In contrast to mainstream fashion, the LGBTQ+ community takes great care in their style and collection. For them, the clothes must help them express their sexuality and identity. They can use it to express themselves and be more confident in public. Style is not just about aesthetics for these people.
Clothing and fashion have always been a part of society. They are not only a form of protection against the weather and other natural elements but also a way to express your identity. In the past, clothing has always been gender-specific. In the last 50 years, however, things have started to change. Fashion is always changing, so it was easy to adopt the LGBTQ (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender people, queers, and others) trend to create a definitive style and statement. This is similar to how political and cultural influences can affect fashion.
The queer culture and community have heavily influenced fashion. In the last Century, several influential fashion designers were gay. Most of these designers remained closed-mouthed during their lifetimes due to social pressure. In the 1980s, designers began to include queer culture in their runway collections. In the modern world, we can see queer fashion being revived by designers such as Christopher John Rogers and Kelsey Randall. Patrick Church, Ludovic De Saint Sernin, etc. These LGBTQ designers are working to restore the visibility of the LGBTQ community in style, not only with their designs but also through powerful advertising campaigns.
The 18th Century, according to studies, was the turning point when the distinction between homosexuality and heterosexuality was finally recognized. Prior to this, men dressed in the same way. In this period, gay men in London began to use clothing as a means of identification. The societal pressures forced this community into secrecy. It is important to remember that this community was interested in fashion because it allowed them to identify with other people from the same culture. Over the years, fashion has been a way to unite gay people.
In the following section, we will discuss some of the ways that the LGBTQ community has shaped fashion and influence over the years.
* Cross-Dressing Males: During the 18th century in Europe, small and secret homosexual subcultures developed. In London, these cross-dressed males were known as mollies. They would gather in pubs and inns. As a way to identify themselves, they wore women’s clothing. They wore dresses and fine shoes with lace, scarves, etc. In the 19th century, homosexual men dressed cross-dressed in both public and private spaces. Cross-dressing was allowed in the Arts Balls and Harlem Drag Balls from 1950. Drag queens used womenswear as a way to parody straight society and create homosexual humor.
Effeminacy: Not every gay man wants to cross-dress. Often, societal oppression denies such opportunities. They would take on feminine mannerisms, styles, and other traits. Some examples are plucked eyebrows and eye makeup. High-heeled heels, tooled shoes, etc. In America, cross-dressing is illegal unless you are attending a masquerade. With the growth of LGBTQ liberation, the effeminate clothing code has gradually decreased. It still plays a vital role in gay lives.
* Lesbian Dress and Masculinity: The adoption and use of men’s clothing by women was a form of protest against women’s status and role in patriarchal societies. For a long time, women were able to dress as men and pass for them. Lesbians became more visible between World War 1 & World War 2. As part of their clothing, they began wearing wing collars and monocles. They also started wearing men’s jackets. The public image of lesbians was masculine up until the 1970s. Not all women wanted men to dress like them. They started dressing in traditional female clothing.
* Subtle Signals: Social oppression and legal restrictions forced most of the LGBTQ to live in secret even 70 years ago. Prior to the gay liberation movements of the 1960s, gay men and women would dress so that they could be categorized as heterosexual. Secret symbols evolved and were created over time. Certain colors and accessories served as signals. Green was associated with effeminacy and gay clothing. In different periods, red ties and suede shoes were also used as signifiers. Cufflinks, ties, and the color violet identify lesbians.
Gay men have always been creative in fields such as fashion, theatre, and catering. Gays and bisexuals were among the top designers in the 20th ceCenturyThe queer community embraced experimentation in terms of ideas, styles, and fabrics. Designers were often inspired by street fashion and gay clubs. Fashion was made acceptable by straight men because of the concept of a metrosexual man. Even in magazines aimed at heterosexual men, there is a strong gay influence. Stylists, hairdressers, and photographers also represent the LGBTQ community.
Unlike mainstream fashion, the LGBTQ community takes great care to maintain its style and collection. For them, the clothes must help them express their sexuality and identity. They can use it to express themselves and be more confident in public. Style is not just about aesthetics for these people. It’s a way to express yourself.
More and more fashion houses are now accepting this concept. This has led to a greater flamboyance in design. Gender-fluid clothing has gained popularity. It reduces the rigidity of apparel. According to studies, gay men are creative and have a large influence on fashion. The fashion sense of gay men is unquestionable, even with great heterosexual designers.
Social media is a powerful tool for queer communities. Social media platforms let people experiment with their style. Queer fashion is unique in that it’s always evolving. This inspires many different angles. Currently, Tyris Winter, Ziggy Mac-Johnson, Ylenia Riniti, etc., are a few queer influencers that are dominating social media platforms.
It is now acceptable for straight men not only to be interested in fashion but also grooming products and lifestyle publications. Modern fashion is gender fluid, making it harder to distinguish a heterosexual from a homosexual. In this era, queer men strive to show off even more flamboyant styles and look to differentiate themselves from heterosexuals.