Femme One Day, Stud the Next: How Some of us Defy the Mainstream Binary
The more queer women recover from the femme/stud dichotomy, we are discovering a love for fluid presentations.
A lot of lesbians and bi women have been categorized as “lipstick
lesbians,” “femmes,” “studs,” or “stems” based largely on their
fashion choices. Some people take pride in their labels, while others believe labels should be left for clothes. Either way, style isn’t necessarily always about dressing girly or butch. You can be girly or butch if you want to, but you don’t have to be. Some people find comfort in switching back and forth between traditionally masculine and feminine clothing. It can be a freeing and fun way to experiment with your wardrobe. Below are a few outfit ideas for those looking to change up their summer looks.
A Dash of Dapper
Buttoned shirt and tapered pants/shorts
This is a classic tomboy outfit that’s perfect for any time of year, especially in the summer with short sleeved cotton shirts. If you’re feeling a bit bolder, definitely go for vibrant prints in your buttoned shirts. Buttoning the shirt up all the way up (top-button swag) can also help elevate your look. White chucks or any other sneakers pair perfectly with this outfit too.
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Colorful/patterned suits
Fitted suits are already a popular dapper trend, but reaching for a brighter color like red can definitely make you stand out. Different patterns like tartan or plaid can help you change up your style too. Bralettes and suits both match really well and are a different way to dress up. Three-piece suits are another classic.
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Photo by @breakthebinary on Instagram
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A Touch of Femme
Midi-dresses or oversized shirts
Midi-dresses and oversized shirts are comfortable in length and have a certain street style look when worn with sneakers. These outfits are simple, because the dress or shirt is the whole look. There’s also a large variety in the kinds of prints, patterns, and colors you can choose. If you have white sneakers especially, any dress can easily match with them.
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Photo by @heem.black on Instagram
Photo by @gabkirsch on Instagram
Comfy rompers or jumpsuits
A summertime favorite for a reason, rompers and jumpsuits are also cohesive outfits that don’t require a lot of effort. If you stick to cotton or linen fabrics, you’ll be both stylish and comfortable. Feel free to play around with textures and patterns like chambray or stripes to fit your specific look too. These outfits can be paired with sneakers or sandals.
Photo by @heem.black on Instagram
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Keeping it Casual
Ripped Jeans and T-shirt
When it comes to casual outfits, ripped jeans and a T-shirt are a staple. Not only are they comfortable, but they’re also edgy in a subtle way. They’re super versatile too. You can dress them up with a formal top or formal shoes like oxfords, or you can keep it more casual with a baseball tee or simple colors. Any kind of shoes work with this outfit, but if you’re looking for a style upgrade, go for boat shoes or patterned slip-ons.
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Athleisure
When all else fails and you’re staring at your closet like you have nothing to wear, athleisure is the perfect go-to. Not only is it a popular trend, but you can wear this kind of clothing in any way you want. You can make it your own by choosing bright or neutral color schemes. Aside from color, you can mix patterns and go for a baggier or looser fit too. It’s a really stylish way to be comfortable.
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Photo by @robynlambird on Instagram
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DNA Co. is a blog by college students passionate about queer fashion, among other styles!
