We’re gearing up for our big Power Clashing bash at The Dalloway on Sunday April 28th! Here are some of my inspirational favorites, and you can find more on my Power Clashing Pinterest board. I’m definitely going to make a few trips to my neighborhood thrift stores. Can’t wait to see what you all come up with! - Sonia

(from: fashionising.com)

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(from: firsthandsecondhand.wordpress.com)

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(from fashitects.blogspot.co.uk)

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THE DALLOWAY AND QWEAR PRESENT:
Powerclashing Party (21+)
525 Broome Street New York, 10013
Sunday, April 28 at 7:00 PM 
RSVP: clashing@thedallowaynyc.com
Facebook event

No Cover! Prizes will be awarded to the most fabulous clashers.

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By Blake

You don’t need to start from scratch when the seasons get warmer! For spring I only make two significant changes to what I wear:

• Lighter fabrics— so no wool, flannel, tweed, etc.
• Lighter colors— (I’m in love with pastels just like every other student at UVA, sorry not sorry)

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I still wear jeans (vans and cuffed jeans= classic) and collared shirts in the summertime (usually not at the same time) depending on how hot it is.
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(from ostentationandstyle.tumblr.com)

The weather in Virginia can be pretty temperamental (Buah hah!); 70 degrees one day and 50 the next. However, the outer layer goes away-sweaters, cardigans, and heavy jackets. To replace a big coat, I’m in love with the windbreakers/ parkas I’ve seen around for when it gets chilly.  

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(from thirdlooks.com) 

Zanerobe Bay Short Sleeve Shirt, $99 at needsupply.com

Gitman Vintage Pinup Oxford Shirt (from meadowweb.com)

(from bgibney.com)

In addition, I love incorporating a busy pattern into my spring outfit. Because it is often too hot to wear a sweater or cardigan, patterns can add another layer of complexity and flare. I’m talking polka dots (and top button swag), florals (“florals for spring…groundbreaking”), zig zags, pin-up girl patterns; go crazy. When done right, patterns show that you put some thought into your outfit.

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Timex weekender watches $35 at Amazon

I roll my sleeves up most of the time during the spring. Great opportunity to accessorize with some bracelets and a watch. You can find more affordable bracelets from ALDO or Etsy. 

Sperry Top-Sider Authentic Originals Mens Boat Shoes

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I also wear lighter colored shoes in lighter fabrics-usually low tops. So Sperry’s, Vans, etc. Happy spring dressing!

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Anyone wanna be my queer sugar boi? I mean, these are necessary staples! - Sonia

Captain Oscar O’Leary Belt, Kiel James Patrick for $88

Men’s Slim Fit Straight Colour Jeans, Uniqlo for $31.50 

Short-Sleeved Plaid Shirt, Ralph Lauren Boys, $40

Men’s Classic Boat Penny Loafer, Timberland, $80

Dot Print Bowtie, Gitman Vintage, Barneys for $85. I’d wear this every day.

ABC Polo shirt, $19.99 at French Connection

Boy’s Ludlow Sportcoat in Seersucker, $118 at J.Crew

Adidas Gazelle, $65 at Shoes.com

(photo credit: Boogie)

By Guest Blogger, I Dream Of Dapper

For some people it’s the sound of the coffee pot brewing that gets them out of bed in the morning, but for me it’s the endless combinations of colors and patterns that wait for me. I lie in bed and compose my outfit in my head before my feet even hit the floor. It’s no secret that I love a good bow tie and vest pairing; you don’t name your blog over something you feel partial about.

Usually I’m feeling a bit sassy and playful, which for me means fun with colors and patterns. Mind you, I picture myself as Mark from Ugly Betty on these days. I usually start out by choosing my shirt, sweater, and vest/blazer combinations before adding neckwear. I really like using similar patterns that vary in size; but pairing different patterns can also be rewarding. Subtle patterns are great for jazzing things up without looking like a complete clown.

Here are some of my favorite pattern mixtures put together from my wardrobe:

Stripes and Plaid

I find the clean straight lines of a striped shirt accompanied with the complexity of
the plaid pleasing to the eye. Try and match colors with this combination to avoid a
clownish appearance. This button-up has very thin navy stripes, which pair well the navy bow tie.

Gingham and Paisley

Gingham and paisley are great together. The curves and shapes of the paisley add a level of fun to the clean lines of the gingham. When starting out, choose a paisley tie that contains the same colors of the gingham to help bring everything together.

Stripes and Polka-dots

Lines and polka dots are a crowd pleaser. Just keep the patterns small and subtle; otherwise you’ve crossed the line from dapper into clownville.

Gingham and Plaid

Gingham and plaid is a more complex and tricky combination. It risks appearing too busy. But when done with thin lines and subtle colors, it can be really dapper! It also helps with the busy factor to mix bigger patterns with smaller ones. Those who know me know that I like taking risks and being a bit more daring. Taking risks can result in big pay-offs and many compliments. 

Floral and Paisley

One of my signature mixtures is floral & paisley. The features of these traditionally feminine patterns compliment each other and create a fun and playful look. I find that it works really well to mix dark shades with light ones.

Check back soon for more of my outfits IRL!

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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

I’m all over the bright color trend happening this fall. I also love it when anyone pulls off polka dots. Especially androgynous or masculine-of-center identified folks, because I feel like polka dots are more often seen on feminine clothing. 

Shirt: Thrift Store
Bow tie: Handmade 
Aqua Shorts: CCS (they were originally skinny jeans and she cut and hemmed them into shorts)
Watch: Forever 21

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Related Posts: Aqua Bike with Red Hair

Sarah’s exploration of wacky 60’s styles works in this successful pairing of simple and bright pieces. Wearing multiple bright colors in the same outfit can be a tricky one, because you can so easily overwhelm. Sarah balances them out by combining colors that vary in brightness (calming moss green against bright red), and pairing patterns with solids.

• Dress: Etsy.com
• Purse: Fab.com
• Headband: Handmade
• Socks: J. Crew
• Shoes: Forever 21

• Shirt: H&M
• Bow Tie: Estate Sale
• Skirt: American Apparel
• Belt: Thrift Store
• Shoes: Urban Outfitters*

Colorful, Dapper, Preppy menswear for work. Obsessed. This Oakland-residing school teacher’s outfit is totally knocking my invisible socks off. Known as Bookmonkey5000, she includes dapper tips about tie knots for short queers, getting custom made pants from makeyourownjeans.com, and more sartorial reflections.

• Shirt: Land’s End Boys (6 dollars via Lands’ End’s weekly On the Counter sale)
• Tie: Gap Factory Store 
• Belt: Banana Republic Outlet
• Pants: Custom made at makeyourownjeans.com 
• Shoes: Bass Ely 2  

• Shirt: Land’s End Boys
• Tie: The Tie Bar
• Belt: American Eagle
• Pants: H&M, purchased at Buffalo Exchange
• Shoes: Bass Weejuns 

Her words about the first outfit: I’d long been eyeing some beautiful blue suede Nordstrom 1901 Oxfords, as seen in this post by the amazing gentlemen at Closet Freaks, but sadly, those don’t come in a small enough size for me. So I ordered the Ely 2s and then switched out the blue laces for white ones to snazz them up a bit. These chinos are one of a few pairs that I’ve had custom made from makeyourownjeans.com. Shipping is expensive, so they can run you anywhere from $70-$100 a pair, and they’re not designer quality or anything, but they fit me the way I want them to fit, which is more than I can say for almost every other pair of pants in the universe.

Her words about the second outfit: I wanted to pair some simple classics (white OCBD, loafers) with some more modern pieces. I’m by no means a flashy dresser, so pairing these bright blue jeans with a plain white oxford makes me feel like my outfit isn’t too loud. I’ve been really digging knit ties lately; they can make jeans dressier or trousers more casual. Every tie at The Tie Bar is 15 bucks, and while the quality isn’t stellar, you can pick up quite a few nice ties without breaking the bank.

Dapper queer tip: Since I’m kinda short (5’ 5”), my ties are often too long. Because of that, I like to use knots that “eat up” a lot of tie and make the tie shorter. In this look, I used a double four-in-hand. The Knize knot is also a good one for the same reason. The double Windsor is also a large knot that’s good for shorties, but I prefer the asymmetrical look of the Knize or double four-in-hand.

Mimi’s back for part 3 with some more excellent combos. Checks, polka dots, stripes, blazers, epaulettes… damn girl. She’s knows how to handle pattern and detail.

Button-up: J. Crew Gingham Perfect Shirt
Cardigan: Forever 21
Tie: Thrifted 

Pants: Gap (Corduroys) 
Shirt: H&M
Blazer: Not sure, Nordstrom Rack
Shoes: Sebago
Watch: Kenneth Cole, Nordstrom Rack
Band: NATO

Missy — who happens to be my SUPER CUTESICLE GIRLFRIEND — wins job interviews and livens up parties in her classy yet playful outfits. She’s chosen her more feminine selections for us today, but doesn’t identify as femme. Even when she wears femme clothes, she likes to keep it clean and simple without any auxiliary jewelry/make-up/ruffles/ruching/puffy sleeves, or any other types of feminine accents built into them. She likes simple lines and clothes that have a vintage feel. Lots of her clothes are either thrifted or from friends — which I highly recommend to save money and the environment. 

Hair cut: Leroy, at We Are Hair, in Jamaica Plain, MA 
Glasses: Eye Q

Cardigan: Old Navy
Dress: Goodwill in LA
Sandals: Montego Bay Club

Matching teal also never hurts.
Top: Gap Outlet
Suit: Banana Republic Outlet
Shoes: Payless, American Eagle

Sweater: Delia’s
Dress: H&M (inherited)
Shoes: Payless, American Eagle

Dress: H&M

Check out Missy’s Queer Health Blog
Related Posts: Lindsie: Femme with Lesbian Flair