FASHION HAS NO GENDER
Clothes are more then just pieces of clothe sewed together. Clothes are what you make them. Clothes have no gender.
From left: AcneStudios (Instagram), Bretmanrock (Instagram), Zendaya (Pinterest)
Growing up we are taught of the gender indications that come with the type and colour of clothes we wear usually through our parents or adults in our life’s. Clothes have been categorized into two main sections, men’s and women’s. The colours blue and pink have now been generalized for boys and girls. However, this generation has continuously broken-down gender norms and roles and it is no different in the fashion industry. As the conversation of gender continues so does the evolution of fashion.
MEN IN ‘WOMENS’ CLOTHES
Fashion has opened doors for individual interpretation as well as showcases examples of
interpretation through runway shows. No matter your identity, fashion provides a comfort and an expressive space for all, he, she or they/them.
From left: Billy Porter at the Oscar Red Carpet 2021, Bretmanrock (Instagram), levalovesmore (Instagram)
Fashion trends this generation, starting with the men, has eaten up are men in dresses, skirts and crop tops. Seeing a man in a skirt or dress is nothing new as this has been a thing that has been taking place since the times of kings and is even part of various traditions such as in the Scottish culture where men wear skirts known as kilts.
Crop tops became a huge trend back in 2012 however, the idea of a man in a crop top is nothing new as this trend dates back to the 1970’s and 1980’s. Furthermore, crop tops have appeared on men in movies such as Rocky 3 and in the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air worn by Will Smith. It is evident to saw that this is a clear representation of the saying that “clothes have no gender”. And if the following pictures are not reason enough for men to wear crop tops, take it from a woman that this trend is sexy as hell.
WOMEN IN ‘MENS’ CLOTHES
It all started with the “Tomboy” trend which dates back to the 1500s. One way it was interpreted as is women wanting to dress more masculine however, another interpretation takes into account that men’s clothes are way more comfortable than woman’s.
From the left: Bella Hadid (Pinterest), unknown (Pinterest), Lena Waithe at the Met Gala 2021
For a long time, men took over the suit trend however woman in suits dominated the runway from the early 1990’s. Female icons who wore suits include Madonna and Diane Keaton. Multiple women have said that wearing a suit is an automatic confident boost. Furthermore, other trends have emerged from the tomboy trend such as the streetwear style. Woman have turned and revamped “men’s clothes” into style for themselves.
It is important to remain open minded in a world that continues to change and embrace it, whether the change is regarding fashion choices or someone’s identity. Fashion can either be a form of expression, expressing ones identity or sexuality or simply just be a form of expression and nothing more. Remove the masculine and feminine expectations from your idea of what fashion is.
