How to find an androgynous balance
Androgyny, as with masculinity and femininity, is a social construct and is down to personal interpretation. What one person sees as androgynous, another person may see differently. This is just the tips and tricks I use to appear more androgynous.
When I think of androgyny, my mind is instantly taken to famous icons such as David Bowie, Freddie Mercury and Prince; people with a different interpretation of gender constructs and boundaries who push genderqueer representation in the media. So, these are the people I take my outfit inspiration from. These icons mix and fade the lines between stereotypical masculinity and femininity by matching a 'feminine' product (e.g. makeup and a blouse) with a 'masculine' product (e.g. combat boots and a biker jacket).
Put simply, I try to make an outfit every day that is half 'masculine' and half 'feminine'. For example, one of my favourite outfits I have worn to date involved:
- A striped button up shirt ('masculine')
- An oversized sweater ('masculine')
- A black fisherman beanie ('masculine')
- Multiple earrings ('feminine')
- Rings ('feminine')
- Pink nails ('feminine')
- Balloon jeans ('feminine')
- Patterned socks ('masculine')
- Triple sole Doc Martins ('masculine')
This was a more complex androgynous looks as I added multiple accessories and such. But, my go to androgynous looks are:
- Button up and patterned trousers (e.g. checked, houndstooth, etc.) and feminine makeup
- Skinny jean and blouse or jumpsuit with masculine makeup