M.C. Post leans towards what feels right rather than what fits a specific trend.
Donning a brown plaid suit jacket and black slacks gifted by their dad, M.C. Post, Teaching Fellow in History and Social Science, completes their outfit with a white button-down, adorned with cufflinks and embroidered initials, an assortment of bracelets, and a statement earring, created from the hand of a clock. Known for mixing and matching textures with subtle androgyny, Post creates outfits that outwardly reflect their identity. Whether it’s a button-down shirt paired with a statement pair of shoes or another two-toned thrifted shirt with a 70s collar, their outfits are adaptable, expressive, and, in their words, “fly.”
Though their aesthetic varies from day to day, Post’s fashion choices often lean towards what feels right rather than what fits a specific trend. From casual denim days to suit attire, their multifunctional closet, complete with jewelry, is curated with self-expression in mind.
“Some of my students say that I have a farmer aesthetic, which I think is a compliment. I use fashion to feel myself and show who I am in different ways. Some days I’m ready to dress up and wear a whole suit. And then other days I just want to wear jeans and [something] casual. I try to tie everything together with jewelry. Right now I have a shorter haircut, but… when I had a shaved head, I would really accentuate makeup and different earrings that I was wearing,” said Post.
Post’s approach to fashion has evolved alongside their journey with gender and identity. After accessing gender-affirming healthcare, fashion transformed from a source of apprehension to a wholehearted outlet for self-expression.
“I’ve become more comfortable with who I am as an adult in terms of knowing myself and my queerness. After receiving gender affirming care, there’s clothing that I don’t feel comfortable wearing. Because I’ve had the privilege of that healthcare access, I feel so lucky to be able to wear whatever I want. I was really scared about wearing certain things when I was in college and my first couple of months at Andover, [but] the community here is really accepting and [the] students just want to get to know who their teachers are. The sooner I expressed myself through my clothing, the sooner I felt connected to the people around me,” said Post.
For Post, fashion exists on a spectrum, adjusting based on the needs of each day. Whatever look they opt for, fashion remains as an enjoyable, flexible tool of expression rather than a set of rigid rules.
“I’m wearing a very go-to Teacher Post outfit today because it’s work appropriate and comfortable. Other days I know I have something coming up. I’ve been interviewing a lot because I’m a second-year [teaching fellow]. I’ve had to have [a lot of] interview fits, so those ones are locked in my brain. Fashion is a really creative tool to express yourself. So it’s a fun thing for me, not a stressful thing. There’s this line that you have to walk between comfort and style. But I feel most comfortable when I’m dressed well. And that doesn’t always mean joggers [and] a hoodie,” said Post.
On days when self-assurance is difficult, fashion is a means of outwardly reflecting their confidence in their queer identity. Post recognizes fashion as a form of communication within the queer community, acting as a subtle yet powerful way to create a sense of belonging and kinship.
“It’s definitely a way to build myself up when I can’t do it internally. It’s also a way to communicate to other folks that I know what their experience is like. There’s a whole subculture of queer fashion and there’s certain signaling [and] ways to show through your clothing that you’re queer… Fashion is a language too,” said Post.
As Post prepares to move to the West Coast, they are eager to see how their fashion will evolve in a different climate and cultural landscape. As they settle into a new chapter of their life, Post’s style remains ever-evolving and fluid.
“I’m moving to California next year. I’m super curious to see how my fashion will change in a different climate. I’m stoked to not have to wear big coats all the time. But I’m really curious to see how that changes, especially because I’ll be living close to LA, and that fashion seems so different,” said Post.
