Qweary: "How to dress bisexual and proud?"
Jordan asked: "I am a 14 year old bisexual teen and I try to use clothing to help state I am bisexual and I am proud. Being in high school and bisexual isn’t easy people talk about us as faggs. I want to use clothing to show that we are stronger then them. They look at us like we have a mental illness. Clothing is how we can show we are everyday people and have feelings [too.]"
Dear Jordan,
I am sorry to hear about the daily bullying you are experiencing at school. I'm glad you know in your heart of hearts that you are AMAZING just the way you are and that you have the resilience to carry yourself through a toxic environment.
Please know that in the United States and many other countries you have a legal right to a safe environment at school where you can be yourself. Here are some tips from Lamda Legal on how to handle bullying at school. If you live in the US, you can call Lamda Legal, the ACLU, or GLADD for outside help. If you don't live in the US, there are likely similar organizations in your country. Google your country and "legal rights LGBTQ" or call the aforementioned groups to help find resources near you.
So, how to dress bisexual and proud? Well, that is completely up to you, my friend! The best way to fashionably give a middle finger to bullies is to dress in a way that makes you feel confident and comfortable. You want to find that outfit that makes you stand two inches taller.
It sounds like you want to stand out a bit with your style and try out something new. Here are some starting point suggestions. If you don't like any of these ideas, don't worry. There are infinite ways to express yourself, and with the right exploration, you will find outfits that make your heart sing.
1. Browse different styles aesthetics
There are so many styles to play around with and combine: punk, goth, preppy, streetwear, dapper, vintage, western, glam, rocker, grunge, sporty, hippy, Kpop, urban, nerd, smart, hip hop, campy, minimalist, futuristic, sophisticated, eclectic, style from any era in history... the list goes on. I say this not because you want to feel boxed into a category, but because if you know the names of style you like it's easier to find inspiration on Google, Pinterest, etc!
Goth
(via gramunion.com)
Futuristic
Streetwear
Vintage
Eclectic
Via Robbert Jacobs
Alientist Couture
By Charlie Xile
...and et cetera
2. Look Beyond the Gender Binary
Shop in all sections and look at styles outside whatever is expected of your gender. Get creative and don't hold back! Mix and match items from different sections or find styles that are genderless.
Elliott Alexzander
Via manrepeller.com
Via teethmag.net
3. Try clothing with slogans
Nothing says "I'm here haters," better than a shirt that literally says, "I'm here haters." Check out graphic tees, jackets, pins, patches.
"Yes Homo" Patches Via Etsy
4. Explore the clothing of your culture
Your culture can mean many things, such as where your family is from, where your bloodline is from (this could be different if you are adopted), the surrounding culture that you participate in, and any other cultures with which you identify, such as the gay and bisexual community.
For example, I'm an Ashkenazi Jew both ethnically and religiously. I've somewhat assimilated into the dominant white American culture, but as I live in a big city (Boston), I am influenced by cultures around the world.
Boy George
I identify with the LGBTQIA+ community which means that I am influenced by queer culture of the current and past. I might look at say, what American gay men wore in the 80's for inspiration. Or the anti-fashion style of lesbian culture. I might incorporate some elements of drag. I might make some references to American prep style. I might experiment with traditional Ashkenazi Jewish garments.
I might grow payes.
Source Unknown
Actually, while writing this I have now decided to grow payes.
Find inspiration from your ancestors and community and play around.
5. Shop at Queer Owned Brands (If you can)
Wearing a garment that was created by an LGBTQIA+ person might have some significance to you. It's not always easy to get our hands on these, as they are often hand-made and small businesses and thus more expensive than clothing from the corporate world. It's also almost all online, which means that you need a credit card and a safe place to deliver it. (Note that I learned from queer youth: if you don't have a credit card, you can purchase a Visa gift card at most supermarkets and use that to purchase clothing online.)
Here is our list of body-positive queer brands and here's a list of femmey brands.
6. And if all else fails, print your face on clothing
It's an IN YOUR FACE way to say that bisexual = fabulous.
Best of luck!
I wear my clothes like this because I can
I wear my hair like this because I can
I walk around like this because I can
And I do my thing like ’cause this who I am (this who I am)
— “Do My Thing”
Estelle (feat. Janelle Monáe)
TL;DR: We provide bold fashion suggestions for a bisexual teen who is struggling to find their own style in the face of school bullies.
