Androgynous fashion has been taking the internet by storm, however, this is not a concept that sprung up now but has been around longer than the 17th century. Androgynous fashion is not to be confused with unisex clothing. While androgynous clothing is about people choosing to wear clothing that is traditionally worn by the other sex, unisex fashion includes clothing that has been designed to suit both.
Androgynous clothing refers to garments that blur or defy traditional gender norms, allowing individuals to express themselves in a way that transcends conventional ideas of masculinity and femininity. These clothes are designed to be inclusive and versatile, providing options that can be worn by people of any gender
Societal norms and dress codes can dictate specific types of clothing for different occasions, limiting personal expression and comfort. Traditional gender-specific clothing expectations can restrict individuals from freely choosing styles that may not align with societal norms.
However, recently, androgynous fashion has been donned frequently in popular culture and has inspired a wave of fashion trends. Prominent celebrities have worn such outfits to global fests and award functions causing a lot of uproar and people having divided opinions about it on twitter. Alok Menon, a notable LGBTQ public figure has talked about the non-gendered nature of clothing. He writes in his speech about how the gender binary is an obstacle to beauty, limiting self-expression and confining aesthetic imagination.
International clothing brands like Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs have already started producing gender neutral apparel. In India, new brands like Anaam, HUEMN, Bloni, Bobo Calcutta, NorBlack NorWhite, etc. have jumped on the gender neutral train. Gender fluid clothing can be quite quirky and fun with interesting patterns and designs. Most of these brands are also environmentally conscious and source their raw materials locally and sustainably.
Celebrities in India like Ranveer Singh, Jim Sarbh and Ayushman Khuraana, BTS and RM have made statements wearing androgynous attires on the red carpet. However, it is quite rare to see women from the entertainment industry in India adopt this style. International icons like Kristen Stewart, Gwendolyn Christie, Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus, etc have donned these styles and inspired women all over the world to experiment and explore with their dressing options.
Wearing androgynous fashion often requires confidence and a bold sense of self. The cool factor comes from individuals who are unapologetically themselves, breaking free from societal expectations and expressing their unique identity with confidence.
Androgynous fashion has made a significant impact in challenging cultural norms and stereotypes. This cultural influence is seen as cool because it fosters a more open-minded and progressive society.
They have had a substantial influence on mainstream fashion, leading to more gender-fluid options in clothing lines. This impact on the broader fashion industry adds to the coolness of androgynous styles.
Tips to Slay the Androgynous Look
Those who would like to try out some of these styles can follow a few simple tips to rock the androgynous look.
- The first step would be to choose loose bottoms such as boyfriend jeans(casual) or any loose trousers (formal).
- Choose loose tops like baggy t-shirts (casual) or other oversized tops for a formal look.
- Settle for sneakers (casual) or formal shoes; accessorize with unisex bracelets, fedora, cap, baseball hat.
- Classic button-down shirts that can be styled in a way that blurs traditional gender lines. Tucking it into tailored pants or pairing it with a skirt, for example.
- Follow Korean beauty trends for androgynous inspired makeup ideas that have bold and subtle elements.
You can experiment with these simple yet interesting tips to figure out what suits you the best.
