2014 is now upon us. But, 2013 was a great year for dapperQ style. As we reflect back, here is our roundup of this year’s best style moments that celebrated/highlighted fashion for the unconventionally masculine. Drum roll please…
#10: FASHION WEEK RUNWAY SHOWS FEATURED MORE MASCULINE GENDER-BENDING STYLE
Last September, designers and brands offering style for the unconventionally masculine did not wait for the powers at Mercedez-Benz New York Fashion Week to send them invitations to be a part of their exclusive, gender-binary, fatphobic, homogeneous shows. Instead, dapperQs went out and carved out a space of their own, taking over NYC and presenting a new wave of fashion.
dapperQ’s NYFW runway event. Mila in Kruezback 10. Photo by Erica Camille.
No, we’re not talking about “feminine menswear for women” or a fleeting novelty 1990s Calvin Klein-esque androgynous collection by a designer trying to resurrect an old trend for press. we’re talking about something that is light years ahead of even Anna Wintour’s so-called creative sensibilities: straight-up menswear designed and tailored for people other than cis-men. dapperQ held its first New York Fashion Week runway show featuring Androgyny, Charlie Boy, Fourteen, Original Tomboy, Kruezback 10, and Saint Harridan.
Backstage at dapperQ’s NYFW event. Photography by Suri
That same night, in another part of Brooklyn, it was on and popin’ with Marimacho’s runway show, which was attended by celebrities such as Lea DeLaria of Orange is the New Black.
Marimacho’s NYFW runway show. Photos by Lia Roque.
#9: THE DAPPERQ STYLE MOVEMENT MADE THE NEW YORK TIMES STYLE SECTION NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE!
We’re here! We’re stylish! Get used to it!!! And, The New York Times would like you to know this. In July of 2013, the NYT published an article titled, “A Masculine Silhouette, Tailored for Her,” that celebrated the new brands and blogs that are catering to the dapperQ market. Just a few months later in November, they drove home the message with a second article titled “The Masculine Mystique: Custom Suits to Make Transgender and Female Clients Feel Handsome.”
#8: THIS JUST IN…COSMO FEATURES RAINBOW OF LESBIAN STYLE
Our original #8 was just knocked off the list this afternoon when we found an Instagram pic of Cosmopolitan magazine’s shout out to lesbian style posted by Trish Bendix, Managing Editor at AfterEllen. The caption of the feature reads:
“Femme and butch are just the tip of the iceburg. Gay girls rock a rainbow of styles – here’s a mash-up from the #LesbainsOfInstagram hashtag that proves Cyndi Lauper is right. Girls really do just want to have fun.”
Some of the folks featured in Cosmo‘s “#WhatGayLooksLike” have amazing dapper style, including one of our favorite dapperQ DJs, Whitney Day, and her wife Hillary.
Photo via Trish Bendix
#7: LEA DELARIA BECAME A DAPPERQ STYLE ICON
Yeah, we had Ellen and Maddow representing some dapper swag on our television sets. (Wait, did that just give away our age? Ok, ok, on our laptops too.) But, where were are all of the amazingly handsome fat queer dapper television stars? And, then came Lea DeLaria of Orange Is the New Black, proud and fat positive, showing up to every event looking dashing as hell.
DeLaria made Out’s 100 list. Image via Out
DeLaria at Out 100 awards in Saint Harridan suit. Image via the Advocate
#6: WILDFANG LAUNCHED, JOINED THE RANKS OF DESIGNERS MAKING CLOTHES FOR DAPPERQS
Last year, we published an article titled “Menswear Movement: New Year, New Hope,” in which we listed all of the amazing brands and blogs catering to dapperQs that have cropped up since our meager beginnings in 2009. Wildfang, a clothing brand that offers “tomboy” style, launched in 2013 with a campaign featuring drool-worthy, stylish brand ambassadors, such as Kate Moennig, musician Hannah Blilie, and soccer pro Megan Rapinoe.
Image via Wildfang’s Instagram
#5: ELLIOT SAILORS GOES FROM “FEMALE” TO “MALE” MODELING
This story stirred up quite a bit of controversy after professional model Elliot Sailors went on the Today Show to discuss her decision to change from “female” to “male” modeling. Some felt that simply cutting her hair did not qualify Sailors to claim a title of “male” model. But, others loved Sailors’ courage and her husband’s support of her ditching traditional gender roles and expectations to find success modeling menswear.
Image via Elle
#4: Givenchy Features Tamy Glauser, Jenny Shimizu, & Ashleigh Good in Their Fall ’13 Menswear Runway Show
Givenchy featured Glasuer, Shimizu, and Good in their lineup of male models for their Paris 2013 menswear runway show. The result? dapperQ style perfection and a high note for 2013!
Image via Style.com
#3: A Practical Wedding Features Outfits for Tomboy Flower Girls
THEE most re-tweeted image from our Twitter account this year was A Practical Wedding’s picture of outfits for tomboy flower girls. The suits featured in the article were provided by Appaman.
Image via A Practical Wedding
#2: 2013 WNBA DRAFT WAS ONE OF THE MOST DAPPER EVER!
The 2013 WNBA draft couldn’t have gotten any more dapper, with amazing outfits rocked by the stylish Brittney Griner and Layshia Clarendon.
Griner’s 2013 draft ensemble was compared to James’ 2003 draft ensemble. We think she wore it better! Image via USA Today
Layshia Clarendon. Image via More Than Stats
#1: ELLEN DEGENERES DANCES IN TUX FOR OSCARS PROMO
Can Ellen’s style be stopped? We don’t think so. Especially not after her awesome promo for the next Academy Awards show in which she brings sexy all the way back, dancing her sexy a$$ off in a dashing tux. Oh, we want! WE WANT! Happy New Year!
