The thing about fashion we all love is that there are no set rules. Sure, society once dictated what was “appropriate” masculine and feminine clothing. But as fashion evolved, those notions evaporated, with individuals happily wearing whatever they want to without having to fit in certain boxes. Now, you don’t even bat an eyelash upon seeing celebs like Billy Porter, Harry Styles, Kristen Stewart, Zendaya and Holland dressing up in attire that doesn’t align with the aesthetics of either men or womenswear – breaking gender stereotypes with one look at a time.
In fact, the way they dress has a name – and you might be familiar with the term. It’s called “androgyny”, which is making a huge comeback since its conception back in the 1980’s. Androgynous fashion isn’t something new or revolutionary – but the concept keeps morphing, as the line between “men’s” and “women’s” keeps disappearing or getting redrawn.
If we stick to the true definition of androgyny, its sartorial looks should lie somewhere between male and female. Kind of like unisex clothing, but better. Today, you can see celebrities, influencers and even everyday folk sporting androgynous fashion, letting their true expressive and personal style do all the talking while they’re walking. Plus, wearing all things androgynous gives off the message that fashion is for all, regardless of gender; and the notion that a person needs to dress a certain way is simply… old-fashioned.
Considering that androgynous fashion is in vogue now, it’s not a surprise to see many wanting to sport the look. But androgynous fashion is more than just wearing a structured shirt and a pair of pants (for women). Mastering the androgynous appearance is an art in and of itself that will ultimately boost your sense of style – and identity. Since fashion is a reflection of society, it’s only natural that today’s take on androgynous fashion should have a contemporary twist as well.
So here’s our guide to modern androgynous fashion you can confidently wear to boost your fashion game to the MAX.
Dress Up In Different Silhouettes
The most exciting thing about androgynous fashion is that you can basically wear whatever the hell you want. All you know and learn about clothing goes out the window, and with this type of style, there are essentially no limitations. Which means dressing up in different types of silhouettes – from billowy sleeves to tailored shirts – is a must to achieve that androgynous look.
So, throw on a blouse and pick up a pant skirt – whatever your preferred clothing to wear androgynously – and let your outfit speak for itself. Don’t let your preconceived notions of clothes dictate what you can and can’t wear. Androgynous fashion is all about realizing that clothing doesn’t have gender, and that you can utilize style to break free from the conventional constraints that fashion has been subjected to for so long.
Don’t Be Shy Experimenting With Colours
There’s a concensus that in order to dress more androgynously, you should avoid bold colours in favour of neutral colors, which will make your outfit chic and timeless. Plus, wearing only neutral colors is believed to make your outfit more gender-neutral. Paradoxically, that only reinforces the stone age notion that colours somehow have gender.
We say that it’s time to switch it up and wear all the colours of the rainbows to make your androgynous look more lively. It’s no secret that wearing colours can brighten up your day, so don’t dull it with just wearing your plain ol’ beige and black.
Try On Different Footwear For A Change
As much as y’all love your sneakers, it’s time that we give them a break. We’re not saying that sneakers can’t complete your androgynous look – just that there’s a range of footwear that can elevate your look in a way that sneakers can’t.
If you don’t own a pair of boots, that should be your next must-buy if you want to achieve the ultimate androgynous look. Whether you like heeled, combat, or knee-high boots, these kickers are essential for successfully constructing androgynous ensembles. Boots are great for everybody, and will help you seem fashionable – while also letting your feet feel comfortable all day.
Experimenting with a new style isn’t something that should be done in a single day. There’s a learning curve and it takes a lot of inspiration to develop a completely unique appearance, while adhering to the androgynous trend.
The above suggestions are only guidelines for where and how to hunt for things that fit into the androgynous category. But for men – you don’t necessarily have to wear a skirt if you don’t want to; and for girls, androgynous fashion doesn’t always call for a suit.
At the end of the day, regardless of how you wish to experiment with your style, you also have to be comfortable and confident in the way you dress to strut down the street like a boss.
