Queer Outfit of the Week: Fall Foliage Walk

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!

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The leaves have finally changed and in that one perfect week when the trees are red and the air is crisp it’s time to grab your honey (or bff or dog) for a romantic fall foliage walk. Unfortunately, actually picking that perfect day might be more complicated than you imagined. It might actually still be pretty warm. Or worse, freezing cold. Hell, it might even snow! So you’d better pick a versatile outfit! This week’s look is brought to you by our very own Community Editor, Vanessa!

A perfect human

A perfect human

This week’s look is pretty specific to dress-wearing folks. For great center of center or masculine of center options, check out our two great looks for apple picking. Because what is a fall foliage walk but apple picking without the pretense of work or mandatory end-game pie.

Our perfect femme look for a fall foliage walk brings together elements from you summer wardrobe in such a way that they are warm enough and seasonally appropriate for fall. There’s nothing sadder than the moment you have to put your floral sleeveless dresses away for fall. Throwing a cropped tee on top of a short dress extends your summer dress’s lifespan and gives you a totally unique look that flattering for almost any body type. Crop tops have circled back into style, but it’s just as easy to make your own by cutting a tee shirt in half. I particularly like cropped shirts that are a bit looser so that it looks more casual and less Spice Girls.

Additionally, while layers keep this outfit warm enough for fall but cool enough to work up a sweat, you can add, subtract or substitute depending on the weather. If it’s cooler than you expected, swap black tights for black leggings or swap the cropped tee for a cropped sweater. If it’s warmer or you get overheated while walking, just layer down. If you really plan on sweating make sure to take along a bandana to wipe your brow.

You might think the most important element of this look is the adorable dress/shirt combo, but actually it’s Vanessa’s boots! They my absolute faves, the Steve Madden Troopa Boots! Supportive, thick-soled, heel-free boots are the key to any long walk! You can, of course, opt for more traditional hiking boots or sneakers, but you want to keep in mind your adorable walk pictures. Besides, a fall foliage walk is a stroll not a hike!

There’s still plenty of time for that wonderful blend of summer and fall fashion. This time of year weather oscillates frequently and it’s great to have layers for any outdoor adventure. Besides, if you get too cold you can always hop in your car and make it a fall foliage drive!


If you see something that you think should be featured on Queer Outfit of the Weeksend me an ASS messageask on my tumblr, or tweet me @Ohheyitslizz

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Lizz

Lizz is a consumer, lover and writer of all things pop culture and the Fashion/Style Editor at Autostraddle.com. She is also full time medical student at Brown University in Providence, RI. You can find her on the twitter, the tumblr or even on the instagram.

Lizz has written 261 articles for us.

34 Comments

  1. Vanessa, I saw your picture and I thought, “I don’t care if this article was written about you or by you, I must read it immediately”. Gold stars for everyone involved!

  2. Vanessa you are the most adorable person ever and I love you and I miss seeing you and all of your floral!!! Also way to rep team purple. We run this motherfucker. Etc.

  3. I remember when that picture was taken! That hike was great. Also, I love all of Vanessa’s floral dresses. If I could steal someones closet, it would be hers!

  4. @Vanessa can I please borrow this outfit when you come to visit me? Or better yet, I’ll take all of Liz’s advice and buy the exact same items and wear them while you’re here and hopefully have an unintended twin day.

    Florals.

  5. You inspired me to buy a floral hat and that’s the best single item of clothing i’ve ever bought.

  6. YOU GUYS!!!

    you are all too kind. i feel like a celeb. lizz styled me in this outfit, is the secret. i love you all a lot.

  7. <3 Troopa boots!
    I bought a pair the week before camp – I was going to order them online because it was cheaper, but I wanted to make sure I'd actually have them for camp (instead of waiting for them to get shipped) and BOY am I glad I bought them in-store because 1) compliments from cute girls, and 2) SNOW.

  8. I like the cropped sweater idea. I also like doing this but tying a chambray shirt up like a cropped top. If you’re not careful, it might look kind of Little House on the Prairie or something, but generally I think it works.

    • no this sounds so cute and i have been seriously contemplating buying a chambray shirt FOR THIS VERY REASON.

  9. vanessa, you’re gorgeous and i seriously adore the whole floral/boots combo! i’m loving everything about this right now.

  10. i was obsessed with vanessa’s cropped shirt at camp and i’m glad the outfit made its way here! it’s almost as cute as the human wearing it!

  11. I was wondering what the heck to wear my rose-print, zip up croptop with without looking too Kelly Bundy (who is righteous but not my sartorial cup of tea.) Et voila, an excuse to buy a black skater dress.

  12. I saw those boots come in purple and my heart soared, and then I saw they were leather and now I am sad and going to spend the rest of my work day looking for a vegan equivalent online. If anyone’s got a link, holla at me!

  13. I’ve been wearing thin sweaters over my summer dresses lately cuz its freakin cold! Makes up for my lack of cute skirts for now.

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