Gay Men's Style

Shaun Cole is Associate Professor in Fashion at Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton, UK. His research interests focus on dressed appearance, sexuality, masculinities and representations in visual and popular culture. He is the author of Don We Now Our Gay Apparel (2000), has contributed to books and journals including The Men’s Fashion Reader (Berg, 2008), and is the co-editor of Fashion Media (Bloomsbury, 2013).

Fills a notable gap in the growing literature surrounding dress and sexualities and will provide an invaluable reference for future researchers.

• Preface Introduction Identities, subject positions and IntersectionalityDefining Style, Fashion and DressMethodological approachesChapter arrangement1. What’s the difference?: Situating Gay Men in the New Millennium‘How to spot a millennial homo: differences in gay and straight men’s dressWell-dressed gay men – a stereotypeWhat is gay style?‘… made me gay’: Cultural Influences on gay men’s dress choicesHipster / Metrosexual /Homosexual – where is the gay/straight border?2. Gender[ed] play Femininity, effeminacy and dragGay masculinities and ‘butch’ styles of dressGender ambiguities in gay men’s dressed appearance 3. Millennial Gay bodiesMesomorphic bodies, muscularity and the gymEctomorphic Skinny and Slim Bodies Endomorphic Bigger, Heavier, Fatter BodiesBody Modifications: Tattoos Bodily presentations on social media4. Coming out and first gay stylesThinking about coming outTeenage coming out and effeminacyPunk, goth and emo as a defining teenage gay style Coming out and adopting gay styles of dressComing out – an ongoing processComing out in later life5. Bars, clubs and scenesComparing categories of bars, clubs and scenes (might need a better title)Muscularity on the global circuit party sceneBear Scene (sub)cultureAlternative Queer scenesLoss of gay scenes and spaces 6. Dressing in and for relationshipsDressing to pick upDressing like the object of desire Sexual Attraction and masculinity and femininityFeeling attractive and looking sexyHair and Sexual attractionDressing for datesCoupledom: shared wardrobes and similar stylesThe influence of partners and relationships on personal styleShopping together and gifting clothes in relationships7. Creating the gay wardrobePhysical wardrobe and clothing arrangementsChoosing in the morningAssembling outfits Smart versus casual Variety versus uniformityDress codes and regulations 8. We’re Here, We’re Queer, Are We Going Shopping? From High street to High-end designerFollowing Fashion Trends?The Price is Right Physical stores or online retailers?Vintage and Second Hand9. Dressing for WorkFormality at workUniformity in Retail and Sales?Fashionability at workArtistic and CreativePerformance as work, work as performance10. Comfort and fitBaggy, loose and comfortableClose-fitting and TailoredComfort and ConfidenceFashionability, Integrity and AuthenticityWell-fitting garments and age-appropriate comfort11. Ambiguities of Age and AgeingAwareness of age and ageingChanging with ageAge-appropriate choices Ageing and hairAge and Health concernsAgeing capitalConclusion