Welcome to Queer Outfit of the Week where I scour the world and tell you all about my one favorite queer outfit this week. I’ll envision a scenario where you or your girlfriend or your best friend or your mom or your cat could wear it and talk all about why it’s a great outfit for that event. Every week will be a different style, gender presentation and event so there’s a little something for everyone — even the person who just wants to look at pictures of stylish queers! So let’s get to it — we’re going to figure out what the heck we’re going to wear this week!
Header by Rory Midhani
Somewhere smack dab between “I can’t believe the summer’s ending” and “I guess it’s time to buy some sweaters” is that wonderful long Labor Day Weekend. Sure classes are starting up again next week and work is about to be a mess, but for this one weekend you’re going to pretend summer lasts forever and enjoy some socially responsible day drinking. But what to wear?! Will it be cold or hot or buggy? How formal is a Labor Day party anyways?! Don’t worry, I have you covered with this adorable and practical Labor Day Weekend party outfit!
Via Fitforafemme.com
Labor Day parties tend to be outdoor day-to-night affairs, so your look is all about breezy comfort in summer styles, without too much chill when the sun goes down. A long-sleeved button-up with the sleeves rolled up is just perfect for the warm day and cooler night. Grab one with polka dots for a fun casual print that won’t look like you’re headed to the office. Go ahead and pair your button-up with a pair of white lace shorts. They’re girly and fun and, if you live somewhere where fall is on the horizon, this might be your last chance to wear them.
Accessories really change the dynamics of this look. You don’t want to overdo it on the jewelry, but a fun costume necklace and a slightly masculine bracelet dress your look up without overdoing it. To complete this tomboy femme look, and counterbalance the girly lace shorts, add a more masculine belt and some matching oxfords. You probably don’t want to be out in the grass in heels anyways. Feel free, however, to skip your socks and wear your oxfords like slip ons. This will bring your look together and keep your oxfords from looking too business casual.
If you’re more on the MOC side of things, consider a swapping the lace shorts for white mens slim fit shorts. Additionally, you can opt for a more straight-cut button-up and switch the necklace out for a striped knit tie. On the other hand, to make this look even femmier, go for a pop of color in your belt and oxfords in a shiny patent leather.
Party or no party, Labor Day is your last big summer moment. So no matter what you have going on this Monday, when you show up in your Labor Day Party outfit you’re sure to end the summer — and kick off the fall — in flawless style.
A special thanks to Fit for a Femme whose photographs originally appeared on her website.
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Okay, but what do I wear if my plans are to go donate blood with the girl I like, her primary partner, and two close friends? (yeah, I couldn’t snag a BBQ invite.)
i love you so much.
This outfit is totally applicable to that situation too.
Seriously love this, thanks for the advice! I find shorts super hard to make stylish. Next summer, queers. Next summer my shorts will be super stylish.
But there are still 25 days left of summer! 25!
More if you live in some of the south and desert states of the US.
Fair point! I just am the worst at shorts.
I bought one pair of teen boy kind of khaki shorts because they sort of fit but then my one stylish friend was like NOPE so clearly I need better shorts next year.
someone come man short hunting with me.
I have very mixed feelings about american apparel, but to their credit they do carry a bunch of unisex shorts that are a really awesome length, like these: http://store.americanapparel.net/product/index.jsp?productId=rsa0447w
GAP. Gap had nice man shorts this year. They were out at the beginning of summer. Not so anymore. Try next June!
Penguin makes shorter lengths, now might be an awesome time to snag some J. Crew shorts – they offer three or five lengths, I think, and Gant has amazing shorts.
Yep. “Stylish shorts” for me means rolling up my pants so you can see some ankle.
Yeaaaahhh if I saw a girl in that I’d be like hey
how perfect because if i wear this i will expect many humans to say “hey” to me ;)
and lot of nervous ones wanting to say hey, but don’t.
I love this so much! This is basically what I wear every week because my friends like to do drinks and dinner outside on Wednesdays (4 hr dinner). All of my casual button downs have permanent sleeve creases now.
My favorite look! Sadly this is more of a look I can only sport in the lovely times of spring or the fall since I’m in the hot state of Texas all day every day.
Long sleeve button ups are not kind to a girl walking under the hot, humid Texas heat.
Fall/Winter. HURRY IT UP. This girl needs her layers and sleeves.
I am so bad at summer clothes. I feel like I look like a dork in them. Maybe one day I’ll find some classy shorts that don’t make me look like a dudebro. What I really need to do is find some good pants at the thrift store and learn to make them into shorts. Autostraddle sewing lessons? Can that be a thing?
I went thrifting the other day to theoretically find some short-sleeved button downs, and so why did I instead leave with three sweaters?
I’m so bad at summer clothes that I haven’t actually even owned a pair of non athletic shorts since 2002.
I went thrifting yesterday for warm weather clothes and came home with a wool blazer, a wool hat, and a long coat. Maybe I’m just not meant to live in places with summer.
See my above comment about keeping a hawkeye on J. Crew and Gant sales! Anyway, I personally am a huge fan of the hot dork look. You do you!