It is unfair, of course, to summarize an entire fashion season by narrowing one’s focus on a single group of style setters. Similarly, there is little to suggest that this year’s style hits will carry forward and morph into a “real thing.” We also know that trendsetters and their publics are notoriously fickle, even more so in these days of You Tube phenoms and overnight viral sensations. However, even with all those provisos, one can’t talk about fashion this summer (and any season actually) without mentioning what the lesbians are wearing. A short review of sitings at The Annual House Cat Festival, at the Womyn’s Music Roundup, at the Fix-Your-Own-Subaru Mash-Up and at Home Depots in urban and rural locations afford enough exposure to lesbian fashion to make some important statements about where lesbian fashion is going—at least in the short run. There are few demographics that pay more attention yet appear not to care at all. That casual and confident air so many lesbians display is no doubt a cover for the careful and deliberate choices they apply to their business dress, casual sportswear, and outfits for roller derby tournaments.

If there is one fashion watchword that characterizes the 2018 summer season is the clear embrace of what we can call lesbian casual. While the 2016 season saw a mix and match motif, this year we have seen an articulation of style and clear functionality. The backpack so prevalent in earlier seasons—both winter and summer—has now been replaced by jacket and pants pockets that hold cell phones, water bottles, coolers, diapers, wallets, baseball caps and other equipment—all zipped and velcroed so that the stylish lines of these well-engineered trousers and coats are maintained. Also, key to this season’s casual but well-considered look are the zip-off legs, which easily travel from the tennis court to evening wear at an expensive resort. Paired with this summer’s Hands Off My Ovaries T-shirt, this outfit is easily packed for a quick overnight trip, requires little ironing and passes through TSA despite being festooned with snaps and zippers and hidden panels.

It should also be noted that this season’s outfits are also suited to climate change. Lesbians, as their profiles indicate (see Saving the Rainbow: Environmental Origins of the Modern Gay Movement (2017)), are environmentally aware and this year’s fashions reflect that sentiment. Jackets, pants, headgear, pullovers, shorts and underwear are all quick drying (in case of monsoons) and flame retardant (in case of forest fires). Although we are seeing less of it this year, lesbians in committed relationships can still adorn exactly matching outfits although this is seldom required to reflect the message that two lesbians are with each other.

If trends continue, we may see the power of this growing demographic’s fashion sense spread to other groups. Already, we are seeing the backwards baseball cap seeping into youth softball, the oversized sweatshirt in survivalist camping gear and the ever-present untucked shirt celebrated in men’s fashion magazines. Additionally, we are seeing the influence of lesbian casual featured in fall catalogs for Duluth, L.L. Bean and Tractor Life. Lesbians can relax, embracing their own style and moving ahead as style setters for the almost new millennium.