A Boy at Sea

On A Fresh Start - The First Post of 2011

2011-01-02T20:32:00.000-08:00

Well, my dear fashionable friends, queers, followers and anyone else who has stumbled across this page, happy new year to you all!

It has been far too long since the last time I posted and there really is just no excuse - with the exception of being out of my mind busy with life and all of the madness that comes with it...

That being said, I have missed writing these posts. I have missed taking a moment to research a new trend or question concerning fashion. I have missed using this blog as a space to educate myself on the fashion world. And I have hoped that at the same time this blog is perhaps also aiding others who are searching for answers to their sartorial conundrums - especially when it comes to being a queer-bodied individual trying to make their style svelte and dapper.

And so I have returned, your Boy at Sea, with my first post of the new year. I cannot guarantee that I will be able to start writing again with much regularity, but I plan on trying. And if you continue to grant me your loyalty and check back on occasion chances are you'll find me here, leaving you with little tidbits of fashion musings from a genderqueer boy perpetually in search of making clothing work for the non-binary body (and anyone else who is curious!).

To start things off, I'll show you what I wore for my New Years Eve:

I have a tendency to stick to a more classic look for evenings such as New Years. Therefore I went with a fitted black button down (H&M), gray skinny slacks (H&M), black leather penny loafers (Merona), a silk silver skinny tie (gift from my brother, so I'm not sure where he found it), a vintage tie clip with some fantastic detailing (Sid Vintage in Northampton, MA) and my jacket for the evening was this Berlin double-breasted (DB) olive green jacket from Urban Outfitters. I completely fell in love with this jacket when I saw it. I include some more detailed pictures later on.

I appreciate an outfit like this on a night out like New Years - especially in Boston - because the lines and the colors are classic, and fool-proof. No matter where I ended up that evening (first it was dinner and then it was Machine and then it was 24hr diner) I was dressed appropriately and felt dapper as hell. Not to mention black is always a go to color if you want to hide your chest a bit more. And even if you don't, a precisely knotted tie and vintage tie clip draws the attention to your chest in the most positive manner.

So, with the new year brought in right, we proceed forward into January. And if you're a New Englander like this lad, than you know that while the past couple of days have been delightfully warm, it won't last and the next couple of months will be epically cold. However, I'm looking forward to it because it is always this time of year when I feel I have the most freedom to experiment with layers, colors, textures, and fabrics. The more the merrier in my opinion, just make sure you don't pile on so many layers that you lose your form.

Here are a couple of the new pieces I added to my wardrobe in the past few weeks. I am excited to bring all of these out during the most bitter days to keep my spirits up...

This is the Berlin jacket from Urban Outfitters. I love the details on the sleeves and the canvas material. Furthermore the hood can zip off and DB jackets are very in for this season. Also shown are three new ties: The silk silver skinny from NYE, a silk dark blue skinny with the fleur-de-lis pattern, and a vintage black and green striped silk uber skinny tie found at Sid Vintage. Here is a closer shot for detail (click to enlarge!):

Basically I'm stoked to layer under this jacket because while the jacket is small enough to keep my silhouette lean, there is enough room for me to put sweaters, hoodies, and flannel under it without feeling weighed down. It also looks great with dress slacks and jeans. Very versatile.

Winter is also always a great time to get creative with the use of scarves. A scarf is a fantastic way to help bring an outfit to life. It can add color to an otherwise dark ensemble, or can give a change of texture to the layering that helps pull it all together.

While most men's scarves tend to be darker colors, and basic knit, with most patterns being stripes or plaids, I think it is more fun to experiment with your scarves. Brighter colors, bolder patterns and textures I think make for an incredibly dapper addition to an outfit and if done correctly will leave you feeling masculine and fashion forward. This is my current scarf collection:

As you can see, I hardly stick to basic "masculine" scarves. There is silk, wool with a chunky knit, cotton, linen, tassels, patterns and lots of color. Some of these scarves are very long - like the yellow&black and the plaid on the far right - in which case when I throw it on, I tend to just keep looping it into itself, like a giant messy knot. If you do it without thinking about it too much it will fall perfectly. I especially like wearing those scares when I'm only wearing a thin t-shirt or long sleeved shirt. It makes the scarf the main point of the outfit. The blue knit scarf is very short and can be tucked completely around the neck without any excess hanging down, kind of like a cowl. The bright red patterend one at the top is a square and so when folded into a triangle can be knotted at the neck in that sort of hipster bib look.

GQ has a helpful link here to the most popular scarves this season as well as a couple different ways to knot them. Useful for sure, but I still say that a more interesting scarf is the difference between well-dressed and stylish.

It goes without saying that a scarf is another great way to draw attention away from areas you don't want noticed and instead put the focus on the color and the creative way you have chosen to tie it. Not to mention it's a scarf folks, it will keep your neck warm. Definitely necessary if you also live in a state where "frost bite warning" is something you hear with some frequency.

Alright my friends, I think this is where I call it a night and prepare for the work week. As always I have every intention of posting again soon - but it's not my fault if a brutal work schedule and epic social scene thwart my attempts! I will be back, I promise. I have missed you. We can discuss my current painful endeavor of how and where to buy men's winter boots when your foot is a size 6 in men's (not an easy task!).

So be well, warm and as always, keep them guessing

Yours,

A Boy at Sea

On Too Many Words...But Just So Much To Say!

2010-09-21T20:44:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon my fashionable friends!

As usual I have fallen short of my not-so-unreasonable goal to post once a week - but I swear my dear readers, I think about you daily and have been keeping a running list of all the topics I have in mind for future posts. So fear not, there is a great deal I have to say about what to wear, how to wear it, and where to find it for all of the female-bodied male-presenting people out there. Seriously though folks, I spend way too much time thinking about fashion.

Alright, let's get right into the exciting things, shall we?

1. New camera! Very very exciting, and honestly this is why I have been absent from the warm glow of the interwebs - because setting up makeshift photo shoots and wandering around Boston taking pictures of EVERYTHING is just so. much. better. Don't get me wrong internet, I'm here, I'm back, I still love you.

That being said, let's get right into pictures of some of my fall outfits that I am not only feeling incredibly comfortable in, but also pretty fashion-forward...

(Click to enlarge because there is more to this picture!)

An extra large close up of the Ralph Lauren Rugby tweed vest and vintage tie I thrifted from Buffalo Exchange in Davis Square and Oona's in Harvard Square. I really wanted you to see the detail in these two pieces because the tie is just fantastic, and as it turns out, heavier rakish tweed vests are very in this season. Which is also beneficial to us queers because these are the types of vests you can wear out for a casual weekend or dressed up with a tie to the office and it provides an extra layer while still cutting a masculine form.

Here is the same vest in an outfit...

Now, I was definitely going for a "look" with this picture. I added my "newsboy" cap, black Michael Kors sport coat, and used a vintage knit tie as a loose quirky scarf. Taken together, the whole thing might be a bit over the top for just a day out or a day at the office.

However, 1. I am a bit over the top and 2. The main idea to take away from this outfit is that the vest does a fantastic job of hiding my chest, even though I only threw it on over a gray tee. Furthermore, the sport coat adds an element of formality to an otherwise rough look. I wore this for the rest of the day, out and about in the city, and I felt confident in the masculine image I cut, but also dapper and unique.

The other amazing find I had that same day when I was thrifting, was also at Buffalo Exchange and was also by Ralph Lauren Rugby. A hunter green, wool shawl-collar sweater. Please, allow me to provide you with a better picture of such a find!

I am completely in love with this sweater for a number of reasons. For starters, the shawl-collar is making a comeback on a lot of runways this year in mens fashion, as are sweaters that are a bit bulkier but still give a fit silhouette.

Secondly, and obviously a factor I am hyper-aware of, is that whether I pull it on over a tee, or a button down, my chest appears flat. The sweater is heavy enough to provide me with some added bulk to hide, but is not so huge that it completely overpowers me or the rest of my outfit.

Lastly, as you can see in the top picture, I also wrapped a thrifted colorful pattered scarf around my neck and tucked it into the collar. In my opinion this not only helps draw the eye up away from the chest and instead to the pop of color at the neck, but also hides the lack of an adam's apple. (I obviously don't know what gets your goat when you're walking down the street, but I am always attune to people staring first at my chest, and then at my neck as they try to figure me out. I've picked up certain tricks to help me out.)

2. My go-to fashion guide (duh) GQ has a pretty fantastic rundown of this Fall's style trends which I recommend you all take a gander at here. While GQ clearly gears their advice/images at cis-gendered men I enjoy frequenting their site and have a subscription to their magazine because I feel as though their current, classic, dapper, and ahead-of-the-curve take on men's fashion can be applied liberally to the queer community.

I find the words of GQ often coming back to me when I am in a store attempting to find a dress shirt that fits, or a fabric that is not only masculine and fashionable but also beneficial to my form. So if my endorsement of GQ is overwhelming, don't fret, I am still very much aware of how unfortuntately and strictly gendered this magazine is. I am however, finding ways to make today's gendered fashion work to my needs.

You read: Camel is in this season as a color?

I say: Fantastic, I can make that work.

Heavy lace-up boots are super trendy?

Great, because they give a small foot more weight.

Layering with vests and sport coats and chunky sweaters and scarves is what every well-dressed man will be wearing this year??

Well brilliant, because Dear GQ, you have no idea how perfectly that works for me!

Just a couple looks I appreciated (thanks GQ):

(C.P. Company and John Varvatos)

The point being, in trying to find ways to break fashion binaries, we must use what we are given to our advantage. Alright, onwards with the exciting things!

3. Did you know that Boston has a Fashion Week?! Because I was unaware. Shame on me. Well Boston Fashion Week is upon us and you should definitely check out the website for a listing of all the events that will be taking place...click! Some of the events are pricey, some are free and look fantastic! I am planning on trying to attend some and if nothing else I figure hanging out near these events will certainly provide me with wonderfully fashionable people of whom I can practice street-shooting on.

4. LookBook! My dear folks, I have posted my first look on LookBook.nu and therefore you should all go check out my look and my profile! If you have an account than you should DEFINITELY hype my look. If not, than check out the site anyways, it's pretty interesting. As I put more looks together and hopefully get more people to hype I will also start posting those looks here as well - more exposure never hurt anyone, I mean right?

Alright, that is obviously enough information for one post. And so with that I shall leave you, but hopefully for not nearly as long this time. I am anticipating some epic fall fashion coming out of my closet this year and I am hoping to get you guys just as excited as I am. So, people, duh. Stay tuned.

Keep them guessing (in camel color no less)

Yours,

BaS

On The First Fall Post

2010-08-31T10:51:00.000-07:00

Good day my fashionable readers! Let me begin by painting a picture for you...

Teal men's skinny jeans from H&M (I've mentioned them numerous times), charcoal gray button down from H&M, brown/black/yellow diagonally striped vintage skinny tie, and gray Converse. Business casual with a flair I would call it. It is a Wednesday, I am excited to leave the apartment in this outfit, ready to take on the grueling and often times very un-stylish world of immunology...

Now let me paint another picture...It is Boston, Massachusetts in the end of August, and as with any respectable New England state, a change of seasons will not come easily. It is pouring. Pouring. Alright, well I'm the Boy at Sea! A little rain can't dampen my sartorial spirits! Fabulous white rain slicker (from TopMan London) on and let's do this! Skip ahead thirty minutes to my arrival at my lab. Completely soaked. I have to strip down to just my jeans and the white tee I'm wearing so that everything else can attempt to dry while hanging over the backs of various chairs.

Alas, even the best laid plans of fashion and queers cannot stay dry against the fickle weather of Boston. So, when I began writing this post I was in my lab (it was a quiet morning folks! Do not think I was neglecting serious science!), sitting at my desk, in the bare minimum trying to not only maintain my core body temperature but also thinking about many exciting things concerning fashion - despite my very damp appearance I was not going to let a little pre-fall rain dampen my excitement for just that - FALL.

People, seriously, I cannot emphasize this enough: Autumn is fast approaching and as any good gender-bender knows, that means layers, and layers mean being able to better hide what you want hidden, it also means opportunities for even greater and bolder styles (in my opinion). Layers mean the chance to pair button downs with various styles of jeans, and brightly colored ties tucked in military-style between the third and fourth buttons, and you can add a hoodie and a fitted leather jacket, and perhaps also a hat or a scarf or a...okay, I'm getting carried away, but you understand my point.

The options become greater, more nuanced, leaving you more room to experiment with a few pieces that otherwise might not be worn together. That is when fashion becomes really interesting. And while the approach of fall does also mean the inevitable approach of Massachusetts winter, I think we can all agree that layering is next to godliness and we, as people living outside the gender binary, often have to preform fashion miracles everyday.

Well my dear readers, that being said, I have already started to pull thin brightly colored sweaters over tees and I have brought out my scarf collection and wait with baited breath until the temperature drops.

Get excited.

And I suppose this post was really meant to be my preliminary fall post just to make sure you are all getting in the mood for a lovely New England autumn and everything that comes with it.

That being said I realize this has been all words and no pictures and there is a good chance that by now you have become bored of my ramblings and returned to more important matters. If I still have your attention though, lucky you! Here's a fun picture of me in that H&M beige striped sport coat:

Now, I was in this particular outfit for a friends party with the theme of "as gay as possible", so there are aspects of this outfit that I wouldn't necessarily recommend on a day to day basis.

For instance, the sleeves of the white botton down I'm wearing (monochromatic paisley from H&M) are too long for me and I decided to just fold them over the cuffs of the jacket once. It worked for this party where I was trying to be a bit more outrageous, however, I recommend instead that you just find a shirt that fits, or get it tailored.

The cuffs on your button downs should fall at the break of your wrist.

Missing from this picture was the black and gold tasseled vintage ascot that I was wearing tucked into the button down. That was overkill, but again, worked with the over-the-top look I was going for. But the ascot with the purple silk pocket square, unnecessary, so just choose one my dears. In this case, I would say the pocket square works to give the outfit a little flair but still keep it within the realm of "dapper". Lastly, that jacket fits me almost perfectly - no tailor necessary. Thank you H&M for being awesome.

A couple other points of interest before I leave you in peace...

1. I have become increasingly fascinated lately with the ways in which the strict purpose of the tie and the bow tie have altered. The tie is no longer just a formal addition to a business outfit. It is not longer only meant for dressy occasions and the bow tie is no longer relegated to the the likes of chemistry professors and old men. We are seeing neckties and bow ties everywhere now, on everyone, in every occasion. They can be hip, classic, vintage, and dapper. They can be seen in bold masculine colors and patterns or light pastel shades with a bicycle print. They are being worn to the office, on the weekends, tied askew, tucked in, or thrown on as an after thought. It is brilliant, edgy, and the perfect accessory for any queer. If nothing else my endorsement this fall goes to ties and bow ties. This particular look that I came across on GQ, I found particularly invigorating:

Credit due

I plan on writing a much more thorough post on neck wear in the near future, so stay tuned. But in the mean time to get you started, I stumbled across this website while I was (again) perusing GQ - so thank you GQ online. And again just to be clear where I spend my time. The site is called The Tie Bar and as the name suggests it has a wonderful variety of ties, bow ties, ascots, cuff links, tie bars and more all of which are offered at awesomely reasonable prices. FYI: All of their ties are $15, trust me, that's a great deal on ties this nice. So, check it out and begin compiling your wish list of dandy accessories that you can ask for when your birthday rolls around.

http://www.thetiebar.com/index.asp

2. I was very recently given an absolutely gorgeous digital SLR camera by my dad (this is your first shout out Dad, thank you!). Therefore my fine folks, you now can look forward to even more of my own pictures of outfits that I put together. And hopefully all in better quality than what I was offering you previously with my little tiny old school digital.

My plan is to have some new pictures and new outfits ready to go for you the next time I post. So, if you found yourself questioning why you're still reading this time around, JUST WAIT MY FASHIONABLE FRIENDS! I will return again soon with pretty pictures, classy outfits and more thoughts on how to make male fashion work for the female-bodied genderqueer.

Until then....

Keep them guessing,

BaS

On Finding Your Go-To Piece of Sartorial Sexiness

2010-08-14T13:18:00.000-07:00

Oh my stylish friends, hello! I hope I find you all in high fashion spirits and that the brutally humid months of Boston that have been dragging on are not plaguing your sartorial pursuits too deeply. The last time we spoke I was mentioning just how evil Massachusetts summers can be to the genderqueer who is attempting to present not only comfortably but also weather-appropriately. Evil indeed my dear readers, evil indeed. And because I am a poor little 9 to 5 working boy, I have been unable to seriously scour for good summer looks that wont break the bank, will look fantastic, and will also somehow keep you cool. So unfortunately folks, I still don't have the answer for you. Luckily August is moving along and soon enough the fall months will be upon us and I love fall fashion so unspeakably much that it will be sure to be a blog-worthy season for us all. Get excited.

In the meantime, some thoughts from the mind of your Boy at Sea...

I invested in a couple Hanes men's black T-shirts. Simple. I purchased smalls, and I would later learn that Hanes runs small, so perhaps a medium would have been just fine. However, I have decided to embrace these T-shirts and their tightness because the color does a pretty impressive job of hiding my chest and I can pair it with any pair of cut-off jean shorts, or my rust colored shorts from Urban Outfitters and the whole outfit looks casual but put together; easy going, but gives a cut silhouette. ALSO I wore one of these tees with my teal-blue H&M skinny jeans and my gray Converse the other night out and I received quite a few compliments on the look. So, I would highly recommend that investment, especially in these last dregs of summer. It lets you cut back on the layers, stay a bit cooler, and still look svelte, not sloppy.

And while we're on the topic of fantastic purchases, oh goodness did I stumble across some brilliant pieces these past couple of weeks...

1. My two-tone beige striped sport coat from H&M with skinny peaked lapels and two buttons. The stripes are very thin, and even, but not pinstripe (I spent a solid two hours hunting the interwebs for patterns and their names so that I would be able to give you an exact description of this jacket - but to no avail...apparently no one has developed an online library of fabric patterns yet. If you know of one, tell me please!) The point is, the pattern and the colors are simple and light and made this jacket a wonderful choice for a garden party I was attending.

The size is EUR46 which tends to be my go-to size at H&M. Sometimes I'll choose a 44 depending on the cut of the coat, but the 46 usually fits my shoulders snugly and I can still button it. The sleeves are a fraction of an inch too long, but until I find my Boston tailor or teach myself, these sleeves are doable, and actually look quite charming when pushed up to the elbow.

It does not look nearly as dapper when hanging, and there is a great picture somewhere that I will try to find of me wearing this jacket during said garden party. That particular weekend was brutally humid and so I paired it with a light purple cotton button down, my jean cut-offs, Converse (I would have preferred boat shoes but I currently need a new pair!) and to pull it all together I added the most gorgeous vintage tie EVER that I will discuss in point 2...

Here is a detail shot of the jacket, I love the detail that H&M puts into their men's evening and business wear. Lastly, this coat was originally seventy dollars and I just waited a couple weeks until it was on sale for half off. Trust me, it is still very much in style, and I plan on getting a great deal of use out of it. The point is, your nicest clothes don't have to involve soul-bartering with the Devil, just be patient and keep hunting.

2. The Tie. Capital T, capital T. This tie is so stunningly classic and yet completely innovative that I find myself just marveling at it as it hangs from my tie rack. It was found in a vintage clothing store (somewhere in Mass I believe) by my dear friend JP. And if you remember from an older post this is the same JP that gifted me with my other favorite vintage skinny tie - the amazing brown/gold/yellow striped tie here. So basically JP wins the award for Best-Vintage-Tie-Finder-Ever. The current tie in question is a vintage Schiaparelli embroidered cotton black skinny tie:

Elsa Schiaparelli was an Italian fashion designer in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. She was a rival to Coco Chanel and was a huge figure in fashion during her time. She did a great deal of work in knitwear, and largely women's clothing, but as I found out, did design some men's neckties (thanks Wikipedia). And now I own one. BaS win. (Credit credit where credit is due.)

Even this Boy at Sea can appreciate fine women's fashion like that.

The tie is delicate and yet sturdy, requires a collar that can hold it up, but the delicate knit of the material turns it into something that is so much more than just a black skinny tie. I was giddy to pair it with the light purple button down and the sport coat above. We all know how much I adore a bold combination of patterns, and this was just that. The black tie was subtle enough to not be loud against the jacket, but still noticeable enough to draw the eye.

I suppose the real point behind this post, my dear queers, is to simply say:

There is a limitless sea of dapper, classy, vintage, hip, sexy, feel-good-about-how-you-look-in-your-clothes clothes out there. I am floating there now, quite helpless against its pull, but completely hopeful of what it has to offer, in that sea of fashion; and while it is not always friendly to the queer body, I am excited about the ways in which we can make it work for us. Start by finding just one piece - a shirt, a jacket, a pair of pants, or wing tips, or maybe even that perfect vintage tie - and wear it out, rock it out. Look in the mirror and know how good you look, how right it feels, and how now is an amazing time for those of us all over the gender spectrum to take back fashion. Break it free of its binary constrictions and let the world see it on us - a perfect fit, a perfect cut, a perfect gender however we decide.

More thoughts and dashing looks soon, my friends. Until then...

Keep them guessing,

Your Boy at Sea

On Being Royally GenderFucked

2010-07-08T18:45:00.000-07:00

My dear delicious followers. I have done it again. Gone and disappeared for over a month, leaving you here, doubtfully completely alone, but surely with a giant Boy at Sea-shaped hole in your hearts. And for that, I am truly sorry. Quick! Here's something pretty! Absolutely lovely loafers from Yuketen. Want want want. But seriously my loves, I'm not trying to avoid the topic at hand - the fact that I have been absent for over a month! Shame. And to think the last time we spoke I said I was going to try and be more present in this relationship. "Try" being the key word. I did try. BUT I also got wildly caught up in life and fashion and being RIDICULOUSLY queer and summer in Massachusetts, summer in Boston no less. Which brings me to the point of why I finally could no longer contain myself and just KNEW that I needed to give you all a little fashion morsel from the mind of a very HOT, SWEATY, and CRANKY genderfuck living in the city during the summer...

And so, the following thought crossed my mind the other day, and it was this:
Being a genderfuck in the summer really just means being gender fucked in the summer. I remember talking with some fellow gender-benders during the spring about the misery and woe of attempting to dress comfortably for your gender presentation during the hot and OH SO HUMID summer months of Massachusetts. At the time, I simply said: "Linens! Layer with white v-neck tees, linen button downs and make some sweet jean cut-off shorts! You'll be fine!"
Well, this past week, when the humidity pushed temperatures into the high 90s and I was trekking to and from work, and trying to enjoy my weekends and it didn't matter what I was wearing, or how perfectly my hair was done, it would all be sweated out 2 blocks down the street...It was around then, and after a couple more conversations of agreement with various other genderfucks that we all realized we were just plain fucked in the summer. And don't even get me started if you also bind. I can't even, uh, I just, I can't even discuss it right now. The point is this: These brutal summer months are just not conducive to those of us who are female-bodied, presenting masculine and trying to be masters of our sartorial fates.

Therefore I plan on doing some serious reconnaissance work in the next couple of weeks and doing a major overhaul update to my wardrobe in search of items that are hopefully a little more...hm...shall we say "useful" to the well-dressed genderfuck about town. I don't know how successful my search is going to be, but I will surely keep you informed if I find any true gems. In the meantime I suggest keeping cool with lots of V-neck tees, preferably in dark colors (they keep the chest pretty well hidden, unfortunately they are dark and sun absorbing), and light fabric shorts, boat shoes always help, and I still support linen button-downs to add an extra layer...speaking of, I found a killer white linen, monochromatic gingham, short-sleeved button-down at H&M recently. Does the trick quite nicely.

...SO until I design my own clothing line specifically tailored for queer bodied people in need of stylish clothes that fit CORRECTLY and are perfect for all seasons, than we shall have to trudge on and find what we can. Onward my favorite fashionable friends! Alright, I have to keep this post short...sort of...so I'll now just proceed to pictures!

1. I promised I would provide shots of the shoes by Gant that I found at a thrift store, ALONG WITH, these AMAZING and LEGIT Ray-Bans that my uncle gave me. He got them in 1951 and I am swooning. Gush!2. And my unfortunate wardrobe (a small piece of it!) with all of my winter colors because I have been poor and the current summer choices have been less than appealing! Boo. 3. And lastly, just to keep all you trendy queers satisfied....It was recently European Fashion Week and I was obviously following it via GQ and other fashion sites. There were some pieces that just left me drop-jawed and absolutely mesmerized. I'll include a couple of my favorite shots taken on the streets by the amazing photographer Tommy Ton...enjoy. I know I did...Love this look. All variations of blue, patterns and texture combination. Super sexy. Super well organized.
This is a great shot not only because of the awesome Ray-Bans (!) but just look at the brown polka dot tie paired with the brown stripes of that shirt which looks to have a half spread collar. Elegant - and the pocket square just to bring it together!
I would not normally recommend a tie that matches the shirt you're wearing, especially when it is such a bold pattern, but damn if this look doesn't work SUPER well. That jacket is pretty epic too. Bravo anonymous sir. Details! Look at all the lovely details! Those pants with the denim shirt, sleeves rolled once, absolutely PERFECT accessories on the arm, a watch that I would kill for, SUSPENDERS no less with what looks like a simple pattern and, I do believe, a green and dark blue KNIT TIE. I want it. Get it on me. Lastly, I am SO. STOKED. that brightly colored pants are so in this year. Makes my heart happy. That color in the middle, paired with a sexy gray sport coat with black piping I saw on Justin Bieber (shut it, you know you harbor a secret massive crush too) and I would be the talk of the town. One day my favorites, one day.

Alright my darling queers, one more little tidbit and I'll be off. LookBook. Check it out and get to swooning over the wonderfully fashionable and delicious people all over the world. Perhaps you can find some styles worth trying out during these brutal summer months. I'll discuss some of my favorites in upcoming posts....

http://lookbook.nu/

Well my dears, I must be off, science waits for no queer. Especially not the fashion forward ones. So, stay cool, keep those lovely queer heads up and I'll report back soon with thoughts and ideas on how to look our best and stay our sexiest during the genderfucked months of summer.

Keep them guessing,
your BaS

On A Few Of My Favorite Things

2010-05-31T20:01:00.001-07:00

Oh my fantastic followers! Shame shame shame on me for leaving you hanging for oh. so. long. And I could take precious time here apologizing, to you, my favorite trendy queers. Explaining how busy I have been, how the cruel and fascinating day job of science keeps your Boy at Sea mightily occupied, and how night after night I am in high demand at this social function and that raucous evening (a BaS must play, mustn't they?)...But no! I will simply say, that I will try to be more present in this relationship...and now, onto the fashion! Surely you can forgive this face and this outfit...FYI folks, black skinny jeans (Target), paisley monochromatic white button down (H&M) and burgundy slim suspenders (courtesy of my lovely roommate's closet). It was a look, but a fabulous one, an attention-getting one, and just the right amount of casual and dapper. Cheers.

Alright you trend monsters, my plan for tonight's post was to finish up my discussion of L.A fashion and then move right along to some of the latest fashions I have been seeing and trying out here in Boston as the warmer months have been upon us. So on with it.

When last I left you I promised I would finish talking about the AMAZING vintage stores that I visited when I was out and about in various parts of L.A. So my goal was to find 3 stores that had been talked about in a GQ article that I had read that talked about the 25 greatest vintage stores in the U.S...and these 3 were near each other in L.A. So, staying true to my overpowering desire to look at everything beautiful and vintage and classy and dapper and gendered and not gendered, I hunted down Chuck's Vintage, Mister Freedom, and American Rag...

1. Chuck's Vintage:
Had closed down. Fail Chuck's, fail. Still, the store front looked lovely and vintage-y, of course, that was probably because it was shut down and bedraggled. Shrug.
2. Mister Freedom:
This store, was BY FAR the most SPECTACULAR store of SARTORIAL WONDERS I have ever had the pleasure of perusing. This gem is owned by a French guy (from what I understand) who is just completely in love with American fashion and culture and so has spent years collecting priceless pieces of classic American dress and displaying it here, in this brilliant half warehouse, half barn store type place. He also makes his own clothing to add to the collection...When you first walk in, you can hear him up in the loft working steadily away on a sewing machine. Honestly, that is the only sound. No one comes to address you, or ask if you need help, or what you might be looking for. Nope, he is above you, hidden away, with only the soft speedy whirring of the sewing machine to keep you company as you begin to move slowly through this stunning sea of fashion. We're talking old metal lockers stuffed with vintage Letterman jackets of all varieties and......you turn a corner and there is a leather jacket from the 40's, just chilling, hanging there, perfect and smelling like it did when it was first made. And everywhere there were shelves of boots and shoes, racks of shirts and pants, ties, hats, blankets, canteens, scarves, suspenders. Pieces of clothing that were ages old and still mint. Colors and fabrics that were just superb, and largely all men's clothing interestingly enough. Worked for me! Also, came across a jacket made out of Japanese silk...made in Japan...in the 1800s. I think that was about the time I blacked out and came to in my own personal fashionista heaven. Also this:A pair of men's shoes in handmade Italian leather. I felt as though I was in a museum and probably shouldn't touch anything....touch anything?! Are you freaking kidding me! I wanted to wrap myself in the leather that shoe was made in and bury myself under six feet of the cloth that most of the shirts in that place were made out of it! Damn.
The facade of Mister Freedom was also equally amazing. My friend and I drove right past it because the sign was so small and the rest was so random:But hold the presses to those of you who were just running out the door and hopping on the next flight to L.A...Not a single thing in Mister Freedom was cheaper than $90. So, to you lucky rich trendy bastards, go for it! Buy it all, and then bring it home to me, and I will become your best friend and favorite queer. And to you unlucky poor trendy bastards (like this dood right here) just put it on your list of places to visit sometime in your life. It was an honor - honestly I'm that much of a fashion nerd - just to be in that store. Just to smell those smells, and see those clothes. Truly one of a kind.

3. American Rag:
This place, while equally delightful to your Boy at Sea, was a part regular hip, trendy clothing store, a part vintage rag, and a part strictly for denim.The back of the store had a wide selection of well worn, well-loved vintage T shirts at reasonable prices that were all charming. The tie/ascot/bow tie selection was also incredibly admirable and I was hard pressed not to leave that store with all of them in my hands. I did however, end up finding and buying my messenger bag that I have been on the hunt for, for quite some time. Seriously, if you had hung out with this little queer at all in the past year, it was a life issue for me that I hadn't found one I liked. But American Rag gave to me a wonderful vintage black canvas messenger bag. Simple in its design - a non-adjustable strap that just happened to hang perfectly a little below the small of my back, one large pocket that can fit my computer (if necessary). But mainly is perfect for a cellular piece, wallet, keys, and at least 4 options of eye wear (2 fake Ray Bans mentioned in my last post, 1 pair aviators, and 1 pair reading glasses - your Boy at Sea's eyes are always prepared for all weather conditions). Needless to say the bag has some faded areas and worn seams, fabulous brass buckles and nothing more. In this case, less is SO much more. It wasn't until after I made my purchase and was having some flirts with the adorable and super hipster boy working at the counter that he told me about the ENTIRE BACK HALF of the store that I had totally overlooked and was dedicated completely to denim - all washes, cuts, fades, and styles you could possibly imagine...and then some. Reference the above picture for a taste. And here's the front of American Rag - your BaS recommends very highly that you go here and make some purchases. The employees are delicious, and the clothes are to die for. Heard. Alright my loyal lovers of queeriosity (new word to coin?!) and female-bodied male-presenting fashion, I think I am going to have to end my L.A discussions now, this is becoming excessive. To sum it all up: GO THERE. See the sights, feel famous, and frequent these stores. Hold old leather, smell shoes, and brush a real silk ascot across your face, then go down the street and be catered to by trendy, alternative, and super attractive people and perhaps buy some acid wash skinny cut offs and a vintage T, along with a bow tie and a vest to top it all off. Then walk outside and just have a day of vanity. You'll feel free of all stress, at least for a wonderful moment. I promise.

I was going to now include some pictures of some other outfits I have worn recently that have really left me feeling fabulous and boss all day long, but I realized that I have also included quite a few pictures here and perhaps instead should just let these pictures and words marinate for a moment. Take in the sartorial brilliance that is L.A's fashion scene, and next time we talk I'll be sure to post the numerous pictures I have of myself in various outfits (I swear it's a healthy amount of vanity). I also need to do a major post on updating one's wardrobe for the humid months of Massachusetts summer. So I will get right on that! I have lots of thoughts and ideas and little tidbits that are making me super giddy. So, just wait I tell you! (In the meantime, here's a little sumthin sumthin to hold you over until dinner....)
This is one of my new favorite styles for the summer months: black skinnies, fitted white V-neck T-shirt and my Micheal Kors black suit coat over it. Super simple, clean, and does not leave you over heated. It gives you an updated classy look that still allows you to have male lines and hide whatever you may want hidden. Also, just found out, it's great to dance in. So there's that.

Two last points of interest remain before I sign off for the evening.

1. I went to Provincetown this past Memorial Weekend for a little vaca from Boston and to well, you know, be around as many crazy sexy queers as possible. Check. HOWEVER I was wildly disappointed with the fashion statements that were being made...mainly because...there were none! Pretty much all popped collars and polo shirts, baggy cargo shorts, and night out apparel that included the same outfits, plus a hoodie or a hat here and there. And obviously plaid. Well so be it, the faces, the dance moves and the flirting made up adequately for the lack of sartorial stunners I could admire. With the exception of one. For sure there were maybe a handful of people who caught my fashion-eye, but there was one in particular whose outfit I actually remember completely: classic fitting shorts of a dark navy color I believe, with a killer (not over-kill) fish print on them (kind of perfect if you consider you're on the Cape), a clean white V-neck T, and a great powder blue blazer with skinny lapels. Now, I know that you're saying "come on Boy at Sea! Obviously that is the only outfit that struck you, that's the dapper look you're always after! Give it a rest!" But hear me out, please my dears! While that is a look I tend to be drawn towards myself, I think this one stood out in particular because everything on this person fit so well! That is such a plus. And the colors were a great choice, and the use of patters, we know how I love a good pattern. It was a great outfit, and cheers to the person rocking it.

2. I stumbled across this Mika video that I had never seen before. I know that not everyone is a Mika fan (perhaps it's hard to get into that falsetto) but I think he is fantastic and not only his music and his Freddy Mercury-esque voice, but also his entire style, look, presentation and theatricality. So here, enjoy, just take note of the wonderful blend of gender and fashion and lyrics and HIS GORGEOUS OUTFIT I WILL WEAR THAT SOMEDAY BY GOLLYlovelovelovelove. Hmm, yes, clearly I'm reaching that point in the night when it's time to just say good night my fellow friends of everything gay and fashionable, and I will speak with you all soon. Promise.

Sleep well, and stay classic and queer my friends

-BaS

On Disappearing for a Beat and Returning Even More Enamored

2010-05-08T12:12:00.000-07:00

Well good afternoon my fellow friends of fashion! Your Boy at Sea has returned after my long absence and with OH. SO. MUCH. to share!

An amazing trip to Los Angeles that resulted in new thoughts, new sartorial observations, and lots of new pictures, followed as well by a step towards new and more bold outfit choices for the mean streets of Boston that I have begun to document daily.I have so many new thoughts and pictures and ideas and comments to share with you all that I do believe this is going to extend from one post into many. So, as always, I bid you stay tuned because there will be lots to come.To begin with, I would like to open this post with a quote I came across a while back from London artist and man of fashionable intensity Sebastian Horsley:

"It is better to go to Hell well tailored, than to Heaven in rags."

I couldn't agree more Mr. Horsley. And in fact I think I have begun to agree too much. Perhaps there is something to be said here about living a life free of material things, a life of love and family and friends and goodness and repentance and a guarantee of pearly gates, but hold on... Do you not know your Boy at Sea at all?! This little atheist queer doesn't have time for Heaven and Hell. There are far too many people to meet, friends to love, family to cherish, and suits to search for. So I say, yes, if there is a Hell, and if I am heading there anyways because of my life of sinful non-normativity, than I damn sure I want to be going there in Ralph Lauren Black Label
Alright. I'm not here to discuss Heaven and Hell. I'm here to talk about clothes and styles and trends and the amazing dimensions that female-bodied people are bringing to the man's wardrobe. So, onto L.A.

I will tell you right now my fabulous followers, L.A. is huge and so I only just scratched the surface of what it had to offer, but I will tell you I was delightfully surprised by how much I liked it there!
As for the fashion I think I was expecting everyone to be in shorts and loose billowy button downs with small dogs walking about in the scorching sun perfecting their already perfect tans. I was incorrect. For the most part.To begin with the weather there - a breezy 70 during the day and a clear crisp 55 at night - is wonderfully conducive to wearing layers and that was exactly what I saw! In fact people often seemed a bit overdressed with jackets and sweaters and scarves during the middle of the day. But I found that it actually worked out quite wonderfully for me because I was able to wear skinny jeans or jean cutoff shorts (just take your skinny jeans and hack 'em off to just a smidgen above the knee and fold once and you have the latest summer look, my queers and bois) along with a button down, and a pullover sweater with a deep V-neck, perhaps even throw on a simple scarf or a hat and the look was complete but I never felt overwhelmed or overheated.
In the day I could pull off the sweater and as soon as it got cooler I had the layers I needed to keep warm. Not to mention (obviously) the extra layering did wonders for covering my chest and making me feel comfortable but not bulky. A little something like this:Only for this particular outfit I tossed in a cream-colored knit tie and was wearing a short-sleeve button down with a button collar (the button collar helps provide more stability to hold up the knit tie which can be a bit heavier and make the neck of the shirt sag). The shirt is a little too tight on me when it comes to hiding my chest, but with the sweater on over it provided the extra coverage I needed but I never got too warm. Perfect.

Oh me, oh my! My dear queer folk, I am already realizing how much space my thoughts are taking up and I certainly don't want to keep you up too late or distract you from your busy work hours, so I will try to wrap this post up shortly and promise promise promise to bring you the rest of my thoughts sooner rather than later.
A couple final points:

1. The thrifting in L.A. was amazing...like fan-fucking-tastic. At Thank You Mart (where everything, and they mean EVERYTHING is just $3.99 http://www.thankyoumart.com/) I found 2 amazing vintage youth baseball shirts (always priceless when they have funny sponsor names etc) as well as 2 pairs of imitation Ray-Ban sunglasses, which are super trendy right now and I found mine with awesome detailing and for yes, that's right. $3.99. Get with it!2. I also came across a Buffalo Exchange in the same area http://www.buffaloexchange.com/. Now, my dearest friends of sartorial decadence, if you are hip to my jive, than you know that there is also a Buffalo Exchange here in Boston! Right in Davis Sq. actually, and I do hope you frequent it.
But it was wonderful to check it out in L.A and see what the people in that area were turning in for and turning up. I did indeed find some gems. The black V-neck sweater I mentioned earlier I found there. It has a wonderful stripe pattern on the inside of the hood and a second sleeve inside that comes just a bit above the wrist (with the same stripes) so that you can fold back the sleeves together or individually and create a unique look each time. Furthermore, and perhaps the reason I bought it (aside from the fact that it fit super swell and hid what I wanted it to hide) was that on the lapel of the sweater, there was a very small brooch, clearly pinned on and left by the last owner. It is a silver and black gem studded leopard. So strange!! And soooo wonderful! It makes this piece genuinely unique, used, vintage, a bit femmy, and surprisingly studly in my opinion.
I also found there a killer pair of sneakers that look as though they were only worn once! They are men's shoes and in my size no doubt! A true treasure. The shoes are by Gant, a Swiss clothing brand, that is described as traditionally American with European flair. I do love the European flair! (http://www.gant.com/www/northset.html) Now, I didn't have a chance to take a picture of the shoes, but they will show up in a later post, so keep those peepers peeled. My friend described them as a combination of a bowling shoe, a dress shoe, and a boat shoe. And I would have to agree. They are two-tone tan with some sexy details. I am quite smitten with them.

3. The vintage shopping in L.A. is quite different than the thrifting. Grossly more expensive, but the clothes were TO DIE FOR. I do not recommend visiting these stores with the intention of buying (unless you have your first-born or a mortgage on hand) but I DO DO DO recommend going to browse and take in all of the sartorial glamour and bask in the warm welcoming rays of the fine craftsmenship, the most dapper and dandy looks, and clothing that has it's own personality.

HOWEVER, you needy needy queers, you will have to WAIT to hear about those castles of couture because I am TIRED and this post is far too long! So, please, as always, I beg of you to return for the next installment from your Boy at Sea. In fact, I can entice you with a guarentee of pictures from all of the vintage stores I visited. As well as a promise that I am going to start documenting some of my own collaborations of clothes and begin to give you a better feel of exactly what the Boy at Sea leaves the house looking like each morning. Don't lie, you're intrigued.

Well then, you have no choice but to come again. And in the mean time, here's something wonderful and lovely and perfect and ooooh, boy, yup....Some samples (of various seasons) from Junya Watanabe, a Japanese designer who I think I'm falling a bit in love with. My new swoon-worthy fixation.

Good night and sweet dreams friends, stay queer, stay classic...
BaS

On the Exciting Things

2010-04-22T22:26:00.000-07:00

Hello! Oh! My favorite companions, that you stick by me at all during my extended absences will forever be a wonder....it's my charm right? My rapier wit and useful fashion tips yeah? Exactly.

But you are here, still, even though I have been on hiatus because my *working man* day job required some serious attention. But don't fret, science was accomplished and I did it in a vintage knit tie no less! (That's right, vintage. knit. tie. Two of them in fact, for a total of $6 at Garment District in Cambridge. Not to mention a new suit coat for $26 that fits like a glove. Like. A. Glove....but more of that later!) Right, so, I disappeared. Science beckoned and I rode the T - early morning - with the rest of the masses and I saw several successful uses of a brightly colored button-down worn under gray and black suits to give them a bit of a spring boost. Well done you Boston trendsters, I see you're reading your GQ:
Alas, don't get too comfortable, because I am going to disappear for a bit again. But for good reason...that's correct my loyal queers and allies, tomorrow marks the start of my vacation to L.A.! A week free of working and commuting and 9 to 5ing, a week spent with a best friend, and a week of West Hollywood, and exploring, and craft beer, and taco trucks, and Oh. Yes...lots of fashion. I have a line up of vintage stores that I plan on trying to visit as well as my camera and 2 sets of backup batteries, not to mention a dream in my heart and a skip in my step...

Since I've never been to the West Coast, and with my new found appreciation for the fashion I want to be a part of, I have big plans to take serious notes on the trends I see and the feelings they give me. And of course, your Boy at Sea will report back in full when I return! So get excited and let me know if there is anything in particular you want me to pay attention to.

A couple other little bits before I sign off for the night...
1. That suit coat I found at Garment District for cheap cheap is Michael Kors, has some killer dark green piping on the inside (you know I love detail!) and I wore it to Queer Prom over a lovely monochromatic paisley white dress shirt (H&M) a pair of killer dress slacks (H&M and while I had to settle for a longer leg to get the waist size I needed since men have no hips, the rolled cuff on the pant actually looked fabulous against my black leather dress shoes) and I pulled the whole look together with a black silk bow tie (yes, the kind you actually have to tie yourself...we'll go over tying a bow tie in later lessons, it's fun!) and a bright purple silk pocket square. I apologze that entire paragraph was one sentence. Let me make it up to you by giving you a little taste of the whole outfit:
A poor quality picture of the coat, pants and pocket square....A slightly better picture of your BaS in said outfit. The way I see it, if it fits you well, snugly, and the lines are clean and classic and you can still dance your pants off in it...than it is a 100% all around win. You never know when you'll need to dance.

And so, the lesson I learned about trying to find suit jackets that fit you appropriately: Always go for a size smaller than you think you'll need. If it is really too small than you can just step it up a size, but often (and what I found with this coat) what you think will be too small will actually fit just right. A suit that fits correctly should have shoulders that only extend a fraction over your own shoulders, you should be able to button all the buttons if you want, it should not go down to the middle of your thigh (shorter is better, long looks sloppy) and the sleeves should actually feel a bit short on your arms that way you can get just the right amount of cuff to peek out. Notice my cuff in the picture, detail like that makes a huge difference in my opinion.

Alright already, enough you say! I know, I was just SO STOKED to get to put that outfit together and go out in public, and let the world see. It was a fantastic feeling. You should all try it sometime. Like now. Do it.
2. I bought new shoes today...and they're GRAY! Oooh boy, gray canvas high top Converse, with a touch of black and white trim and white laces. Super fly and appropriate to dress up or down. I was looking for some new Adidas Sambas, or another one of their black/white stripe styles but NOTHING WAS IN MY GODDAMN SIZE. Little boy's section folks, that's the only way, unless you're blessed with a big foot. I am not. And I cry about it. Especially when you have to pass up the NUMEROUS shoes that I had to. BUT it's okay, my new kicks are kick ass and they are gray, and we all know how in love with gray your Boy at Sea is. It is the new Black. Just watch.
So next time I'll include some sweet pics of my new duds. Until then, you wait with bated breath I'm sure.
3. Lastly, there have been some rumblings, some very very very good rumblings amongst me and some folk about making things a bit bigger, taking things to the next level of this female-bodied male-presenting queer/trans train. And I honestly can't sleep at night with excitement. So, my homework for you my darling followers is to get excited too, start spreading the word of the Boy at Sea to your friends, because I have an intention of hanging around for a bit. Just saying.

Alright, enough talk, bed now, L.A. tomorrow, changing the face of fashion in due time. One more lovely look for you to squirrel away during the long hard week of my absence that lies ahead. Heh.Oh my, three different patterns in one outfit...and it WORKS! My god does it work. Bravo Hamish Bowles, Bravo.

Sweet dreams of sartorial splendor my dears
...Your BaS

On The Happiest

2010-04-12T21:10:00.000-07:00

Oh my dear dandy dudes! I have neglected you for too long! And I promise to give you something more substantial as soon as I possibly can, but for tonight you'll have to be held over with just a brief comment...oh I know, I know, I can hear you missing me from here. Sure.

Alas my wonderful and well-traveled boss has just returned from her "trip of a lifetime" trek around Bhutan and I find myself suddenly having to actually do work (gasp!) during the day instead of just planning out my latest posts for all you fine folk. Well, here's a couple of thoughts on that business:
1. A quick lesson in geography for all those not in the know about Bhutan...
-It is a landlocked country in South Asia, at the eastern end of the Himalayas, bordered to the south, east, and west by India and to the north by China (thanks Wikipedia, I use you with no remorse now that my college days are behind me)
-It is considered one of the happiest countries in the world
-Only a select few numbers of tourists are allowed in each year
-Here is a map
2. After said trip of a lifetime, she brought back an amazing hand woven satchel for me, that I simply cannot get over. I'll provide some pictures next time, because I think it will go perfectly which my next post, where I want to discuss...
3. Patterns and colors!
4. Not getting to write about/think about/notice/photograph/purchase fashion all day every day is beginning to make me a bit sad. Makes one wonder, if one should rethink one's current career choice. Hmm, maybe one should.

Alright, you're not here for my almost-quarter-life-crisis mumblings! Shame on me! Back to the task at hand...
So, for the rest of this rather short and probably somewhat disappointing post I am going to leave you with two websites that have become close friends of mine (yikes that reads terribly when typed out, bear with me, please). Both are for online shopping, and both supply clothes for "men" and "women" but if you're reading this, and have thus far been keeping up with my hidden agenda, I think we all know that the binary gender system is lacking.
The point is, the clothes are varied and there is lots of stuff for everyone and both sites also have a new sale everyday that only lasts for a short amount of time (in the case of Gilt Groupe for 10min from 12 noon to 12:10, and in the case of JackThreads for 24 hours) and even though this doesn't leave you with much time to shop, they are great sites to browse, and if something happens to catch your eye, quick! Snag it! And get yourself a little sumsin' sumsin'. Both sites also include a lot of labels that you will otherwise not find in stores, or will cost astronomical amounts in places of retail. At the end of the day, you find something dapper and fresh and feel like you did it with some fashion know-how. Bravo you baller. On with it!
This is JackThreads:

https://www.jackthreads.com/

This is GiltMan (GiltGroupe is for a larger variety of clothes, but the mens' section does it for this boy):

http://www.giltman.com/?ifs=done

Alright, I think that is about all I have for you today, my apologies again...but I have some seriously great things in mind that will need my utmost attention and time to discuss. In fact I am literally overflowing with ideas of ever more sartorial splendor to get you through your days! So, stay tuned, I promise to return soon with more wit, charm and bold pattern pairing than you'll know what to do with!....Sweet dreams Guys and Dolls and Genderfucks!
Love,
your BaS

On Adding Some Color to Your Wardrobe

2010-04-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon to my fantastic favorite followers! And good afternoon to anyone who is new to my gender-nonconforming/queer/fashion-friendly space!

I can only hope everyone's Wednesday is progressing delightfully, it being such a beautiful day and all. A day for breezy button-downs for sure (but throw a cardigan over it anyways if you're one of the folks who prefers layers, I know I am!). I decided to go for an excess of color today and have been wearing a thin linen light purple dress shirt from Gap, and my dark teal skinny jeans from H&M. [Side note: my dearest colorblind friend said he could see the purple shirt but the pants looked navy blue. This got me to thinking that I need to be more conscious of my color palette so that it can appeal to people of all visual abilities. I'm safe today because I think this color purple and navy blue goes well together too...phew!] Now folks, this much color, I think looks great, and I have fun with it. But I'm sure there are some who would disagree. In fact there are plenty of people who think that an excess of color, of variety...of diversity you could even say...is never a good thing. Whoa! I think your Boy at Sea is about make a point!

And I am, because for today's post, I am going to take a moment to leave aside my ramblings on fashion and discuss instead the other thing this blog is intended for: gender-nonconforming in a very gendered society.
So you see, I had an absolutely amazing conversation last night with a friend who has known me longer than most (and certainly knew me before my more fashionable genderqueer time!). And we got to talking about, well everything...but we spent some considerable time on gender and how the world really really really likes to put everything in boxes. I mean just speaking for my own country right now - um hello? The census. "Sure, we'll take a look at who lives in the U.S...but only in the most constricting way possible. And, oh what's that? You don't think you fit into one of our boxes, well, either choose one or we'll choose one for you." Super.
And while we are making some progress when it comes to diversity, concerning things like race, ethnicity, heritage, and even now sexuality (yes sirree there is more than gay/straight/lesbian!) recognizing that there are more than 2 genders doesn't even register on most people's radars. And I think more people are beginning to be able to wrap their minds around folks who are physically transitioning and are changing their pronouns from "she" to "he" or "he" to "she", because if you don't feel comfortable as one, than you must want to be the other, right?

No. What about all the others? What about me? What about the "they"s?

Gender is not cut and dried. It is not black or white. And it is certainly not one or the other. It is diverse and beautiful and colorful and varied. And that is the most amazing part about the term "transgender" because it is a giant umbrella that has room for all of the infinite genders that exist. As for male and female, masculine and feminine. I am neither and I am both. And I am something completely new and different, I am me, M, the Boy at Sea. And that makes the most sense to me. I was gendered incorrectly my entire life, and now that I have come to understand my own gender-nonconformity, it is no longer your place to try and re-gender me. Trust me, assuming my gender really does make an "ass" out of "you" and "me". Mainly you.

I guess the reason for my rant, to bring it all back full circle, is this:
After re-reading my Monday post, and after my discussion last night, I wanted to make it very clear to all of you, my faithful followers, that while this blog does have a heavy focus on "men's" fashions, it is a blog that is open to everyone of all and any gender identity and presentation, even and especially if you don't label yourself as any type of trans.
I never want my posts to sound geared toward anyone in particular. If you are the manliest of men, or the most feminine of women, or have switched from one to the other, well wonderful! Welcome.
Maybe you are here because you just find me mildly entertaining, or perhaps you just want to know how to buy a dress shirt that will fit appropriately when you are binding, or maybe you are a cis-gendered or cis-sexual person who just wants to get a trans identified person's ideas on suits and fashion. Welcome! Perhaps you are questioning your gender and the restrictions that society is placing on you, maybe you're trying to figure out what to wear for your first drag show, or what to buy your honey for a gift, or you like dressing like a man in the privacy of your own home and want to make the most of it. Maybe you are gay/queer/lesbian/bi woman who is completely comfortably in your assigned sex and gender and just prefer an androgynous look, or maybe you are like me, completely gender-neutral, embracing a gray area of gender that is as comfortable and stylish as your favorite outfit and just want to learn the ways to fold a pocket square, or how to find a friendly tailor...To all of you, and every other identity and presentation I could not fit here, welcome to you, too! Tell me about yourself, I'd love to know who's out there...

So, however you see fit to gender yourself, welcome. And if the alignment between your anatomy and your head is right on the mark, and you never think twice about your gender, well, you're welcome too! I just ask you remain aware and open minded to the diversity that exists around you. Black and white is for tuxes (and we'll discuss that when I find an excuse to wear one!) until than leave your boxes and your blandness at the door, and come just to discuss a little fashion and a lot of color with me, your BaS.

And just to keep you happy, here is a badass song, from a group with a variety of presentations and identities:

On Being Broke

2010-04-05T15:59:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon to everyone of all gender identities and presentations!
So my Monday post is arriving later than usual today, and I apologize (as I'm sure you were waiting with bated breath) but seriously folks, I do have an actual job that I have to occasionally attend to.
Right-o then, on with the words! As the title of this post suggests, I had a miserable realization of just how broke I am. And yes, obviously this is part of being young and single. I get it, mother. But there are some days when you just want to buy that 100 dollar pair of two-tone blue boat shoes from Sperry Top-Sider because they are just SO fabulous, and definitely the summer shoe that you NEED (well, WANT, at least). And yet, sigh, you cannot. It is just simply, not in the books for you. And certainly not in the books for your Boy at Sea...

And so for today's lesson in fashion (don't worry, I know I'm the only one who takes my fashion advice) I am going to discuss some of the helpful tips I've found when it comes to stocking your wardrobe for reasonable prices.
Alright for starters, accept the fact that while Zachary Quinto looks grungy and gorgeous in this picture, this is an EXPENSIVE look. The fitted leather jacket, the knit cap, etc. Money was paid, souls were sold.And while Brad Pitt is WEARING this suit (also notice the gray goatee, eep!) he is also, yup, BRAD. PITT. Therefore he can wear a suit that probably cost as much as my private college education and was hand stitched by Jesus with the hair of angels.So, let's ignore these stylish bastards and focus on what we have to work with then, eh? Great. Now, just for you, my dedicated readers, I decided to stop hiding behind the pictures that I find on the 'nets, and chose instead to bring out my own camera and put my own wardrobe on display. Let's get to it then shall we?

The Boy at Sea's essential guide to making the most of your style and your money:
1. Shoes. Be frugal, be willing to hunt. The two pairs of shoes I have included here have been staples for my outfits. The first, the black and white Adidas, I came across in a lost-and-found bin on my campus, I have had them for 3 years now. While they have certainly seen better days, and are a bit more old-school, they are also almost exactly like the Adidas Sambas that every well-dressed male-presenting person is wearing now to dress down a suit or pair with really any outfit. And if you missed it before, mine were FREE and have lasted forEVER.The second pair in the picture, the simple black penny-loafers, I found at Target for I believe twenty dollars. They are exactly my size (which is small for men's shoes) and while they are easy shoes to pair with any classed up outfit because they are black and have a rounded toe, at least you know you have a guaranteed dress-shoe. Just remember to always hunt! A good pair of shoes is certainly worth the investment of a large sum, but if you can find them cheap, do it! Just MAKE SURE they are the right size, nothing says "tool" like walking with a limp in those stylish kicks because of the giant blister on your heel!

2. Certain things are always worth the investment. As I mentioned above, shoes can definitely fall into this category, because a well made pair of leather dress shoes will last a lifetime. But there are also other articles essential to the male-biased wardrobe that are worth spending the money on. Suits, sport coats, suit jackets etc, are definitely those items. This gray, two-button, notched lapel sport coat was found at H&M. It is wonderfully versatile, detailed, and since it wasn't found second-hand I was able to make sure I got an almost perfect fit off the rack. A tailor could still tighten it up for me, but "as is" it is brilliant, too. H&M is a great place to buy these pieces also, because they are reasonably priced and H&M pretty much specializes in selling fitted, lean and clean suits, coats, pants, and shirts at awesome prices. That jacket ran me $40 and I can dress it up with a shirt and tie, or down with a nice plaid shirt or fitted T. On that note it is also worth investing in a couple of dress shirts from some place like H&M or J Crew. Still at reasonable prices and their shirts fit well (and remember I'm no super skinny queer) and come in a variety of basic and more bold colors.

3. Hit up the Salvation Army and make it more retro...or more newsboy from 1899. Seriously though, make the local Salvo your best friend and be willing to commit the time to foraging through the racks. But I guarantee you will find some amazing gems in time. For instance, the following:The jacket is a bright green Members Only number that was found when scrounging at a Sals in my hometown. The shirt is Merona, also found at a local Sals where I went to college, and the tie is unknown in it's maker, but is a killer super skinny guy that was found when a traveling vintage store came to my campus (the tie was actually purchased as a birthday gift for me, by the every lovely JP, the author of A Whole Bunch of Things). So I would say, that this entire outfit ended up putting me back a whole $15. That's a win, you studs. Trust. Furthermore, here's this:Shirt, a hand-me-down from a roommate (has a great muted, colorful large plaid pattern). Suspenders $10 from some large department store (Macy's or the like) and hat $30 from Urban Outfitters. So, while this outfit did not come from Salvo's and did cost more than the previous outfit (mainly because of that damn uber trendy hat) it is certainly still an affordable look, and a fun one at that. So bravo, get to selling the papers to pay it off...4. Gifts that keep on giving! A trick that I have begun to take advantage of...gifts! When someone offers to get you a little something it is definitely time to take advantage of it by asking for a little something that will add to your current wardrobe and the current season. Basically this is the time to try and get some accessories. It can be difficult for someone to buy you shirts or pants or shoes because those are items that need your specific eye and body frame at the moment of the purchase. But ho! Wait! Accessories, such as ties, ascots, scarves, hats, watches etc can be easy to ask for, cheap or expensive (depending on the buyer's budget), and will allow your friendly purchaser to find you something you will love, and they will be proud of. Just make sure they either know you very well, or know what is fashionable. So here is my table of assorted gifts and wonderful accessories:Counterclockwise: A gray, blue, yellow and white plaid scarf. It actually just showed up in my room one day, but we'll say it was a gift form the Gods of Gay Garb. It is warm, not too long, and is wonderful as a buffer on bitter days with a wool coat, or just loosely knotted at the neck with a thin cardigan on cool spring/fall days. Next, and my latest obsession: pocket squares! Two lovely silk pieces from an amazing Italian men's clothing store here in Cambridge that were purchased for me by the (as always) amazing JP. The bright purple will go well with a muted dress shirt and the icy green and white checked one will have to be cautiously paired with a solid color. Then there is the wonderful vintage skinny tie again (thanks JP for indulging your BaS!). And lastly the black and gold vintage ascot that my dad bought for me as a holiday gift. Silk and with absolutely fine black tassels at the end it is an amazing find for sure. The bold pattern does make it tougher to pair with a suit, or a dress shirt, but it is doable (keep the rest of the outfit simple) and when it's done right, an accessory like that will bring the entire ensemble together. It will give you the head-turning affect that I'm guessing you're going for if you've managed to make it this far in my ramblings of everything fashionable (or not) and queer (oh yes).

Alright, my favorites. Thanks again for joining me. I'll ring off now, and proceed to work on the Easter ham that is in the fridge.

So happy bargain hunting and always remember to keep the gendered masses guessing!

On a Change of Residence

2010-04-02T07:59:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon my dapper dudes and darlings! And welcome to my new and improved blog, here at blogspot!

A change had to be made because tumblr just wasn't cutting it any longer. Unable to accommodate my picture-heavy posts and with an increasing concern that my dear loyal followers wanted to comment on my posts and could not (I kid, it was just my British Lover, but still, I know you have things to say to me folks!) I decided to make a switch to a more reader-friendly venue. So, phew, I spent the past 24 hours switching all of my posts over to here, so that you can still visit some of my older ones...and please do! I added some new pictures to old posts that demand viewing, namely my post about Elly Jackson - new picture of Jackson in an amazing suit - as well as more pictures added to my last post about my three leading men, definitely go check them out. Thanks, guys and dolls.

And thus, today's post is simply going to be this update. To beg of you, my favorites, to add this new link (aboyatsea.blogspot.com) to your bookmarked tabs, disregard the tumblr page, and to keep following me. My creative juices are flowing and I have some exciting ideas in store for this blog.

So stick with me kids, we'll go places.

And just to make sure you stay around I'm going to include a couple of pictures to get you through the weekend (courtesy of the GQ website). For starters this amazing heavy wool sports jacket straight from Buddy Holly's closet (sure it's too warm now for a wool jacket, but it's never too warm to think fondly of a dapper rock n' roll gentleman):Hm. Just beautiful.

And also, another little tidbit. If you didn't get enough of him before, here's some more of Ed Westwick. GQ named him one of the 25 most stylish men in the world. I concur GQ, I concur. Here he is looking flawless in a Ralph Lauren Black Label three-piece suit:Well there's that. And here's this, a song and video to get you in the mood for the fast approaching weekend. Kings of Convenience "Misread". Stylish, handsome men, and perfect spring music. (Embedding was disabled by Youtube, so here's the link) Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOxE7IRizjI

So, remember me, your Boy at Sea, and I'll see you next Monday for new thoughts and a place where you can comment if you so desire! Cheers and happy weekend all (I'm thinking it's a weekend for comfy jeans/slacks and some gingham shirts and pull it all together with some boat shoes!)

On the man I want to be...and the style I want to have...

2010-04-02T05:10:00.000-07:00

[Originally posted on March 31st 2010]

Alright my kings, queens, and queers…as promised I return to you today with fresh thoughts and fresh looks. And while Tumblr is stingy when it comes to uploading pictures I have gathered as many as possible for you. So that for Wonderful World of Fashion Wednesday I have for you, my version of (and my first ever!) mood board!

A quick lesson. Mood boards are used by designers (and whoever else is feeling crafty) to depict exactly that…a mood, a feeling, a look for whatever it is they are trying to capture through cloth.

And my take on a mood board today is simply a slide show of pictures that I slaved away trying to find. (From all over the internets, so this is me giving credit where credit is due…wherever that is).

So, do I still have your attention? Or did I lose you at fashion? Well I should hope not, you fools! If you stuck around for my nostalgic ramblings of yesteryear (on Monday’s post) than you know that I’ve taken quite the turn in my own personal stylings. And while I certainly still have my own look I do tend to be drawn to what is popular now for men - and thank heavens that look has finally reached a flattering and dapper place!

And so for today I give you, the three men, I most want to be. And yes, yes, I know, while my own long label for my gender presentation and identity does not actually suggest that I physically want to become a man, you should definitely know by now that your Boy at Sea wants to dress like the best of them!

Okay, okay, enough nonsense, on with it already!

My three men and a brief comment on each:

1. Robert Downey Jr.:

If you can just disregard his slightly crazier years, than seriously folks how can you look at this man and not swoon?! Not only is he an actor that has our hearts but he's just so gosh darn stylish! That suit he wore to the Oscars?...

You know you’re a God of Garb when you manage to look that good at an event where every man is expected to wear a black suit, with black tie or bow tie. He gave it just a hint of personality, but not too extreme. The color and sheen of his bow tie, and then his glasses, and his shoes - all subtle details that pulled his look together and gave him just the right amount of flair to stand out in a sea of well-dressed penguins. I also gave you some Sherlock pictures and some shirtless pictures…because I mean really…I must be him.

2. Edward Norton:

Well here we go, I give you my favorite actor. Not only have I loved him in probably every film he’s done (think American History X and Fight Club - oh Fight Club! Combining by favvy fav actor with my favvy fav author, sigh! ) But I also think he is just downright attractive! That smile, that face, that body…yikes, let’s try to keep it kosher here.

Now, if you know your little sweater vest-wearing queer at all, than you know that my attraction to men is more often than not an appreciation of a form and body that I can understand, that I can connect with. So yes, really, I want to look like that. Now, Norton hasn’t exactly given me the chills when it comes to style, he’s well dressed for sure, no major faux pas, but I mean nothing like RDJr and certainly nothing like my next leading man. (But don’t fret Edward! Just keep acting, and perhaps teaming up with Chuck Palahniuk and my devotion will never waver)

So…speaking of Chucks…

3. Ed Westwick (specifically his character Chuck Bass of Gossip Girl)

B and I have a running joke (maybe) life goal (definitely) that we are in fact Blair and Chuck from Gossip Girl. Ahem, if you’re judging right now you can just stop it. There’s no judging when you’re with your Boy at Sea. No, sir. But anyways, no folks, I do not have the sex appeal and cool, calm, calculating demeanor of Chuck Bass, nor do I have the money, the clothing, the business plan, the limo, or the penchant for call girls, u~~sually~~ (alright alright I’m nothing like him! Sheesh!) However, I have the desire. The desire for the fashion at least…and perhaps to be as suave as he is (seriously people, do you swoon for me yet?). But I have never seen such an amazingly dressed character in my life! Show after show, he never falters. His choices are sometimes a little over the top and occasionally call his sexuality into question (you know I love it!), but above everything else he is always impeccable, always perfection.

And there is always an attention to detail that could save the human race if we all just took a moment to notice the pattern and fold of our pocket square against the cut and color of our suit! I’m not even kidding, the character Chuck Bass is my super hero of mens fashion and if we all just let ourselves be saved, well shit kids, imagine the beauty!

Now, the actual actor, Ed Westick, he seems just as conscious about his style and not to mention he is downright pretty, and a year younger than me! Gives me hope. For what you ask? For everything. A final comment, on Westwick…I’ve only seen him in Gossip Girl (which he’s brilliant in) but apparently he was also in Children of Men…um…AWESOME. I’ll have to watch that one again. Although I get the feeling that in a movie about destruction and the dying human race there wont be much of a chance for him to be wearing a white suit with fantastic black piping. Alas. A boy can dream.

Well, I should probably wrap this up, and go do science-related things since it is 11:45. Oh! almost noon, I’ll go eat lunch then, yes, fabulous. It’s been a busy morning of blogging anyways.

So cheers my lovely loyals! I hope you enjoyed my first mood board, I have high hopes to actually start working on more, real ones in time. But until then, take what you will from my three men of splendor and notice how while all are incredibly different in form, and look…all can wear a suit, like gods can they wear suits. And that my friends is why I’m here in the first place.

It’s all about the suit.

On Uncertainty...and Trusting Yourself

2010-04-01T21:55:00.000-07:00

[Originally posted on March 29th 2010]

My Monday post, for you my loyal listeners, is going to be a little more nostalgic and a little less…well…”fashion savvy gender fuck”.

Perhaps, this came about in response to reading JP’s most recent blog (awholebunchofthings.tumblr.com), that very eloquently presented a study of human growth, change, and personal style. Bravo JP.

So for my particular Monday thought, I give to you this video, enjoy:

Recorded the summer before my senior year of college by my favorite British Babe and Longtime Lover (!), it is just a brief document of your Boy at Sea almost 2 years ago. (Do I have the time line right here Brit?). And I know what you’re thinking…”whoa there BaS, 2 years isn’t that long ago, you’ve made quite the change, haven’t you?” And indeed I have, there has been some serious alterations made to this gender-non-conforming, male-biased, queer. Namely the embracing of a denied gender, a denied life. And while I feel like the better, stronger, truer, more honest version of myself than I have in my entire life…that’s right folks…Version 2.0…it is still somewhat shocking to see the changes. Watch the video again, if I can persuade you to…this time, stop laughing for a moment, at the dumb schmuck that I am, and notice instead…the differences, the similarities. How well do you know me now? How well did you know me then? At all?

For me, this video, is fascinating, and painful, and sad, and hilarious. I see myself in that brief picture. Sure. I am making the same dumb jokes, laughing in the same unbridled guffaw of a laugh that I have, and my mannerisms are the same. And Silas, I am driving Silas (if you know, you know, if not..than don’t mourn what you never met). But the differences are intense. And not just the physical changes, although they are significant - the hair, the clothes, the chest - but at least for me, there is an entire alteration in the aura of that person. And perhaps I will be the only one who can see this. But what there is now, that I know for a fact was not surrounding the person in that video, is a sense of calm and acceptance, understanding and comfort in body and mind that certainly only became a part of my life over the past year and half.

In that video, I was on my way there…I was fast approaching it. The time for me to metamorphasize (yeah, it’s not a real word, I know) into a more suitable skin was upon me and I didn’t even know it. Not in the video, not yet. But I would, very soon.

I suppose the reason for this post, is a reflective one, for myself. To have a moment of sadness. A goodbye, to the person I was then. And also a greeting to the person I am now. And for that matter, a solid acceptance of what I will never be able to change - my dumb jokes, my guffaw, my deep and unreal love for my friends, my excitement for life. And I guess, finally, a hope that the person who I am now is true, and real, and not a fraud. I don’t feel like a fraud. I feel powerful, and terrified, and ready. And only time will tell.

And so to you my faithful followers, thank you for letting me indulge for a moment. If this has inspired you to revisit yourself 2, 3, or 30 years ago, fabulous! If it left you heading for the hills, that’s an appropriate response too. Either way, I’ll try to bring you something gender-bending, fashionable, and quirky for Wednesday. Have no fear!

And happy Monday, all.

On Embracing Your Own Ginger Quiff

2010-04-01T15:32:00.000-07:00

[Originally posted on March 26th 2010]

Good evening! Please, lend me your ears for a moment my dear readers! ~~Is anyone even still reading this?~~ No, but seriously, I have a real nice tidbit for you today (even though it’s midnight, this is considered my Friday post).

Alright, so I have for you today, something to brighten your Friday - even brighter than I anticipate it already is - and also to put a little pep in your step in preparation for the weekend. So this weekend, I put it to you, get out there and be as completely daring and honest and heartbreaking as you can be. Be loud and proud. And no, that doesn’t just have to be a gay thing.

Yes, yes enough already! I stumbled across this video when I was perusing Style.com for the female side of fashion that I am trying desperately to stay abreast of (that was for you B)…and obviously when I saw the name La Roux the rest of the world dissolved around me. If you know your Boy at Sea at all, you’ll know that La Roux and mainly the stunner falsetto Elly Jackson is my heart-stopping crush at the moment. If you haven’t listened to La Roux’s self-titled album yet, GET ON IT YOU FOOLS! It will be anything and everything you wanted for any mood (but certainly for the get up and go weekend mood). Now I definitely don’t know how to critique music so I am just here to say: It’s fantastic, are you listening to it yet?! Why not?!?!?

http://www.style.com/video/fashion-moments/fashion-moments/1896809784/la-rouxs-elly-jackson/73450501001

Okay, well while you rush out and immediately buy the CD (buy the CD?! Who am I? Your Grandpa at Sea? Buy the CD, psshaa, I meant download it or whatever tricks you and your internets have up your sleeves, so GO already!) I will proceed on with my post…

The video is an interview with Elly Jackson as she discusses her rise to fame, but more importantly her androgynous fashion sense and freaking orgasmic ginger quiff! And again, if you know me at all, you know I have the hots for redheads…all. the. time. So when you take that glorious red hair, cut it short, slick the sides and roll the rest of it up into a massive tower of mohawk-y perfection, well let’s just say *swooooooon*

But I swear I have a point. The point is this, here’s the point. Here is a woman, discussing that when she finally let herself shake off the oppression of trying fit into something she wasn’t, and finally cut off her hair, and started wearing the clothes she feels most comfortable in, it was then that she was able to step out and be seen and heard. Now, I know what you’re thinking, and apparently the word on the street is that no, unfortunately, she is not gay….but I’m holding out hopes that she just hasn’t yet discovered the wonderful generosity that the word “queer” allows for. I’ll have her yet, just you wait.

Again, the point is, this video made me stoked and bravo for Elly Jackson! And sure, while she is seeing ginger quiffs everywhere now, she also notices that there are fewer girls who are willing to rock the same sense of fashion as the dapper Jackson. Because, and she is right, it takes a lot more punch to walk down the street breaking, bending, and liberating not only fashion rules but also the rules of a gendered society. So to all of the androgynous folk out there, here’s to you! Here’s to us! I can tell you full well that living in the gray-area can certainly be a performance, but it is also certainly the most liberating space to play.

So go play! Have a fabulous weekend and damn the gender-normative society to hell!

And too Elly Jackson, queer or not, let’s hang out, you and I, eh? I have a feeling your ginger quiff and my gray mohawk would go fabulous together. Furthermore that electric rainbow shiny suit you're wearing, umm, BLOODY FANTASTIC.

And my friends….Are you listening to “Tigerlily” yet? Good. Now swoon with me.

On Going (Prematurely) Gray

2010-04-01T15:22:00.000-07:00

[Originally posted on March 24th 2010]

Alright ladies, gents, and genderfucks…me again, your Boy at Sea. I return with my second post of the week (I have been considering making this a Monday, Wednesday, Friday soiree, we’ll see if I can make that happen).

But for today, I just have a couple thoughts on the color gray…

For starters, these past few days, at least for the Boston-bound have been very gray indeed, but I have seen some blue peeking through and I am holding out hope that in the very near future the mass of roiling gray that is lingering above us will be lifted for brighter days. Surly skies aside I am very excited about the color gray for the upcoming spring and summer months. Mind you this is just my opinion and I have no idea what GQ will be telling you to wear tomorrow, however, I feel as though a layering with light easy grays will be perfect for these early warm months (at least here in the East)

For instance (and I am SUPER STOKED about this) reference the first picture:

A light gray sport coat with notched lapels and two-buttons. Yes indeed my faithfuls I DID just buy a piece just like this over the weekend. It’s a bit hard to tell from the photo but I’m pretty sure mine is lighter in color and fabric, which is just spectacular. It has a wonderful light-blue striped lining as well and is just so very versatile. I cannot wait to try it out. I would just like to say that I think a light gray suit coat such as this, and in fact an entire suit in this color is going to be a fabulous addition to a spring wardrobe. A huge variety of shirts, patterns, ties and pocket squares (yay!) can be matched with this and just make your day go swimmingly.

Furthermore, at the moment I am wearing black skinny jeans, a white V-neck T, a charcoal gray thin zip hoodie, and a very simple gray scarf with a faint yellow, blue and white plaid patten knotted very loosely around my neck. Along with my heavier wool winter coat (gray) over this, but not buttoned I think it provides the right feel for a gray day that is pretty chilly, but still has a hint of spring in the air. Embrace the gray! I make it light on a heavy day…or I try at least.

Next on my list of all things gray:

Yes, my friends, you have heard right…I did indeed declare last night that I wanted to dye my hair gray! Well silver, technically, but it will come out looking more gray than anything. Now don’t fret quite yet, I am simply tossing the idea out there, I have never before dyed my hair (yes indeed this is my natural hair color! and yes indeed I am a true to the core Blonde!) and well, I’m getting a bit bored with my locks once again and I thought, with the coming of warmer months, what better way to distinguish myself (and look like the distinguished man I feel like) than by dying my hair?? It is true, that I must give credit where credit is due, and in fact the first time this thought occurred to me was while reading the blog Style Rookie written by Tavi (the 13? year-old fashion phenom) who has dyed her hair gray and is rocking it like no one’s business! Anyways, I think I could have some fun with it. Perhaps you can all let me know your thoughts? Why, thanks!

And so for your viewing pleasure I have included some of the Silver Foxes that first jumped out at me. And no no, I am not saying I will look anything like Richard Gere or Anderson Cooper, namly because neither of them can rock the mohawk like yours truly (ahem), but still I have good feelings for gray this year…and why not take it the full nine-yards then eh?

Riddle me that.

P.S…in my pursuits for gray haired individuals I stumbled upon this gem, and we all know everyone appreciates a little salt and pepper, enjoy:

http://www.silverfeast.com/

On Aesthetics

2010-04-01T13:56:00.000-07:00

[Originally posted on March 22nd 2010]

Good day sirs and misses and mirs and sisses, and anyone and everyone else on that wonderful color spectrum that I most adore, good day!

I know, I know…Tis a Monday, and what a Monday it tis. After such an outstandingly beautiful weekend, here we are ready to the start the week draped in gray. The red line was slowed up by an emergency, people were cantankerous (word points for me!) and I did not see a single person whose choice of wardrobe made me swoon. Boston, my love, fail.

But! I greet you with such enthusiasm because I figured we could relive the loveliness that was this past weekend and thus get through the Monday Mopes.

While I have a variety of random little thoughts that I wanted to mention today, I decided that they were all linked by…yes, you’ve guessed it. Aesthetics. And I’ll break this post down into bullet points to better appeal to your flow-chart minded Mondays.

If you have not yet been to the galleries on Thayer St. off of Harrison Ave in the South End. DO IT. Right now, I kid you not. You’ll be a happier person for it. All of the galleries that I browsed were amazing (definitely check out the photo exhibit by Jess Dugan called Coupled, amazing color portraits of various female-bodied queer couples, stunning) but two that caught my oh-so-Queer eye were Bobby From Boston and Tour de France. Bobby From Boston was not actually open but what I was able to gather from the front window displays and from what I’ve learned online is that it is a wonderfully old-school clothing/accessory shop geared towards the fashion savvy, dapper (trans/queer/cis/or other)man-about-town. Swoon indeed my loyal readers! I gushed! The first picture you see below of the uber stylish mannequin was taken from inside the store. No doubt I’ll be returning the next time I have a moment away from science. Tour de France was exactly as the name describes. The other picture you see that is just a mess of colors and bold uplifting swatches of fabric was taken from inside this charming art/furnishing/home decor store. And truly, it was that wall of fabric that had me overpowered the entire time. Such color, such unreal light! I found myself wanting to make window treatments or napkins or…or…pocket squares! Yes, pocket squares, my new fixation and accessory of choice for the suited individual. It’s true, they say to keep your shirt plain and solid if you’re going to have a bolder or patterned pocket square, but I would like to think that a bright bold pocket square would go dashingly with a muted checked patterned dress shirt. But I digress.
(I bet your Monday doldrums are feeling lifted already though…) Onward….
Can my main decision for remaining in an apartment really be “I love how the daylight comes in during the morning”. YES. Goddamn, it can be your main reason. It’s my main reason and I’m sticking to my aesthetically pleased guns here, folks. Now that the warmth is trying to make a comeback (and what a masterful attempt that was this past weekend, Earth!) I am once again drawn to the fact that perhaps my favorite thing about my apartment is that during the early morning and through late afternoon the sun comes pouring through the rooms with such intensity and geometric perfection that I refuse to turn a light on until after dark. The way I see it, if so natural a thing can fill you so full of joy everytime, why leave quite yet? Academia, wonder lust, and money will be on my heels soon enough, for now…for now I bask in the light. (And yes, I referenced my apartment and it’s sunlight to a cathedral in this picture. Yes, it’s an atheist joke. Yes, I’m the only one laughing)
Alright, moving right along, I’m sure The Man is wondering where your expense reports are by now (my boss is trekking across Bhutan as we speak, so I’m slightly less concerned with my current endeavors)

So, last but definitely not least. As of last night I booked a ticket to L.A. in April to visit the mystical, magical, one and only Kate Willis! Epic-ness is sure to ensue and my post after that week-long love-fest is sure to be just as epic. But for now I leave you with the thought of West Hollywood (where Kate told me we would certainly be going). Therefore, reference the last picture of the two adorable and stylish guys locking lips. Yes sirree, queer and fashionable…here I come. And I will also try to answer my own age-old question: Are famous people actually real?

Stay tuned my fastidious friends, for there are larger and even bolder plans in the works for this blog…

On A St. Patrick's Day Special

2010-04-01T13:43:00.000-07:00

[Originally posted on March 17th 2010]

Happy St. Patrick’s Day/St. Patty’s Day/Evacuation Day/Irish Christmas to all my dedicated drunkards!

A quick post for you all, just to say enjoy the fabulous weather and the even more fabulous reason to drink, dirnk, driiink, drrnink, drinisrnicke. Good, way to catch up.

Now if you’re like me, are at all Irish, have lived for your entire life in Mass, and also have quite a soft spot in your heart for Boston (and yes it may be heart disease from all the boozing, but we’ll call it love), than today is a pretty special day for you. So, cheers my potato-eating brethren! If you aren’t, well, it’s okay, because this is the one day of the year that everyone is Irish simply by association! So drinks all around!

But we’ll also take a moment to acknowledge the fact that today is actually a sanctioned holiday and a day off from school for all of Suffolk county (that’s Boston, folks). It’s Evacuation Day! Hoorah! Now, bear with me, I did a little investigative research (Wikipedia) and came up with this little tidbit:

“The 11-month siege of Boston ended when the Continental Army, under the command of George Washington, fortified Dorchester Heights in early March 1776 with cannons captured at Ticonderoga. British General William Howe, whose garrison and navy were threatened by these positions, was forced to decide between attack and retreat. To prevent what could have been a repeat of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Howe decided to retreat, withdrawing from Boston to Nova Scotia on March 17. The British evacuation was Washington’s first victory of the war. It was also a huge morale boost for the Thirteen Colonies, as the city where the rebellion began was the first to be liberated.”

And also…

“While Saint Patrick’s Day parades have been held in Boston since 1876, Evacuation Day was not declared a holiday in the city until 1901…”

And finally…

“A 1941 law establishing the holiday in Suffolk County was signed in both black and green ink.”

We would.

So there you have it my avid followers, I’m quite sure that you are now just super full of knowledge and are ready to go wash it all down with a tall glass of Guinness. Well get to it, I won’t keep you. Just remember, Irish or not, make a little room in your big gay hearts for dear St. Patty and Evacuation Day today, because I think the moral of our little Wiki-lesson is: beer = freedom.

Yours truly in getting the point across,

The (green) boy at sea

On Umbrella Graveyards (The Boston vs. New York City Post)

2010-04-01T13:29:00.000-07:00

[Originally posted on March 15th 2010]

Good evening my loyal lovelies, it has been a few days since we last spoke, so I have some serious words…

When last I left you, you were holed up (understandably) in your room/house/office ogling the latest video by the ever formidable Gaga, probably on repeat. I know I was, but that was for research. Obviously. And as brilliantly fascinating as she is, I have some other thoughts for this particular post, so tear yourselves away for a moment and come grab a comfy seat around me, your Boy at Sea, while I share. And don’t fret, I’m sure I’ll return to Gaga sometime soon.

So onto business you Queers! A couple of house-keeping notes that were brought to my attention this past weekend:

1. I was told by you, all of my fabulous followers, that I swear in my posts. A lot. Perhaps even an obscene amount. To that I say: thank you for your concern, I take into deep consideration that you may think my posts would be stronger without all of the four-letter words. Well, cheers, and fuck off. The language is going to stay, I only put it where the emphasis is needed (I emphasize a lot) and I think it adds. I’m an adder. And, well folks, nautical print is in this season and I swear like a sailor.

1.a. I was also told that if I was going to be saying “mother fucking” and was going to use the abbreviated version that I should stop spelling it “motha” and start spelling it “mutha”. Noted. The change will be made.

Now that that is all taken care of, onward!

This weekend I went to NYC with B and C for a whirlwind adventure of art, food, family, dancing, and of course magic rum. As I mentioned previously, the last time I was in NYC I was 18, straight, a female, and had never left the woods. Obviously things have changed and I was excited to compare and contrast the scene that is New York City with my own dear New England Kingdom that is Boston.

What I found myself noticing mostly was the fashion. I was very intrigued to see how the styles were different between two such monumental cities that are not all that far away from one another. After thinking long and hard about it, doing some serious analyzing, and discussing with my comrades it was decided that while both cities have adapted the phenomena that is “hipster” Boston’s version has a slightly more clean-cut business attire feel, while NY leans toward an edgier grungier feel. [It should be noted here that my sampling is just a study of the ages that probably range from 19-30] So, it seems to me that Boston maintains its old classy texture that is rooted in its history, its segregation, its charm, and its academic merging of diversity. New York (and I can only say so much because I honestly don’t know it that well) has such an enormous population compared to Boston’s and one that is so hugely diverse that its trendy-folk can make bold striking statements and they are well received if they are noticed at all.

While I am certainly attracted to the styles that women are rocking on the city streets these days, in both New York and Boston my eye is always drawn to the well-dressed man. In both of these cities he is put together and graceful, words like debonair, suave, and chivalrous come to mind when watching him. And these classy men (cis, trans, queer, and butch alike) are, in a way, bringing back the very old school feel of the 19th and 20th centuries, in my opinion. And I could not be happier. It is a wonderful clean, tight, svelte look that has new hip and daring additions. Get excited with me readers! This is a ballsy time for fashion and I can only hope that I can try and look that good. But I think if Boston was going to take a tip from New York it would be: bold and traffic-stopping is always better.

Well, my favorite ladies, gents, and gender-fucks, you’ve humored me long enough, letting me prattle on about the good, the bad, and the fashionable. So I will make a final note before I depart and let you all return to Lady Gaga wrapped in caution tape in a jail cell (hold the phone, doesn’t that sound like a college night folks?? You know of which I speak)…

As to the title of this post: Umbrella Graveyard. As we all know I do not fancy umbrellas and this weekend just went ahead and proved me right. Umbrellas are great when it’s raining, on a WINDLESS day, but umbrellas DO NOT belong in New England. Because it never just rains, it is also freaking windy as fuck and then you know what you have: sideways rain, people. You have fucking sideways rain and spindly little legs of metal wrapped in fabric. So accept the fact that the East Coast has the most bat-shit crazy weather ever, put the umbrella down, and find a more fashionable way to keep those lovely little faces dry.

Good night all, sweet dreams of drier days…

On Those Who Are Questionably Queer (who aren't so questionable)

2010-04-01T08:09:00.000-07:00

[Originally posted on March 12th 2010]

Another blog of brief, my dearests. For today, after work I am off to NYC with the great B and C and thus will not find the time to post this delicious little tidbit for a few days. So I’ll just give it to you here:

by now I hope you’ve stopped reading my prose and are ogling the video. If you haven’t yet, then FUCKING GET ON IT, IT’S FUCKING LADY GAGA’S NEW VIDEO AND YOU ARE ABOUT TO HAVE YOUR QUEER LITTLE MIND MOTHA FUCKING BLOWN. Ahem, 'scuse me. But seriously…gay gay gay gay gay. Gay. And I love it. We’ll discuss more later, I promise, but for now, enjoy it and while you’re at it, turn it into a drinking game. For every gay thing you see, take a drink! Too early for drinks? Hot toddies, ya pansy, didn’t I mention those in an earlier post??

Also, just saying, the last time I was in NYC I had never left the woods, was underage, straight, and still confined to the box labeled Female. Sooo, basically this weekend will probably be epic. Have no fear my favorite followers, I’ll report back with all the dangerous details…alliteration avenger away!

On Boston Style

2010-04-01T08:03:00.000-07:00

[Originally posted on March 11th 2010]

Okay, so I will be having some serious thoughts coming up in later posts, however, I only have so much time to post a blog while I am at work. For instance, I am currently waiting for blood samples to freeze so I can thaw them, so I can freeze them, so I can thaw them, and make DNA. No joke. My life. Therefore, I have some moments right now for this brief little update of words.

I have been doing some serious thinking lately on fashion. If you know Madi, this is actually not something I normally talk about. Alas, the trendy beast that is Boston has me in a choke hold and I am just going to run with it.

Which brings me to the picture here.

For as many reasons as I appreciate the Boston trendy/hipster/form-fitting style, there are equally as many reasons why it drives me crazy. This picture, this is what EVERYONE is wearing right now. Take a random sampling of, oh say, 10 young people off the streets of Boston, or Brookline, or Somerville, or JP and I guarentee probably half will have on at least 2 articles of clothing from this picture. And yes, this picture was taken from the women’s wardrobe….HOWEVER and TRUST ME the clothes are interchangeable between the sexes (and all the other genders and sexes out there). Mix and match, match and don’t match…so long as you have some plaid, some skinny jeans, a hip hairdo, and some chunky glasses, you are GOOD TO GO.

Ah yes, smell that? Spring is in the air. And along with it, more trendy hipsters. Good thing this look is so goddamn flattering on everybody! It forces you to find clothes that fit just right to your body, and not only gives you a bold silhouette, and an edgy vibe, you can walk into an interview in these clothes and people will know that if you can match patterns so boldly than obviously you’re a smart risk-taker for the workplace.

Anyways, just something I’ve noticed. Love me some hipsters, I do. And so does Boston, because while this look is world-wide for sure, Beantown is getting down hardcore with it. And don’t worry loyal readers, I’m not here to judge, the Downtown Crossing H&M employees recognize me now.

Further comments to come on being well-dressed. Stay tuned you hep cats and apathetic trendsters.

On (not) Getting Older

2010-04-01T07:59:00.000-07:00

[Originally posted on March 10th 2010]

To all my friends (who don’t yet actually read this blog)

Porch Nights. Remember those times? When it didn’t matter what else was going on around campus that night. When it didn’t matter if it was the beginning of a new semester, the start of a fucked up summer, or freaking well below zero, with several inches of snow on the ground, we were there, on a porch. Oh, there were a couple porches that go down in history (I’m not naming names…67 you dirty slut) but at the end of a day, or the beginning of a night it was on a porch where we would park it. With liquor in hand, cigarettes a plenty, and words to be said we would arm ourselves against the mind-bending struggle that was college. And we were there with each other, our friends, and we would get by.

So, then I find myself tonight with an overwhelming urge to go out onto my (very small) back porch. And while I am a sucker for having some quiet moments on a porch, enjoying the way nighttime air feels, and relishing the fact that it is not really that warm but I’m a tough New England-er so who gives a shit, overall the experience was not what I was looking for. And I realized, that I was looking for a Porch Night, capitol ‘P’, capitol ‘N’. I was looking for something stronger in my mug than just caffeine, and I was looking for more than just cool night air, I was looking for the friends, I was looking to get by with a little help.

However, don’t fret faithful readers, this is not a nostalgia piece. No, no, reminiscing about college is still a little too “fall down the rabbit hole” for me to do with any frequency. Not to mention I still have my fair share of college-esque displays on a weekly basis. So I don’t have to think back too far. No, this was more of a question. A question of when did we become adults? Or sort of adults. When did college even end? Was I ready for that? FUCK. YES I WAS. For the most part…

But still….where does it go from here? More responsibility perhaps, less time for porch nights, or at least less time to get high - excuse me, BY - with your friends. And the strongest thing you’re knocking back is Metamucil?! Yes, perhaps.

All in good time, my steadfast readers, all in good time.

But while I wait I plan on always living somewhere with a porch. Just in case. And also keeping a bottle of bourbon around for good measure…didn’t you know, hot toddies are an old person drink?

….You heard it here.

On Getting a Second Wind

2010-04-01T07:55:00.000-07:00

[Originally posted on March 4th 2010]

It’s hard to say what makes you wake up in a good mood. Was it a good night’s sleep? A great dream? The prospect of a new tomorrow? The sun shining? Could it really just be waking up on the right side of the bed? Well, whatever the hundreds of reasons it could be, every now and again you get to wake up in a profoundly good mood before your feet have even touched the cold wood floor.

Today was one of those days. Now I can’t say how the rest of the day will proceed…working in a lab leaves much to be determined in the spur of the moment, but still, here I am: 9:40 Thursday morning, Passion Pit Pandora station is playing, it started snowing, and I am excited for this day.

Perhaps it is the GREAT hair day I am having, that definitely adds. Perhaps it’s this outfit that is just working today. Or maybe my chest being particularly flat (which always makes everything better for sure). But on top of all of these reasons, there is also a little something extra. A little pep in my step. And no, I didn’t get lucky last night - but that’s okay, we all know how I like to sleep diagonal in the bed anyways. So, what then, is the cause of this little extra bit of happy, this extra strong beating heart in the face of all the things that could go wrong? Here’s my thought:

It’s March 4th. The only day in the entire year that is, in fact, a sentence, a command really. Think about it: March forth. And here’s what it’s telling me. It’s telling me to push onward, move forward, get going, keep going, pick up and start over, try again, get a beat in my step and that song in my heart (which is almost always Cut Copy, Delphic, or Phoenix as of late). If I’m going to listen to any day of the year, I’ll have it be today. February has just ended, and was gross for that matter, and now March is here, with the prospect of bringing still worse Massachusetts weather. And things are starting to get heavy again when I think of the person I am, the person I’m becoming. And then, here is this day, telling me not to worry. For just one moment, don’t fret. March forth, because there is more on the horizon and it’s bound to be epic, in whatever way possible.

So this day tells us…this day commands us to march forth. To proceed in the face of whatever is the ugly and painful. As in war, march forth and let hell come towards you if it dares, but you have a strong pace, a set jaw, and a killer beat moving through your bones. I’m pretty positive not much can stop that.

In fact, I’m stoked to see what happens next. So, onward.

Here’s to you, March fourth. And to us, march forth.

On Something New

2010-04-01T07:26:00.000-07:00

[Originally posted on February 25th 2010]

So. Blog. Never saw that day coming.

However, recently I have been writing everywhere: in a journal that only I know about, on live journal (also a new development) in the margins of my books, on my hands. And since I have diligently been following Jenn’s blog, I thought that perhaps I could do that too - it will be certainly nowhere near as witty, but it will be another space for some of my thoughts. Yes, perhaps I need just one more outlet. I’ll do my damnedest to make this one the entertaining one though.

And so my first thought, that I felt the need to jot down, because I found it just too perfect, was this: The queers really are EVERYWHERE aren’t we?

I am in my lab today, at an undisclosed sciencey venue, where smarts are abundant, fashion sense is lacking, and social skills are fleeting, and any discernible traits someone has that could help my Gaydar are washed away by unisex lab coats, greasy hair, and the need to wear comfortable “lab appropriate clothes”. Well now, shit…what’s a little male-presenting genderqueer to do in this situation?! I had pretty much given up hope that there were any allies among all the scientists here, at least not allies who would openly discuss, accept, support, and be out and proud with me. Until today…

Today the labs of the Jaharis were of woodwork, and the queers were coming out.

During a shared lunch with a nice young woman who works in a lab on the same floor as me she began to discuss how stressed she was about trying to finish her thesis and organize a conference at the same time. When I asked what the conference was for she replied with “I’m heading up a queer-poly-kink conference and I’m going to be presenting on my specialty - ropes.”

Well tie me up and call me…uhh…a safe word? I definitely wasn’t expecting to hear that. But she explained that she felt safe around me talking about this stuff, because well, in so many words, have you seen me? Yes, yes I have, thank you. She asked how I identified, and we shared fascinating stories of life lived on the fringe in a field where personalities can get pretty swamped under experiments and brains. We both left lunch feeling a little more heard and a little less alone. And in my case for sure, thinking that the queers and the gays and the kinks and the polys and the “weirdos” and the minorities really are everywhere, we still just have to be cautious, putting out feelers first, ready to dart back into our safety zone if something looks suspicious and only tentatively finding others around us who know exactly how we feel.

Later this same day, as I purified PCR product in a different lab on a different floor (to avoid contamination, obviously) the cute blond girl who I frequently see in that lab struck up a conversation with me. I’m not sure if everyone that day was just in a sharing mood, or if I have “trust me, I don’t judge, have ya seen me?” taped to my forward but either way by the end of our brief 5 minute conversation she had not only made it clear that she loves gay marriage and a woman’s right to choose, but that religion can be a bit overwhelming, and that rainy days make her blue. We got deep. I’m honestly not sure if she is “one of us” (I’m keeping my fingers crossed) but either way she is clearly another ally and quite hysterical to boot.

And so, I was impressed by today, to learn that in fact, I am definitely not the only one at my job who practices one of those “devious lifestyles”. And to be honest, I’m glad that’s the case, it can get quite lonely at the top. And by at the top I mean in the margins. I think it all might just be another testament to the fact that the GLBTQI… community really is everywhere and the rest of the world should stop taking us for granted. We have big hopes and dreams, and we work in big time universities, developing your cures. So careful now.

All in all I feel better seen, by comrades, and while I’m pretty sure I still don’t have any allies in the “oh, you shop in the H&M men's department, AND know how to layer patters too??” category, I’ll take what I can get.

So that’s a blog, huh? Nifty.