Article by Maisy White

Photographs by Natalie Hillyer, modeled by Avani Gallo (They/Them/He/him)

The fashion industry is one of the largest visual examples of transitioning social norms for gender stereotypes. Intricately looped into pop culture, it has become evident that androgynous style is gaining traction and becoming heavily normalized. For younger generations, the term androgyny is referenced frequently, yet for those who don’t fully understand the concept, let's break it down.

‘Androgynous’ roots from the Latin word, androgyne, describing the mix of male and female characteristics, commonly used within the non-binary or transgender communities. Whether one identifies as androgynous or simply dresses in that manner, it is gaining recognition around the world, breaking down stylistic barriers and challenging gender norms.

Many who neglect the history of non-binary fashion solely recognize influencers such as Harry Styles or Young Thug for beginning this “trend”, being incorrectly acknowledged as the first presence of males in dresses in pop culture. If we search deeper, we see iconic musicians such as Prince and Michael Jackson wearing form-fitting tops and trousers, creating a feminine appearance. As more influencers begin to dress in this way, it has become accepted in society, making it an everyday appearance and becoming a category in the various style stereotypes. Along with simply changing the way one dresses, this has helped many become more comfortable with their sexual and/or gender identities as they have more freedom to roam between stylistic choices.

With this progression, we see a merge between female and male clothing, creating a unisex face for the fashion industry. Taking into account the style on the streets of Paris, we see women wearing large trousers and oversized coats, while men can be seen wearing crop-tops and skirts. Paris Fashion Week displayed this up-and-coming style well. Between Raf Simons, Paul Smith, and Valentino, they all displayed fully gender-neutral looks, helping these clothing choices emerge into the fashion community. Seeing a typically female face in a large business suit shows the progression of gender-fluidity, growing more neutral season by season, while the designers stay true to their roots with their signature touches.

As we see this style grow, it is also clearly evident through the use of accessories. Seeing males wearing pearl necklaces and diamond jewelry without hesitation shows the evolution of acceptance within the fashion realm. As for females, the change from dainty necklaces and bracelets into chunky layered necklaces with bulky earrings as a more masculine statement further demonstrates this progression. Having this stylistic freedom allows for gender fluidity even in smaller, less noticeable aspects of the outfit.

While I don’t consider my style to fit into the category of androgynous, this evolving look creates a safe space for experimentation and self-expression. Overall, this style has shown a positive progression in our society and more specifically in the fashion industry, providing an accepting environment for many to explore freely.