WAYWT ("What are you wearing today"), but with themes! It's co-ed and hosted by FFA. The goal is to have some fun creating outfits in a slightly more focused way, not to win a contest on Who Can Be The Most Theme. Post your outfit photos here!

# Rules

* Critiquing others is welcome and encouraged, but [keep it constructive/factual, and try to focus on feedback that will help the person improve based on their goals.](https://www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/comments/3jfxk8/how_to_give_and_receive_constructive_criticism_a/)
* Link directly to images on Imgur or anywhere else you care to host them as long as the URL ends in .jpg or .png. Please don't link to Instagram posts or blog posts for your photos. You're welcome to include a link to your IG in your post, but people should not need to go to your blog/feed to see your outfits. See [Rules on Blogger Participation](https://www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/wiki/rules) for the full description of FFA's rules.
* Don't downvote for disagreeing with someone's opinion.

You should have at least one clear photo showing your whole outfit in a neutral pose (if you want to share more in fun poses or share detail pics that's fine too, but we should be able to see the whole outfit).

It's always helpful to other users if you provide some context on what you wore the outfit for and what your goals were. If you want to write more about your outfit creation process or what inspired you, that's great! But 1-2 sentences is fine too. For example, "It's raining here and I wore this to run errands. I was inspired by the color scheme and attitude of [this bird](https://i.imgur.com/bSSMVYh.gifv)"

# Themes for this week are Androgynous and Hats/Hair Accessories

## Androgynous

Or if you don't want to go the full androgynous outfit route, try and incorporate an element of womenswear or menswear which you don't usually go for into your outfit.

Related inspo

* MFA discussion [Gender boundaries, androgyny, and masculinity in fashion](https://www.reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice/comments/bptvb0/weeklyish_fashion_discussion_gender_boundaries/)
* FFA [Basic Everyday Androgyny Inspo](https://www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/comments/ax2u65/basic_everyday_androgyny_inspo/)
* FFA [Jonathan Van Ness Androgynous Style Henny](https://www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/comments/b1jyy5/jvn_androgynous_style_henny/)
* FFA inspiration [She's a Handsome Woman](https://www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/comments/c507ny/shes_a_handsome_woman_inspo_for_blurring_the/)

## Hats/Hair Accessories

Put together an outfit featuring a hat or hair accessory! Stay cozy in a beanie or beret, bring out your wide-brimmed hats, bucket hat, or wear that long-neglected baseball cap. Or if hats aren't your thing, feature a hair accessory like a headband, barrettes, or scrunchie.

* FFA discussion [How do you pull off different hats?](https://www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/comments/cpsx38/how_do_you_pull_off_different_hats/)
* MFA [A(nother) Practical Guide to Hats](https://www.reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice/comments/8q8y2u/another_practical_guide_to_hats/)
* MFA inspiration [MFA Wearing Hats](https://www.reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice/comments/c0z93u/mfa_wearing_hats_album_discussion/)

# Resources

* Taking photos with your phone? [Read this guide.](http://www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/comments/2iupe5/taking_outfit_photos_with_your_phone/)
* Uploading photos to Imgur? Make sure that your image/album privacy is set to **hidden**, not public (don’t click “share to community”), and not private.
* [Reddit Enhancement Suite](https://redditenhancementsuite.com) makes it very easy to view pictures in a thread.

# Upcoming

| Date               | Theme 1                                                                                | Theme 2                                                                                |
|--------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| November 16, 2019 | **Punk** | **Play with volume** |
| November 23, 2019 | **1930s/1940s** | **Grayscale** As in monochrome, not that GoT disease. |
| November 30, 2019 | **Style Mash-up** | **Cozy** |

The tentative long-term schedule can be found in this [spreadsheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/2/d/1arLrr89BMkFvdsTD7NOFHD5UTYZFP6W8A7csHDlz38A/edit#gid=520843721).

# FAQ

* **Can I suggest a theme or changes to the schedule?** Of course! Please suggest themes in the Tuesday discussion threads and include the full description that will be posted for it. It's great to include some examples, links to inspiration, and things to consider. If you would like to suggest changes to the schedule, you can discuss that there too.
* **Do I have to do both themes?** You can do either theme or both themes.
* **Can I submit more than one outfit for a theme?** Yes! If you really dig a theme or just want to share different iterations of an outfit, feel free to share all your photos.
* **Does it have to be something I wore that day?** Not at all! If you have an outfit photo handy from the last couple of weeks that is relevant, you're welcome to post it. But add a note if it isn't recent.
* **Will themes ever repeat?** If you are keen on repeating a theme please suggest that in the Tuesday announcement/discussion thread. If a lot of people also want to try a theme again I'm down to repeat some.
* **Can I use the same outfit in Theme WAYWT and in the regular WAYWT?** Yep!
* **What is "CCW"?** It means "Constructive Criticism Welcome". If you would like to receive CC on your post, you can increase the chances of getting replies by asking for feedback on a specific aspect of your outfit, e.g. "I'm interested in advice for elevating this outfit without the use of jewelry" or "I'd like to know if these pants hit at a good spot for this outfit".

Theme WAYWT November 09, 2019 Submission Thread: Androgynous // Hats and Hair Accessories


This is the announcement/discussion thread, not the submission thread. The submission thread is posted on Saturdays.

WAYWT ("What are you wearing today"), but with themes! It's co-ed and hosted by FFA. Share some inspiration photos, float your outfit ideas, and discuss this week's themes here! The goal is to have some fun creating outfits in a slightly more focused way, not to win a contest on Who Can Be The Most Theme.

# Themes for this week are Androgynous and Hats/Hair Accessories

## Androgynous

Or if you don't want to go the full androgynous outfit route, try and incorporate an element of womenswear or menswear which you don't usually go for into your outfit.

Related inspo

* MFA discussion [Gender boundaries, androgyny, and masculinity in fashion](https://www.reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice/comments/bptvb0/weeklyish_fashion_discussion_gender_boundaries/)
* FFA [Basic Everyday Androgyny Inspo](https://www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/comments/ax2u65/basic_everyday_androgyny_inspo/)
* FFA [Jonathan Van Ness Androgynous Style Henny](https://www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/comments/b1jyy5/jvn_androgynous_style_henny/)
* FFA inspiration [She's a Handsome Woman](https://www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/comments/c507ny/shes_a_handsome_woman_inspo_for_blurring_the/)

## Hats/Hair Accessories

Put together an outfit featuring a hat or hair accessory! Stay cozy in a beanie or beret, bring out your wide-brimmed hats, bucket hat, or wear that long-neglected baseball cap. Or if hats aren't your thing, feature a hair accessory like a headband, barrettes, or scrunchie.

* FFA discussion [How do you pull off different hats?](https://www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/comments/cpsx38/how_do_you_pull_off_different_hats/)
* MFA [A(nother) Practical Guide to Hats](https://www.reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice/comments/8q8y2u/another_practical_guide_to_hats/)
* MFA inspiration [MFA Wearing Hats](https://www.reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice/comments/c0z93u/mfa_wearing_hats_album_discussion/)

# Resources

* Taking photos with your phone? [Read this guide.](http://www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/comments/2iupe5/taking_outfit_photos_with_your_phone/)
* Uploading photos to Imgur? Make sure that your image/album privacy is set to **hidden**, not public (don’t click “share to community”), and not private.
* [Reddit Enhancement Suite](https://redditenhancementsuite.com) makes it very easy to view pictures in a thread.

# Upcoming

| Date               | Theme 1                                                                                | Theme 2                                                                                |
|--------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| November 16, 2019 | **Punk** | **Play with volume** |
| November 23, 2019 | **1930s/1940s** | **Grayscale** As in monochrome, not that GoT disease. |
| November 30, 2019 | **Style Mash-up** | **Cozy** |

The tentative long-term schedule can be found in this [spreadsheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/2/d/1arLrr89BMkFvdsTD7NOFHD5UTYZFP6W8A7csHDlz38A/edit#gid=520843721).

# FAQ

* **Can I suggest a theme or changes to the schedule?** Of course! Please suggest themes in the Tuesday discussion threads and include the full description that will be posted for it. It's great to include some examples, links to inspiration, and things to consider. If you would like to suggest changes to the schedule, you can discuss that there too.
* **Do I have to do both themes?** You can do either theme or both themes!
* **Can I submit more than one outfit for a theme?** Yes! If you really dig a theme or just want to share different iterations of an outfit, feel free to share all your photos.
* **Does it have to be something I wore that day?** Not at all! If you have an outfit photo handy from the last couple of weeks that is relevant, you're welcome to post it. But add a note if it isn't recent.
* **Will themes ever repeat?** If you are keen on repeating a theme please suggest that in the Tuesday announcement/discussion thread. If a lot of people also want to try a theme again I'm down to repeat some.
* **Can I use the same outfit in Theme WAYWT and in the regular WAYWT?** Yep!
* **What is "CCW"?** It means "Constructive Criticism Welcome". If you would like to receive CC on your post, you can increase the chances of getting replies by asking for feedback on a specific aspect of your outfit, e.g. "I'm interested in advice for elevating this outfit without the use of jewelry" or "I'd like to know if these pants hit at a good spot for this outfit".

Theme WAYWT Discussion Thread: Androgynous // Hats and Hair Accessories


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How can I style this scrunchie?


We all remember the styles from our childhood and adolescence. Whether it was feathered hair in a scrunchie with stretchy colorful leggings and windbreakers, denim jackets and mom jeans or even bell bottoms and peasant blouses—these styles all hold a special place in our hearts.

This theme is a fallback to your "glory days" whenever you interpret that to be. Show us a reinterpretation of your fashion past!

The submission post will be on September 1. MFA is invited to participate. [Can't wait to see your submissions!](http://mclabs15.com/experiments/showmewhatyougot/images/head0.png)

Also this is the last S/S theme so it would be great if we could get some participation on this!

Themme WAYWT Announcement: Relive the Glory Days...


I bought these [DVF leather thong sandals](http://images.neimanmarcus.com/ca/1/products/mx/NMX1AYL_mx.jpg), but they are half a size too large and keep slipping off my feet (the back-strap does not stay on).  How can I size them down?

A local shoe repair place said they could not do it.  The band is made out of leather and it has an elastic segment (the scrunchie part) that is also covered in leather.  I've thought about sewing it closer together, but I don't even know what type of needle would pierce it or what thread to use (I don't sew a lot).  I'm out of ideas.

How can I size down my sandal?


I like these type of hair accessories. Where i can buy shells so that i can make a handmade hair accessories?


*Disclaimer: I’m not paid by or affiliated with any of these brands or stores in any way, and I don’t get anything out of you buying something I’ve recommended other than satisfaction. This is not market research or self-promotion. Also, I wrote this myself, and I researched and chose these items myself!*

[**Here's the collection!**](https://pin.it/Q0IrvoAC0)

I’m a personal stylist, so I spend a significant chunk of my work time sourcing unique items for clients; for fun I’d like to share a small slice of my sprawling shopping library with you -- manageably curated with the hope of helping you find some styling inspiration or the couple of pieces you may have been looking to add to your spring/summer wardrobe.

I generally source from designers and companies who are, at minimum, engaging in more sustainable manufacturing by working with more ecologically sound materials or employing workers at fairer rates in safer environments. Mixed in you’ll also find a selection of vintage stuff, accessories from small independent artists, and a few straight luxury pieces (new and secondhand). By virtue of my current set of projects, this collection is also loosely focused on feminine-leaning, fashion-forward pieces.

If you’re familiar with seasonal color analysis, you’ll also notice that the collection is organized by subseason beginning with Bright Spring at the top; flexible pieces in various neutrals and metals are mixed in, though, so I’d definitely encourage browsing beyond your palette!

*Things you won’t find in this collection:*

**“Basics”:** Plain tees and simple athleisure are readily available and aren’t especially interesting to include in a visual shopping guide designed for a broad audience. If you’re in need of these kinds of basics from more sustainable brands, I’d try Leze, Eileen Fisher, Marcella NYC, Baserange, Industry of All Nations, Boden, or Big Bud Press.

**Low Low Prices!!!**: Items range from a $20 hand-painted hair clip to a $380 pair of silk trousers; most pieces are between $60 and $200. I don’t ascribe to the cult of the shopping haul and I know that a $12 dress has no chance of being made by someone making a living wage for their work, so there are no truly “cheap” items here. That said, I understand that most people do not have the means to shop exclusively at sustainable luxury retailers (myself included -- I have fancy taste and sometimes dress people of means, but I don’t make much doing it), so I’ve chosen items at a very wide range of price points. I’ve done this with the understanding that this means that many of the less expensive items are from companies with weaker, more varied, or less well-documented sustainability and ethics practices, because I'm confident they’re still better than whatever you might buy from Amazon, Shein, H&M, Free People, Banana Republic, etc.

**“Vegan leather”**: Leather is almost always superior in appearance, function, and durability to plastic for comparable fashion applications; the useable life of a leather jacket or shoe is years or decades longer than a plastic one, and I therefore consider it specifically unethical to *replace* leather with plastic. You won’t find any products that are made of ‘vegan leather’, ‘faux leather’, or other euphemisms for plastic in this collection. If it’s plastic, it’ll say so.

**Let me know if you have questions or if there are other curated collections that would interest you (like a fall/winter version, more masc styles, lingerie, activewear, leather goods, formalwear, suiting, utility/workwear, etc.) and I’ll do what I can! Enjoy!**

Stylist-curated Spring/Summer 2026 Womenswear collection/shopping guide!


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What accessories/hair/shoes should i add to these matching sets? 30 F


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Is there an app where I can upload an outfit and it suggests matching hair, makeup, accessories, and shoes?


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Going to a clown night and need advice on a headband/hair accessories for this dress?


Every year, I notice people have really different approaches to Christmas style. Some go full festive with themed sweaters, plaid everything, velvet dresses, or sparkly accessories. Others keep things more subtle, like cozy neutrals with a hint of shine, or one small holiday-themed piece (like jewelry, hair ribbon, or a cute pair of socks).

I’m curious how you all balance looking seasonal vs. feeling like yourselves. Do you enjoy leaning into classic holiday colors (greens, reds, gold), or do you prefer a more understated winter aesthetic? And if you go to events, family gatherings, office parties, dinners with friends, does your style change?

I’d love to see what feels festive without crossing into costume territory. How do you approach Christmas fashion? 🎄✨

What’s Your Go-To Christmas Style?


I rented this [dress](https://www.renttherunway.com/shop/designers/shoshanna/midnight_ophelia_dress) from Rent the Runway for a black tie optional wedding.

I would say my body type is much more curvy like the last example picture in this dress.  I honestly like how that person styled it, they look better than the model in the dress.

But what advice do y'all have for how to style this dress?  What accessories might be needed to make it pop? Shoes?  Styling hair is a big one too.

Any constructive advice is appreciated!

How would you style this for a wedding?


I've had long hair for most of my life and I'm seriously considering a big chop. My style tends to lean more towards flowy, bohemian pieces, and I'm trying to visualize how that works with something like a sharp bob or a pixie cut.

It got me thinking about how a haircut can completely shift your fashion choices.

For those of you who have short hair (or have in the past), how did you find it changed your style? Did you lean into a more gamine, minimalist, or edgy look? Did you have to rethink your necklines or accessories?

I'm looking for inspiration and real-life experiences on how different short hair styles for women pair with different fashion aesthetics. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

How do different short hair styles for women impact your overall aesthetic?


I've recently started selling on Vinted to get rid of my excess clothing and have noticed a very strange pattern. I can post a beautiful, vintage, pure wool dress or blazer, and get absolutely no interest, but a some cheap Zara top? Gone in ten minutes, and not particularly cheap. Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren sell for good percentages of their original cost, despite being made in Bangladesh or China.

On the other hand, when I search for things, I put in "Made in France 100% linen", etc. The country and the material, in both English and other languages (I'm in Europe and have access to French Vinted). I buy absolutely fantastic, well-made, all natural fibre pieces for 1-3 euros on average, while the popular brands are much more sought after. Once I know a brand is made somewhere, I save that brand and now have an enormous list, which I will share below. The biggest advice I can give anyone is this: change your parameters. Lose faith in big brands, traditional brands, your favourite brand. Judge items purely by where they're made, what they're made of, and how well they're made (and the measurements for your body). You can tell the quality of manufacturing by how straight seams are, how good pattern matching is, whether it's lined, whether hems are machine or hand sewed, etc. If you can, find out the manufacturing conditions as well - vintage brands are less likely to have the issues inherent to globalisation. If you have any questions, please post them so I can try and answer them.

EDIT: It should be noted that some brands, like DVF, Massimo Dutti, Cache Cache, etc., still exist today and are much lower quality than their vintage counterpoints. Make sure to see photos of the labels!

EDIT 2: If you know of any other brands, current or vintage, that are made in well-paid and safe conditions, please post them! This list is not meant to be eurocentric, it's just that I'm EU-based and that's what I encounter. There are fantastic brands from all countries and I'm only looking to avoid poor conditions, not certain countries or regions.

Brands:

1083 (France, Mode)

14/18 (France, Mode)

Agnes B (France, Mode)

Alexandre de Paris (France, Hair accessories)

Alouette (France, Mode)

Alphorn (Austria, Mode)

Andre (France, Shoes)

Anne Flavie (France, Shoes)

Antonelle (France, Mode)

Aran Woollens (Ireland, Knitwear)

Aquascutum (UK, Mode)

Autour de Monde (France, Mode)

Avant-Scene (France, Mode)

Bally (Switzerland, Shoes)

Bandas Rojas (France, Mode)

Basler (Germany, Mode)

Bruce & Scott (France, Mode)

Cacharel (France, Mode)

Cache Cache (France, Mode)

Carmina (Spain, Shoes)

Caroll (France, Mode)

Casulli (Italy, Mode)

Cervin (France, Hosiery)

Christianne Hélouis (France, Mode)

Christian Lacroix (France, Mode)

Christie de la Rue (France, Mode)

Chantal Rosner (France, Mode)

Dale of Norway (Norway, Knitwear)

Delmod (France, Mode)

Desarbre (France, Mode)

Diamant (Germany, Dance)

Diane von Fürstenberg (Belgium, Mode)

Dirndl + Bua (Austria, Shoes)

Doris Soissons (France, Mode)

Engel Natur (Germany, Mode)

Etro (Italy, Mode)

Feraud (France, Mode)

Fouks (France, Mode)

Gaston Jaunet (France, Mode)

Geiger (Austria, Mode + Shoes)

Georges Rech

Gerard Pasquier (France, Mode)

Giesswein (Austria, Mode + Shoes)

Grenson (UK, Shoes)

Heko/Heko-top (France, Mode)

Hexagone (France, Mode)

Hirica (Shoes)

Hotter (UK, Vintage only, Shoes)

International Dance Shoes (UK, Dance)

Jaeger (UK, Mode)

Joseph Cheaney (US, Shoes)

Jus d’Orange (France, Mode)

Katherine Hooker (UK, Mode)

Kaiser Franz Josef (Mode)

Kandahar (Finland, Shoes)

Kennel & Schmenger (Germany, Shoes)

Lanvin (France, Shoes)

La Maison de l’Espadrille

La Redoute (France, Mode)

Laulhere (France, Hats)

Laura Ashley (UK, Mode)

Libeco (Belgium, Home goods)

Liberty of London (UK, Fabric)

Lochcarron (Scotland, Knitwear)

Mademoiselle Zaza (France, Mode)

Magic Feet (France, Dance)

Massimo Dutti (Spain, Mode) Note: vintage only

Mathilde M. (Mode)

Marie Bonheur (Mode)

Marie (France, Mode)

Merlet (Dance)

Merry Finn (Finland, Mode)

Michel (Shoes)

Minelli (Italy, Shoes)

Mod Ecran (France, Mode)

Monsoon \[Twilight\] (UK, Mode)

Nanette Lepore (US, Mode)

Ombelle (France, Shoes)

Orcade (France, Shoes)

Paule Vasseur (Belgium, Mode)

Paul Smith (UK, Mode)

Penelope Chilvers (Spain, Shoes)

Place Royale (France, Mode)

Pluck (France, Mode)

Pringle of Scotland (Scotland, Knitwear)

Queenie (France, Mode)

Repetto (France, Dance + Shoes)

Renato Nucci (France, Mode)

Rene Lezard (France, Mode)

Roberto Verino (Italy, Mode)

Rodier (France, Mode)

Saint James (Mode + Shoes)

Scapa of Scotland (Belgium, Mode)

Seducta (France, Shoes)

Sonate (France, Shoes)

Starlite (UK, Dance)

Supdance (UK, Dance)

Surabaya (France, Mode)

Teenflo (France, Mode)

Toni Pons (Spain, Shoes)

Tricolux (Belgium, Mode)

Valbrenta (Italy, Shoes)

Valverde del Camino (Spain, Shoes)

Viyella (UK, Mode & Fabric)

Most people are approaching secondhand shopping all wrong (a farewell to brands)


In testing out a new workflow, I was trying some suggestions from [Vicky Zhao](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqq_U2fxd2U) on how to use AI to generate better outputs (bear with me! I too am an AI skeptic/critic, this is an attempt at a high effort post rather than just slop, but I respect those who downvote anything AI as well). I've been slowly pulling together a guide for myself over the last few years, with images and color palettes and seasonal capsule wardrobes and so on. I figured see if Vicky's suggestions could be applied to something like a style guide. And I feel like I got a pretty [good result](https://evelyn.any.org/my-style-guide) (just text no visuals fyi). I don't know if anyone will find it interesting or useful, but I'd love to know if you do!

Things you have to know:

* [Your three words](https://goop.com/style/outfitting-ideas/allison-bornstein-interview/)
* [Your color season](https://theconceptwardrobe.com/colour-analysis-comprehensive-guides/seasonal-color-analysis-which-color-season-are-you)
* [Your kibbe body type](https://archive.org/details/david-kibbe-david-kibbes-metamorphosis-discover-your-image-identity-and-dazzle-a)
* [Your style essence](https://www.reddit.com/r/JohnKitchener/comments/xgdjrn/style_essence_chart/#lightbox)
* [Your three style roots](https://www.bodyandstyle.com/styleroots)

So here's the prompt I used (with Claude on explanatory setting) if you want to try it out for yourself:

I want a style guide to my wardrobe. It should include my 3 words: `practical`, `aspirational`, `emotional` with a description of each as it applies to my style. The guide should also include a brief analysis of my color season (`yours here`), kibbe body type (`yours here`), my style essence (`yours here`), and my style roots (`yours here`). The guide should also give suggested fabrics, fibers, makeup, hair styles, nails, metals, and accessories. And finally it should give me a list of capsule wardrobe clothing items.

Refer to:
\* Allison Bornstein’s Three-Word Method: [https://goop.com/style/outfitting-ideas/allison-bornstein-interview/](https://goop.com/style/outfitting-ideas/allison-bornstein-interview/)
\* David Kibbe's Metamorphosis: Discover Your Image Identity And Dazzle As Only YOU Can (1987)
\* John Kitchener's Style Essences
\* Seasonal color theory
\* Ellie-Jean's Style Roots: [https://www.bodyandstyle.com/styleroots](https://www.bodyandstyle.com/styleroots)

Generating your own style guide


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How do I style my post chemo hair with accessories?


How could I make this prom dress more interesting? (Accessories, hair etc) I want to know if it is possible for me to stand out among others in it before buying it.


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Anyone with hair loss/thinning found success with certain hair styling or accessories? Looking for experiences & advice


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What Are Your Favorite Hair Accessories?


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Year 10 Formal in Australia - What accessories should I pair with this dress? Maybe even a change in hair colour lol


*i’m using Summer Goth™ as a catch-all for alternative summer styles, this is a light-hearted fashion post, pls don’t @ me about what’s “real goth” and what isn’t, it’s not that srs thank youuuuuuu

The skies are blue, the flowers are in bloom, the sun is shining, and you…you’re dressed in all black. With leather boots on. If you’re a goth girlie, an emo, a metalhead, or any other type of garden variety alt, then you might traditionally dread summer. But that’s just because you’re not dressed for the weather. Hot weather is not incompatible with your commitment to an alternative aesthetic, so let’s look at how we can summer goth-ify our wardrobes.

#Cuts & Fabrics

##fabrics

In hot weather, the most important consideration is definitely fabric. Set the black stretch spandex aside for now, and maybe save that leather corset for the fall. You want light, airy, breathable fabrics that keep you cool and protected and that won’t cause you to overheat.

Turns out, you can still get away with wearing black in the summer if it’s in the right cut and fabric. Linen is your best friend, here, so learn to love it. Sure, the wrinkles aren’t ideal, but looking perfect is not very metal, either. You want to look a bit fucked up. Cotton is a good runner up, as are gauze and seersucker, all perfect for casual, relaxed looks.

If we’re talking nightlife or dressier occasions, silk and lace are good picks here, because they evoke your aesthetic without overheating you unnecessarily.

##silhouettes

Half the battle in the summer is making sure nothing is touching your body, which can be difficult, but not if you plan accordingly. Thankfully, loose, wide, boxy, roomy, oversized cuts have been fashionable for a while, so not only will you not look weird dressed like that, you will actively look good.

It may seem counterintuitive - it’s so much fabric! surely it would add warmth? - but this kind of cut allows for more movement and your clothes are more likely to catch a bit of a breeze. In addition to the fact that they’re not hugging you in a sweaty straightjacket like fitted clothes do.

An oversized linen shirt, half buttoned, with a pair of loose linen shorts can be a great summer goth uniform. When it’s this hot, color matters less than fabric and cut, so you can get away with black, as long as you’re not going out in black spandex. Wide leg pants are breezy and add the touch of drama you’re craving.

If you’re more partial to dresses, pick something loose or straight cut, instead of a bodycon or a style fitted at the waist. Bonus - you can usually get away without a bra in loose clothes and god knows you don’t need that much elastic around you in these temperatures. Longer lengths may be better to protect you from the sun and keep you cool, but no one’s gonna get mad at a cute mini.

##prints

Ok, but you don’t have to be funeral-ready at ALL times, summer is the time for cuter, happier clothes, so you can take a break from widow-core and dip your toe into some prints. Dark florals are always a good choice, whether they’re ditsy florals or larger prints. Black and white polka dots can be cutesy, but not if you pair them with more streamlined cuts. It’s the perfect time for black and white gingham, especially in a seersucker fabric. Imagine some gingham wide-leg pants with a black top and platform sandals. Goth Lite™. Black and white stripes are classic Halloween-y, Beetlejuicy attire, so I don’t need to convince you they’re great for summer.

##colors

Okay, this one’s easy, wear all black, done.

…but that’s not your *only* option. I’m partial to black and white, which is not just chic and classic, but it can also totally still read as alt. Especially in the summer, when lighter colors are favored. In fact, you can probably get away with all white outfits if you accessorize them correctly. Blasphemy, I know.

Otherwise, black + red is classic goth, no surprises there, but you can also play with pastel goth, or other moody colors. Plums, browns, dark olive-y greens - anything that screams “decay” in the middle of a glorious summer day.

##layers

We’re not doing a lot of layering in the summer, which *can* make styling more difficult, if you’re used to relying on it. You can forego it entirely, or you can work around it with some sheer cover-ups. Gauze, lace, silk, organza are all lovely fabrics to throw on top of a skimpier fit. Think a dark floral kimono, some wide sleeves, or puffy sleeves. Visual interest and a modicum of sun protection, all in one.

#Accessorize dramatically

##substantial sandals

Footwear is, perhaps, one of the biggest battles, because a lot of these aesthetics hinge on big, stompy boots and that’s just not a good idea in hot weather. Can you be alt without stomping around in your stompy black boots? Yes, by getting stompy sandals, instead.

Listen, nobody likes to have hot, sweaty feet, so some compromises have to be made. Get a dark polish pedicure and go buy yourself some sandals. Black platform sandals are everywhere, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a pair that you can wear while retaining your goth dignity intact. Dr. Martens puts out like, 10 types of sandals every summer, from sleek, unisex styles to platforms and chains, and spikes and hardware.

If lugging around half your body weight on your feet sounds dreadful in the summer, then you can opt for lighter shoes. Tevas come in all black, and even big platforms, only they’re foam so they have the added bonus of being as light as a feather. You can even take them into the river to cool down.

Black Birkenstocks are out there, in leather, suede, plastic, or vegan materials. They’re comfortable and they can “pass” for cool shoes if this goth can use the arch support. Ignore the fact that your square dad wears the same shoes when he’s gardening. Speaking of gardening, have you looked at the black platform crocs? You have to admit they’re a little bit cool. And breezy! But generally, any black platform sandal will do, or something flat with straps, buckles, hardware, etc. It doesn’t have to be an ~edgy~ brand.

##bags

Bags won’t keep you cooler or hotter, but they can add a lot of personality and edge to an outfit. A black straw bag can fit right into your look and it’s a great blend of summer-y and edgy. You can also opt for black leather bags if you don’t think they’re too heavy or sweaty for this time of year, they’ll go a long way in accessorizing a simpler outfit in a more alt way.

Tote bags can also be a great choice in the summer because they’re much lighter and made of cotton. The only thing I wouldn’t recommend is a big leather backpack, that’s going to result in a sweaty, gross-feeling back. Maybe a smaller backpack as a compromise.

##jewelry

Jewelry is the single most important category here, in my opinion, because it can transform any outfit, no matter how plain, into an edgier version that stays true to your chosen aesthetic. Obviously, piling on the big rings and the necklaces and the bracelets will telegraph the kind of look you normally prefer, regardless of the white floral dress you’re wearing right now. But that can get sweaty. And sticky.

The solution to this are earrings. If you have multi pierced ears, this is the time to make them work for you. Earrings will add movement and bling, but without any extra sweat.

##gothy sun protection

This is your chance to pull out the accessories that might deem you “extra” in any other season, but summer is a great excuse. Sun protection is no joke - especially for a demographic that has historically avoided the rays in order to preserve the correct corpse color - so take out the wide brimmed black witchy hats, and the black, Victorian lace parasols.

Maybe don’t choose a felt hat, but any kind of black straw hat will do nicely, whether it’s a classic floppy hat, a boater hat, or a cloche. A faded black or gray baseball cap can also work if you lean more sporty/casual.

Sunglasses are an easy one, because you can find big, black, chunky frames anywhere you go. Of course, these also tend to be sweaty and slide off your face, so you be the judge of what you’re willing to endure.

As for the parasol, I wasn’t kidding. More and more, people are opting to wear umbrellas for sun protection, so you won’t even stand out that much. This summer alone I’ve seen people sporting parasols, Asian style paper umbrellas, or just regular rain umbrellas. And the perfect accessory to top it all off? A black, lacy fan. Utilitarian, *and* gothy. Seize the day and look like a Victorian widow.

##hardcore accessories [because you’re not hardcore, unless you live harcore](https://media1.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExdHdhbW8ycnlueHdtNHdvN3duMWgzdGdmOWl1dXhpZ3FvbXF6bjlubiZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/W8EqDfBgKr4Ws/giphy.webp)

I’ve only said it twenty times, I don’t know if you heard, but accessories are the key to a Hot ~~Girl~~ Goth Summer™, did you know? What I mean is leather and hardware. Chokers, harnesses, and belts - oh my! - are a go-to and they can serve you well to give almost any outfit an alternative bend. Surely you’ve seen a Pinterest post or two with white, frothy cottagecore dresses with puffy sleeves with black harnesses and docs. And they look great and not any less alt than an all black fit, so use these accessories to your advantage when you can. Avoid putting them on naked skin if it’s a sweaty day, though, the chafing isn’t worth it.

Hardware is the other piece of the puzzle. Buckles, piercings, rivets, studs, spikes, chains, o rings - any metal you add to a fit will make it more…well, metal. Again, a plain sundress by itself? Not very alt. A sundress that’s accessorized with spiky shoes, a choker, and a leather belt with chains hanging off it? Much better.

##hair & makeup

Makeup is often an integral part of any alternative style, but it can become tricky in hot, sweaty temps. That elaborate dark smokey eye will not fare well. Lipstick is the best choice, here, because it’s less prone to slipping and sliding off your face, and it can also instantly make an outfit edgier. Black, dark red, purple and other non traditional lipstick colors are great for this. If you do want to play up your eyes, I recommend graphic eyeliner instead of eyeshadow. Cream liner tends to stay put once dry, especially if you hit it with setting spray.

Hair can also play a part, here. An updo with cool accessories - hair piercings, chains, other hair “hardware” like bobby pins can make any look more interesting. You can also go for a classic goth icon look and opt for two long braids. I’m sure Wednesday Addams went to the beach sometime, right?

Sometimes, you can even forego all this if you have the right nails. Long, dark, sharp nails go a long way, and they can’t make you sweaty, win-win.

#Extra, extra, read all about it:

- Okay, but what do you do when you need to be a Beach Goth™? Any black bikini should technically work, although I’m partial to one that’s less basic. Something strappy always reads a bit edgier, so you might want to look for one with an interesting design.

- An obvious one, but take advantage of band merch. Big black t-shirts aren’t ideal - although they can make a great casual fit paired with black bike shorts or a midi skirt - but there are also crop tops, tank tops, tote bags, socks, bandanas - anything you can add to an outfit that won’t also add pain and suffering in the heat.

- If you take only one or two tips from this list, let it be shoes and accessories. the right pair of stompy shoes can transform any outfit, no matter how out of your all black comfort zone

- If you’re tattooed and you’re showing skin, remember that the sun fades ink, so make sure to diligently apply sunscreen.

One important thing to remember is that your clothes don’t have to be explicitly goth or alt to work for your aesthetic. Thankfully, you can shop almost anywhere for black clothes and goths wear basics, too. you can make any style or aesthetic more “you”. Summer goth can come in a lot of styles, whether that’s more minimal and corporate, whimsigoth, femme, masc, etc.

Visuals: https://www.pinterest.com/fashionthrowaway/summer-goth/ (i normally do a better job using diverse examples but i did this one on a whim and didn't put as much time into it but i will be updating this board with more models)

If you enjoyed this, I've written about dressing for summer before: https://www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/comments/15wdfb3/how_to_add_visual_interest_to_summer_outfits/

Also have posts on other topics, like updating wardrobes or current trends, if you want to give them a read.

You Don’t Hate Summer, You’re Just Dressed Wrong: Summer Goth* Edition


Last weekend, I found myself wearing an outfit I really didn’t like, and it soured my mood all afternoon. What happened was that we planned to go on a hike in the morning, when it would be foggy and cold. I wore a plain long sleeved black shirt, straight leg jeans, and running shoes. None of the components were awful, but it was a very function-over-form outfit. After the hike, we decided on an impromptu lunch in the cutesy town nearby, and I felt so out of place. Most of the women were dressed in a very intentional way- not formal or necessarily trendy, but their outfits all looked carefully selected for a nice lunch on a spring day. I felt super frumpy! My hiking outfit wasn’t outdoorsy enough to communicate “this is my personal style” - it just felt uncool.

I tried to look a bit more put-together by tucking in my shirt and wearing my sunglasses and baseball cap. Those were really all the fashion tools I had at my disposal, so I’m not sure how successful I was. So, geniuses of FFA, what tips and tricks do you have for adding a little pizzazz to an outfit at the last minute?

Example scenarios: you’re running errands in sloppy clothes and your friend invites you to lunch; you’re at work and you get invited to happy hour at a trendy spot. Do you keep certain accessories or clothing items, say, in your car or work desk? Do you have hair styles that quickly elevate a look? Other styling tips and tricks that take an outfit from “blah” to “she tried”?

How do you zhuzh up a frumpy outfit in a pinch?


With Chappell Roan blowing up and the return of 80s synth bops, here have an album: The New New Wave (or The Midwestern Romantics)

New Wave emerged from punk in the late 70s and early 80s. It is flamboyant, maximalist, androgynous. This re-emergence feels less like a revolution than a natural progression melding vintagey dark academia, romantic cottage core, and subversive drag culture.

The Original New Wave gives british (see: Bowie, see: Union Jacks) while the New New Wave has campy americana flair. Fear not the rhinestone! The cowboy boot! The assless chaps!

It loves to be vintage, thrifted, or DIY. There is, for some reason, an emphasis on the unconventional use of neck ties. (Have you seen the tutorials for making tie skirts and tie vests? If you’re lazy like me, just throw one ‘round your waist like a belt and call it a day.)

If you’re looking to dye your hair, might I suggest a brilliant artificial red, barrel-curled or spiked. If red isn’t your colour: neons and pastels preferred.

It is very Go Big or Go Home. Loud patterns are encouraged, if not required; we especially love a stars or stripes moment but plaid is very classicly post-punk.

Don’t forget to ham up the finishing touches! Wear your makeup loud and experimental & for accessories: the chunkier the better.

**Style Touchstones:**

* Bright colours
* Ruffles and frills
* Thick framed (sun)glasses
* Visibly dyed hair
* Chunky vintage jewellery
* Eye-catching patterns
* Dramatic makeup
* Mismatched suits and unconventional layering
* Button downs
* Plaid skirts
* Pins, buttons and brooches

And finally **The Album**:

[https://pin.it/7h8IbDbo6](https://pin.it/7h8IbDbo6)

A Fashion Inspiration Album: The New New Wave (or the Midwestern Romantics)


I never really hear it being talked about, but I’m curious what you all think about headbands, hairclips, French pins, and bows being used in everyday style. Would you say that any of these hair accessories complete your look? I’ve noticed the puffy headbands getting popular lately and I’m curious what you all think of them.
I’m used to wearing my hair down and after looking at a few photos I could see how a hair accessory could have pulled everything together. I’m wondering if if I’m alone in that and if you would attribute other accessories such as jewelry as the final missing piece with hair as an afterthought.

How do we feel about hair accessories?


[removed]

Unique and Elegant Everyday Hair Accessories?


Notes:

* Background: I'm a complete novice trying to a) understand and b) put these concepts into simple, actionable guidelines that even I can use.
* Goal was to help less with background knowledge (the sidebar has an excellent source for that) and more with how to apply it/make selections. That's still a work in progress.
* Started this for my own use before deciding to share, so I apologize that I haven't attributed sources.
* Please feel more than welcome to advice anything you think will help me or other "newbies" to make real-world (and virtual) choices.

Factors people considered when choosing fabric/fibers:

* Allergies/medical and sensory/itchy
* Concerns re: environment/animal welfare
* Expense
* Level of care (quick to dry, need to dry-clean, able to go in dryer, need to iron)
* “Feel” (static, smoothness)
* Performance (warmth, breathability - but camping/etc another topic/world)
* Durability (piling, wrinkling, running/holes)
* Appearance (draping, clinging, stiffness)

Background knowledge/caveats:

* 100% natural is often not better (more below).
* Thicker fabric is better, but cotton, wool and linen usually good even when thin (e.g., linen jersey knit). Exception: “Thick cotton knit sweaters don't feel very warm to me and seem to lose their shape quickly.” (Think this refers more to the knit than the weave/fiber - and agree - they tend to look soggy and shapeless on me regardless of how nice on model).
* Factors that make garment last and hold its shape: tighter weave, fewer types of fibers mixed in, fewer seams (not sure how to tell online). Part of reason lower-quality Merino pills and doesn’t last - short, slender fibers, woven loose to be softer. “Merino is good as long as it's decent quality!”
* Can use quality of stitching to determine if a higher quality fabric - regardless of what the fabric is made of (synthetic/natural/etc). “French seams, properly fashioned buttonholes, even hems and a lack of puckering/loose threads”. Construction is pivotal.
* Experience - pay attention, touch fabrics in stores, read tags. Inspect after taking home/washing.
* The same type of fabric (or fibers, more accurately) isn’t universal. “If you're used to modern mall cashmere, vintage cashmere is a revelation.”
* Stop washing things so much. Sweaters once a year. Avoid dryer and hang instead of folding, except knits (stretch out). "This is the one exception on how to hang your knits: [https://www.today.com/style/how-hang-your-sweaters-without-ruining-them-t118188](https://www.today.com/style/how-hang-your-sweaters-without-ruining-them-t118188)"
* “using tap cold water and a more gentle laundry soap... not washing clothes after every wear as long as they’re still clean.”
* “I hang dry all my clothes and I attribute this to why I have clothes that have been in and out of heavy rotation without being terribly worse for wear for a decade.”

Natural versus natural-synthetic blends:

* Natural is best as a **base** (unless you don’t like it - e.g., wrinkles with linen). However, good proportion felt that with about 20% synthetic mixed in was more durable, keep their shape better, less sag over time, prevent holes/runs, extend life.
* Natural: Cotton, linen (some don’t like wrinkles), wool (some don’t like itchiness/piling, especially looser weaves), cashmere (piling, some don’t like care required), silk (some don’t like care required), leather (some only buy used), hemp. “Ramie… it's not that it's brittle, it's that it's quite stiff, so good for heavier weights. Pants or skirts that need weight and body, or boxy jackets.“
* “Lots of people prefer natural fibers… drape better and are more comfortable, less staticky and less prone to odors. But there is a huge variation in quality depending on not only fiber length but also construction and thickness.”
* Most will not buy blends if more than 50% synthetic. However, the more “wear” it gets (socks, athletic clothing, rain gear/outerwear, bathing suits, and especially technical gear like a rucksack which may be 100%) the most synthetic seems acceptable to people. However, some still avoid polyester anyway because "stinky."
* Good baseline choices: “Moisture wicking and temperature regulating (cotton/wool/silk/lyocell/modal)”
* On ethics/animal cruelty: "I think a good balance here, as others have already suggested, is to buy wool and leather only used... stick to cotton, denim, linen, hemp, etc. when buying new."
* Caveat: “I work as an apparel designer specializing in compression bottoms (lots of poly/spandex and nylon/spandex blends). There is no hard and fast rule what will pill and what won't. Nylon tends to be more durable but it often comes down to the type of knit and how the fibers were created. For bottoms we almost exclusively used nylon/spandex due to its durability but occasionally would have to use poly/spandex if we were sublimating the bottoms. The last place I worked had a materials testing lab in house and sometimes a fabric would pass the pilling/abrasion tests and then fail in real life situations.”

Specific blends:

* “I like linen and cotton poly blends sometimes as they're more wrinkle-resistant and drape a bit more softly or offer stretch” “My favorite shirts are cotton/poly blends as they wear well and don’t fade over time. “
* Conversely: “Polyester-cotton blends pill immediately.” “Pilling is common in poly cotton blends when the cotton starts to separate from the polyester. All cotton clothing rarely has this issue.” "I wouldn't buy poly blend sweatshirts again, they pill in the most upsetting way over time."
* “I like a bit of elastine since I hate fabrics without stretch.”
* Jeans: directly conflicting opinions: “For jeans, I prefer really soft and stretchy cotton/poly/spandex blends. Higher-end blends usually have fantastic shape retention, and they are so comfortable.” Conversely:“I \~hate\~ that most jeans now are like 60% cotton, 40% random stuff. They wear out so quickly! What happened to the 98% cotton, 2% elastane ones? Just enough stretch and lasted forever. I can even handle 92% cotton and 8% something else. I just detest… stretched out after some light use. I expect to… wash and wear them until the butt wears through.”
* Some even prefer 100% cotton jeans (doesn’t start to over-stretch and sag during day as modern poorer-quality jeans. I’m curvy so this sounds terrible to me!)
* “100% wool (sheep's wool, lambswool, mohair) tends to irritate my skin, so I love cashmere, alpaca, merino, or wool blends.”
* “I find that 100% wool and alpaca knits are too itchy, so the blend can actually improve the texture.”
* “My favorite so far has been a 96% wool plus 4% synthetic blend. Still has all the feel, drape and durability of wool but with just a little extra stretch. I know that’s oddly specific but my best quality work clothes are inevitably this blend.”
* “I like wool/nylon blends. Nylon helps strengthen and cuts down on pilling a bit… I usually knit my own stuff but I go with 25-30% nylon.”
* “For knitwear… I avoid anything made up of more than 3 materials… more likely to rub against each other and pill more quickly.”
* “Thin blended knits will let you down over time.”

Pet hair:

* Have to lint roll before laundry, otherwise hair gets on other clothes and causes expensive plumbing repairs. Tumble dry 10 minutes with dryer sheet or balls BEFORE washing to release hair, clean lint trap. Vinegar in fabric softener slot. Moisten dryer balls. Hair starts with pet, brush them.
* Choose smooth, tightly-woven fabrics (no idea how to determine online).
* Dog hair: “I don't buy anything that has lint on it in the store, secondhand or new, because that means it will attract dog hair… eliminates almost all velvet, corduroy, and other high-pile fabrics. Wool is an iffy one and has to be determined piece by piece.”
* “avoided that outdoorsy fleece material... it’s impossible to get dog hair off of it”

Cotton:

* Easy to find poor quality. Better example brands: arket, kos.
* Pima cotton - longer fiber, softer, durable, luxurious
* Alternatives sustainable: hemp, ramie, linen, tencel
* Opinion: “Cotton is best left for underwear and sheets”
* “I rarely buy cotton or imitation cotton (made from various synthetics like polyester, viscose, rayon - it's more about that t-shirt material look/feel than the actual fabric, as I have excellent luck buying polyester chiffon). These fabrics pill horribly, fade in color, and often attract lint and dog hair. They look new when they are new and never again after that. Poplin cotton is an exception, as I don't tend to have problems with non-stretch, woven cotton items.”
* “Jersey cotton - I mostly buy 100% cotton tees. One of my favourites is made with thick ring-spun cotton. My Grana pima tee is both thin and soft. Probably my most expensive tee is from James Perse and the jersey cotton is so soft and thin and hasn’t pilled a bit - changed my mind about not spending on tees. I’ve had good luck with LOFT for cheaper tees.”
* "Denim (cotton) deserves a shoutout. It's all around one of the sturdiest, best all-around quality, longest-lasting, lowest maintenance materials in existence. It's also easier than many fabrics to mend, and is more resilient to minor damage. It checks all the boxes. Of course it's possible to buy low-quality denim, but I'd rather that than any other low-quality fabric."
* "I love cotton poplin or cotton satin for dresses. They're very crisp and smooth, which gives them a more formal or fancy look in my opinion. They also don't wrinkle too much if I pull them out of the washer promptly. For tshirts I like a medium weight ringspun cotton usually, but there are a lot of styles I like. Basically anything except the kind of cheap cotton that quickly grows fuzzy."

Wool (sheep), Cashmere (goat), and Mohair (goat), Angora (bunny), Alpaca (alpaca):

* "Cashmere, lambswool, merino, mohair, angora, alpaca, vicuna, camel, wool crepe, 100% wool blends, wool/acrylic blends. These all have different properties. Personally I can not wear knit lambswool or wool blends due the itch factor. But for some reason, I can wear merino despite it being higher in lanolin, which is associated with itching and skin reaction... Many wool types do not have lanolin, and don't seem to cause as much itching: Alpaca, vicuna, etc."
* "Most, if not all, wool is sold in grades. For many, the higher the grade, the longer the fiber, the better the product. You can still buy premium cashmere that is soft as vintage cashmere, but it's incredibly expensive and hard to find. I find that merino wool has a wide range of quality, a lot of low quality merino has flooded the market in the last 2 decades."
* Wool: "best known in the fashion industry is the Merino sheep breed, which have extra fluffy soft wool, and the Shetland, which have coarser, tougher fiber. Merino is delicate wool you want next to your skin; Shetland is itchy wool that'll outlast you and possibly your grandkids."
* "I like wool especially for outerwear. It's super warm and somewhat waterproof. It's worth investing in a nicer wool though."
* "Mohair: from the other goats! Known for a floaty halo of floof around a sturdy strand of yarn, though it does come in other varieties. Shockingly warm, can be a little bit prickly feeling."
* Cashmere - long lasting and durable, warmer and easier to care for than wool, luxurious, easier. There are grade A through C, A has longest and finest yarn, more ply.
* Cashmere: "Softer than merino, but also far more expensive, because these particular goats have a pretty limited climate range and also there are a lot more steps between shave goat and get sweater than there are between shave sheep and get sweater."
* "Cheaper manufacturers (looking at you Quince) use 100% wool BUT the fibers that make up the wool are shorter and therefore will pill more easily"
* Conversely: "I own a lot of cashmere of all price ranges, from one of a kind hand knit pieces to fancy vintage stuff to department store brands. I’ve found quince to have significantly better quality than modern department store brands like Bloomingdale’s, charter club etc. It’s definitely on the thin side, but it’s soft and strong and not itchy."
* "Angora: from the softest fluffiest bunnies you've ever seen... Similar "halo" effect as mohair. Softest fiber on this list, light as air, and insanely warm. Feels like being hugged by the platonic ideal of coziness. Not durable at all, but does well in blends."
* "Alpaca: Usually somewhere between Merino wool and cashmere on the softness scale, and warmer than either. Smoother to the touch than either of those fibers. Very drapey, but can have some difficulty holding its shape unless blended with another fiber. While calling it hypoallergenic is a stretch, it is true that some people with allergies to wool and cashmere find they do just fine with alpaca."
* "The highest grade of alpaca is called "baby alpaca." It's not from babies, it's from the super soft shorter hairs that grow on the chest of alpacas. In Peru, there are a lot of unmarked acrylic/alpaca blends that are sold to tourists as "baby alpaca." The joke is that it's "maybe alpaca." I've seen similar alpaca/acrylic blends pop up in US malls around Christmas. I'd avoid it. You can get 100% baby alpaca from reputable brands in/imported directly from Peru. It will have a content label on it, and the softness will BLOW YOUR MIND."

More on Cashmere (goat):

* "cashmere farming is also destroyed/ destroying an ecosystem"
* "My cashmere sweaters are all made in Scotland. They certainly do pill, but Scottish cashmere is supposed to be more durable, and I've found they held up pretty well over time."
* “100% Cashmere sweaters really are worth it imo”
* “Cashmere is very nice but it can be hot and difficult to maintain.”
* Debate about ethics: "I wear cashmere on a daily basis and I live in CA. Nothing is comparably soft and breathable for the winter season. It only has to be washed 2-3 times over the whole season compared to cotton which needs to be washed every wear...  if not a cashmere sweater every day... If I weren’t cold then I’d to be covered uncomfortable bulk. Furthermore, there are serious ethical considerations regarding cotton as well... cashmere lasts decades... Every thrift store is full of it. There’s nothing more sustainable/cruelty free than buying secondhand clothes or wearing the clothes you have for decades. "

Linen (flax)

* Huge difference between thick versus thin - quality matters here
* Shouldn’t be sheer, especially trousers
* “Can only compare Uniqlo linen with Massimo Dutti, Rag&Bone, or COS: quality and price are mostly seen in the latter in stuff like buttons (mother of pearl/metal not just plastic), overall more modern cut, and more interesting colors. The cloth itself is almost identical, slightly more polished with a bit more luster in more expensive brands if I’m being really really picky.”
* "I search for linen clothes on resale websites/apps... because I can see how various brands hold up over time and use. Crappy, unedited photos that people post are infinitely times better for seeing how a garment holds up over time than a professional ad photo. Also if you like vintage clothing, the 90s had an absolute field day with linen and there are tonnnssss of clothes out there (on Poshmark, eBay, Mercari, etc.) that are on-trend again.”
* "Linen... can be ironed less. If you go for a washed linen with a soft, slightly rumpled look, rather than starched and pressed linen, you can wash and dry it. Immediately remove it from the dryer, and enjoy its softness and loose feel (and warmth from the dryer. It's very cozy)."
* "Linen... works great for all year, it keeps me cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and I love the way it softens with age. It does wrinkle a lot but I don't really mind, it's quick and easy to iron. I generally go for a pre-softened linen in shirts because I wish to avoid the scratchy phase, even though I know it will get soft."

Silk

* "Silk... is great for thermoregulating... looks very pretty, it can be stiff or soft and slippery depending on the weave and thickness. The downside is it's harder to care for. When I make my own clothes, I generally prewash my silk in water to allow any shrinking or texture changes to happen up front, which makes my life easier later."
* “Silk jersey is amazing. Slinky, and can be classy and sexy at the same time. Doesn't wrinkle.”
* “silk twill” - silk in a thicker, sturdier twill weave. It’s just all the softness and shine of silk but just enough structure to make collars and cuffs lie sharp and enough thickness/opacity so I don’t have to worry about anything showing underneath.”

Leather and suede:

* "There's a lot of different kinds of leather. I personally like vegetable-tanned full-grain leather, but it is not suitable for something like a skirt or pants."

Understanding semi-synthetic (made from biological materials like trees) products:

* "Generation 1 - Rayon: sometimes called viscose rayon or artificial silk... high luster and bright shine whilst feeling soft and smooth to wear." \[Notes: production process is bad for the environment compared to the other two; see below, many people do not like other qualities of rayon\]. "It was the first regenerated cellulose fibre, patented as “artificial silk” in 1894."
* "Generation 2 - Modal: The second generation of cellulose fibre. Its softness has been enhanced and strength has been added to the fabric so that it doesn’t shrink or stretch when wet." 1951.
* "Generation 3 - Lyocell: The latest development in cellulose fabric technology. It’s better for the environment... retains the softness, drape and potential antibacterial properties of previous generations." 1990s.
* "Viscose, modal and lyocell are very similar... might be forgiven for calling them all viscose... man-made but they are not synthetic. In fact, as fibres that are man-made from a natural product, we might call them semi-synthetic fabrics."
* Tencel is brand name (Green Austrian company) that makes lyocell (from eucalyptus) and modal (beech tree).
* Lyocell "is one of the most sustainable production processes of any modern material... recovering over 99% of the solvent.. highly energy efficient and powered by bioenergy. The wood... all sustainably sourced and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This has helped Lenzing’s TENCEL™ Lyocell gain the “European Award for the Environment”."
* "Modal is usually high in stretch and the fiber is shorter in terms of length than lyocell. Whereas lyocell is the long length fiber which has more bones and shine comparing to modal.Tencel lyocell is the best lyocell and it's the best man-made wood fiber within all kinds."
* "Viscose, modal and lyocell are all made from plant material... the fibre itself is composed of long chains of cellulose molecules that have been lined up to make a useful filament (very long continuous fibre), not unlike silk. This plant-based chemical structure is what gives these textiles their desirable properties... natural next-to-skin softness, breathability and good moisture management."
* ""Lyocell" = lyocell-rayon cellulose derived from plant materials"Viscose" = viscose-rayon cellulose derived from plant materials"Modal" = lyocell/viscose-rayon cellulose derived from beechwood"Bamboo"= lyocell/viscose-rayon cellulose derived from bamboo"
* "Lyocell: "the absorption of the water in Tencel® (lyocell) is more uniform. This internal structure is a product of the different manufacturing process and gives fabrics made from Tencel® improved moisture absorbency and breathability."
* Lyocell "feels and wears infinitely better than other synthetics. It gets a very positive write up on the credible sustainability watchdog sites. Modal and lyocel (maybe also cupro?) also have a quality edge on ordinary viscose and rayon."
* "Rayon.. incredibly soft and comfortable to wear and can be easily dyed into whatever colours you desire. Rayon is breathable and wicks moisture from the skin... does not pill... feels gentle on your skin and provides moderate resistance to wrinkling... delicate wash, as it does lose strength when wet. Ironing should be fine but it is less resistant to high temperatures than cotton, so can shrink if tumble dried."
* "Modal... same properties as regular rayon but... strength when wet... more soft than rayon, making it ideal for intimate body contact... underwear or sports clothing. The additional strength... machine washable and can be tumble dried without shrinking or stretching... hold their colour well so typically don’t fade or gray over time."
* "lyocell... can absorb moisture around 50% more quickly than cotton and release it into the atmosphere... sports clothes... intimate garments, bedding or sheets... breathable... maintain and regulate body temperature... clothes should stay smelling fresher for longer. This limits the number of times that an item needs to be washed, which is key to dressing more sustainably. In comparison, bacteria are able to thrive on man made synthetics like nylon or polyester. "
* "Like modal, lyocell also has the benefit of being durable even when wet. It doesn’t wrinkle or crease easily, making it a particularly good material to wear if you are one of those people who hates ironing (like me). The versatility of this fabric means it's perfect for anything from light silky flowy dresses, flexible activewear, sheets or even stiffer shirts."

Synthetic or sort-of-synthetic materials people liked best:

* "vastly different levels of quality when it comes to synthetics, and when used deliberately in a garment they can be superior. Fast fashion like Free People or Shein or whatever are going to sell you the garbage quality version, but there are amazing quality plant leathers, polyesters, and so on to be found."
* Tencel (I believe referring to Lyocell here) are easy to care for, arguably natural/biodegradable rather than strictly synthetic, light and soft, mimic expensive fabrics. “I have a pair of jeans and a chambray shirt in tencel and they're both SO SOFT.” “Tencel, it drapes and washes so nicely!” ”It doesn’t wrinkle as much as the cotton Oxford shirts”
* Modal (beech tree). “For tees, I like all/mostly cotton (practical, usually comfortable) or modal (sometimes harder to care for but soooo comfy).” "IME, modal quality varies widely." Contrary opinion: “Modal bc it stains and rips like a MFer. Or me and the kids are extra hard on clothes?”
* Spandex. Spandex does not fatigue, stretch, strong, durable, light, soft. Resistant to body oil, perspiration, beach. (A couple contrary opinions: “lycra/spandex/elastine. It's basically rubber band thread and will often shorten the life of your clothing because it breaks down more quickly than natural fibers.”“I find even a small amount of spandex to be suffocating, especially in hot weather.”)
* Nylon. Durable, elastic, resilient, ranges from lustrous to dull. Nylon pills easily, static. “Nylon or polyamide is generally better than polyester.”
* “Polyester and nylon technical fabrics can work if thick.” Some synthetic if thick- carefully constructed can look good [https://shop-links.co/cjScbV1akd2](https://shop-links.co/cjScbV1akd2)

The polyester debate:

* Polyester: Durable, easy to care for, good shape retention, lightweight, elastic, strong, crisp and resilient wet or dry, resists wrinkles, dries quickly. Does not absorb moisture well, pills easily, attracts odors. Difficult to iron, but doesn’t require much ironing. Newer will resist pilling, wick moisture, emulate silk.
* “I frequently buy polyester, particularly chiffon, silk, and satin polyester. Poly has a bad rep for valid reasons (not great for sweat, harmful to the environment), but wearing something for years and never seeing the color fade or the fabric pill, never having to iron it, never needing to dry clean it - those reasons are more than enough for me to claim it as my favorite fabric.”
* Versus: “often relatively inexpensive, sturdy and easy to care for. However, I tend to dislike the look and feel of most 100% polyester chiffon, crepe, or satin, so i usually won't buy those.”
* My favourite polyester fabric is the crepe one that Aritzia does - it’s thick and feels like silk (I pet my pants when I’m wearing them).
* “Polyester gets an unfair bad rap. There's a polyester like Uniqlo Airism which is light, cool to the skin, breathable, and quick-drying. And there's a Shein polyester blouse that feels like a plastic bag.”
* “For polyester, I only buy online if it’s cheap and easy to return.”
* “I generally only buy polyester for athletic wear.”
* “Pet peeve I absolutely hate polyester scarves. Too shine-y and they do not drape well and they get unknotted. I am not a material snob about everything but with scarves I am. I do not like viscose or modal scarves either, for other reasons, but I hate those a little less than polyester.”
* “Uniqlo has some great polyester fabrics like Airism and Extra Warm Heattech. Most of their cotton is good. I have some of their cotton dresses that I can hang dry and they barely wrinkle. But their silk, linen and rayon is lower quality. My thrifted silk and linen pieces from Talbots are way better quality.”

The rayon/viscose debate (VERY NUANCED!)

* Note: while Tencel's modal and lyocell are technically rayon, they are newer, generated far differently (better for environment), and far different structurally (improved properties versus old rayon). When people say "rayon" - (including below), they typically are referring to the old (1891) version .
* "Viscose and rayon are essentially the same thing, but viscose has a longer fiber."
* "Never Rayon or viscose" - wrinkly, twisted hems, terrible after first wash. Unnatural looking wrinkles.
* Rayon: "Freaking rayon shrinks every time I don't hand wash it but it doesn't have magical odor resistant properties like merino, so it actually needs to be washed pretty often.”
* "I hang everything to dry and do laundry 3x/week. It wrinkles if you look at it wrong. Rayon is famous for being literally the most wrinkly fabric aside from linen. It’s also very structurally weak and prone to wearing out faster."
* "I live in the tropics so my “cool” or “cold” water is warm at best in the summer. CANNOT TELL YOU how many rayon items have been washed and come out child sized."
* Conversely: "I NEVER understand the hate on rayon - in my experience it washes great, doesn't wrinkle, and holds up for a long time. I have rayon shirts and skirts from over five years ago that look brand new. super underrated fabric imo"
* "Yes, it is a delicate fabric. It does wear out if subject to repeated friction, and it tears easily. So does silk! Delicate fabric is not necessarily bad. It's great for summer because it's very breathable."
* "I have very mixed experiences with rayon. Some of it holds up beautifully, but I’ve also had rayon where the color faded after just a few washes and it pilled like crazy."
* "I don't wear a lot of rayon, but I prefer rayon or a rayon blend over other silk replacements. I haven't had any problem machine washing it, but I also specifically choose pieces that are labeled machine washable."
* "If you don't use a dryer, there will be some creases from the spin cycle. Again, the length of time it is creased plays a role. If you handwash and immediately hang up, or you get it as soon as the washer stops, you can basically smooth out the wrinkles with your hand (except hems on a bias can get twisted). But air dried linen and rayon won't be as soft as it is when it come out of the dryer. If it sits in the washing machine after a spin cycle, the creases will definitely need to be ironed out."
* "The vintage rayon slips I have will still last a very long time."
* "I love rayon and viscose. The tight weave that looks similar to cotton has a wonderful drape. It holds dye better than cotton. The trick is buying it oversized, then washing it and expecting shrink. Rayon skirts, dresses, and blouses are wonderfully light and breezy in the summer time. Personally I wash it and take it out of the dryer IMMEDIATELY and it doesn't need to be ironed. It only needs ironing if you let it get crumpled in a pile."
* Viscose - unflattering cling, wrinkles way too much, requires steaming/maintenance.
* Viscose: “useless and flimsy as that ridiculous fabric. It shrinks with any water, reacts poorly to sweat, is probably the least durable material I can think of”
* “It has always pilled super quickly for me and it never feels or looks the same after the first wash. Though I'll admit I own a few pieces that are blends… 25% or less viscose content. They seem to do ok, but I like natural fibers (cotton, wool, linen) much better.”
* ”most of the time steam it before wear, and it will be wrinkly after a few hours.”

Synthetics most people recommend against:

* Acrylic - staunch advocates against. Microplastics, do not regulate temperature, “Make a sweater look immediately cheaply made 90% of the time to me. Once you get an eye for acrylic, you’ll know right away.” “make my hair super staticky… pill like crazy as soon as they're washed. Hard pass on acrylic sweaters.” “Acrylic seems to be the worst for pilling and polyester comes a close second. And some wool blends pill.””
* Avoid Acrylic knits - only looks good a few wears - then dingy and misshapen. Soft, warm wool replacement, can machine wash, spun to replicate cotton, do not absorb moisture, shrink, pill easily. Resists damage/wrinkles, dries quickly. Monoacrylic - fleece or faux fur. Durable, warm, pill and mat easily.
* Conversely: “So, Simons (a department store in Canada) sells acrylic sweaters and winter accessories made of 100% acrylic in Germany… 10 years ago. I treated them like real wool, washed in cloth bags, air dry, no strong agitation. They are still in good shape, and have developed a soft fuzzy halo like alpaca, with minimal pillings. A few good winter brands also use acrylic like Kombi and Bula. I guess I got lucky because my positive experience with synthetic fibres is thank to responsible and reputable retailers.”
* Acetate

As you can see, this isn't "complete" - more of a work in progress. I was compiling this for my own use as someone who knows nothing;  most of you are far more knowledgable and have a lot you could add to it, so I'm open to additions and revisions!

EDIT: In progress: I am incorporated some of the comments below. Currently trying to cut down. Note: to maintain the readability, I did not use "EDIT" for changes. Special thanks to larger passages from: /u/monster_roses, /u/One-Access2535, /u/SpiritedContribution, /u/DiagonEllie, [https://cariki.co.uk/blogs/the-green-road/difference-between-tencel-modal-rayon-lyocell](https://cariki.co.uk/blogs/the-green-road/difference-between-tencel-modal-rayon-lyocell)

I'm compiling advice from Reddit/others on making fabric/fiber choices, natural vs synthetic, etc. Here's what I have so far.


I just feel my outfits are "body heavy" (if that's a thing), and I need some thing like big hair or a hat to bring focus/ volumn up to my face.

Issue is I don't like wearing my hair in anything other than a small low bun and I'm very much a jeans and trainers person so a lot of hat options read too formal for me.

So please tell me what exactly you guy decorate your head/hair/face with.

Casual hair /head pieces and accessories????


[removed]

Hair Accessories


I've been working on building my wardrobe but don't know how to style my hair in anything other than a ponytail. I was wondering what are your favorite accessories to add to your hair to elevate your looks and look more put together and be more cohesive with your outfits?

What are your favorite hair accessories?


**Let’s talk workwear!**  Appropriate clothing for the office/interviews seems to be a common question around here, and it’s been a minute since the sidebar post was updated.  I thought I’d write an update here based on about 15 years “in the trenches” of an office, minus a year for Covid.  Since Covid, the median office’s dress code has skewed more casual, but there are still plenty of offices that have set dress codes.  Here’s a quick (or not lol) primer on what to expect.  Some disclaimers - obviously, I’m writing from my own perspective and from my observations.  If your context/country differs, please comment!  I feel confident that the following tips are good *general* guidelines, but there will (of course) be exceptions.  Some basics about me that shape my perspective:

* I’m a college professor in my mid-30s, and my department dress code hovers over the more formal half of the “business casual” spectrum.  I need to dress in business formal 1-2 times a year.  I also co-own a small, boutique consulting firm, and dress in the same clothes I wear to my “day job” to meet with those clients.
* My university is located downtown in a large American city.
* My goals for workwear are to 1) look current and 2) avoid looking explicitly dated.  I don’t try to be aggressively trendy with my workwear, but I’m not opposed to incorporating trends if they suit my needs and tastes.  These are not everyone’s goals, which is fine!

In general, I believe that it’s a good idea to conform to your office’s dress code without pushing the boundaries too much, especially if you’re earlier in your career.  “I want to wear what I want!” or “I can probably get away with this!” can be a satisfying approach in the short term, but is unlikely to be satisfying in the long term (at least at most workplaces).  Even if you’re never directly approached by HR, dressing outside of the norm for your office can have negative consequences on how you’re perceived behind the scenes, especially if your office is more on the formal side.  This is particularly true for women/female-presenting folks.  **It’s not right or fair,** but in my view, it’s better to know the rules of the game so you can weigh the consequences of breaking them, at your own risk and in your own context.

**Common dress codes** (note: in practice, there can be some overlap in these categories.  Also, remember - your office may vary a bit, these are general guidelines):

* **No dress code/WFH**: Your main considerations for this dress code are typically 1) what you feel best/most productive/most comfortable in, and/or 2) how you express your personal style, without the constraints of outside rules.  There are some great resources out there on finding your personal style, which could be helpful if you’re struggling with this one.
* **Uniform**: I won’t be directly talking about this one as your choices are fairly set already, but the section on current silhouettes might be helpful if you have some freedom here.
* **Smart casual**: Sometimes called polished casual.  This dress code tends to be similar to business casual in the tops, but can incorporate jeans.  Jeans should not be torn/distressed/embellished, and are often in mid to dark blue or black.  Knee-length trouser shorts are typically ok here, but not in biz caz.  You’ve got more room to play in this category than you do in the next two, but in general, clothes should still be polished and neat (by this I generally mean washed and not torn).  A smart sneaker is generally ok here.
* **Business casual**:  For women, this typically includes slacks, blouses, knits, blazers, dresses, and skirts.  Pumps, loafers, and some flats are common shoe choices here.  In general, it excludes open-toed shoes, shorts, jeans, sleeveless, and skirts/dresses above the knee.   You’ve got some room to play with silhouettes and colors/patterns/accessories to express your own style here, but not as much as in smart casual.  In reality, there’s a wide range of “normal” that varies by office and region in this category.
* **Business formal**:  Less common than it used to be, but still the norm in a small number of industries.  Typically includes a full suit or a dress/jacket combo.  Cuts are traditional and colors are (usually) more muted (think black, white, camel, navy, gray, burgundy, forest green).  Not a ton of room for creativity here, especially if you’re earlier in your career.  In reality, the few people I know who regularly have to wear this use stylists to pick their work clothes.

**Looking Current: Macrotrends vs. Microtrends**This tends to be the category that gets the most questions and pushback.  Here’s the thing - you don’t have to aim for “current” if you don’t want or need to.  Looking current doesn’t make you a better or worse person.  However, neither does intentionally bucking trends.  What do I mean by “current”?  Generally, I’m using the word to distinguish between macrotrends and microtrends.  Macrotrends are cycles in clothing influences/silhouettes that filter through every 5-10 years.  Microtrends cycle through much more quickly, and are typically more “niche” (think of -core trends on TikTok here).  *Looking current/following macrotrends in my hair/clothes/makeup is important to me because it communicates to clients and other stakeholders that I’m aware of larger conversations happening in culture, and I’m able to understand those social cues.*  If that’s not a valuable consideration in your context and you don’t care, that’s ok and you can skip the next section.  Macrotrends tend to influence the cut of our basics, like jeans or a white button up shirt - for example, although a white shirt is often listed as a “timeless basic,” the cut of that shirt was very different in 2003 vs. 2023.  The current white shirt you’re wearing today will likely look dated in ten years - that’s normal!

**Current Workwear Silhouettes:**\*for work separates, I’m a fan of contrast - either a slightly oversized top with a slimmer bottom, or a slightly oversized/wide leg bottom with a slimmer top.  I love a good oversized top/oversized bottom look, but I keep it to my off hours.

* **Bottoms**: generally, pants have loosened up in the past few years.  Wide leg trousers, cropped or full length, are great for workwear with a more fitted (not skintight) top.  Bootcut and straight leg cuts are also current.  Skinnies are explicitly dated in most regions now (I know they’re having a low rise microtrend moment, but in order for that to look current, you have to be meticulous about your styling and are likely not getting advice from this post lol).  If you love skinnies and are nervous about branching out, try a slim straight cut first - it’s similar to a skinny, but opens up more from the knee down.  For all styles, any rise (from low, mid, to high) is ok.  Midi and maxi skirts are making a comeback, and pleated midis are having a moment right now.
* **Tops**: lots of styles work here, although in general, tops are trending a bit oversized when paired with straight leg pants, and a bit cropped when paired with wide leg pants.  In this context, I’m using “cropped” to mean a top or sweater that’s shorter in length and covers the top of your waistband by a couple of inches (showing midriff at work is not allowed with most dress codes).  In reality, the tops you choose will likely be shaped by the silhouettes of your trousers.
* **Blazers**: for the past few years, blazer shapes have become looser, more structured, and longer.  Double-breasted styles have been popular. Blazer shapes seem to be getting a bit less oversized now and single-breasted styles are becoming more common again, but double-breasted styles are still current (just make sure that they fit you well through the shoulder and in the sleeve length, otherwise, “oversized” can become “sloppy”).
* **Shoes**: Lots of room to play here, as well.  Loafers, round toe ballet flats/block heels, Mary Janes (heeled or not) are all current choices.  Pumps aren’t super current, but they’re also not dated as long as they’re not sky-high stilettos (I still have a couple pairs of pumps that I wear with certain looks).  Lug soles/chunky soles have been popular the last few years, and aren’t explicitly dated yet, but are moving towards a sleeker silhouette.
* **Hair and makeup**: Hair styling and makeup (if you wear it) also make a huge difference in looking current, but are outside of the scope of this post!  Finding a good hair stylist who can give current advice on your hair type/texture is a great place to start.
* Combining items from these current categories, most of my work outfits tend to be either 1) wide-legged, full length trousers with either a slightly cropped untucked sweater or a fitted, tucked in top, with a slightly chunky loafer, or 2) slim straight pants with a silk tank and a slightly oversized, double-breasted blazer and some kind of low block heel.  Always with jewelry.

\*\*Advice if you’re starting a new job:\*\*Don’t buy a lot right away!  As we’ve seen, dress code categories contain a wide range of looks.  You’ll get a better vibe for your particular office once you’re there.  For example, sleeveless tops are typically a “no” for a business casual dress code.  However, I’ve found that lots of offices allow these in practice as long as the straps are thick and it’s not skintight.  See what flies at your office before buying a whole wardrobe of workwear.  You can start with one or two pairs of versatile bottoms and pair them with tops you likely already own, and then wait until you get your first few paychecks before buying more.

Part 2 will cover incorporating your own personal style and lifestyle considerations into workwear,  creating a cohesive work wardrobe, and an album!

Thoughts?  Also, if you have some holy grail work pieces, link them in the comments!

What to Wear to Look Current at Work, Pt. 1


Hello! I'm hoping to get some advice here on how y'all femme-leaning sapphic folks signal queerness while being true to your own personal style.

I came out a few years ago and have since struggled with figuring out how to not immediately get read as straight, which I've learned is a common problem for those of us (esp those who aren't white) on the more femme presenting side. My style is very curated and minimalist and while pretty on-trend right now, it feels incompatible with a lot of suggestions I've gotten, such as wearing accessories with rainbows or lesbian flag colors or dying my hair bright colors (I'm Black, my hair cannot handle it and it's also just not for me).

None of these suggestions are things that feel very true to me or my style, and I'm at a loss of how to do this "signaling" thing. This might be my internalized homophobia coming out, but I just don't resonate with wearing rainbow/lesbian flag stuff. I also find it deeply frustrating trying to conform to white queer standards of presentation that I don't connect with. I feel great in the clothes I have invested in and the style I've developed for myself, and get a lot of compliments, but I'm still wondering if there's a way I can feel more like I'm "part of the club" in a way that feels authentic.

I do wear a carabiner with my keys on my pants/jeans regularly, but that's also a very common thing among all kinds of women in my urban, east coast city. I don't wear a ton of makeup, I never have my nails done, and I do have Doc-adjacent boots I wear a lot...but I don't know if those things really help, considering lots of straight women also do.

tl;dr -- I'm pretty snobby about my personal style and don't want to walk around covered in rainbows, how do I still signal to others that I'm queer?

EDIT: Wow thank you for all the responses, I posted this to vent and wasn't expecting to get so much advice and support!

I realize I didn't do a great job at describing my style, as "minimalist" can be definitely be quite vague. My style is very informed by the 90s minimalist resurgence happening right now, with a lot of clean lines, slim/straight silhouettes, and understated bags/jewelry (hence the trouble with finding a way to thoughtfully incorporate queer-coded accessories). I tend to stick to 1-2 colors max in an outfit and love to do a monochrome look with different textures to add interest. I pull a lot of inspo from the usual designer icons of the time period (Calvin Klein, Helmut Lang, Jil Sander, Issey Miyake). I'm excited that this look is really trending right now and I know there are tons of queer folks who also like it, it can just feel a bit difficult to not go full "alt" in an attempt to signal queerness, esp because I'm pretty femme and love to wear dresses and skirts.

Signaling queerness while maintaining personal style