I spend a lot of time perusing style blogs, some of which are specifically queer while others are relatively queer because of their emphasis on DIY fashion projects. As an aesthetically oriented person, I love seeing what other people are wearing, making and suggesting. The following is a list of my favorite sources of fashion inspiration, from DIY blogs to photo-based sites. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

1. a pair and a spare

a pair and a spare is a DIY fashion blog written an outrageously creative person named Geneva who bases her DIYs on recent trends in women’s high fashion, so fashion-conscious/crafty femmes, this is super relevant to your interests. She also has a book of projects out called DIY Fashionista, which officially puts her on my list of people I want to be.  A lot of her projects are really sewing-heavy, which sometimes makes me reluctant to try them because I’m more of a super glue kind of girl, but ideas like her DIY Sequin Elbow Patch Sweater might convince me to rethink my ways.

DIY Burberry Inspired Transparent Raincape

2. Studs and Pearls

Studs and Pearls is another amazing DIY blog, with crafting ideas that are a little edgier than a pair and a spare’s. There’s more of an emphasis on “studs” than on “pearls” here, which is just fine by me. Kirsten thinks of ways to create on-trend looks with the most unexpected of materials, like her DIY Shattered Metal Purse that’s made out of broken CDs, and lace aviator sunglasses made with nail decals.

diy spiked bow trench

3. Tomboy/Femme Style

There’s a seemingly unlimited number of websites of devoted to pictures of adorable queers in cute outfits, but of all of them, this is currently my go-to for style inspiration. Tomboy/Femme style is loosely defined as “elements of women’s fashion and menswear pulled together,” and the photos on it are really helpful if you are a human trying to figure out how to express a gender that straddles the butch/femme line. It’s that magic combination of people I want to look like but are also attracted to, and sometimes it just feels really nice to look at pictures of other people who wear both eyeliner and androgynous button ups.

4. The Handsome Butch

The Handsome Butch is a relatively new project run by my super well-dressed friend Rae, who very eloquently wrote on her blog, “You have the right to be handsome.” In that spirit, she dispenses invaluable fashion advice for other other handsome folks, sometimes on DapperQ, and other times on her own platforms. With style guides about practical handsomeness, gift advice, seasonal style, all things relating to suits, dapper haircut info, and more, I consider THB to be required reading for all handsome queers and the people who love them.

thb being handsome

 5. Honestly… WTF

Honestly WTF is an enormous, all-encompassing fashion site with a rockin’ DIY section aptly named “Honestly… DIY.”  With amazing ideas like a runway-inspired DIY Spike Comb, reviews of companies like the Pom Pom Factory, and beautiful travel photos, Honestly WTF is honestly the sparkliest black hole you’ll fall into on the internet. Seriously, hours of my life have been spent here.

the pom pom factory

6. Refinery 29

This is the largest fashion blog I follow, and despite its broad appeal, Refinery29 consistently impresses me with its How-Tos and creative beauty tutorials. Since most of the DIYs I do are inspired by current fashion trends, I rely on this site to let me know the looks that people are excited about. While it’s definitely not a queer fashion site, they aren’t afraid to stray from normative feminine looks, and feature women in suits as well as dresses. They also managed to briefly make me want long hair with their New Year’s Eve “glam punk rock” hair style video.

maria kochetkova

7. The Etsy Blog

Did you guys know that Etsy has a blog and it’s amazing? As if Etsy didn’t already own my heart, their blog features DIY posts, artist interviews, wedding stories (lots of which are queer) and so much more. The Etsy Blog really has everything I want in one place, and while it suggests things to purchase, it’s not consumer oriented. In my heart of hearts I often fantasize about making a living off of selling pretty things on Etsy, and reading the blog lets me live vicariously through people who do.

from “Together Forever”

Where do YOU get your style inspiration from? I want to know!

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