Sustainable fashion has become a buzzword, and it seems like certain brands are leaning heavily on this trend. That is a great thing because many of us would love to see sustainability become the norm instead of remaining as a small niche in the fashion industry. One way that sustainability has seen a boost is due to brands that sell non-gendered clothing designs. Today, we will be sharing ways that non-gendered fashion is helping promote sustainability in the fashion industry.
Non-gendered fashion is helping promote sustainability
It seems that millennial consumers, in particular, are embracing sustainable fashion and love the idea of a non-gendered wardrobe. Non-gendered or gender binary clothing lines are popping up all over the place now, and often these clothes are made with more sustainable materials that last longer than their fast fashion counterparts. Take Riley Studio for example. This company is committed to using a variety of eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, recycled nylon, ECONYL yarn, and more. They sell a variety of gender-neutral clothes such as hoodies, sweatpants, sweaters, jackets, and T-shirts. Up front, the costs are more than what you may usually pay, but Riley Studio also has a lifetime guarantee where you can send in one of their products to be repaired at any time as long as its due to normal wear and tear.
Riley Studio
Sustainability should also go beyond keeping your clothes for as long as possible. For example, let’s say you decide to buy clothes that you can wear and share with your significant other. Non-gendered clothing makes it very easy to share clothes with each other, which will save you money in the long run. Think about it, if your partner wants to wear your hoodie or any other clothing item in your wardrobe, they should be able to do so without feeling self concious. One of the most apparent paths towards a sustainable future in the fashion world is more non-gendered clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Genderless footwear
The constant bombardment of advertising seeks to promote consumerism. Marketers try to group people into categories and develop marketing strategies based on the things they see going on in the market. Certain people will click on ads depending on their interests, and quite often their gender. What can we do to combat consumerism? First, we can spend more time away from our phones so we don’t get tempted by new products that we see in our social media feed. Another thing we can do is break free of stereotypical “men’s and women’s” clothing and instead buy whatever we want. It can be challenging to break free of certain stereotypes, but you should ultimately be the one dictating your fashion sense. No one can force you into wearing certain things; however, going against the grain may result in people ridiculing and passing judgment because they may wonder why you want to look that way. As long as you are confident in who you are, that sort of pushback should never stop you from wearing what you want to wear.
Be confident in who you are
Everyone can feel included in the fashion world, so rather than conforming to the norm, many sustainable brands today are creating classic pieces that can fit any body type or size. Non-gendered clothing goes beyond the “work from home” loungewear. The Brooklyn, New York brand, Kirrin Finch, proves that this niche also includes blazers, button-up dress shirts, trousers, chino shorts, wool hats, and other clothing items that never go out of style. We encourage you to keep an eye out for local and online non-gendered clothing stores. There are so many of them these days, making it easy to find sustainable, non-gendered clothes to fit your style.
Keep an eye out for local and online non-gendered clothing stores
We hope that this information has helped open your eyes to what is out there. Sustainable fashion is becoming more prevalent each day. Many non-gendered fashion brands have also hopped on the sustainability bandwagon so it is a win-win situation for all of us.
Images: Riley Studio
]]>The topic of discussion today revolves around the common misconception that all male fashion designers are gay. As you know, there are a number of gay men who play a part in the fashion industry, but there are plenty of other prominent men designers who are straight. We will go over some of the reasoning behind why so many people have this perception and ask that, in return, you can spread the word to others so that we can all make a positive change for the better.
What are peoples perception?
A 2013 book entitled A Queer History of Fashion: From the Closet to the Catwalk says that during the 18th century, groups of men who appeared to have more pronounced feminine behaviors would mingle together cross-dress. At that time, these men did not focus on their sexual identity, but they were often referred to as “mollies.” Other men called “macaronis” were pushing the boundaries of contemporary men’s fashion which further influenced the idea of masculinity in the fashion world. Another significant thing that came out of this era was “man-milliners,” or the emergence of males who decided to be a part of the tailoring business. Over time, these minority groups within various European communities would start to shape the fashion industry as we know it today.
Emergence of males who decided to be a part of the tailoring business
Now that you have that piece of history in mind let’s shift the discussion and dig into modern media for a moment. Whether you know it or not, various media outlets across the globe have indeed played a role in the overall portrayal of fashion designers. Even though there are plenty of women who study fashion design in school, it seems that the media coverage tends to focus on the fashion designers who are primarily part of the LGBT+ community. That is not to say female fashion designers aren’t good at what they do; they just aren’t talked about as much in the news. This makes it challenging for the general public to take note of the wide variety of up-and-coming fashion designers.
Female fashion designers are less focused on
The news is always looking for the next big story. It makes sense why various news outlets would want to focus on minority groups working in any industry, let alone the fashion industry. In a way, news outlets are skewing reality because they appear to be cherry-picking what they want you to hear, which strongly influences everyone to think that only gay men are the types of people currently working as fashion designers.
Don't consume what your told to consume
In recent years, there have been significant positive changes in people’s attitudes toward the LGBT+ community. On the other hand, there are several stereotypes that society wants us to keep believing. One such stereotype, in particular, is that all gay men are “effeminate and flamboyant.” Meaning, in essence, gay men are inherently less masculine than straight men and are better suited to know what looks good on women. This statement is simply not true; however, it has been ingrained into many people’s perceptions partially because the media, in general, has unfairly represented homosexuality. There have been an increasing number of TV shows and movies depicting gay characters, but many stereotypes and stigmas are still prevalent. We need to learn how to form our own opinions about things and not allow big media companies to tell us how to think.
Make your decisions and form your opinions without using mainstream media
We hope that this article has been thought-provoking and invite you to analyze how you perceive things. Fashion designers are people who love what they do and are not inherently good or bad at their job based solely on their sexual identity. It is a fact that not all male fashion designers are gay, so just imagine the myriad of other topics out there that have inherent stigmas and stereotypes attached to them. You may be surprised by what you discover, so keep an open mind and try to look at things from different perspectives before creating a definite opinion of your own.
]]>Have you ever wondered why there is such an imbalance between genders? The idea of sexual inequality is very apparent, especially in this day and age. To delve deeper into this topic, we will be discussing the male gaze and its role in sexual inequality in our society.
How is the camera pointed?
Men have historically been the world’s leaders and the ones who “bring home the bacon” in individual families. This patriarchal system is not necessarily a bad thing. However, this system’s inherent attitudes and behaviours can disrupt the balance of responsibilities for couples both in the workplace and at home. For example, one person shouldn’t always do the cooking and cleaning for their spouse, both of them should be equal partners who make an agreement to split up household chores. Unfortunately, examples such as these are often portrayed in movies and other visual or written media, making it harder for our subconscious minds to detach from the patriarchal system.
What role did a female play?
Next, let’s review what the male gaze means. Back in 1975, film theorist Laura Mulvey brought the concept of the male gaze to everyone’s attention. She noted that film directors in general were choosing to cast female characters in lesser roles and essentially objectifying them for the sole purpose of visual pleasure on the big screen. As long as those women looked pretty, they were playing their part. This can make one suspect that many films are created by men, for men. Sadly, even since Mulvey exposed this, the male gaze is still prevalent.
objectification
The next time you watch a movie, you may notice how particular camera shots will linger on the female character’s body in a slow and erotic way. On the other hand, films like The Avengers and Mission Impossible tend to accentuate men’s masculine features to emphasise their body’s physical strength. Regardless of your opinion on the matter, everyone can agree that an “ideal image” of what a man or woman should look like is perpetuated through visual media in our modern society. Due to cultural influences, the male gaze has been normalised to a point where we may not notice it anymore, making us virtually desensitised to what is happening before our very eyes.
The difference between genders and what they wear in popular media
Why is it important to know what the male gaze is in the first place? Well, the first step required for change is to be able to recognise the problem. They say ignorance is bliss, so if you have never heard about the male gaze before, you know about it now and there is no turning back. Knowing about an issue is crucial, but what will make an overall difference begins by taking action to resolve that problem. Even though we may not have the power to change things overnight as individual citizens, we can all take personal responsibility and stand up for what is right. Nobody should not used in a way that objectifies them based solely on their appearance. We are all human and have the ability to make considerable contributions in the world regardless of how smart or pretty other people may perceive us. Let us seek to break down the prejudicial biases that are present and start speaking up about these kinds of relevant issues.
Don't let another persons view bring you down
Never allow other people’s perceptions and opinions bring you down. You are worth so much more than that, and no one has the right to take away your identity. Be proud of who you are and be an advocate for others who are trying to find their self-worth. You may be surprised how your daily interactions can make a difference, so be the good you want to see in the world. Even though there is an inequality between genders now, you can take steps towards changing that starting with your neighbours, friends, and family members. As we seek to better ourselves, we can create a positive change to lead us to a brighter future.
]]>A hot topic that has been brought up in the fashion industry has to do with the androgynous style. Today, we will discuss what that means and give you a beginner’s guide to help guide you towards assembling your own androgynous outfits.
Blending feminine and masculine
As we all know, fashion provides an outlet to express oneself. For many people that identify as non-binary, they are now utilizing the androgynous styles to help them feel more comfortable in their own skin. When someone dresses androgynously, it means they are blending feminine and masculine elements into their outfit. It does not typically go so far as to be considered cross-dressing. Still, this style seeks to blur the lines between what is traditionally considered a masculine or feminine wardrobe. Androgyny is all about bending or even breaking the rules and provides a sexually neutral appearance for everyone. There is no real “right” or “wrong” way to dress to obtain this look, in the end it is up to you to decide what it means.
Bending or even breaking the rules
Baggy trousers or tops are a good building block for an androgynous wardrobe. Jogger or boyfriend jeans are another alternative if you aren’t used to wearing baggy things. Look for any kind of loose-fitting clothing that draws attention away from your body figure. Another example includes button-up dress shirts. This is a great clothing item that adds an air of masculinity and can easily be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Consider rolling up the sleeves on your button-up shirt to create a relaxed look during a casual event.
Baggy trousers?
Cardigans or oversized leather jackets over plain t-shirts are always a fitting choice for an everyday androgynous outfit. You can add an extra flair to your outfit with something like a fedora, newsboy cap, trapper, or even a baseball hat if you are into hats. Things like lightweight scarves and leather bracelets are also great accessories you can consider with your androgynous attire.
An accessory to finish the outfit
As far as footwear goes, trainers are timeless classics and usually not too gender-specific. Any shade of gray, white, brown, or black can match with virtually everything and are great options when considering androgynous footwear. Stick with neutral tones if you are new to this style and work your way up. Once your confidence builds, you can venture further and try on other types of shoes such as Cross Sword's high heels for men or even men’s dress shoes if you’re on the other end of the spectrum. You may also like wearing combat boots if you prefer an edgier look.
Cross Sword's high heel shoes for men
If you want to dabble a bit with makeup, go right ahead. Makeup should have a matte finish and include more natural colors and tones to go along with an androgynous style. Coloring in your brows is a way to highlight more of a masculine element to your overall appearance. There is nothing wrong with a pop of color here and there, but don’t go overboard. Keep it simple and lean towards subtlety in this realm.
Maybe some makeup
Lastly, be patient with yourself. It will take time to establish an androgynous wardrobe, and you will need to do a bit of experimentation to see what works for you. If you have the time, try out clothes from both the men’s and women’s sections while you are browsing through clothing stores. Doing this will help you figure out the kind of clothes that you do and don’t like wearing without having to do returns for items all the time.
Try clothes on first from both sections in the store
People like Billie Eilish, Ruby Rose, Jaden Smith, and Harry Styles are celebrities to pay attention to if you need further inspiration for a stylish androgynous wardrobe. This fashion trend certainly isn’t going away any time soon, so if you are wanting to add a different sense of style to your overall appearance, now is the time to start. We hope you enjoy putting together androgynous outfits at home. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and remember to always be yourself.
]]>In today’s world, gender identity can be a difficult topic to discuss, especially with teenagers. Regardless of how you identify yourself, your child needs your utmost respect, love, and support to guide them through whatever struggles they may face regarding their gender identity. It is not easy for anyone to admit that they identify as a different gender, so it is crucial to be a confidant for your children. Today, we will discuss positive ways that can help you and your teenager communicate and navigate through their struggles with gender identity.
How will you start a conversation?
Offer a listening ear.
It is common for children to experiment with gender roles as they grow up; however, kids at school can be mean and say things that may be upsetting to your child. If you can tell that something is off and your child isn’t behaving in their usual way, don’t hesitate to address the subject head-on and help them feel comfortable enough to express their feelings. It is not about fixing all of their problems; they first need to get it all out there. You, as a parent, should always offer a listening ear. This is the best thing you can do to support a healthy relationship with anyone. It is not easy to tell someone else about your feelings, so it may take time for them to dig deep and tell you exactly what they are experiencing. Look for signs of distress, anxiety, or depression and seek a medical professional’s help if necessary to initiate a serious conversation about gender identity.
Finding an identity is not easy.
During the teenage years, it is crucial to gain a strong sense of self and build confidence. In general, teenagers often find it hard to know how they fit in at school or among their group of friends. This is also true for gender diverse teens who feel conflicted about their individual identity. Keep an open mind and do not pass judgment. Find appropriate times to discuss this sensitive topic with your teen and ask them open-ended questions. That way, the discussion will be guided by their responses and will serve their needs and concerns.
What interests them?
Everyone has talents, interests, and hobbies. Instead of solely focusing on their gender identity, you can also encourage your teen to participate in anything they enjoy doing. If they don’t know what they like, offer suggestions and create an environment that will help them discover their own talents and abilities. This will enable them to have other outlets to express themselves and not feel restricted to any given label. Keep in mind that nobody can know who they really are while going through their formative years. When you can, take time to share personal stories to help your teens understand that they don’t have to have everything figured out right now.
Diversity is positive.
If nothing else, be a source of encouragement and talk about diversity in a positive light. Have a heart-to-heart and tell your teen how unique they are. Remember to show them you will love them no matter what. If they have a hard time expressing their feelings out loud, you can always have them write it down for you, and you can write back and forth to each other and connect that way. Their mental health is essential. Try to keep tabs on them as much as possible without being overbearing. The moment they sense you don’t love them unconditionally may lead to severe consequences that will only hurt your relationship.
Keep an open mind and the line of communication open.
We hope you can learn from the mistakes that others have made and be sensitive in regards to the topic of gender identity. Teenagers may not show how much they love you and care about your opinion, but you as a parent can step up and be a light and good example to your children. As long as you keep an open mind and keep the line of communication open, they will eventually come to you seeking counsel and advice.
]]>It seems that now more than ever, men’s and women’s fashion does not have a defined line separating the two. Amid our ever-changing world, fashion and style are things that each individual can always decide for themselves. The seasonal fads typically drive women, whereas men look towards having tailor-fit clothing items that will last. Wherever you’re at on this spectrum, the fashion industry at large continues to blur the lines between genders, and today we will discuss some of the subtle differences between men’s and women’s fashion.
The differences are becoming harder to see
Trends will always come and go, but menswear has revolved around the classic suit for several decades. Suits provide a style that is truly versatile and always classy. If you maintain a well-made custom suit, it should last you for at least three years, depending on how often you wear it. Because of this, men typically cycle through fashion trends at a slower pace than women. However, that does not mean that men don’t care about how they look. Men and women usually have very different perspectives on style, and one can often tell by each of their spending habits. On average, men are more willing to pay a premium price for individual pieces that meet their style and comfort needs for their wardrobe. Whatever style a man chooses, whether it ranges from formal to casual wear, a key factor in their decision-making process largely depends on the quality of the clothing material. With some exceptions, women interact with fashion much differently since they don’t take the time to tailor their clothing due to their clothes being cycled through frequently throughout the year. Women want to obtain a particular look to fit in with their peers and don’t prioritize the perfect fit as much as men do.
Spending habits define a difference
In the end, the biggest difference between men’s and women’s fashion comes down to fit. Men will buy clothing that fits them best, whereas women will often purchase a piece of clothing and work towards fitting into it. The moment the next trend arrives, women gravitate towards it and disregard the clothes they once wore even a few weeks ago. Also, when it comes to alterations in women’s fashion, it is mainly there for wedding dresses and formal gowns because women change their look so quickly in search of the most aesthetically pleasing wardrobe. Another thing that sets men apart is that they will take the time to find a professional tailor that they can go to for any of their wardrobe needs. When done correctly, even the tiniest alteration can take an outfit to the next level.
A fitted dress or fitted into dress
With many of us working from home, comfort wear is more prevalent than ever. Clothing such as sweatshirts and sweatpants have a looser fit and use softer materials to produce them. Since this part of a wardrobe is all about comfort, men’s and women’s comfort wear styles are virtually interchangeable. The looser fit is prevalent in other areas of fashion too. In recent years, silhouettes in tops are becoming less fitted for both men and women. One reason we are witnessing this overlap is that our lifestyles are very similar to each other. Dress codes are more relaxed at work, and the cadence in how we live our lives has changed dramatically. The defining line between men’s and women’s fashion will most likely continue to blur in the coming years.
Loose clothes blurs lines
We’ve all heard the phrase, “Less is more.” Since the pandemic, that statement has never been more true. The uncertainty of this health crisis has raised many questions and put many of us through a rigorous ride financially. It has forced everyone to pause and think about how they actually spend their money since buying the latest trends suddenly stopped being at the forefront of people’s minds. One thing’s for sure; shoes will always be a necessity. At Cross Sword, we have designed men’s high heels that satisfy both style and comfort. If you or a friend ever need a nice pair of dress shoes, head over to our online store and see how we can help you achieve the style and comfort you’ve always wanted. We hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about the differences between men’s and women’s fashion today and wish you a Happy New Year!
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Fashion has always been a way that people can express themselves. It is an outlet that can help you show the world who you are. Confidence in your sexuality and fashion have a strong correlation; however, we wanted to delve deeper into this topic to gain better insight. Today we will answer how fashion and sexuality are linked and figure out if those two things are genuinely interconnected in today’s society.
An exploration into what society perceives
The fashion world emphasizes that it’s okay to express yourself in whatever way you please. Regardless of your sexual orientation, you have full reign over how you want to dress every day. What may tend to hold us back are the societal norms of how a man should look. Prejudicial thoughts against homosexuality are still prevalent depending on the region of the world where you live. Maybe you have a hard time expressing yourself outwardly in this way because you are afraid of what your friends and family will think of you. Even though the idea of coming out can be challenging for many people, the available styles of clothing have significantly expanded. Choosing to express yourself in the way you dress is a great place to start on your path towards becoming who you truly are.
Can you tell the sexuality from the clothes?
We all feel a need to express who we are as a person visually. Fashion is the perfect outlet to focus on that self-expression. However, does that mean that fashion is intrinsically tied to sexuality? Since everyone makes their own decisions on how to dress, we don’t think that is necessarily true. For the most part, no one is telling you that you have to look any particular way. It comes down to how other people view sexual orientations that make them have a particular opinion on the matter. For example, some people out there still believe that any well-groomed, well-dressed man is inherently gay. Many straight men care about how they look too, so this is a big misconception.
Well dressed determines what?
Arguably, the LGBT+ subcultures of the 1960s and 1970s strongly influenced both men’s and women’s fashion during that time. The drastic shift in popular clothing styles brought about a sense of rebellion and helped people go against the grain of typical mainstream ideologies. Additionally, the 1970s were when gay women started adopting the “butch” style, which helped move the world into accepting that women can wear trousers. Rock stars like David Bowie had a fashion sense that was influenced by gay culture, so there is an implication that this movement has also impacted the mainstream perspective. We cannot ignore how the fashion industry has had contributions from LGBT+ members such as designer Alexander McQueen. A gay aesthetic is definitely on the rise with up and coming fashion designers being the frontrunners. However, it is too simplistic to conclude that sexuality and fashion are inseparably linked together.
Conclusion?
We encourage you to choose to express yourself freely through the way you dress. No matter how you identify yourself, you deserve to dress the way that you want to. Nobody should have a say in the way you decide to dress except for you. Stand up and be proud and confident in who you are. Every day, choose to be unafraid to put on a colourful blazer or whatever other outfit and stylish accessories you want to wear. Even though society tries to dictate our appearances, it does not help if we lay down and surrender to their mainstream opinions. One way to combat their “ideals” is by choosing to wear men’s high heels. Whatever the occasion, typically, the sight of men wearing high heels has been frowned upon. To break away from that norm, we have to continue to prove to society that this is something that we choose to do no matter what.
Express yourself
Thank you for choosing to express who you are. We are proud to be a part of this community and look forward to a time when society will break free from deciding what is “normal” and just accept everyone for who they are. There has been no better time than the present, so continue to show off your personal style. Encourage others to do the same and show the world who’s boss. Even though the fashion world and sexuality have close ties, they are not as interconnected as some people might think. Each of us can dress precisely how we want to. Luckily, many fashion designers are making it even easier to find those clothing styles that will make us feel comfortable in our own skin.
]]>Gender fluidity has drastically increased in popularity since 2016 when Jaden Smith decided to wear a Luis Vuitton skirt out in public. The concept of gender fluidity in fashion certainly didn’t start with him, but it did spark several conversations. Labels such as feminine and masculine are starting to blur with the gender fluid movement and the social pressure of dressing to match your gender is slowly starting to shift. Today we will discuss how gender fluidity has affected the fashion world and how certain brands have strived to really support the LGBT+ community at large.
Fashion is a means of creative expression. Society has often set a standard for what is acceptable clothing for men and women, but many fashion designers are boldly paving the way to establishing gender fluid clothing lines. This brings hope to those of us who don’t define ourselves as strictly a man or woman. Instead of fitting the clothing for certain body shapes, gender fluid clothing seeks to fit the body types of individuals to the clothing. Some fashion designers are realising that many different gender definitions do exist. Everyone deserves to be able to express themselves through their choice of clothing, and it is refreshing to see brands that focus on clothing items that can fit several body types. Being gender fluid is quite literally a lifestyle and thus the clothing line designs should be well thought out in order to fit the needs of the LGBT+ community.
The use of color is most definitely a stereotype in clothing for any gender. Luckily, vivid colors are being incorporated more and more into all lines of clothing, including gender fluid designs. Gucci, for example, displayed their colorful suits back in 2016 that featured embellishments and several colorful floral print suits. This is one high-end brand that is unafraid to show the world that they have a progressive mindset. Who says that we all can’t wear whichever color we like? It is too limiting for anyone to be given a small selection of clothing designs that feature certain colors at the store. Having a variety of wardrobe options is really good because it allows us to express ourselves in different ways depending on the mood we are in. Colors such as pink and purple that used to be considered “feminine” are not just found in the women’s clothing section anymore thanks to this gender fluid movement.
British unisex fashion brand Toogood is also helping the gender fluid movement in the fashion world. They began their journey in 2013 when the circumstances for unisex clothing looked very different than it does today. The Toogood brand came from little experience but used their intuition to come up with designs that are truly timeless. They also focus on sustainability in their clothing lines and purchase materials that are available from local vendors. The materials they work with are built to last for many years, which is a wonderful thing. Toogood has so many blouses, trousers, coats, skirts, and jackets that feature classic neutral colors such as black and white. This makes it so that anyone shopping for their clothing won’t feel like the look of these clothing items is leaning towards women’s or men’s stereotypical styles.
Another UK unisex brand called Gender Free World sells button up collared shirts. Their clothes are not form-fitting and designed for anyone to feel comfortable while wearing them. They also have a wide variety of colors and patterns in their clothing line. There are other brands currently out there who are seeking to bring the gender fluid movement to the forefront too. We look forward to seeing even more brands that are willing to make a stand in the fashion industry because their efforts help inspire future generations.
Pictures from: Gender Free World, Toogood and Art School
]]>Have you ever seen a clothing item that you loved but chose not to buy because it was in the women’s section of the store? You shouldn’t feel ashamed or embarrassed by wearing what you want. Fashion is about making a statement and is an expression of who you are. Today we will explore how gender roles play a part in the fashion industry and how it has evolved.
Who is to say how we should look?
Back in ancient times such as Rome, men and women wore essentially the same thing. Their tunics were made of the same kind of material. A loom was how clothes were made back then, so the silhouette was rectangular for the most part. The only difference was the fact that men had tunics cut at knee length and women wore tunics that fell down to their ankles. Western civilization and the way clothing was designed transformed fashion dramatically by the 1600s and 1700s. In high society, men were seen as sophisticated wearing their suits, button up vests, and trousers and women were encouraged to show off their womanly figures in tight corsets in ornate floor-length gowns. One could say that the stereotypes of what men and women should wear began around that time.
What or who defines what we wear?
Traditionally there have been lines of women’s and men’s clothing specifically geared toward each gender. Part of this reason is because for years society has told us what is appropriate for women to wear and what is appropriate for men to wear. Starting in the United States around the 1940s, colors were even becoming a factor. For example, colors such as pink were viewed as “feminine” so many people started to think negatively of parents if they dressed their little boys in pink clothing. For years cross dressing was scandalous in schools that required children to wear uniforms. Girls wore skirts and boys wore pants, it was simply that way largely due to stereotypes. However, we are slowly seeing a trend where more and more designers are shifting towards gender fluidity in fashion.
Gender fluidity is becoming more acceptable.
It is a fact that men’s bodies are different from women’s bodies. Women tend to have wider hips and curvier figures than men do. Because of this, it can be tricky to sell and design gender neutral clothing that can fit both sexes. There are a few brands out there that do focus on gender neutral clothes. One in particular is a South Korean brand called Agender. They are a newer company, only established since 2017. Their clothing line mainly consists of comfortable and oversized silhouettes that can fit anyone’s body. Another example can be seen in the British company Toogood which focuses on selling clothes with a neutral color palette to fit anyone’s personality and style. The brand 69 is taking yet a different approach featuring relaxed and deconstructed silhouettes in their denim clothes depicting the 1990s style.
Self expression is the foundation of fashion
Some celebrities are proving that stereotypes don’t matter. Take Harry Styles for example. He doesn’t care what everyone else thinks because he consistently wears what he wants to wear. His style is anything but boring because he wears just about everything from floral jackets to pearl necklaces these days. He is proud of the way he decides to dress and present himself, which is an attribute that makes him stand out. Jaden Smith is another great example because he often shows up at red carpet events in dresses, skirts, and heels. He is also one of those celebrities that wears what they want to because they simply want to. We’re certain that nobody is going to convince him otherwise.
What is masculinity in fashion?
The fashion world is starting to eliminate the idea of masculinity and femininity in clothing. They are realizing that men and women should be able to wear whatever they want. Both genders having the freedom to wear anything makes fashion boundaries limitless. Back in 2017, a popular and affordable brand, H&M, released a nineteen-piece unisex collection called Denim United. It was a big hit and helped push the boundaries of what men or women “should” wear. John Lewis, one of the most well known department stores in the UK has also eliminated tags and divisions between the boys and girls clothing sections. Now all boys and girls clothing is in one area so that kids can decide for themselves which clothes they want to wear. This is helping future generations not think about stereotypes and opens up new ideas regarding the way they dress.
Is masculine and feminine a thing of the past in fashion?
We hope you enjoyed learning more about the role that gender plays in fashion. Gender neutral and gender fluid trends are becoming more prevalent among designers which is helping eliminate the strict stereotypes found in traditional men’s and women’s fashion. We encourage you to try new outfits even if they are traditionally thought of as “feminine”. Fashion is about you, and you have every right to express yourself fully in the way you choose to dress.
Be yourself
]]>Many countries have their own view when it comes to the acceptance of homosexuality. People’s views on the matter have evolved over time, but today there are still divided opinions across the globe. We will discuss the acceptance rate of homosexuality globally and go into detail to explain some of the reasoning behind the percentage rate findings.
Are families like the one pictured accepted?
According to the Pew Research Center, their studies have shown a steady increase in the acceptance of homosexuality worldwide since the early 2000s. Many people have differing perspectives on this matter depending on their age, the role of religion in their lives, and level of education. These factors make sense because each individual has their own world view, which is largely shaped by those 3 aspects in a person’s life. Even political views play a part in someone’s acceptance of homosexuality. For example, in the United States, findings have shown that people with left leaning or Democratic political views are more accepting of homosexuality than those on the right with Republican political views. The percentage findings among these groups of people were 85% and 58% respectively. Not surprisingly, a majority of LGBT+ adults in the U.S. also consider themselves a part of the Democratic political party. Factoring that into account makes a lot of sense with the total percentages.
Walking proud, being happy
Eastern Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia have extremely low acceptance rates compared to the Americas and Western Europe. The top 3 countries (out of the 35 countries surveyed by Pew Research Center) with the lowest acceptance rates were Nigeria, Tunisia, and Indonesia. Additionally, Nigerians who were affiliated with any religion had a less than 10% acceptance rate of homosexuality. Religion is a major part of life among African and Middle Eastern countries, so their religious beliefs strongly influence their opinion of homosexuality. When it comes to the importance of religion among individuals, there are many European countries that rank very low on the global scale including Sweden, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. It is fascinating that these 3 countries also have some of the highest acceptance rates of homosexuality which we will discuss next.
love is love
Recent studies have shown that countries who are thriving economically are very accepting of homosexuality. Europe has the top 3 countries with the highest acceptance rate: Sweden (94%), Netherlands (92%), and Spain (89%). The next 3 on the list were France, Germany, and the United Kingdom tying with a rate of 86%. Canada and Australia also have rates above 80%. Interestingly enough, the United States had an overall acceptance rating of 72% in 2019, even though they are arguably the richest country in the world. Up until the early 2000s there was about an equal 50/50 split opinion of homosexuality among Americans. However, since the legislation passed in 2015 to legalize same-sex marriage in all 50 states, there has been a steadily rising acceptance rate above 60%.
March for what you believe in
The level of education one has also impacts the acceptance rate of homosexuality. Greece for instance had over 70% acceptance rate among those with postsecondary education compared to just over 40% acceptance rate among those who obtained only secondary education. People in Brazil had similar findings among those with higher education. Their percentages were 80% and 55% respectively. It makes sense that a more educated person would accept the idea of homosexuality because they generally have a broader perspective on the world. People who have gone through postsecondary education have also exercised their critical thinking skills more than someone with only a secondary education due to their higher education.
What type of country do you live in?
Notably, two countries stood out in Pew’s surveys. Mexico and Japan had close to a 70% acceptance rate in 2019 compared to almost 50% when the surveys first started in 2002. Another intriguing finding was that South Koreans seem to have very split opinions across the board. Only 37% of men in South Korea agreed that homosexuality should be accepted by society in contrast to 51% of women surveyed in the same country. Comparing the opinions of young adults to adults over 50 was also very split in South Korea. Young adults had a 79% acceptance whereas only 23% of the older generation were accepting of homosexuality. This is an amazingly large divide in a relatively small country.
We hope you found these facts about how different countries view homosexuality insightful. Overall it the trend is that the world is continuing to accept the idea of homosexuality in society. Western European countries so far are the most accepting of homosexuality, along with other well developed and thriving countries in the world.
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Our latest article related to gender has been written by one of our supporters Eric Larner. Eric is on instagram as @the.write.cd and @elpaperman. He is a married man living in LA and working as an author and filmmaker that identifies as genderqueer and has kindly written for our blog here at Cross Sword.
Eric Larner, writer and filmmaker
Written by:Eric Larner
I am genderqueer. This word, genderqueer, means I identify as both masculine and feminine, which are two more words that have traditionally been used to describe the energies within human beings. Our collective history is composed of binary concepts: light and dark, hot and cold, male and female. All of which are separate, divided, and often unequal. In recent years, more descriptors have entered the fray, battling for relevance. If I listed all of them, I would quickly hit my word limit. Suffice it to say there are many - so many, in fact, that when I began exploring my queer identity I had no idea which word described me. While there may now be more terms to choose from, there is still a lack of mainstream discussion about what exactly they mean, and some even have multiple interpretations depending on who you ask or in what context you find yourself. Stuck in this quagmire, I find myself outside the binary. The light and dark, the hot and cold. The masculine and feminine.
Genderqueer flag being shown at pride.
Please do not misunderstand. Words are not inherently bad, and they can be liberating in their descriptiveness. But, without an acceptance in the mainstream lexicon, they can also be confusing and limiting. I am genderqueer, genderfluid, non-binary. All of these words could describe my experience. Not knowing which to choose, or worse yet, being told which to choose, made me want to give up. Why pick one word? Why not use “me”. I am “me”, right? Let’s collectively scrap the words “masculine” and “feminine” and just be “human”. For a while, this freed me. It gave me permission to act and explore affectation in my behaviors and the way I dressed. But eventually, the labels came creeping back in, and I felt a desire to be able to describe myself and my internal dialogue to others.
Eric expressing himself
People often say caring about your appearance is “vain” (another word). I do not agree with this sentiment. Caring for your appearance can also mean caring about your presentation to the world. Humans are visual creatures. Before words are spoken, most of us make snap judgements based on visual cues. Do you want to be treated like a “manly man”? Dress the part. Do you want to be treated like an “effeminate housewife”? Dress the part. I would never shame anyone or encourage treating someone differently based on their appearance, but I am saying that, as humans, we use our appearance to show the world how we see ourselves. The way we groom and dress can serve as a cue to the world that says “this is how I wish to present my internal self to you”. Problems only arise when we find negative words to associate with the way another person presents themselves.
A genderqueer person at pride
My body is very “masculine” so I choose more “effeminate” clothes to balance that, so I land somewhere in the middle. The word is “androgynous”. I wear dresses, makeup, and heels because they feel true to me. This clothing gives me the ability to present a side of myself that wants and deserves to be expressed. We adorn ourselves with clothes that allow us to tell the world who we are. We may not have moved beyond the use of words, but I hope we are moving beyond the negative stereotypes held toward forms of self-expression that happen to fall outside the mainstream, beyond the gendering of clothing. I hope we are moving toward a place where I am able to walk the streets in my high heels, and someone might just remark, “how cute are those shoes?!”.
We would encourage you to check out Eric Larner and his work and this can be done by checking out his website: https://www.ericlarner.com You can also follow him on instagram using the following usernames: @the.write.cd and @elpaperman
Images:
By Dorieo - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=80350377
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127085184@N05/
Eric Larner
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