really girly? I’m surprised that I love how it looks considering I don’t like scarves or pink but I feel like it’ll make me look too feminine. (I wear button downs and jeans all the time)

Mandy (A.D.) says: Perfect outfit: Pink infinity scarf + button down (I see blue or green… nothing too “girly,” like white or purple, but you could definitely rock a light chambray with some dark denim) + jeans/pants, boots (I’m thinking Timberlands or chukkas) + a bad-ass jacket (leather or jean or blazer with the sleeves rolled up) + SWAG.