Although fashion may not always be of primary importance when travelling to queer-friendly locations, certain pieces of clothing can be chosen specifically in order to increase one’s sense of visibility, safety, comfort, and belonging in that particular environment. Upon first arriving in a new town, people instantly size up the situation about attire, general attitude, nightlife, and the community’s visibility. Attire plays a crucial role in making that evaluation.
Travelers playing around with their gender identity, however, present this challenge on a more personal level. Thus, for example, wearing items such as a soft blouse, a cropped sweatshirt, a skirt, thigh-highs, nail polish, accessories, and makeup can be acceptable in some places but not in others. It is quite common for travelers to assemble a wardrobe that will allow them to adapt to a femboy fashion guide.
Before dressing for the city, it’s worth reading the city first
All cities are unique, just like their queer styles. In some urban areas, the queerness of style will be more evident, while in other locations, one will have to use more subtle codes, such as wearing a backpack, having nail polish or earrings, wearing baggy clothes, or having a certain hairstyle. All these signs will be immediately noted by queer travelers who will use them to formulate one very specific question: how can I express myself better?
The best approach to overcoming this problem is to wear layers. One must start by dressing rather conservatively, knowing that they can add to it later if needed. They could wear wide-legged pants or a tight-fitting shirt with a big shirt, which would work for a museum, a cafe, or even the train. Later, one must simply take off some item of clothing or put on an accessory.
What works in a suitcase
Your travel wardrobe needs to make sense, too. There should be room for three things: walking around, meeting people, and making yourself noticed, if you want to.
The formula for packing might go something like this:
- two comfortable days look,
- one versatile look for queer bars or parties,
- one eye-catching item that transforms your entire look,
- shoes that can handle days of walking,
- accessories that don’t take up much room,
and one layer to cover up in places where you need it.
It helps you keep the suitcase manageable. You’re not filling it up with clothing you could only use for one picture or one fantasy trip.
Fashion as a connection in the local environment
Queer tourists tend to discover a destination’s best aspects through fashion. The vintage stores, local designers, drag markets, Pride booths, local concept stores, and queer-friendly boutiques offer more character than the typical tourist shopping areas. Getting something from a local designer may turn into a souvenir of the experience.
Fashion also acts as a conversation starter. From one’s nails to one’s jacket or earrings, or even from one’s purse, all these can earn one recommendations to clubs, parties, or at least a nod of recognition. It is all these that matter when one travels alone or to an unknown place.
When to Be More Visible
Visibility matters, but context does, too. There will be those who are more liberal in nightlife zones than in residential ones. There will be cities that welcome tourists during Pride weeks but become less vocal afterward. There will be legal and social environments to enjoy, but others to avoid as well.
It does not mean avoiding visibility at all costs. Rather, it means knowing how to control one’s visibility level in different contexts. Thus, a queer tourist could put on a less striking outfit during the day and save their boldest look for nightclubs and queer bars. There is no fear involved. Only mindfulness.
The true value of queer travel fashion
Ultimately, there is nothing like the best travel wardrobe, which allows one to feel free and flexible when travelling. Ideally, such an outfit should be easy to move around, to dance, to go on public transport in, and even to make friends in. The ability to find such a wardrobe for LGBTQ+ tourists may be a bonus.
Travel fashion goes beyond mere aesthetics. Fashion turns out to be a very important means of understanding the place one travels to.
