Androgynous fashion styles are in vogue right now. If you’re not familiar with the term, you might be tempted to believe that androgynous fashion is a new concept. However, the origin of androgynous fashion can be traced back to the 17th century. But, in order to understand the development of androgynous fashion, we must first define the term.
The term Androgynous originates from the Latin word ‘androgyne’ which describes a mix of male and female physical characteristics.
‘Androgynous fashion’ means clothing and accessories designed to avoid creating a distinction between masculine and feminine physical characteristics and to express non-binary gender identity.
And to define it, we must first look at the origin of the word androgynous. Also, we’ll find out what an androgynous person is, in the context of fashion.
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What is ‘Androgynous’?
Androgynous comes from the Latin word ‘androgyne’ and has a Greek origin. The Greek word was constructed from andras (man) and gune (woman). Pronounced AN-druh-jin, the word described a mix of male and female physical characteristics.
Nowadays, androgynous describe an identity, under the non-binary and transgender umbrellas. Now, this might sound a bit complicated so I’ll briefly explain the difference between sex and gender.
What is the difference between sex and gender?
According to the World Health Organisation, sex is a biologically conferred characteristic, whereas gender is a social construct. As such, there are variations in how people experience gender, based on their own experiences, self-perception, and behaviour.
What is an androgynous person?
In this light, androgynes choose an identity that can be explained as either a blend of both or neither of the classic binary (male, female) genders. However, androgyny is often used in regard to sex or sexual identity.
Overall, androgynes self-describe as: between female and male; between man and woman; between masculine and feminine; “in-between” male and female gender; or, neither feminine nor masculine.
Origin Of Androgynous Fashion
Throughout history, dressing styles were imposed, by social constructs, according to gender. For example, trousers were traditionally a male form of dress, frowned upon for women. However, social constructs do not fare well, especially when it comes to creative industries in general and fashion in particular.
The earliest signs of ‘rebellious’ androgynous fashion styles arose in England and France. Initially sought as a form of exclusive dressing, androgynous fashion was the preferred way to make the aristocratic class stand out, visually.
During the 1800s, driven by the industrial revolution and the uniforms it brought with it, the style uniformity between male and female started to gain ground.
The shift was accelerated by the army recruiting female spies, who had to wear special uniforms comprised of jackets and dresses over trousers.
Androgynous Fashion Pioneers
Androgynous fashion started to gather steam when women felt their attires were limiting their performances and daily activities. The movement gained a lot of popularity when women activists emerged and began to wear men outfits. The best example is Luisa Capetillo, an ardent women’s rights activist, and the first woman in Puerto Rico to wear a men suit and tie in public.
Slowly, women began to perceive the clothes worn by men as far more convenient. Compared to women dresses, men’s trousers were excellent for physical activity and general movement.
Elizabeth Smith Miller is one of the first designers to jump on the movement, by inventing a unique trouser style, later called “the bloomer.” Elizabeth first showed “this unique style” to her cousin Elizabeth Cady Stanton, an American suffragist, social activist, abolitionist, and leading figure of the early women’s rights movement. Cady was very impressed with the look and the freedom of movement and about her experience of wearing trousers.
How to look androgynous
The following 4 points apply to all body types, appearances, and curves.
• Clothing
• Accessories
• Makeup
• Hairstyle
1. Androgynous clothing
Choosing the right color is so essential in androgynous clothing.
The classic androgynous look is made up of neutral colors: black, white, and subtle shades of gray.
Actually, a casual splash of color can enhance your look, particularly if you are looking for custom menswear such as overalls. It is also equally important to pair the hair color with the appropriate cut or model. Currently, as a general rule, if you have a female body type, it is better to use loose bottoms.
This is because skinny pants tend to show off curves, and this is the opposite of what the androgynous look is about.
Also, try not to wear Femboy aesthetic dress as it just makes you look extra feminine.
Men’s jeans (boys’ jeans for women) are an ideal option here.
Even better, pair your oversized jeans with a floral jacket or a cardigan to give the look of a street outfit.
As for that, make sure you always choose an oversized top.
A loose top hides your figure better than a super-fitted.
For a more office look, wear button-up shirts for men.
Wear the shirts under a cardigan and pair them with “boy jeans” and canvas sneakers.
The canvas sneakers slightly cool your office look and maintain a casual look.
If you have a masculine body type, use feminine fabrics as much as you can.
Choose clothes made from soft fabrics, like lace, silk, satin, and velvet.
Also, if possible, use tailored tops.
Knitted sweaters or large jackets over T-shirts, with jeans and sneakers, create a great everyday androgynous look.
For a more powerful expression, you can wear a translucent blouse.
2- Androgynous accessories
Since most hats and scarves are already considered as gender-neutral, these are the best accessories to enhance the appearance of androgynous.
You can go for a fedora, journalist hat, or even baseball cap.
Regardless of your choice for hat or scarf, be sure to use them when you need a strong and integrated style.
3- Androgynous makeup
As an androgynous, your makeup should be a combination of subtle and bold elements.
Elements which can also be found in Korean beauty standards.
For instance, you can use matte powder to create a natural look.
Thereafter, go for bold eyebrows, by highlighting the length and thickness, but not too much.
Eventually, to get this bold statement, go for a strong red lipstick.
The redness of your lips creates an appealing contrast with the choice of your neutral clothes and makes people admire you.
4- Androgynous hairstyle
Finally, androgynous hairstyles.
Short hair is recommended, particularly for those who have feminine features.
Some of the most appropriate hairstyles are the pixie and the buzz hairstyles.
You can also go for a side mohawk.
The side Mohawk hairstyle gives a greater level of charm to your overall look.
Clearly, for those who have more masculine features, longer hairstyles are preferred.
Nevertheless, you don’t really need to have short or long hair to have an androgynous appearance.
It depends more on the clothes you choose, and where you buy them.
Best androgynous fashion designers of 2022
The following 3 androgynous clothing designers are currently rocking the scene of unisex and gender-free clothing.
Without more explanation, these are their stories and why their customers admire them so much.
1- Toogood
Toogood is a British androgynous label released by two sisters named Faye and Erica.
The creations of the two are not just gender-neutral, but also sustainably made.
British-designed Togood collections focus on sustainability while at the same time adhering to compliance.
“Togood embodies individuality, peace and love for others, as a modern, conscious gender-fluid fashion dress.”
It describe the founders of the brand.
This label is so recommended because of its wide lines that have a practical and functional look.
2- Wildfang
Explained by its founders, Emma Mcilroy, Taralyn Thuot, and Julia Parsley, as a “tomboy-chic brand with a feminist ethos”, Wildfeng intends to put an end to all gender stereotypes via fashion.
“Fashion is playing catch up with society” Mcilroy says.
Wildfang Portland is so popular because of the wide range of androgynous clothing and workwear. Each piece is basically designed to seem like it was designed for men.
3- Tefar
The brand was established in 2005 with the motto: “Not for you, for Everyone”.
Today, Telegraph has become a world-renowned androgynous brand.
While the brand’s extraordinary collections still contain animal leather belts and hats, the brand is rapidly moving towards a non-violent ethic.
Many people like this New York-based brand because of its cozy hoodies and vegan leather bags.
4- One DNA
Originating from New York, a city which supports the gender-fluid names and movements, “One DNA”, has become a major fashion house of androgynous and gender-neutral fashion.
With an early concentrate on unisex clothing, One DNA came to the rescue of androgynous due to its gender restricted fashion styles.
Simply, this brand reinforces the idea which each of us has an androgynous aspect.
Countless people like One DNA because of its beautiful androgynous clothing, that is suitable for any size and body shape.
5- Chelsea Bravo
Chelsea Bravo is an androgynous fashion designer based in London, UK.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Chelsea’s Androgynous designs focuses on the body’s movements and its fluidity of clothing.
In addition, Chelsea Bravo uses natural materials like organic cotton and hemp to create delicate garments which combine style with sustainability, to make the fashion more mindful.
Anyone who need androgynous creations which are so delicate and durable, go to Chelsea Bravo.
3 hot androgynous clothing brands
1- Wales Bonner: (UK)
Wales Bonner is a gender-free clothing brand established in 2014 by the British designer Grace Wales Bonner, a Central St. Martinez graduate.
Grace began her eponymous collection with menswear, and after that expanded to women’s dress.
Nevertheless, when the British Elle asked the designer, the designer replied:
“I think of my whole collections, instead of dividing them into men’s and women’s.”
The designer embraces a variety of design perspectives with lenses from critical theory, musical compositions, literature, and history.
In this way, she proposes a distinct concept of luxury fashion inspired by a combination of European and African Atlantic culture.
Wales Bonner international shareholders include Matchesfashion.com, Dover Street Market, Net-A-Porter, Barneys, Ssense, Browns, Boon the Shop, Galeries Lafayette, and Farfetch.
2- Telfar: (USA)
Telfar Clemens designed genderless clothing in New York, long before the fashion establishment considered it a trend.
The self-taught designer introduced his initial collection in 2005 and has been producing Unisex clothing ever since.
By pursuing its motto “Not for You, For All” slogan, Tefar has gained a loyal following, with the signature bag being dubbed “Bushwick Birkin”.
The genderless brand is made for an all-inclusive community, from plus-size and small to non-binary clothing.
Telfar’s pieces are sold in a few minutes.
3- Pleats Please ( by Issey Miyaka): Japan
Pleats Please line was first introduced as part of Issey Miyake’s line in 1988.
Due to the fashion enthusiasm of the 90s, this brand grew until it became a special brand and finally started its official launch in 1994.
This brand is not specifically related to gender norms, gender identity, or any constructs of gender, for that issue.
However, it stands between the women’s clothing brand Pleats Please and its menswear counterpart Homme Plissé.
Pleats Please by Issey Miyake offers endless gender-free flattering forms for every budget and taste.
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