Let’s talk about fashion and gender, shall we? Specifically, the weird, outdated rules society seems to have about what’s “appropriate” for people to wear based on their gender. Because honestly, I’m over it—and I think a lot of other people are too.
Here’s the thing: fashion is supposed to be fun. It’s self-expression, creativity, and a way to communicate who you are without even saying a word. And yet, somewhere along the way, we’ve boxed people into these rigid categories of what’s “acceptable” for men and women to wear. Pink is for girls, blue is for boys. Dresses are for women, suits are for men. Sound familiar? Yeah, it’s exhausting. And, spoiler alert: it’s all made up.
I mean, who decided that certain fabrics, colors, and styles should be off-limits based on your gender? Do the fashion gods sit on a cloud, wagging their fingers at anyone who dares to step outside the prescribed norms? Because if so, I’m ready to send them a strongly worded letter.
Take skirts, for example. Why are skirts considered “for women” in so many places? Have you ever worn a skirt on a hot day? It’s basically a personal air-conditioning system for your legs, and frankly, I’m jealous of anyone who gets to wear one all summer long. Meanwhile, men in most cultures are stuck sweating it out in heavy pants or shorts. Let’s be real—kilts were a thing in Scotland for centuries, and they still look awesome. So, why not bring that energy into everyday fashion for all genders?
And don’t even get me started on colors. I will never understand why we decided certain colors are “gendered.” Growing up, pink was labeled as “girly,” and boys were steered clear of it unless they wanted to be teased. But seriously, have you ever seen someone in a well-tailored pink suit? It’s a power move. Pink should be for everyone! Actually, scratch that—every color should be for everyone. You love bright yellows? Rock it. Into deep purples or soft pastels? Go for it. Colors don’t care about your gender, so why should we?
The good news is that more people are starting to push back against these rules, and it’s about time. We’ve seen celebrities, influencers, and everyday folks stepping out in outfits that challenge traditional gender norms, and honestly, it’s been amazing to watch. When Harry Styles graced the cover of Vogue in a dress, the internet practically broke. People either loved it or lost their minds over it, but the conversation was loud and clear: fashion has no gender. (By the way, Harry looked fabulous, in case there was any doubt.)
Let’s talk about makeup for a second. Who decided that makeup is only for women? I don’t know about you, but if I could rock a perfectly winged eyeliner every day without judgment, you better believe I’d be doing it. Makeup is an art form. It’s a way to enhance your features, play with color, and just have fun. And yet, so many men who enjoy makeup have to deal with side-eyes and snide comments because society can’t seem to wrap its head around the fact that eyeliner isn’t tied to chromosomes. The good news? We’re seeing more and more men in the public eye rocking makeup, and honestly, I’m living for it.
But here’s the kicker—this isn’t just about men “borrowing” from women’s fashion or women “borrowing” from men’s. It’s about breaking down the walls that say we can’t all wear what makes us feel good. Women shouldn’t need a reason to wear a suit and tie, just like men shouldn’t need permission to wear a dress. Fashion should be about choice, freedom, and personal style. Not rules, expectations, and societal norms.
And you know what? The more we push back, the more those walls are coming down. More fashion designers are creating gender-neutral collections, and more stores are ditching the “men’s” and “women’s” sections in favor of letting people shop however they want. Slowly but surely, we’re moving toward a world where you can wear whatever you want, whenever you want—no questions asked. And that’s the kind of world I want to live in.
Now, I get it—some people are still attached to traditional gender roles in fashion. I’m not here to tell anyone they can’t wear what they’re comfortable with. If you love your dresses, rock them. If you feel best in a suit, go for it. But let’s drop the whole idea that what you wear needs to line up with what society thinks is right based on whether you were born a boy or a girl. Wear what makes you happy. It’s really that simple.
The truth is, fashion is evolving, and we’re evolving with it. And while gendered fashion might still have a grip on parts of society, it’s slowly but surely loosening. People are realizing that clothes are just clothes—pieces of fabric stitched together in creative ways. They don’t have magical powers that suddenly change who you are. They don’t define your gender or your identity. Only you get to decide that.
So, the next time you’re eyeing something that you think might not be “for you” because of your gender, just remember: there are no fashion police. You can wear whatever makes you feel like your best self. And if someone else doesn’t get that? Well, that’s their problem, not yours. You’ll be too busy looking fabulous to care.
Let’s all stop caring so much about who’s wearing what and just enjoy the amazing, creative, boundary-pushing world of fashion. Because at the end of the day, clothes are meant to be fun. And fun doesn’t care what gender you are.
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