This is a confession...

So here it goes. I'm about to admit something that perhaps a few of you have picked up on (or have not, because for various reasons I don't always show it openly), and that is, of course, that I adore men's fashion.

Now, I can't say that I find this an easy burden to bear, because there's a lot of weird grey area in identity and fashion, but what I will say is that I think dressing well (at any size, shape, gender, identity) is charming.

I have to apologize for my love of designer clothing, because I think in most ways fashion is very isolating and exclusionist, but there are ways to circumvent the 'authority' of image and still remain fashionable. I'm also a student, so as much as I may love the way a certain fabric feels or certain shoes look, I'm interested in the ways in which bargains can be had. Obviously at a point some people can identify labels (and I mean clothing labels), but thrifting and unlabeled items confuse, as long as the item fits well and looks good.

Outlets and sales are also some of my dearest friends, and while I try to avoid wearing too much clothing which originates from unsavory origins, sometimes the "affordable" fashion stores lure me in. I implied I was somewhat ashamed of this fashion problem, yes?

I think also for women who are more on the masculine spectrum of displayed dress, there are a lot of challenges inherent in being fashionably clothed. Clothing designed for male bodies really doesn't fit most women well off-the-rack, and tailoring is quite pricy (though scoring a piece through thrifting for $5 or £3 and then having it fitted for $25 or £15 is generally still fairly cheap).

There are also fewer rules, guides, and icons to emulate and adapt from. There is also more judgement and less help available from shopkeepers and tailors who may be uncomfortable dealing with female clientele in the 'men's' section.

The last time I purchased a men's dress shirt, the lady assisting me asked if I was buying the shirt for work as a waitress. I didn't really feel up to explaining that I just like wearing men's clothing, because she wasn't being judgmental, but the assumptions can be off-putting. It was probably also because it was a plain white shirt that I specified as having a spread collar and French cuffs, though I ended up getting single button notch cuffs because I found a slimmer fit with that style. Compromises. Also I feel like I've rarely seen wait-staff wearing French cuffs, though I haven't been dining at exceptionally formal restaurants lately (see: student). I digress. The point I'm trying to make is that it can be hard to want to go out shopping as a butch (ish) identified lesbian because of the frequent questions and general lack of understanding.

I don't know if perhaps it's at all worth it, but I enjoy dressing well and receiving compliments on my outfits, shoes, and style, judgment be damned.

After all, closets are for clothes. Stylish, fabulous clothes.

Perhaps if the mood takes me I will include some of my favorite outfits and the budget required to achieve them (hint: not much).