I’ve always been interested in the story-telling aspect of fashion — on the societal level as well as the personal one. As I debated whether or not to write one of my old-school “What Wendy Wore” year-in-review posts in the midst of what’s happening in the world, I realized that a lot of what I wore in 2023 reflected all my concerns and what I was doing to try to make a difference. So consider this a peek into the world as I experienced it through how I dressed for it.
To be blunt, the year started in the worst possible way. I had been pleased with the #SlowFashion quality of my look for last New Year’s Eve’s dinner with MrB. I even thought, “This is going to get me back into blogging more regularly.”
What Wendy Wore on January 1, 2023
Bodysuit: Commando (2019, previously seen here.)
Skirt: Libertine (2015, first seen here)
Jacket: Zang Toi (2009)
Purse: Louis Vuitton (tracking down the year!)
Shoes: Vivienne Westwood (2011)
Headband: Champagne-themed thing from a stationery store.
On January 1, I honored that resolution and began working on an outfit post with a special focus on the animal-toe “Never Is the Next New Thing™” Vivienne Westwood shoes.
That’s exactly when I learned, from social media, that my dear friend Lola Mitchell — aka Gangsta Boo — had died. I started pouring all my memories into writing about her instead, but I found the tribute too painful to finish until her birthday in August. Because I felt like I couldn’t blog about anything until I wrote about Lola, I left the blog mostly alone this year. That’s not to say I wasn’t writing anything! I published over 52 activism newsletters this year — more than one a week — which you can see here. Please sign up! It’s free and I include a lot of virtual actions that you can take from anywhere in the country. One favorite recommendation of mine is contacting your elected officials daily through the free, 24/7 Resistbot service. Text the word RESIST to 50409 to get started.
In February 2023, the only things that got me out of the house were pole-dancing classes and protest actions. My one head-to-toe outfit photo — most of which is obscured by my giant sign — was taken at the weekly Rise and Resist protest outside Fox News.
What Wendy Wore in February 2023
Hat: Fox Lies hat (2021)
Sweatshirt: Megan Renee (2001)
Parka: Moose Knuckles (2017)
Jeans: Frame (2018-ish)
Boots: Ross and Snow (2022)
A photo from that action was used by ABC News in an article about Democratic politicians calling on Fox’s billionaire owner Rupert Murdoch to stop his propaganda network’s lies. If you’re ever in New York City on a Tuesday, you can join Rise and Resist’s Truth Tuesdays action at 1211 6th Avenue (between 47th and 48th Streets) from noon to 1 PM. As I’m always telling people about this and any other protest action, you don’t have to stay the whole time to be an important part of it! Come late, leave early, or just walk by to take photos and amplify the action on social media. We welcome any kind of participation at all.
In March, I was thrilled to play lying Fox News host Laura Ingraham at another Truth Tuesdays protest. Most of my activist friends hadn’t seen me in my previous-life wardrobe, so I had a good time with their “How do you walk in those?!” shoe questions.
What Wendy Wore in March 2023
Jacket and skirt: Versace (2004, seen in 2007 here and 2008 here)
Top: No idea what I had under there.
Shoes: Prada (pre-2005, previously seen here)
Bag: Prada (Don’t know when I got it, but there’s a photo from 2018)
A lot of people have expressed a dislike of my hairy purple jacket over the years, but I still love it. Variations on that look also came in yellow that Fall 2004 season, and I had to take a screenshot when Brent Edward Vintage listed a skirt on 1st Dibs this summer.
April‘s best head-to-toe outfit photo — and its context — is certainly something I wouldn’t have imagined a few years ago. I didn’t foresee us losing our right to have an abortion, and I didn’t envision myself organizing and leading a pro-abortion protest on the steps of the New York Public Library.
What Wendy Wore in April 2023
T-shirt: “I Will Aid and Abet Abortion” (2023)
Jeans: Frame Denim (2022)
Sneakers: Brooks (2022)
Belt bag: Proenza Schouler (2021? I need to look this up)
Posture: Borrowed from Mick Jagger
In May, I organized a group of activist friends to go to the Night of a Thousand Stevies Stevie Nicks tribute. (Our group chat is still called “the Stevies.”) That’s me with Sonni’s white wig slapped on my head. On my right is Jen Shoemaker, who made her own fantastic headpiece and sells her work on Etsy. Check her out here. Jen is also the owner of Krewe de Fromage catering. I recommend her highly!
What Wendy Wore in May 2023
Bodysuit: Poshmark (I think it was $7! 2023)
Layering top under the bodysuit (Versace, 2001-ish)
Skirt: Paris Cabaret style from Shrine of Hollywood on Etsy (2023)
Boots: Fluevog (January 2023, thank you to my friend Yajna for helping me find them)
Interestingly, I’ve worn this exact same ensemble enough times that it deserves its own post. I’ll put that on my to-do list.
For June, I’m a bit spoiled for fashion-activism photo options. Orange was never a color I wore much of for most of my life, but it’s the color of the anti-gun violence movement. I started with a small scarf in 2018, and now I’m a walking construction cone keeping my friend Jenny safe from traffic.
What Wendy Wore in June 2023, Part 1
Jeans and t-shirt: Frame Denim (2023)
Prescription glasses: Prada (2011 sunglasses purchased from Poshmark in 2021)
Boots: Fiorentini & Baker (bought secondhand in Paris in 2013)
But my most amusing fashion choice in June was what I wore to the annual NYC drag march. I thought, “What a great moment for a tuxedo look with my beloved top hat.” I found a $30 dress on Poshmark (have you figured out I’m obsessed with Poshmark?) Then I had regrets because everyone else dressed like a fabulous rainbow.
Photographer Diane Greene Lent later caught me standing near the one other person who made my aesthetic choice, and I 100% remember this moment! I was admiring everyone’s lewks and wondering, “Why did I wear black?”! Little did I know this out-of-step fashion choice foretold another, even more comical wardrobe selection in October.
However, you’re going to have to wait until 2024 for the wrap-up of 2023’s fashion. I don’t like delaying Part 2 because (a) who cares about a year-end wrap-up after December 31 and (b) every time I say, “I’ll be right back” something awful happens and I don’t feel up to blogging for months. And right now, the level of awful is unmatched. Well, I’ll just have to try my best. I do find if I make time for something that gives me some personal satisfaction — whether that’s going out with friends for non-protest activities or just, you know, brushing my teeth once in a while — I have more energy and hope as an activist.
Let’s all work towards better things in the New Year, shall we?
I’m still out here, enjoying your posts, Wendy! I love seeing you dressed up again – I think I might be one of the only people who loves your hairy purple jacket, lol. I see you bought a pair of Fluevogs! Finally! I have those same ones in purple (I have over 50 pairs of John Fluevog’s shoes now!).
I like that you wore black and white for pride – the Aces (asexuals) use those (with grey and purple) in their flag.
I’m here for the Aces!
Wait, you have these boots in PURPLE??!