Michael Guerra

This is my dear friend Michael Guerra. Michael's recently relocated from New York City (where we met) to Seattle. I normally find an exclusively black wardrobe to be trite, but Michael makes it look interesting. Never one to compromise on what society deems acceptable for a big man, Michael gets an A+. Michael and I chatted over the phone where we discussed his goth adolescence, body positivity, and ponchos.


You recently moved from New York City to Seattle. How would you describe the differences in style between the two cities?

In my opinion there is a major difference in style between NYC and Seattle, the largest one being NYC's obsession with the latest trends in fashion and Seattle's mentality that seems to exude "anything goes."  That's not to say that Seattle isn't up on trends - because it most certainly is, but there is more of a sense of individuality in which the way people dress here.  In NYC it doesn't seem to matter that the way you dress represents yourself as far as hobbies, social activities, employment, etc., the population in the city (and Brooklyn) seems to pay attention to what's so-called "hip" and then everyone sort of ends up looking the same.  Although I appreciate NYC being on the cutting edge of fashion in the United States I find that the general lack of distinct styles amongst people is very lacking. 

A total side note is that I have been in Chicago for the last two month which is the third largest city in the United States with (what I believe to be) the absolute worst fashion sense and overall complete lack of style.  I feel uninspired in Chicago, people have no idea how to dress well.  In NYC I felt like I wanted to be ahead of the game with how I presented myself with clothing.  In Seattle I feel like I can wear whatever I want and just be positive about it.

Tell me about your goth adolescence. Who were your main influences, and how do you take pieces from your past in the present?

Growing up Goth in south Florida was a fashion nightmare.  I grew up battling the sun, skinny tanned bodies and a defined line of gender with how males and females "should" be dressed.  It wasn't all hell in south Florida, though, I learned how to search for that perfect item of clothing in thrift stores, or just random vintage stores, oddly placed clothing stores in malls or from ordering out of catalogs.  I also learned to have a thick skin and a positive attitude about being a fashion fat person since I constantly got ridiculed for dressing the way I did.

As far as influences go, most of the people I have made into my own personal fashion icons are female musicians or people who blur the line of gender with their style.  I honestly believe that the people I took most of my style from was the alternative rock group, L7.  They ladies in that band were known for brightly colored hair, wearing shorts with tights, combat boots and flannels and t-shirts ... and I somehow turned that style into the adult version of me.  In addition to L7 I felt drawn to the style of Siouxsie Sioux, Darlene Conner onRoseanne, and Rayanne Graff on My So-Called Life.  Somehow I ended up taking the pieces from my past and refining them into a more simplistic look by becoming an adult and trying to be mature with how I present myself.  I still own more pairs of boots than I do shoes or sneakers and I still love wearing band t-shirts and flannels.  Ultimately I just prefer clothing that is black, gray or white and I believe that less is more.

What are your feelings on Witch House?

Witch House is a horrid title for a useless genre filled with talentless douche bags who think slowing down a pop song or adding hip hop beats to darkwave sounds is a form of music.  These kids should be ashamed of themselves for releasing such trash.  I also believe that these children behind Witch House have no clue what Goth music is, nor what Goth fashion was and has now evolved into.  They give my favorite genre a bad name.

I've always appreciated the fact that you're not unapologetic about wearing what you like. What do you have to say to the assholes out there who think people of size should dress a certain way?

I have dealt with fat phobia my entire life, specifically for the way I dress.  People on the east coast and in the midwest like to "inform" me that fat people should not wear tight pants, or attempt to have any sort of style that isn't just a t-shirt and cargo shorts.  Size does not matter when it comes to fashion, what matters is what you do with your style and how you present yourself.  Anyone can look good, but on the flip side anyone can look like an idiot.  One must be comfortable in their skin before they can be comfortable with what they're putting on it and if people have an issue with it than it's that person's problem NOT yours. 

You have a Library Science degree. What's the perfect outfit for a goth librarian?

Black jeans or black pants, a dark colored pair of desert boots, a gray button up and a black cardigan.  And do not forget your black framed glasses.

You've recently shared an affinity for the poncho. Was it moving to the west coast that got more in touch with hippie style?

I think my obsession with Mexican culture has transferred over into my fashion sense or maybe all that weed has finally gotten to my head.   

Worst fashion moment? 

Right now I just want people to get over Gingham.