20 July,2021 06:29 AM IST | Mumbai | Anindita Paul
Ella Emhoff paired a sharp tux with a silk opera jacket for Balenciaga. Pic/Instagram
Earlier this month, Balenciaga made waves for showing their first haute-couture show since 1967, in which they showcased a more nuanced version of their typical gender-fluid aesthetic. Ella Emhoff, who is all well-known for her eccentric and irreverent take on fashion as being related to US Vice President Kamala Harris, walked the runway in Paris, in a padded silk opera jacket layered over a sharp tuxedo, cementing the verdict that androgynous fashion is here to stay.
Sanjana Bubber
"The growing popularity of shows such as Ru Paul's Drag Race is emboldening fashion lovers to break fashion and gender norms and truly own their identities and aesthetic sensibilities. In many ways, this move is necessary and a welcome change - the fashion cycle has become very repetitive and predictable. Genderless fashion can, therefore, create a whole new genre for creative experimentation," says fashion designer Sanjana Bubber.
Anuradha Mohan contrasts sharp cuts with delicate colours
"Women can opt for structured and oversized silhouettes that do not emphasise their body shape. Deep necklines and very flowing or gathered skirts are a no-no. Instead, wear pleated pants, baggy trousers or jeans or pleated cuffed shorts," Bubber explains. Fashion blogger Anuradha Mohan is partial to structured looks. "For a more balanced outfit, I like to introduce feminine colours like pastel pink," she says.
Tejeshwar Sandhu incorporates floral prints and draped silhouettes
Unlike women, men would do well to incorporate flowing elements, whether draped kurtas or bundees, or skirts, says Bubber. A simpler route is to include traditionally feminine prints and patterns such as florals or animal prints to a traditional menswear look, says fashion influencer Tejeshwar Sandhu. "Think Harry Styles while choosing patterns and focus on more fitted looks. Jumpsuits and rompers make for fun additions to gender-fluid wardrobes, as do anarkali-cut sherwanis for Indian occasion-wear," he adds.
"During the pandemic especially, most people are steering clear of very seasonal trends and choosing to invest in classics. Here, you can't go wrong with a structured, classic white shirt that can easily be styled in multiple ways," says Bubber. For instance, you could roll up the sleeves and wear a pair of pleated, cuffed black pants with a bowling hat for a simple, but chic gender-fluid look. Khan pairs hers with baggy ripped jeans and a harness to create a look that is both edgy and androgynous.
Androgyny lends itself well to streetwear looks, Bubber says, highlighting that most staples are baggy and oversized. "Graffiti inspired prints, especially on jackets, are very trendy, as are leather or denim bomber jackets. Pair these with sneakers or Oxford shoes," she suggests. Jannat Khan, a fashion influencer, layers menswear elements such as Hawaiian shirts over long-sleeve tees and relaxed pants. "It's important to use the right accessories. Bucket hats, for instance, are all the rage and are quite gender-neutral," she says.
