Finding the perfect gift can be hard, particularly when you’re buying for a man who already has a lot of gadgetry and an independent income.

Often, they tend to buy themselves the gadgets and garments they want, leaving you with limited options when it comes to finding them a present they’ll love. 

Don’t despair, because there are still loads of ways to surprise them and give them an unforgettable treat. If you’re trying to find a gift, be it for a birthday, holiday or special occasion, then read on to find a selection of ideas that you can share with them. 

An Experience Voucher

One of the best ways to give a unique, unforgettable gift to the man in your life is to buy him an experience voucher. There are many options to choose from, ranging from supercar track days and hot air balloon rides through to cooking lessons and cocktail masterclasses, meaning there’s something for everyone. You can choose an experience that you will both love and book it for them so that they have something to look forward to in the future. 

A Sex Toy

If the love of your life is a fan of spicing things up in the bedroom, then there are these options here for sex toys that will entice and engage them. You can use them on your partner, or allow them to use them on you, to create intimate experiences that neither of you will forget. A sex toy is also a great way to start experimenting in the bedroom, so buying one as a gift way to start your journey towards a fulfilling and exciting sex life. Just make sure he doesn’t open it in front of his family! 

Designer Underwear

Many men wear the same old underwear for years, but this can be uncomfortable for them, as well as unappealing for you. Try to find them some new underwear made by a designer brand, so that they can look good and you can feel even better. Try to buy them in a style that suits their body and a color that will set off their skin tone, so that their underwear will look good and well as keeping your partner snug and comfortable. 

A High-End Electric Guitar 

If your partner is an avid guitar player, but you want to enjoy some respite from the sound of their favorite songs coming through the walls during their late-night jam sessions, then consider buying them a luxury electric guitar. When played without an amp, they are almost entirely silent, meaning that they can practice to their heart’s content while you sleep soundly in another room. Check out the high-end electric guitars on offer from some of the world’s most respected instrument makers to find one that your man will love. 

A Couple’s Massage

Massages are a relaxing spa treatment that almost everyone enjoys, so if your partner is a fan of being pampered, then consider getting them a voucher for a couple’s massage or spa day. You can both indulge in a relaxing massage and spend a relaxing day together. Many spas also offer you the chance to try out other treatments with your partner, so check out the menu and see if there’s anything that you will both enjoy. Afterwards, you can cool off in the pool or the hot tub, bringing your relaxing, rejuvenating day to a close and leaving you both refreshed and ready to face whatever the future brings.

A Pet

Buying a pet as a surprise gift is not advisable, but if you and your partner have been considering taking the leap and becoming a pet parent for some time, then paying for it could be a great gift. Make sure that you both choose the animal together so that you find one that fits perfectly into your little family. You might not be able to surprise them, but you will be able to buy a gift that you will both love and which will be a major part of your lives for many years to come. 

A Trendy Kitchen Accessory 

Gourmet cooking has become fashionable over recent years, thanks to celebrity chefs. As a result, many men love to spend their time in the kitchen, whipping up their favorite dishes. Search for a quality kitchen accessory that will enhance their cooking experience and help them to create even more tasty treats, which you, of course, will be more than happy to sample to check that they taste as good as they look.

Ultimately, the most important thing to remember when shopping for a gift for your partner is to be thoughtful. Try to find a gift that is personal and unique, so that they feel supported and valued. Use this list to find inspiration and share the joy with your loved one. 

As June nears, expect businesses (even those that used to be anti-LGBTQIA, or at least mum about this issue until profiting from it was seen) to start using the rainbow – long considered as a symbol of LGBT Pride to sell goods.

Among the early starters this year is Apple, which launched the artful Pride Edition Sport Band, which is joined for the first time by the new Apple Watch Nike Pride Edition Sport Band. Both are available from apple.com, the Apple Store app, and Apple stores, and pair with matching Pride Watch faces that are coming soon as a part of watchOS 6.2.5.

Fortunately (at least for Americans), Apple (and Nike) support LGBTQIA organizations doing advocacy and community-building, including GLSEN, PFLAG, The Trevor Project, Gender Spectrum, The National Center for Transgender Equality, and ILGA World.

So… as June approaches, savor the colors of the rainbow, while discussing profiteering of and within the LGBTQIA community.

So, you’ve got a big night out coming up but you aren’t sure what you are going to wear to it. This can be a very tricky decision, especially if you don’t know what other people are planning on wearing. Many women decide to buy a new outfit for a big night out but there are so many different styles in stores that it can be hard to narrow down the options. 

To help you with this, we are going to talk you through our guide to dressing for a big night out. Keep reading to find out more.

The Dress

If you are going on a big night out then you might want to think about finding a dress. With a dress, you only need to buy one piece of clothing and you don’t need to worry about finding trousers or a skirt to go with it. If your big night out is during the festive season then we suggest that you go for something sparkly. A little black dress can work really well and show off your curves. 

If you aren’t someone who likes to wear dresses then you can also go for a skirt and top combination. What about a jumpsuit? It is up to you but just make sure that you choose something that you feel comfortable in and that you can easily accessorise.

The Shoes

Arguably the next most important part of dressing for a big night out is the shoes. Not only do you need to make sure that you are choosing a pair of shoes that are going to match your outfit and make you look great but you also need to be able to walk in them. For a big night out, you should consider going for a double strap knee high boot. These will be comfortable and look really great with your chosen outfit. Make sure to try everything on and make your shoes as comfortable as possible. 

The Accessories

The next thing that you need to focus on when you are dressing for a big night out is the accessories. This can include everything from belts on your outfit to the jewellery that you are going to wear. Long earrings that dangle down to your shoulders can be a great look during the festive season but they also work throughout the rest of the year. Make sure that you add some rings and potentially some hair accessories to really complete your look. 

The Handbag

Finally, you need to make sure that you have the right kind of handbag for your big night out. The handbag needs to go well with the outfit and be the right size. If you can avoid bringing a lot of stuff with you then you can go for something a little smaller and classier. For those who need to bring all of their makeup with them, amongst other things, a larger handbag might be necessary. Make sure to try your handbag with your outfit and try to match it to your shoes.

Final Verdict

If you are going on a big night out soon then you should make sure to follow our guide to finding the right outfit. Everyone has a different style so it helps to try on things and make sure that they fit and look great on you. Don’t forget your handbag and your shoes as these are extremely important. Follow our tips and tricks and you’ll be sure to have a great night out and look great when you are there.

It’s about mold-breaking, looking beyond the conformist approach to fashion and seeing how far you can stretch the concept of aesthetics.

Throughout the long and tumultuous history of queer culture, it was predominantly associated with the edge, adventurous creative endeavors on the margin and those who were mired in aesthetics perfectly understood that this is where the ‘cooking pot’ of trends lie. This has been true for far longer than many would care to admit, and it holds today in particular when the cultural landscape has become so eclectic and thrilling.

Blurring the lines

The lines that divide genders have always been a point of great fascination to people around the world – for better or, sometimes, unfortunately, for worse. In the age of consumerism when cheap but fabulous rags are a dime a dozen, and turnover of trends has become dizzyingly fast, it is only natural that such fascinations have become especially inflected.

Unfortunately, a majority still considers that certain fashion markers are sex-coded; but why wouldn’t your average guy experiment with arguably feminine Moon Magic jewelry, or your average gal with decidedly masculine leather shoes if it compliments their overall style and need for self-expression?

It might sound like a trite and banal question, especially if you consider how far our culture has come in embracing queer fashion. The unanimous viewership clamor for new episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race, when compared to its modest beginnings, is proof enough. It has become, as Matthew Schneier rightly put it in his article, a true niche touchstone.

However, this is exactly why its visibility is so crucial. It is a testing ground that steers the zeitgeist, and its most lavishing, daring aspects ‘trickle-down’ slowly through the filters of culture until they manage to reach absolutely everyone.

However, the question of gender expression through articles of clothing only scratches the surface of what can be defined as an exploration of identity through style. This is why queer fashion – notable icons in particular – is so crucial.

The historical identity play

Marginalized identities usually have the bravery to rile against the status quo in every conceivable way, clothing included. Furthermore, the threat of encroaching bigotry creates inner friction that encourages daring creative expression.

You need to look no further than the history of notable marginalized individuals from queer culture, starting with Fanny and Stella – which were otherwise known under their birth names of Frederick Park and Ernest Boulton. In 1870s London, the age of rising conservative sentiments and cruel devaluation of individuals through mass-industrialization, these two individuals flaunted their individuality by attending more than a few social events in women’s clothing.

The duo, which was also a theatrical act, ended up prosecuted for ‘sodomy’ and salacious behavior. Still, their story persisted and reverberated through time, encouraging other individuals to express their identity and unique outlook through their clothes.

From Oscar Wilde to Derek Jarman, Chevalier d’Eon to Coccinelle, and further – queer and transgender individuals broke and redefined style across all facets of art and culture. Their unwavering ability to dispel stereotypical views kept people transfixed.

And yet, even in the day and age when a culturally astute population has largely embraced queer, non-binary and trans voices, in fashion and otherwise, there is still so much ground to cover and ceilings to breakthrough.

While mainstream design houses do keep a close eye at the queer community for inspiration, a more direct, unfiltered exposition would be of great benefit for queer individuals that aspire to become fashion icons (and no, it is not merely and exclusively about models, but about artists as well). 

In conclusion, your honor!

There is no culture without the margin, and queer fashion is all about pushing the boundaries and buttons in equal measure. As we all know, bigotry and stereotypes have a stubborn habit of suffocating true self-expression, and while we do have a long way to go, this is also an appropriate time to be optimistic.

The visibility of queer, androgynous, trans and non-binary individuals is increasing, and their impact on fashion culture is undeniable. You can’t turn a blind eye on the unadulterated, unapologetic explosion of self-expression.

If you love Steampunk, you are a person of specific tastes. This has been a niche genre with a steady stream of followers for decades now, and it appears that the trend will hardly change in the foreseeable future. Thankfully, individuals such as yourself get more and more opportunities to share their enthusiasm for Steampunk with other like minded people, and when any such opportunity comes, you’ll want to look the part.

Here’s how to look like a Steampunk woman.

Purists and enthusiasts

Steampunk outfitters can be divided into two groups of people – the purists and enthusiasts. Purists are all about recreating consistent Victorian outfits with a few eye-popping Steampunk embellishments, while purists adore the aesthetic approach and its outlandish, rebellious appeal.

For starters, it would be both fun and financially feasible to go with the second approach. It casts a wider net when it comes to items and accessories you can purchase.

For example, Steampunk clothes have a utilitarian side to them, so it shouldn’t be particularly difficult to seek out items of clothing all around you that have specific purposes.

Truth be told, most of such clothes do not align with the idea of a Steampunk outfit, but you can stumble upon a real gem. Believe it or not, safety metal instep shoes can be a rather impressive part of your Steampunk outfit.

Still, no matter how cool something looks, no matter how well it meshes with the rest of your clothes, you should make an effort to fulfill that basic tenet of Steampunk fashion – stick to the Victorian industrial era as much as possible.

Victorian appeal – Where to start?

The best place to start is the basic material and fabrics. As a Steampunk lady, you’ll want to steer away from modern blends unless they work well at imitating traditional textures which have been used during Victorian times.

This includes wool, cotton, silk, leather, velvet, corduroy, suede, and lace. When it comes to trinkets, accessories, and paraphernalia: timber, metal (iron, tin, copper, silver, gold), and glass. Avoid lead at all costs, naturally. Denim should be avoided as well since it wasn’t available at that age.

Once again, if you want to save up money before venturing all-in on the style, you can look into items that are already available to you and see if they, in some shape or form, align with the Steampunk aesthetic. Better yet, see what you can do to create your own DIY Steampunk trinkets. 

The good news is that your closet already contains some materials and garments that have the necessary qualities – especially if you have an opportunity to dig through your grandmother’s old stuff.

Then again, certain items are practically a must, so you’ll ultimately have to splurge on these basic Steampunk garments.

Essentials

If you cannot find an appropriate blouse in your closet, seek out typical Victorian blouses made out of ruffled material, with puffy sleeves and, possibly, a nice collar. If you can, avoid zippers and go for buttons or lace (not the fabric, but a cord for tightening).

Corset goes over your blouse, and you should count it as an essential – you’ll rarely see a fully-fledged Steampunk outfit without one. Whether it’s underbust or overbust, you can go crazy with styles here, so let your imagination run wild and browse extensively before you hone-in on the purchase.

Waist-down, you’ll either go with a dress, pants or leggings. Victorian-inflected lace works wonders here, and you have just as many choices as you do with corsets. People can be very imaginative when it comes to Victorian garment design and you can easily find very interesting dresses without spending too much.

Now, boots are important, and this is where a lot of your budget will go. Avoid open toes and stick with buckles and cords for fastening. Zippers are a no-go here as well, and while it is true that this was technically invented by 1901, they simply didn’t look as modern.  

Now, since hats were in style during this era, it also wouldn’t go amiss to own one – a top hat, bonnet, wedding hat, church hat, Kentucky Derby variant, the more era-appropriate yet over the top – the better. Aviator glasses are a popular accessory as well, and they often go hand-in-hand with hats.   

Conclusion

As you may have gathered, Steampunk is too broad a notion to cover in a singular article. As a cultural phenomenon that crosses media, culture and – indeed – fashion, there’s just too much to take in. And you know what: that is the beauty of Steampunk!

Discovering every facet of this niche genre is an adventure in and of itself, and the community is thankfully accommodating, inclusive and pleasant. At the end of the day, should you feel as if you’ve hit a dead end with your Steampunk outfit, you can always turn to the community that is willing to share their experience and knowledge.

Buying the perfect gift for your partner can be tough, and it’s easy to fall back on something boring and unoriginal like chocolates, alcohol or lingerie, but there are so many unique options out there that can help you show your love and originality. For those keen to share their pride in their sexuality with others, there are now so many cool gifts you can buy that will help you show your love for your partner and incredible sense of style and taste.

Check out some of our ideas on how you can give that special someone a truly creative and unforgettable gift this festive season.

MAKEUP THAT WILL SHOW THEIR PRIDE

For your makeup loving partner, consider buying an eyeshadow palette that supports the community and leaves them looking beautiful and sparkly. This stunning selection of shades will give them bright, bold looks that they’ll be truly proud of. 

A SEX TOY FOR THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

You can put some spice into your relationship and give your partner a gift that you can both benefit from by selecting the perfect sex toy. Check out the range of lesbian sex toys from Wet For Her to find the perfect toy you’ll both be able to enjoy well into the New Year.

A RAINBOW DRESS THAT’LL STAND OUT

The rainbow is the accepted symbol of pride, so why not show your partner how proud you are by buying them a stunning rainbow dress this Christmas? There are numerous styles on offer so that you can pick something that will flatter them and fit in with their style.

PRIDE PET ACCESSORIES SO EVERYONE CAN SHOW THE LOVE

If they’re an animal lover then give them a beautiful pride accessory for their furry friend this Christmas. This gift will allow them to show their pride in a unique way and involve their beloved pet in a way that most other gifts just don’t. 

JEWELRY WITH A NAUGHTY SECRET

For the woman who wants to wear her heart, and other parts of her anatomy, on her sleeve, consider jewelry that doubles as restraints and naughty toys. There are loads of styles and types to choose from so that you can get something that’ll look good and feel great.

A MUG TO SHOW OFF THEIR WIT

Funny mugs with cute slogans are an office staple, so for Christmas this year buy the love of your life a witty mug that will show their pride in their sexuality and hilarious sense of humor.

Whatever you choose to buy, remember that it’s the thought that counts. Your partner will appreciate the time and effort you’ve put into choosing their gift, as opposed to the money you spent, so even if it’s not expensive remember that a thoughtful gift will be appreciated and make them happy. Christmas is a time for joy and goodwill, so don’t stress over your gift giving and instead enjoy spending the festive season with those you love.