More and more, fashion is throwing out conventional ideas of gender
With gender norms becoming less and less rigid in the last decade, fashion is more keen than ever to blur the lines of gender-specific dressing. Designers are not the only ones embracing androgynous fashion; a younger generation of consumers seem to be coming around to the idea too, breaking down barriers and shifting the conversation.
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The term 'androgynous' originates from the Latin word ‘androgyne’, which describes a mix of male and female physical characteristics. Androgynous fashion avoids the distinction between masculine and feminine traits, and fosters the concept of non-binary gender identity. From brands to celebrities and style influencers, there is a perceptible shift in attitude with regards to gender styles. Segregating fashion based on gender limits self-expression and creates a barrier for those who don't subscribe to gender constraints, and fashion is chipping away at gender stereotyping.
Which is why we've been witnessing menswear designers dipping their toes into obviously feminine shapes and silhouettes, most notably Dior Men’s experimentation with soft colours, opera gloves and flower-adorned coats in its winter 2020/21 collection. The collection looks amazing, channeling a gentler and chic form of masculinity.
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