Unless you’ve been living under rock for the past decade or so, you’ve been witnessing the rise of androgynous models, androgynous fashion, androgynous relationships and overall androgynous lifestyle.
Sexual freedoms are more talked about than ever, transgender issues are now publically addressed (recent event that triggered the public conversation was Olympian Bruce Jenner transitioning into a woman now called Caitlyn Jenner and Andrej(a) Pejic declaring as a woman sometime before), feminism discussions and actions taken are more present than ever, gender roles are becoming almost reversed and lines between what’s male and what female are getting more and more blurred as we speak.
Just as any other art, fashion too is under the direct influence of social events; this is why we are now witnessing the explosion of androgynous cuts and styles and runway models who are rapidly losing their gender individuality to support the stylish androgynous stream forced and adored by many a fashion designer.
What’s particularly interesting is that androgyny, while initially considered weird and being heavily marginalized, has now become a part of the mainstream, and a trending one. “Today’s blur of the sexes is an organic outgrowth of a changing attitude in the culture as a whole. Like our clothing, we’re becoming more relaxed about it all”.
We love how name-calling a trend/a fashion-manner is becoming passé; after all, does it really matter what we wear if we are feeling spectacular in it? Why even give in to gender classifications when freedom of choice in both life and fashion is the ultimate satisfaction of an individual? Losing the labels, any type of labels is what androgyny is really about and this is why it feels so powerful.
You must have noticed that androgyny in fashion has brought about the trend of physically masculine men (like Beckham, Leto, West, Will Smith’s fashion-savvy 16-year-old son, Jaden, and plenty others) wearing what might traditionally be thought of as feminine. Same way, celebrities like Ruby Rose, Emeli Sande, Kelly Osborn, Miley Cyrus, etc. have gone “male” on their hairstyles and pulled it off superbly. The once conventionally appropriate, uniform-like fashion became obsolete, even redundant with the function and individuality of androgynous choices grabbing spotlight. By embracing all kinds of skirts, masks, bows, unisex footwear, blouses, the trendsetters made it clearer than ever – we are the generation of gender neutrality.
Embraced by both men and women (obviously), the androgynous trend has some rules that make pulling off this look easy and light. If you feel like adopting androgynous style is the thing for you, yet you are not sure where to start, here are some useful tips:
Experiment With A Longer Coat
Doesn’t matter if you are a boy or a girl, invest in a coat that would hit somewhere between your knee and the middle of your calf. This lengths elongates, hides bigger parts (like hips and thighs) and adds to the overall dramatic style.
Leave Your Shirt Untucked
For all the girls out there looking to channel their inner masculinity, leaving the shirt unctucked is perfect; this adds a little boyish flare.
Add Some Interest Around Your Waist
Often practiced by Kanye West, a cardigan, flannel shirt or a thin jacket tied around the waist will balance out less proportioned areas, and add dimension to your overall silhouette. Plus, you’ll look super chill, regardless of gender.
Commit To A Tie
…but show a wee hint of it. That way, you are staying stylish without placing accent on the expected gender classification. If you are a girl, wearing a tie that shows in its whole seems like you are trying to prove something. You are not, you are just wearing what feels natural.
Go Gender-Neutral On Your Hair
Cut your hair short or grow it long, but don’t style it too much. Let it be natural and therefore gender non-specific. Forcing the expected male-female cuts takes away the freedom of the androgynous style, so tone it down.
