Pearls, Bows & Playful Femininity

I was never truly a “girly girl,” though I desperately wanted to be seen as one when I was a kid. When I moved to the U.S. at age 8 in 1994, presenting feminine became a kind of protection. My natural energy and appearance have always leaned androgynous, and as a teenager I envied the high-femme ease my little sisters seemed to carry—even when they wore tomboy clothes. What I didn’t realize then was that my performance of femininity was really an attempt to hide my deeply self-denied queerness.

The gift of coming into my androgyny and queerness later in life is this: I developed a finely tuned eye for beautiful, creative, feminine fashion and accessories. (If you ever visited my Seattle storefronts between 2013–2020, you might agree!) It took me years to shed the protective, artsy high-femme styling I once clung to and embrace the tomboy-leaning aesthetic that feels natural to me now. But all those years of masking left me with a lasting passion for curation—especially of feminine objects. And now that skill, born out of self-denial, gets to benefit both you and me. I love hunting for girly treasures, and you get to shop them if they spark your joy.

Ok, I snuck in some less girly, more cheeky pearl options here including a pearl snail pin and some pearl bird booties. But alas, I have scoured the internet for where these pearl bird butts are from and I can’t find a source! Shout at me if you can find them.

• Pearl Earrings all by Adorn Pili.

• Nails by Aimyme Nail. & Noa Nail Tip. & Kim Truong.

• Pear Hair Magnets by Jennifer Behr.

• Pearl Snail Pin by Golden Branch Design.

From super soft draped bows that you could wear as a wedding veil to edgy metallic bows to wrap around your ankle, here’s a fun assortment.

• Sparkly Silver Hair Bow by Lelet NY.

• Hair Pins by Kaxi.

• Minimal Pear Ribbon Earrings by W Concept.

• Olivia Le Gold Bow Minimalist Necklace by Elkmont Trading Company.

• Anklet by Free People.

• Floor Sweeping Bow + Silk Bow hair Bow by Kamperett.

• Complex Bow Earrings by Misho.

• Silver Hair Bow Cuff from Amazon.

Because sometimes frills make the thrill. A mix of unexpected, quirky takes and dreamy classics.

• Anyssa Ruffle Mini Dress in Softblue by Bardot.

• Lavender Ruffle Fabric by Lace Fabrics Store.

• Babydoll Organza Top by Esthe Clothing.

• Full Sleeve Frill Top by Free People.

• Striped Starlit Palazzo Pants by Carmen Says.

• Dreamy off-shoulder blouse with meringue flounces in misty rose by Milla.

• Customizable Bow Pocket Tulle Skirt by Cartips Crafts. Ps, WOW this Etsy seller has so many amazing tulle skirt options that are customizable in size and color.

• Hot Pink Stella Dress (comes in other colors) by K. S. Garner.

• XXL Silk Scrunchie by A Bronze Age.

• Fairy Tale Dress by Olga Kremlyakova.