by Anita Dolce Vita, Editor in Chief at dapperQ
When someone asks me for advice re masculine or androgynous “brunch style,” I always have to request further clarification because, unlike “black-tie” or “business-casual,” the term “brunch style” does not automatically imply a specific level of formality. My suggestions would depend on the occasion (Meet the parents brunch? Wedding brunch? Date brunch? Hungover with your friends brunch? Autostraddle meet-up brunch? Hip-hop party brunch?) and the venue (Five star restaurant? Pub? Trendy café?) So, I’ve selected a few outfits from dapperQ that can work for a variety of occasions and settings. While many of the items listed in the outfit details may no longer be available in stores or online, I recommend visiting dapperQ’s store guide for brands that sell apparel for masculine presenting women, gender-queers, and trans* identified individuals.
Casual Brunch with Autostraddlers
Image by TTK via dapperQ
You can certainly wear a button-down and tan chinos, but by playing with colors, patterns, and layers, you can create an outfit that is fun and head-turning stylish without being stuffy. Here, Gabrielle looks effortlessly dapper and demonstrates that the Devil is in the details (note the accessories) when it comes to pulling together a look that is casual cool.
Image by TTK via dapperQ
Image by TTK via dapperQ
Outfit Details: Jean jacket by Gap; checkered shirt by Gap; maroon slim pants by Uniqlo; cardigan sweater by TopMan; bow tie by Marimacho; dandelion socks by Uniqlo; black suede slippers by Aldo; wrist watch by Nava.
If you’re not a fan of layering or are looking for a warmer weather option, LK Weiss, founder of the Maine style blog Jack Tar 207, works a lightweight dapper option here. Simple nautical touches, like the anchor bow-tie and colors inspired by the sea, make the ensemble cohesive but not too “matchy matchy.”
Image by TT Tappan via dapperQ
Outfit Details: Slacks from H&M; shoes by Sperry Topsiders; whale belt by L.L.Bean; button-up by J. Crew; anchor bow-tie from Southern Beaus/etsy.
Formal Brunch
Image by F. Harley via dapperQ
Nicole’s outfit is perfect for a working “power” brunch, a wedding brunch, or brunch at a restaurant that calls for dressy attire. Like Gabrielle above, Nicole adds color, texture, layers, and patterns to personalize a monochrome blue suit and make it POP!
Image by F. Harley via dapperQ
Image by F. Harley via dapperQ
Outfit details: Bindle & Keep bespoke suit; Bindle and Keep bespoke club collar shirt; Clapham silk knit tie, Brooks Brothers blue gingham pocket square; Trafalgar leather belt; Calibrate socks; Cole Haan Winter Wingtips; Coach Foldover Tote; Ivory + Mason Black-Blue Doheny Eyeglasses; Stuhrling Original Elite Blue Dial Watch; Tiffany Box Link bracelet; custom wood and sterling silver bracelet.
Meet the Parents Brunch
Image by Cameron Gay via dapperQ
Ok, so you want to make a good impression, but perhaps do not want to roll up in a three-piece-suit. Ricky keeps it stylish and affordable by matching dressy, tailored trousers with a blazer they picked up for $1.99 at a thrift store in Albuquerque! The flowered button-down is another example of how experimenting with patterns and colors can turn up the volume on an otherwise rather muted gray/brown color template.
Image by Cameron Gay via dapperQ
Image by Cameron Gay via dapperQ
Outfit details: Jacket, Johnny Carson; Shirt, ASOS; Pocket square, Dei Giovani Chicago; Pants, Banana Republic; Shoes, Belivus.
“I’m So Hungover, I Just Can’t” Brunch
You can’t, but your outfit most certainly can! And, it will. I’m giving you two examples – one for cold weather and one for warm weather – of how to look absolutely dashing and still maintain a high level of comfort. First, let’s look at Blake. Yes, Blake is wearing a flannel and jeans. But, she is wearing dark-wash jeans with a tailored, clean line. No stained sweats. No jeans with worn, ripped cuffs paired with running sneakers. Then, Blake layers her flannel under a fresh, clean black sweater. The stylish boots and awesome anchor socks pull it all together.
Image via dapperQ
Image via dapperQ
Outfit details: Shirt, sweater, and jeans, Old Navy; desert boots, Clark’s.
Now for the warm weather option. Janina coordinated a super comfortable, yet stylish outfit perfect for lazy days that still require you to bring your A-game. Take a page from her book: Add the hat and you don’t even have to worry about doing your hair!
Image via dapperQ
Image via dapperQ
Outfit details: Express Striped Short-Sleeved Shirt; H&M Grey Suit Pants tailored into shorts; White Converse Shoes; Free Authority fedora; Ray-Ban wayfarers; Mossimo white belt.
And there you have it. You’ll be ready to eat the world’s largest pile of french toast, complete with maple syrup!
All of the drooling that has ever happened. And the envy.
Love the anchor socks
I like that hat and pants combo in the last set. Fortunately, I live in SoCal so these outfits work almost year round, but it would have been nice to see a nice winter(well what most no in SoCal would call autumn weather) jacket.
I am all about all of these. All of them. Everyone looks so dashing.
That blazer Ricky’s wearing. JEALOUS. $1.99?!
Some of these I want to wear and some I just want to stare at. That last outfit/photoshoot… nngghhhh… *stares creepily*
Something seemed off here, missing if you will and I finally figured out what.
SEERSUCKER.
There is a distinct lack of seersucker.