Androgynous fashion style is when your dressing cannot be categorized either as completely masculine or as feminine. You might be calling it the genderless style or a unisex style. This style is also called non-binary fashion, genderfluid fashion, (and also gender free).
Derivation of the word Androgyny tells its own story. In Greek “ándras” means man and “gynaÃka” means woman. Androgyne is the union of male and female essenses – in this word you do not find any difference in the personalities of man and woman. The traditional boundaries that categorize man and woman as seperate is broken here. It is not just
Derivation of the word Androgyny tells its own story. In Greek “ándras” means man and “gynaÃka” means woman. Androgyne is the union of male and female essenses – in this word you do not find any difference in the personalities of man and woman. The traditional boundaries that categorize man and woman as seperate is broken here.
It is not just agender people who are interested in this style anymore – all of us can incorporate androgynous fashion and express your true selves.
How to dress in Androgynous Fashion Style
Create a versatile wardrobe with essential androgynous pieces that can be mixed and matched.
A loose jacket paired with a t-shirt and loose-fitting trousers can be considered quintessential androgynous office attire.
For a casual gender fluid look wear loose tshirts with baggy jeans and sneakers.
But you neednot limit yourself to the conventional gender-free looks such as these.
If you like dress independent of gender, and you are a male, you can dress in a cute pink mini skirt, combine it with workman’s boots, sweatshirts, and hoodies and look fashionable.
If you are a female, it need not be all about short hair cuts, stark masculine clothes, and make-up devoid of any frivolousness. You can dress like Billie eilish and celebrate your gender fluidness in a brilliant way.
View this post on Instagram
The 4 essential pillars of androgynous fashion
The androgynous fashion style is individual to each person but there are some common factors that can serve as guidelines in forming your own gender fluid fashion.
Water Stains
Gently rub the stained area with a clean, dry cloth to absorb moisture. Allow the suede to dry naturally. Then brush it with a suede brush to restore the texture.
The History of Androgynous style
Women have long ago taken full access to men’s fashion and throughout fashion history, there are instances when this cross over has been very strong and successful. Gender roles have always been strict throught the centuries and then women started wearing some elements of men’s clothing according to convenience; for example, during the First world war women started wearing pants. Definitely a precursor to what we call an androgynous style now.
Grace Jones, the celebrated American singer and model is said to be a torch bearer on this style in modern fashion. Remember the 1980s when Demi Moore appeared in loose suit jackets with shoulder pads. It was called power dressing then.
Females wearing elements from the masculine closet has become normalized and this is not considered androgynous as such. Today, a complete adaptation of masculine clothing by women is considered androgynous. It is not uncommon to see women dressed in this crossover manner all over the world, everywhere.
As I said, androgynous style has a different meaning in women’s fashion and men’s fashion. In women’s fashion, just a deviation from men’s styles is not considered androgynous. A complete cross over or a large leaning towards masculinity in fashion is expected.
But for men, adopting some of the elements of women’s fashion is enough to be considered androgynous. And it is not an uncommon sight today and no longer ridiculed as cross dressing.
The gender-bending style of British singer Boy George was considered extravagant and eye-popping at that time (the 1980s and 1990s). His flamboyant way of dressing and heavy make-up was considered a rarity. Prince, the famous American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist is known for his androgynous fashion sense. He often wore makeup, skirts, and heels, and refused to be labeled as either male or female. But it was the 1980s and this was not so common.
Today you see a very famous celebrity like Harry Styles dressing in gowns and a cute one like Jaden Smith walking around proudly in skirts along with hoodies in full confidence and style and no body bats an eyelid. Girls worship K-pop band members who almost always dress in gender-neutral clothing, wear makeup, jewelry and have an ever green pretty boy look.
And you know from the streets of fashion capitals that unisex fashion has arrived and is here to stay.
Other fashion styles closely resembling this gender-bending fashion style are Garconne and Tomboy.
Celebrating self-Expression in the gender neutral space
Finding your place in this style is not all that easy, though it may sound so. Many are afraid of being judged. But if you are beyond all that you can be the star, oozing the confidence of wearing the clothes that you like rather than what others think is right. Gender fluid, they will call you. You can match your hairstyle, makeup, gestures, and even your overall attitude to a gender-neutral tone to make the style all-pervasive.
Women and men dressed in clothing that is comfortable for them, without being judged for their gender or sexuality, embracing their masculinity/feminity fully – that is the essense of Androgynous fashion, in my opinion. What is your take?
Related posts : 40+ Modern Different styles ; Fashion related words ; History of fashion
You can study more on androgynous trends by following models like Lea T, Stella Tenant. Read more on Kpop idols’ gender neutral style here. And on gender fluidity here.
A list of Androgynous Icons who have embraced androgynous fashion
Harry Styles
David Bowie.
Kate Moss
Tilda Swinton
Kristen Stewart
Jaden Smith
Ezra Miller
Related posts : Opposite types of this style – Girly style, Lolita style; Kawai style; Punk clothes and styles; Hip hop style.
Thank you for addressing this issue without judgment or stereotypical statements. I remember in 1994 the first time someone in an airport called me “Sir” because of my jeans, corduroy jacket, & short hair; I am glad that people are becoming more aware every day of all the ways there are to be human!