The Reinvention and Modernity of Androgynous Fashion
Androgynous fashion is a term that you’ve probably heard on social media and among your friends in the past few years, and it definitely won’t be the last time you’ll hear it. All signs in the industry point to androgynous fashion as being here to stay.
With the rise of the term, it is important to know what androgynous fashion really means. Androgynous fashion can most simplistically be defined as any apparel that is not designed to express clear masculine or feminine characteristics, and is both gender inclusive and sexually neutral.
This can be expressed in a plethora of different ways including wearing a mix of clothing and accessories that are deemed masculine and feminine at the same time, or by wearing apparel that is seemingly neutral without being overtly masculine or feminine in nature. Celebrities right now exemplify the diversity of the androgynous fashion. Jaden Smith, Billie Eilish and Harry Styles have all rocked runways and stages with androgynous fits.
Photo Credit: NYT Photo Credit: Muses Photo Credit: Vogue.com UK
Androgynous fashion can be traced back to the 17th century, with rising in popularity in the 80s and present-day in mainstream fashion. In the early 20th century it can also be seen in feminist movements and with the rise of female spies. It's important to recognize that androgyny in fashion has a long history and association with non-binary and transgender communities.
Today androgyny in fashion has gained popularity in mainstream media and fashion designers, but also through the rise of gender fluidity, as many reject the social constraints and constructs created through gender. More and more companies and fashion designers have begun taking androgynous fashion to new levels by making it the focal point of new lines and by changing sizing and fitting of apparel to be ‘unisex’ only.
The main message with andrognous fashion no matter who you are: wear clothes that represent you and make you feel the most like yourself.
Sources:
https://thevou.com/fashion/androgynous-fashion-androgynous-clothing/
https://androgynousfashion.com/
https://www.weareyugen.com/blogs/stories/androgynous-fashion
https://nouse.co.uk/2021/06/22/bowie-to-billie-gender-fashion-and-the-music-industry
https://www.vogue.co.uk/news/article/harry-styles-androgynous-style-quotes
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