Breaking Gender Norms in Fashion
Fashion is a way for individuals to express themselves. In the early 20th century, women were only allowed to wear skirts, dresses, and men were not because it was not “socially acceptable”. Adding on, men were the only ones who wore suits and women were not allowed — again, not “socially acceptable”. Fast forward to the 21st century, times are changing and so is the fashion industry. Many individuals have been breaking gender norms in fashion and it is not going unnoticed.
This article will highlight a few substantial celebrity influences and how they broke gender norms in fashion.
Harry Styles
Harry Styles made history by being the first man to wear a dress on the cover of the biggest magazine in the fashion industry, Vogue.
Harry Styles is a highly influential person who gained fame from his days in One Direction and his solo-career music. For his whole life, Styles continues to be an advocate for love and peace.
The Vogue cover is not the first time Harry Styles has broken the “gender barrier” in the fashion industry. Styles constantly challenges toxic masculinity by wearing gender-neutral articles, feminine articles, etc.
Not only has he changed the fashion industry, but he continues to be an incredible influence on all young individuals in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and everyone in general!
Styles repeatedly preaches to choose love and be who you are, to never be afraid of self-expression. “…everyone should just be who they want to be” Styles says.
Harry Styles continues to be an advocate of self-expression, peace, and love in the fashion industry.
Zendaya
Zendaya, singer and actor, wore a stunning suit at the 2019 Harper’s Bazaar Icons party.
Zendaya is an incredible influence in the fashion industry, she constantly challenges gender norms by wearing gender-neutral clothing, masculine clothing, and preaching love and acceptance.
Zendaya has created her own gender-neutral clothing line and when asked why she made it gender-neutral she states, “[it’s] the future of fashion”. And it couldn’t be more true. Our world is always changing and so is the fashion industry.
Zendaya continues to advocate for freedom of self-expression in the fashion world.
Julia Roberts
Although many were opposed, Julia Roberts still did it, and she looked amazing
Back in 1990, Julia Roberts wore a “masculine” suit that stunned everybody. Roberts defies gender roles in fashion by wearing masculine articles, showing us that any piece of clothing/article is gender-neutral!
Julia Roberts has a strong influence and wearing this suit definitely set off the right one.
Roberts consistently preaches self-expressionism in fashion. She breaks the fashion stereotypes and gender roles, and the influence it had was substantial.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the fashion industry is forever changing. Gender norms in clothing were a thing of the past, self-expressionism is something that the 2SLGBTQIA+ community has been fighting for decades. It may not seem like an issue, but harassments and bullying occur every day over clothing — and it shouldn’t. We as humans deserve to express ourselves in clothing in any way that makes us happy. A lesson everybody should learn is: wear whatever you want, wear whatever makes you happy, wear whatever allows you to express yourself. Treat people with kindness (as Harry Styles likes to say), because 1 single compliment could change somebody’s life. Choose love.
P.S. HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!
