Style Shots: What’s Hot And What’s Not?

We hit the streets to pick the brains of a few very fashionable 20-somethings on their faves and their “no ways.” From tips and tricks to questionable fashion takes, these eight queer Gen Zers lay it all out for GO.

Red Leather Tops Her Denim Lover

Kiana Low, 23, she/her, Volunteer Coordinator at the 9/11 Museum
What are you wearing? Thrifted denim strapless dress, thrifted red leather jacket, Steve Madden heeled boots, sunglasses from Singapore.
How does being queer influence what you wear? To me, being queer means accepting that everything is on a spectrum! Although my wardrobe is definitely on the femme side, I try to explore different styles—whether that be inspired by vintage, streetwear, or 2000s style.
Personal fashion tip? Find an everyday purse that goes with everything and can fit everything in it.
Where would you spend $1,000? Lovet, which is basically the Singaporean Brandy Melville, but everything fits so much better!
If fashion were a crime, what are you serving for? Denim on denim… sometimes.
If you could only wear one pattern for the rest of your life, what would it be? Plaid.
Go-to accessory? Hoop earrings and a jade necklace, given to me by my grandma.
Go-to shoe? Platform Dr. Martens Chelsea Boots. They make me 5’5, which is huge.
If you had to make five different outfits recycling one piece, what would you choose? My red or brown leather jacket, every time!

In Black Lace We Trust

Anya Pinto, 20, any pronouns, student at FIT
What are you wearing? I’m wearing my favorite summer dress! I got it at a goth store in Florida. My necklaces are a pocket watch and pocket knife necklace from a Renaissance Faire, and a rosary choker from Etsy.
How does being queer influence what you wear? Not caring how much my outfits appeal to men helps me feel freer in my choices. I dress for fun. I can be as androgynous as I want or choose to be more feminine.
Personal fashion tip? Layer as much as you can handle, and if it looks silly, chunky shoes will fix it.
Fashion philosophy? I like to dress up in themes sometimes. If I pick a silly theme or character, it’s when I feel most excited about my outfit.
Where would you spend $1,000? The Renaissance Faire.
If fashion were a crime, what are you serving for? Wearing boots at the beach.
Go-to accessory? Leather wrist cuffs.
If you could only wear one pattern for the rest of your life, what would it be? Probably floral.
Questionable fashion take? I like skirts over pants, and vests over jackets sometimes.
Tomorrow morning, you’re traveling to the ‘80s. What are you wearing? Some nice leather pants, the coolest belt and buckle I can find, a skimpy, trashy, lacy top, and a long studded leather jacket.

Business Casual Tinker Bell

Laila Kewalramani, 22, she/her, studying for the MCAT
What are you wearing? I’m wearing a deceptive dark green skirt-pant under a strapless green lace dress under a reconstructed tube top made by my lovely friend Xandra.

How does being queer influence what you wear? Dressing up in particular ways attracts people differently. I can wear the same clothing material, but the method in which it fits my body can really impact how I want to feel perceived and by whom.
Personal fashion tip? If you hate the outfit you just spent too long putting together, you probably just need to add a few necklaces, rings, and call it a day.
Fashion philosophy? Sneaky and covert layers make an outfit 100x better.
Where would you spend $1,000? 2nd Street.
If fashion were a crime, what are you serving for? Constantly having my dogs out with my sandals. I just love open-toed shoes. Jorts too.
Polka dots or stripes? STRIPES!!!! Most of my wardrobe consists of stripes.
Go-to shoe? This summer, I’ve been rocking my chappals partly out of laziness and partly out of their versatility. They’re essentially a cross between sandals and flip flops.
Go-to accessory? Big chunky necklace.
Questionable fashion take? Big purses > mini purses.

eBay’s Most Wanted

Liesel Bauer, they/them, 23, one-on-one aide in a school for neurodivergent children
What are you wearing? Rhude jeans, thrifted black belt, vintage Dr. Martens loafers, white Hanes tank top, my usual silver jewelry, and a bandana held together with a ring.
How does being queer influence what you wear? Being queer is at the center of getting dressed every morning. The most gender affirming act I can do for myself is putting on an outfit that I feel confident in.
Personal fashion tip? Find clothes that fit you well and look good on you, rather than just buying cool pieces.
Fashion philosophy? If someone is confused or upset with how I use my clothes to present myself, I’m doing something right.
Where would you spend $1,000? eBay. My best second-hand and vintage finds have been from eBay, and I always have a watchlist at least 50 items long.
If fashion were a crime, what are you serving for? Twink butch realness.
Mixing patterns or mixing colors? Mixing colors. There are so many interesting color combinations out there to play with.
Polka dots or stripes? Stripes, 100%
Go-to accessory? My silver jewelry. I am never without at least four rings, my bracelet, a necklace or two, and my silver huggie hoops.
Questionable fashion take? Men should take more fashion advice from lesbians.

Pink Rodeo Rendezvous

Saro Badjoko, 22, any pronouns, Architecture student at École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture in Paris, France
What are you wearing? Pistolero cowboy boots, Weekday Galaxy jeans, hot pink mesh tank from Vinted, Claudio Ferrici baguette, and Steve Madden sunnies.
How does being queer influence what you wear? I think it allows for a certain level of freedom, honestly. It’s fun to clash more masculine and feminine-coded pieces together and have them come together to create something new.
Personal fashion tip? Signature jewelry that you always wear. It’s like having a signature fragrance.
Fashion philosophy? A huge part of an outfit looking good on you is just owning the experimentation of it all. Like, these pieces go together because I said so!
Where would you spend $1,000? Paloma Wool.
If fashion were a crime, what are you serving for? Wearing green Havaianas flip-flops when I’m out in the city…
Polka dots or stripes? I live in France, stripes, of course.
Go-to accessory? These Steve Madden sunglasses.
If you had to make five different outfits recycling one piece, what would you choose? Black low-waisted baggy jeans.
Questionable fashion take? Skinny jeans can look good sometimes!
Tomorrow morning, you’re traveling to the ‘80s. What are you wearing? Probably a black wool sweater, some blue wash mom jeans, red leather Mary Janes.

Curtain-Bottom Jeans, Boots With The Fur

Victoria Cornejo, 22, she/they, filmmaker and designer.
What are you wearing? Teal sheer top from thrift in Scotland, Levi’s, an asymmetrical plaid skirt that I made out of thrifted curtains as homage to my Catholic school girl origins, Ugg boots, a thrifted bag from Amsterdam, and a dog tag necklace from the Intrepid Museum.
How does being queer influence what you wear? Being queer allows me to see any garment as “cool.” Men’s, women’s, children’s, maternity, swim tanks, orthopedic shoes, plaid curtains. I welcome difference and eccentricity from everywhere.
Personal fashion tip? Contrasting patterns on your body are key to a good outfit.
Fashion philosophy? If your outfit looks like something your 8-year-old self would’ve been gagged over, you’ve done well.
Go-to accessory? My keys. I have a bunch of sweet plushies hanging on it, and it’s on a carabiner, so it is a very queer staple to my outfit identity.
Go-to shoe? Harley-Davidson steel-toe boots
If you had to make five different outfits recycling one piece, what would you choose? My thrifted NAUTICA jorts. They go to my midknee, baggy in the right way, perfect wash.
Tomorrow morning, you’re traveling to the ‘80s. What are you wearing? Really BIG, teased hair. A black lace bra and a black pinstripe blazer with shoulder padding in it, and matching pants.

She’s Got A Bad Case Of The Stripes!

Ula Pranevicius, 23, she/her, freelance filmmaker
What are you wearing? Striped mini dress over a plum skirt with Camper ballet flats.
How does being queer influence what you wear? I think it has allowed me to free myself from caring too much about what other people think and truly dress for myself.
Personal fashion tip? Take time to experiment, even if it’s just a piece at a time.
Fashion philosophy? Buy less clothes and treat the ones you do with care to prolong their lives.
Where would you spend $1,000? Issey Miyake.
If fashion were a crime, what are you serving for? Too many layers.
Polka dots or stripes? Polka dots for now, stripes forever.
Go-to accessory? Scarf.
Go-to shoe? Ballet flats.
Outfit repeaters are underrated. If you had to make five different outfits recycling one piece, what would you choose? My jeans that fit just right.
Questionable fashion take? Maybe it’s time for the crossbody satchel bag to go.
Tomorrow morning, you’re traveling to the ‘80s. What are you wearing? ‘80s two-piece suit, black velvet, shoulder pads, and all. Of course, a bangle as well.

Italian Summer On The Patio

Ruby Baden-Lasar, 24, she/her, graduate student at NYU
What are you wearing? A knitted Marni sweater, white painter pants, Steve Madden slinkies, and vintage sunglasses.
How does being queer influence what you wear? Growing up in a queer household, we were always encouraged to dress exactly how we felt each day. I’ve always felt super comfortable dressing to complement whatever version of myself wakes up in the morning.
Personal fashion tip? If your feet start hurting when you’re still in the house, change your shoes.
Fashion philosophy? Delete TikTok and ride the train or walk around your neighborhood and see what the old ladies are rocking.
Where would you spend $1,000? eBay. I’m trying to completely eliminate buying new clothes. With a band, I could get a really cool archival piece, maybe the Issey Miyake deer print matching set.
If fashion were a crime, what are you serving for? Repeat (outfit) offender.
If you could only wear one pattern for the rest of your life, what would it be? Skinny vertical stripes.
Go-to accessory? Mix of gold and silver chunky and skinny rings. Minimum seven rings for any outing.
Go-to shoe? Black Camper loafer with a slight heel.
Questionable fashion take? Getting dressed without looking in the mirror.

Anika Kewalramani is a native New Yorker based in Manhattan. She holds a BA in Government and Education from Wesleyan University and is undergoing her MA at Hunter College in Educational Psychology. She loves writing, fashion, and an opportunity to make space for creators of marginalized backgrounds.