I smell gay.

… I swear I do. Which is why I am always shocked when I am mistaken for straight. Even if someone misses that distinctive ‘queer’ scent on me, I figure that my outfit will always be the giveaway… but apparently that is not always the case.

Though I do not necessarily categorize myself under any of the typical labels, most of my friends would call me “femme” meaning that I am comfortable in dresses/ skirts and seem more on the ‘girly’ ‘feminine’ side of the spectrum. While I do not completely disagree with this assessment, I would more accurately call myself a boho tomboy. I look to Jimi Hendrix, Patti Smith and those who prefer the nomadic lifestyle for inspiration.

I see the way I choose to dress as very different from what a typical heterosexual woman would wear. Somehow even when I ‘girl it up’ I’m still a little tougher, a little edgier, a little less traditionally feminine. I might wear a super sweet soft flowing dress, but it only looks right if I pair it with combat boots and tonnes of spikes. The newish phenomenon of ‘boyfriend jeans’ is right up my alley because I’ve been wearing men’s jeans… well men’s clothes in general, forever. I understand that I am read as ‘quirky’ or ‘different’ but outside of the LGBTQ community, rarely gay.

Historically LGBTQ people used physical signifiers/ fashion items to be able to identify one another, for example the subtle pinky rings, without ‘outing’ themselves to the heterosexual mainstream. With the growing acceptance of LGBTQ culture these signifiers have become less and less necessary. So the question is now, in the post-rainbow era, what makes a person “look” gay? While, I do recognize that for the most part no clear distinction between straight and non-straight individuals can necessarily be acknowledged, I have observed certain physical attributes or behaviors that have been tip-offs for me (all of which I exhibit myself).

  • A very specific swagger (in case you’re not familiar with swagger, think of the way that super good looking dude just walked into the room, clearly knowing how good looking he is)
  • Comfort with wearing items of clothing traditionally associated with the ‘opposite’ sex

dap

  • Mixing traditionally masculine and feminine items at the same time
  • Perfectly groomed eyebrows (regardless of gender)
  • Bandanas in the back jean pocket (aka flagging), to decipher what the color and location of the ‘flag’ means visit  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handkerchief_code

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  • A great sense of fashion, which others my identify as haute, edgy or quirky
  • You see them holding hands, kissing, making out with someone of the same gender

I realize that as it is with every rule, there are exceptions to this list. However, this list will definitely help you hone in on developing your gaydar!

pretty boy

 

 

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About the Author

Arts & lifestyle writer, wardrobe stylist and unicorn cee (@ceesando) is inspired by international travel, the ocean, runner's high, sashimi and that perfectly put together outfit.