Hey Ladies

Despite how backwards our laws are, President Obama has declared that June is now LGBT pride month! I’ll take it.

In celebration of this glorious month I thought I’d share some of my favorite lesbian/bisexual fashion icons. It drives me crazy that lesbian style is practically synonymous with frumpiness. Not all gay women look like the Indigo Girls or Janet Reno; some of us even wear heels and dresses! However, there is no denying that there is distinctive look that has been cultivated by lesbians (and bisexuals, thank you Marlene Dietrich!) over the years. Gay women have been appropriating men’s clothing long before Annie Hall and the current “borrowed from the boys” trend. Not that I’m resentful of the BFTB thing, I love that I can find great blazers (without bust darts!) and brogues at high street stores. But I was never fully committed to that look anyway, leopard print and dresses are far too appealing. Although after looking at these photos I may have to start channeling Garbo & co. on a regular basis.

Top to bottom: Gia Carangi's Armani ad, Lissy Trullie, Jodie Foster, Marlene Dietrich, Joan Jett, Annemarie Schwarzenbach, Greta Garbo, Edwige Belmore, Freja Beja, Gia again, Radclyffe Hall, Peaches, Annemarie Schwarzenbach, Alla Nazimova, Jodie Foster, Anita Berber, Marlene Dietrich.

NOTE: I forgot to include Patricia Field and Bettina Koster! They have great style. As does Jil Sander, although she is closeted for some bizarre reason. And I also love Rachel Maddow's Buddy Holly glasses.

Oh, and Guy Trebay wrote an interesting article about lesbian fashion a few years ago, check it out here.