I have always, ALWAYS been a tomboy, as much as I dislike that term. As a child, I was so much happier playing in the dirt and climbing trees than having a ‘makeover’. Even at a fancy dress event I’d be the guy character… Fred Flintstone, Superman, the tin man (you want photos don’t you..?) FINE. Basically, in everyday life, for most of my life, I’ve bought clothes either designed for boys, or in the androgynous style. I won’t get into the problematic ‘gendering’ of material right now, as that’s a whole other MOOD.
So, previously in my life, clothes choices were based with very little interest in ‘fashion’ or ‘style’, as I’d often just end up with dirt or art stuff on whatever I was wearing. I could probably pass as a skater kid once I was a teenager, but still, hardly stylish. Of course, I couldn’t get away with this once I was expected at more formal events… When I was at university I’d put a dress on for art openings or a night out, (much to other’s horror/delight) I’d walk into a shop and buy the first dress I saw, then throw a black cardigan on top. Job done! Only with flats, of course… Awkward lesbian in a dress. Check!
THEN I got into Instagram, where I started to find new (and follow my existing) queer idols. They looked SHARP. I decided that girls in suits are HOT. And if you don’t agree then you’re wrong. I’d acquired shirts and blazers from job interviews past, but I’d never had the idea to wear them outside of anything like that. Cue the irresistible dapper-femme in my life that is Lexy Foxley-Johnson. She appeared at my door one day to interview me at my studio. This girl could wear a TIE. And a waistcoat, and had a brogue collection to DIE FOR. Anyway, it didn’t take much persuading for her to take me under her wing. Soon we were scouring second hand shops and eBay for all the missing pieces. I found myself ENJOYING clothes shopping (whaaat?). ENJOYING accessorising… and enjoying making ensembles in my head about what to wear the next day (is this how all girls felt?!) and… I EVEN got excited about shoes. I know. Who am I?
Here are some of my favourite combos so far:
I have to say that I now have a very impressive pin-badge and tie collection. Even things you can’t always see like cuff links, tie clips and socks, it just feels bad-ass to wear them! If I have days where I don’t feel like going full-dapper, I can still sport some tweed, boots or elbow patches to make it more casual. I have wardrobes full now!
It wasn’t long before Lexy and I tried to out-do each other with our ensembles and finds. We’d go on dapper dates and tag our favourite Instagram accounts in our photos. Soon we got asked to be featured on Hi Femme! The response has been absolutely wonderful.
It’s fantastic that other people enjoy our style as much as we do!! We even made the Dapper Q top 100 list in 2019.
It’s so incredible to be listed alongside some of the people that have inspired us and become our friends in the process. I feel so much more confident now expressing myself through clothes than just throwing on any old thing! Hopefully we inspire others, too.
Rosie Rockets 