So you’re thinking of changing your hair. Congrats!

As a prominent physical trait and one of the first things people notice, hair is a major social signifier. Trying a new look is an exciting way to try on a new identity. As LGBTQIA+ people, we like to use our hair to express our personalities, attitudes, and identities. Many people change their hair when they come out or discover something new about themselves.

Some people find hair to be a safe way to express themselves. In an Allure article, Cyrus Veyssi noted, “I think hair can be coded as queer in a way that is a lot less visible to cis-het people. Like if I walk around wearing a full face of makeup, I'm sort of visibly disrupting this notion of gender. But with my hair, I can code my hair as queer and feel affirmed without making it overtly obvious depending on where I am. So in some ways, hair is a form of protection too.”

We wanted to provide some new ideas that haven’t been on Qwear Fashion yet. We took a look through various fashion blogs and magazines across the internet for the best hairstyles to provide inspiration. 

If you are trans or nonbinary or just exploring your gender, hair is a great way to do that. You may choose to play into society’s expectations or fight them with your choices. It can feel powerful to be a trans guy with long hair or vice versa. If you are seeking a medical transition and haven’t achieved it yet, a different hairstyle can provide a signifier to the outside world that you may use different pronouns. Perhaps even more than clothing, our hair provides big clues about who we are.

It can feel really good for other queer people to notice you. From nods on the street to making new friends at a party, queer signifiers come in handy for finding community (though of course, it’s not the only way.)

Choosing the right hairstyle has to do with the type of hair you have and what styles look best. So when looking through these ideas, consider your hair type - is it thin, medium, or thick? Curly, wavy, or straight? Look for people with similar hair to take inspiration from. Don’t be afraid to try some accessories you’d never

previously considered, too, such as bold hair clips.

Often people struggle to express their queerness in ways that feel right for them. There are so many ways to signify queerness in your hair: asymmetrical cuts, shaved heads, undercuts, natural hair, hair color, slicked back tops, pompadours, side combs, pixie cuts, fades, and more. As a counter-culture, anything unique is more likely to be interpreted as queer.

Most importantly, your hair should make you feel good! So whatever you choose, make sure it makes you smile when you look in the mirror.