Does clothing have a gender? Essentially clothes, being non-living, inanimate objects have no sex attributes whatsoever other than those we humans happen to apply to them. And over the generations, applied we have!
In fact we have designed our outfits in such a way that they will enhance the distinctive features of each gender, thus increasing the appeal between the sexes and raising our chances of reproduction.
In an overpopulated world, in which gender roles become more and more blurry and overlapping, our breeding needs become less of a priority. Small wonder that the ladies clothing reflects their current role in our modern society, depicting not only tenderness and passivity, but also authority, assertiveness, command, even aggressiveness whenever those traits are not only acceptable, but necessary in a woman of the 21st century.
Likewise, men's frailty, delicacy, submissiveness, features that have been unjustly banned from our behavior by prejudices and taboos, are being acknowledged. Menswear design slowly starts to exhibit that trend. Not only are gender-less or "unisex" collections quite voguish, but the also the true range and rich variety of human sexuality is finally admitted: "femimen" like Andej Pejic (above) and other androgynous models set the trend for males who refuse to be forced into conventional gender stereotypes.
In what point of this wide, rich span are you standing at this point?
Are you a manly, macho man or a delicate, feminine, "femiman" ? Or rather something in-between?
Does your clothing reflect that?
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In what point of this wide, rich span are you standing at this point?
ReplyDeleteAre you a manly, macho man or a delicate, feminine, "femiman" ? Or rather something in-between?
Does your clothing reflect that?
I am ME! I can be equally comfortable getting greasy while fixing my motorbike, wearing an old T-shirt and jeans, working in an office with a shirt, tie, and painted nails, and taking ballet classes wearing tights and a leotard. Depends on the mood, depends on the day, and depends on the circumstances.
I wear pants, kilts, sarongs... High heels, low heels... All manner of accessories... Again, it all depends on mood and circumstance. I wholesale reject the idea that femininity is supposed to be a pejorative in a man's life as much as I reject that women should be placed into a gender box.
The difference is: Since the 1960s, women have been busy breaking OUT of THEIR gender boxes... At the same time, men have been making THEIR gender boxes smaller and stronger. It's time for men to realize what women did decades ago and fight for society to see THEM as equal!
I also don't see any necessary connection between traits like assertiveness, aggressiveness, gentleness, or passivity and fashion. I can be just as assertive wearing heels as I can without.
(For the record, I'm straight and happily married to a woman who enjoys my out-of-the-box thinking, eccentric style and hobbies).
Great answer, Jim! Thanks for the comment!
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