Queer Girl Fashion Icon of The Week: Writer Theresa Carper Talks “Disco-Punk-Lady-killer” Chic To Us

“Yeah, I like makeup, ok? And I’ll be keeping my butch card, thank you.”

It’s no secret to queer women that lesbians are the true tastemakers in the world of style; but it’s time we got some freaking credit, you know?

Which is why we decided to highlight a different iconic queer woman each week and talk to her about her fierce style in our new GO mag column “Fashion Icon of The Week.”


Theresa Carper is a writer, podcast producer, and overall heartthrob. She’s also a self-described “genderless cowdaddy by day, disco punk lady-killer by night.” I came across her Instagram account when she made the collective lesbian internet drool with her sexy Herstory Personal Ad.

*Heart eyes.* Anyway, in addition to writing the sexiest personal ad on the lesbian internet, she has killer style. Once I clicked into her account, my heart sang queer girl fashion icon! queer girl fashion icon! This babe has swag, which is why we are proud to present her as this week’s Queer Girl Fashion Icon!

GO Magazine: Who are you and what do you do? 

Theresa Carper: My name is Theresa and I’m a copywriter for a PR agency in San Francisco. On the weekends I play defensive rush on a queer women’s flag football team, I produce a social resistance podcast, and I’m working on some personal humor essays and possibly a web series.

GO: Who are your greatest fashion icons?

TC: (Straight) Cole Sprouse is my #1. Harry Styles, Grace Jones, John Travolta in Grease AND Saturday Night Live, Kanye West at the 2010 VMAs, Cay Rivvers in Desert Hearts. 

Denim * denim * denim . . . . . . 📷: @ocarmel style: @theblackvelveteen

A post shared by Therese (@gaycolesprouse) on

GO: Find ten adjectives that fully describe your personal style?

TC: Genderless cowdaddy by day, disco punk lady-killer by night.

GO:  How do you feel about makeup? Love it, hate it? What products do you use? Do you have a signature makeup look?

TC: Not to brag, but I do know how to contour my face. If I must reveal my secrets, here’s what I do:

1. I drink at least a gallon of water every day. Stay hydrated!

2. I use an anti-oil face wash and rose petal witch hazel as a daily routine and a charcoal scrub once a week.

3. I wear makeup when I’m out on the town, and my signature look is best described as “pretty vampire boy.” My main products are: NYX Highlight/Contour Wonderstick, NYX Tinted Brow Mascara, Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer, Revlon Age Defying Foundation, Better Than Sex waterproof mascara.

Yeah, I like makeup, ok? And I’ll be keeping my butch card, thank you.

GO: Where do you shop? 

TC: 75% of my wardrobe is thrifted from my parents’ closet or Goodwill. I get the basics at Uniqlo; they do androgyny really well. A lot of the pieces I’m wearing in these pictures are from my friend’s vintage boutique shop- you can buy them at Groundwatershop.com.

You’ll have to speak to my assistant . . . . . 📷: @ocarmel style: @theblackvelveteen

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GO: What was your most embarrassing fashion phase? Or have you been perfect and cool forever?

TC: Circa 2009 I hit peak gender confusion. My mom was still forcing me into dresses for nicer occasions so I would rebel by pairing them with like, fishnets and Chuck Taylors with rainbow laces. Let me repeat- rainbow laces- no, I did not know I was gay. My casual look featured bootcut jeans, band T-shirts, and zip-up hoodies. Think Shane with all of the torment and none of the confidence.

GO: Describe an outfit you would wear to slay a job interview.

TC: Black turtleneck, a black collarless blazer, black dress pants, brown Fyre Chelsea boots, and this suede camel-colored wide-collared 70’s era dress coat. Hello, I’ll have one job, please.

Photo by @groundwater_shop

GO: Describe an outfit you wear on a date with a woman you were wildly attracted to.

TC: All black with my thin gold chain, leather biker jacket, and aforementioned boots.

GO: Describe an outfit you would wear if you wanted to feel insanely sexy?

Two words: Leather harness.

You rang?

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GO: Is there such thing as lesbian/queer/bisexual style?

TC: Presentation- the clothes we wear, the haircuts we rock, the bodies we exist in- is tantamount to queer identities. I’d be just as gay without the menswear, but I’d be stifling an aspect that helps me live my full identity. Style begets expression and vice versa.

I think the concept of “queer style” you’re referring to is the subversion of gender norms which creates this new, edgy look that’s historically been co-opted by hipsters. Am I filled with lesbian rage when I hit on a cute femme wearing Carhartts at a zine fest only to be told she’s “just an art student” and is suddenly joined by her boyfriend who looks like me but less attractive? You bet your beanie I am. But then I remember I support people of any orientation shedding gendered fashion guidelines, and I pray to goddess that one day I can welcome them to the good (gay) life.


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