our culture, our art, ourselves

nate barron

Nate is standing holding some papers in front of a mural in a bookstore that is painted along the spines of books as well as the bookshelf itself with a large portrait of James Baldwin's face. Nate is wearing a light Blue linen suit with an orangey red pocket square, beige linen vest over a white button up shirt. She is wearing a white straw wide brim hat with a white and blue paisley bandana over his nose with a semi matching floral Bow tie. She has an enamel pin on her lapel of the Black Power fist in rainbow pride flag colors, and is wearing clear glasses with Rainbow temples.

Nate is standing holding some papers in front of a mural in a bookstore that is painted along the spines of books as well as the bookshelf itself with a large portrait of James Baldwin's face. Nate is wearing a light Blue linen suit with an orangey red pocket square, beige linen vest over a white button up shirt. She is wearing a white straw wide brim hat with a white and blue paisley bandana over his nose with a semi matching floral Bow tie. She has an enamel pin on her lapel of the Black Power fist in rainbow pride flag colors, and is wearing clear glasses with Rainbow temples.

My style is a combination of me, all of me. I journeyed through life, heartache, and joys to find it, or more accurately, to develop it. I learned that I didn’t need just one style. It takes a plethora of fashions to fit my moods, my surroundings, and my community. During my stay in New Orleans, I have come across so many examples of authenticity. It is on the walls, in bookstores, in the faces I pass. Being queer and Black is being authentic, resilient, and unapologetic. Clothes have no gender.  The wearer’s personality is the final accessory to any outfit. Be authentic.

Nate is standing in front of a fence in a backyard holding a cigar in one hand with her thumb tucked into her vest and his other hand in his black jeans pocket. She is grinning at the camera while wearing a Black hat with daffodil yellow underneath the brim, wire and acetate glasses, a white button down shirt with a red and white gingham vest on top and a red and gold Paisley tie with a gold pocket watch chain peeking out from under the vest.

Nate is standing in front of a fence in a backyard holding a cigar in one hand with her thumb tucked into her vest and his other hand in his black jeans pocket. She is grinning at the camera while wearing a Black hat with daffodil yellow underneath the brim, wire and acetate glasses, a white button down shirt with a red and white gingham vest on top and a red and gold Paisley tie with a gold pocket watch chain peeking out from under the vest.

Comfort starts at home. When I acquire a new garment or want to try a new combination, I like to break it in at home. It’s like new shoes. The more you wear it, the more it molds to you. I don’t want my outfits to feel like costumes. While at the house, I can adjust, look in the mirror, strike a pose, or put on makeup. Whatever helps me feel comfortable and confident. Whatever helps me feel like one of the versions of myself.

Nate is walking along a brown brick wall with his left leg extended in front, right hand resting on a double headed water spigot, and his left hand drawn back in a fist. She wears a lavender button down shirt with a light yellow bow tie. On top are pink, yellow, and green patterned wide suspenders and a beige button down vest. He wears white pants, white shoes with multicolor spots, and 2 silver rings on the left hand.

Nate is walking along a brown brick wall with his left leg extended in front, right hand resting on a double headed water spigot, and his left hand drawn back in a fist. She wears a lavender button down shirt with a light yellow bow tie. On top are pink, yellow, and green patterned wide suspenders and a beige button down vest. He wears white pants, white shoes with multicolor spots, and 2 silver rings on the left hand.

At times, my choice of clothing contrasts with society's expectations. Style is artistry. I am an artist. Just one accessory can make a statement; can display personality. It can highlight who you are or who you are growing into. Seasons and surroundings can change. Change is natural. Who you are today does not have to be who you are tomorrow. Even wearing your favorite socks can change your step.

Nate leans forward at the waist towards the camera making eye contact and smiling, hands behind her back. He is standing in front of the wall of a brown brick house with a white window and shrubs with orange flowers. She wears a yellow button down shirt, dark red bowtie with small white polka dots, and a red suspender strap peeks out of the armhole of the grey buttoned vest with 2 chest pockets. He wears black pants, round wire frame glasses, a brown wide brimmed hat, and silver stud earrings.

Nate leans forward at the waist towards the camera making eye contact and smiling, hands behind her back. He is standing in front of the wall of a brown brick house with a white window and shrubs with orange flowers. She wears a yellow button down shirt, dark red bowtie with small white polka dots, and a red suspender strap peeks out of the armhole of the grey buttoned vest with 2 chest pockets. He wears black pants, round wire frame glasses, a brown wide brimmed hat, and silver stud earrings.

One of the biggest concerns I hear when advising folks about androgynous dress is confidence in their body shape. Black queer excellence is giving body and face. When I get dressed in the morning, I pick one thing I want to highlight. It can be a bowtie, a hat, or even my smile. I build my outfit around that one thing because that one article of clothing or physical element is a battery. It charges my feelings for the day, radiates through the rest of my outfit, and develops my confidence in myself. I sometimes pick necktie knots I want to try or earrings that add that sparkle. The rest of my outfit and body are just the supporting cast.

Nate stands on metal steps along the side of a brown brick building, with another brown brick building with a red roof in the background. He stands with feet shoulder width apart, turned ¾ to the left, with his left hand grabbing his blazer, and right hand pulling a cigar out of his blazer inside pocket. She wears a wide brimmed hat and blazer in the same navy blue, with navy tie with white polka dots. She wears a white button down, red skinny pants cropped at the ankle, and black or dark brown leather dress shoes. He also wears round framed glasses with rainbow stripes on the side and a silver stud earring.

Nate stands on metal steps along the side of a brown brick building, with another brown brick building with a red roof in the background. He stands with feet shoulder width apart, turned ¾ to the left, with his left hand grabbing his blazer, and right hand pulling a cigar out of his blazer inside pocket. She wears a wide brimmed hat and blazer in the same navy blue, with navy tie with white polka dots. She wears a white button down, red skinny pants cropped at the ankle, and black or dark brown leather dress shoes. He also wears round framed glasses with rainbow stripes on the side and a silver stud earring.

I want to be loud and proud but also strong and silent. Being bold doesn’t mean being gaudy. I want my look to blend into my soul. I am not dressing for attention but for my authentic self. I appreciate when I walk by someone that compliments my look and the person that says nothing. That obviously means they can’t put me into words!  I want my internal monologue to be seen. I’m an experience.

Nate stands against the edge of the right frame of the camera, cropped from the waist up, smoking a cigar with her right hand. He stands in front of a gray wall with organic abstract patterns. She wears a white button down shirt with the sleeves  rolled up, navy and yellow windowpane vest, and a navy and yellow paisley tie. The vest has a chain that drapes across the front and has a yellow pendant that dangles from a button of the vest. He wears a black belt on navy pants, round brown framed glasses, a blue wide brimmed hat, and small gold earrings.

Nate stands against the edge of the right frame of the camera, cropped from the waist up, smoking a cigar with her right hand. He stands in front of a gray wall with organic abstract patterns. She wears a white button down shirt with the sleeves  rolled up, navy and yellow windowpane vest, and a navy and yellow paisley tie. The vest has a chain that drapes across the front and has a yellow pendant that dangles from a button of the vest. He wears a black belt on navy pants, round brown framed glasses, a blue wide brimmed hat, and small gold earrings.

Complexity is in the details. I started elevating my style by adding one or two accessories at a time. Adding suspenders over a T-shirt and jeans can add an additional element. Even changing shoelaces can feel like a development. Don’t try to change your wardrobe all at once.  Let it grow with you. Elevate and replace your clothing one at a time.

Nate stands in front of a gray building with graffiti and a barbed wire fence. He is standing facing the left with his right hand against his forehead and left arm extended behind him and left leg bevelled. She wears a muted coral blazer, sage button down shirt, and dark blue jeans. He also wears a gray tie, white, yellow and blue pattered suspenders, a white pocket square in his blazer pocket, and a black heart pin on the blazer lapel. She wears a brown wide brimmed hat and brown dress boots.

Nate stands in front of a gray building with graffiti and a barbed wire fence. He is standing facing the left with his right hand against his forehead and left arm extended behind him and left leg bevelled. She wears a muted coral blazer, sage button down shirt, and dark blue jeans. He also wears a gray tie, white, yellow and blue pattered suspenders, a white pocket square in his blazer pocket, and a black heart pin on the blazer lapel. She wears a brown wide brimmed hat and brown dress boots.

Don’t take yourself too seriously. Being goofy allows room for error and can present new opportunities to further your understanding of your style. Take your look for a stroll. Take a walk and strike a pose!

Nate sits at a table in an indoor space. The black table is set along a brown shiplap wall. In the background is a wood piano with plants on top and a framed yellow painting, a gray door, and a navy chair. Nate is seated, resting his left arm on the table holding a blue book, and right hand grabbing his tie, with his knees turned out to the side. She wears a blue and white striped button down with a white collar, a navy blazer, and beige pants. He wears a patterned tie in muted warm colors, a blue and yellow pocket square, a silver tie pin, a silver ring on the left hand, silver round glasses, and a white fedora. 

Nate sits at a table in an indoor space. The black table is set along a brown shiplap wall. In the background is a wood piano with plants on top and a framed yellow painting, a gray door, and a navy chair. Nate is seated, resting his left arm on the table holding a blue book, and right hand grabbing his tie, with his knees turned out to the side. She wears a blue and white striped button down with a white collar, a navy blazer, and beige pants. He wears a patterned tie in muted warm colors, a blue and yellow pocket square, a silver tie pin, a silver ring on the left hand, silver round glasses, and a white fedora. 

Start the day feeling accomplished by setting the tone for the day. When I take the time to put a little extra effort into my dress and grooming, I feel it! I go out, I am more productive, I am more complete. Life can take a toll on our productivity and time. Self-care can be anything that puts a smile on your face. For me, it’s a hat! Take time to smile about your clothes.

Nate stands in front of a gray barrier with thin bars. Visible through the bars is a street with a white and blue car. Nate is smiling at the camera, holding a clear drink with a lime and a white napkin in his right hand. He is wearing a white button down shirt, sage green button down vest and matching pants, and a pink bowtie. A gold chain hangs from the pocket to the button of the vest. There is a dark green pocket square in the breast pocket of the vest and he wears a gold right with a pearl, gold framed round glasses, pearl stud earrings, and a white fedora.

Nate stands in front of a gray barrier with thin bars. Visible through the bars is a street with a white and blue car. Nate is smiling at the camera, holding a clear drink with a lime and a white napkin in his right hand. He is wearing a white button down shirt, sage green button down vest and matching pants, and a pink bowtie. A gold chain hangs from the pocket to the button of the vest. There is a dark green pocket square in the breast pocket of the vest and he wears a gold right with a pearl, gold framed round glasses, pearl stud earrings, and a white fedora.

The city of New Orleans allows its people to celebrate diversity. Growth comes from experience and experimenting. Life and love are great motivations to pursue many passions. Be bold and experimental. A toast to diversity.

vol. 01 summer 2021

vol. 01
summer 2021

Nate is a Black queer sitting on some rocks with green foliage by a body of water with buildings, a large boat and a bridge in the distance with gray clouds. She is holding a drink and smiling at the camera, while wearing a blue felt hat with a large brim over thick curly short hair. He is wearing a light blue shirt with an African print in blue, red and brown as details on the collar, cuff, pocket and button plackets. Her pants and shoes are black.

Nate is a Black queer sitting on some rocks with green foliage by a body of water with buildings, a large boat and a bridge in the distance with gray clouds. She is holding a drink and smiling at the camera, while wearing a blue felt hat with a large brim over thick curly short hair. He is wearing a light blue shirt with an African print in blue, red and brown as details on the collar, cuff, pocket and button plackets. Her pants and shoes are black.

about the artist

Nate Barron (she/he) is a Black enthusiast of dapper dress and lifestyle. She interprets “dapper” through the lens of Black queerness and excellence. Her everyday look consists of traditional pieces displayed in a non traditional way to showcase her authentic self.