I have always been a “girly-girl”. When I was little I had a purse collection the size of a small car and it would have been a shock to my friends and family if I was seen wearing any color other than pink. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve wholeheartedly embraced my feminine side as an integral part of my identity and self-expression. But it wasn’t until I discovered that I was bisexual, that I began to expand my personal aesthetic beyond the confines of traditional femininity.
I would say my feminine style most closely resembles Elle Woods and my masculine, your run-of-the-mill e-boy. I have found that my style can depend on who I’m dating, as I believe that in every relationship you can find masculine and feminine energies regardless of gender. For example, if I were dating a hyper-feminine person I might feel subconsciously compelled to dress in the opposite way, to maintain the balance. Currently, I am dating a boy and keep a relatively feminine style more so than masculine. One aspect of my style that has remained a constant despite external factors is what many refer to as, “The Bisexual Uniform”. It is a type of outfit that you can catch me in several days throughout the week that consists of cuffed pants, usually boyfriend jeans, a cool belt, a tucked-in shirt, and vans or other sneakers. Honorable mentions: beanies, long sleeve shirts under short sleeves, wallet chains, and doc martens.
Being queer has granted me the freedom to dress femininely, masculinely, and androgynously. Since I have always had a feminine style, I was hesitant to adopt a more masculine style at first, for fear of being rejected by those around me. Being attracted to more than one gender does not mean you have to change your style in any way, but it can be liberating to explore different ways of dressing as you’re exploring your sexuality until you find one that fits you just right. Once I allowed myself to start sifting through the men’s section at thrift shops and collecting items that made me happy, I felt free. My mind was ablaze with outfits ideas that did not even remotely fit into the same category as the clothes I had been wearing all my life. Now I think I have found a relative balance between my feminine and masculine sides, that often correspond with how I’m feeling that day, mood or gay-wise.