BREAKING GENDER NORMS IN FASHION

The evolution of fashion is what keeps it relevant and exciting Everything about it is constantly changing; what’s worn, what’s trending, how it’s worn, and even who’s wearing it. However, because of its’ constant relevance, fashion often comes face-to-face with scrutiny. Men who dress outside of the gender norms often have their sexuality questioned, and statements made about their “manliness” But we as a society need to recognize that clothing has no gender, and expressing femininity does not erase masculinity

They all express femininity through fashion, and their masculinity was never diminished

In November of 2020, Vogue magazine featured the one-and-only, Harry Styles His photoshoot with the infamous mag caused a whole lot of controversy Pictured on the front was One Direction’s own in a chic, black-andwhite gown. He and Vogue received an outpouring of love and support, but also hefty amounts of hate for breaking the gender norms. Two years later, Harry continues to express femininity through his fashion choices, break gender norms, and yet remains the heart throb he was known to be ten years ago His outfits are bright and colorful, his nails are almost always painted, and feather boas scatter the venues of his concerts He is comfortable enough with his masculinity to realize that feminine fashion choices won’t impact it, and he continues to remain true to his value of spreading love to all

Another fan-favorite, Post Malone, has openly expressed femininity through fashion The face-tatted, Hip-Hop artist has, on multiple occasions, worn skirts, dresses, and painted nails His 2020 Billboard Music Awards outfit consisted of a black skirt, knee-highs, top, and leather jacket Better yet, his stylist actually launched a line of dresses for men after styling him in a floral dress for a Nirvana tribute. Post’s outfits formed a pattern of virality over the years, and it has only seemed to encourage him to continue (as he should) People questioned his sexuality after these bold looks, and yet, he still remains as masculine as he was when he dressed within the gender norms Iconic

Jaden Smith, son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, is a known activist in the space of breaking gender norms Jaden wears whatever he wants because, to him, it doesn’t matter Who he is and what he wears are separate Clothing is just that, clothing In 2016, Jaden dorned a black skirt in a Louis Vuitton womenswear campaign. He continued to wear dresses and skirts outside of work, and when asked why, he had responded with hopes of lessening bullying in the future.

Jaden aspires to normalize viewing clothing as nonbinary, so that one day, a little boy wearing a dress won’t get harassed for doing so The young star doesn’t see his breaking gender norms as erasing his masculinity, but rather helping the future

Kid Cudi has made headlines for not only his music, but for his fashion for over a decade His kilts, crop tops, and dresses were breaking gender norms left and right, and it didn’t go unnoticed Despite the amount of criticism the rapper received, he continues to wear “feminine” clothing to this day. Cudi is the embodiment of “not giving a sh*t”. He wears what he wants and doesn’t care what people say about it. He knows who he is, and what he wears isn’t going to change that. His outfit choices don’t make statements about his masculinity, but rather about his bold ability to break the norms

Clothing Isn’t Gendered Masculinity and fashion choices have no direct correlation Men expressing femininity in their fashion choices does not make them “less manly” or “girly” In fact, some may even say the opposite, as they are comfortable enough in their masculinity to break the gender norms Men who wear dresses, skirts, crop tops, painted nails, etc recognize that clothing isn’t gendered It’s just pieces of material sewn together to fit human bodies. Nothing more, nothing less. Who you are isn’t defined by what you wear. Expressing femininity does not erase masculinity. It strengthens it.