Articles tagged with "Harry Styles"

Jharna Pariani writes for Fashion Psychology (@fashionispsychology) website to explore how fashion's influence can be used to dismantle gender stereotypes.

From the article:

"Before the 20th century, women were shamed for cross-dressing in men’s outfits. It wasn’t until the 1920s that women’s clothing finally gained liberation and did away with tightly laced corsets, bustled skirts and puffy sleeves. Women began embracing the androgynous look, also known as ‘La garçonne’, revolutionised by Coco Chanel who paved the way for women’s trousers through her masculine-feminine aesthetic. In 1966, Yves Saint Laurent furthered the cause by introducing ‘Le Smoking’, a tuxedo look for women that became an embodiment of sexual empowerment."

"Women are now revered as ‘power dressers’ for donning sharp suits and enjoy the freedom of easily switching between both masculine and feminine styles. However, men haven’t enjoyed the same level of acceptance and freedom for embracing femininity."

"Gender is no longer just limited to male and female — or pink and blue — but is now a spectrum of non-conforming identities and fashion is beginning to reflect that."

Original URL: https://fashionispsychology.com/dismantling-gender-stereotypes-through-fashion/

Online newspaper "The Citizen" highlights the change lead by a new generation of fashion-forward, stereotype challenging celebrities.

From the article:

"Gender stereotypes are taking a hit. In the fashion industry, as in other sectors, collections and products that are co-ed, unisex, gender-neutral or gender-fluid are multiplying at high speed, challenging all clichés and precepts in the field."

"It’s no longer rare — or surprising — to see a man on the red carpet wearing a dress or a skirt, towering heels and flawless makeup. And it’s a phenomenon that’s not just limited to the confines of Hollywood — or the showbiz world more generally — since it has been working its way into the mainstream for several months, if not years."

The list in the article is not exhaustive and you might also be interested in one of our Q&A pieces - "Which male celebrities have been known to wear heels?" / Use quick code 'cel'.

Original URL: https://www.citizen.co.za/lifestyle/fashion-and-beauty/harry-styles-david-banda-lil-nas-x-the-new-icons-driving-stereotypes-out-of-fashion/

The TheIndusty.fashion website explores the reasons why more men are shopping in the women's department.

From the article:

"This increasing band of fashion-forward men are purchasing larger sizes in feminine womenswear and thanks to celebrities like Harry Styles and Lil Nas X, and designers like Marc Jacobs, men now have the “permission” to buy and wear womenswear as their own. From clothing to accessorises, these men are buying what they like, regardless of where is comes from, just as long as it fits."

“Where I’d like to see it trickle down more is the high street. I think certain brands are afraid of looking too feminine which could potentially ward off their key shopper, but I think that’s the beauty of online shopping there’s a space for everyone,” says Hobbs.

“THIS IS NOT A TREND. I REPEAT, THIS IS NOT A TREND,” says Glazin. “It's not something I just jumped on the bandwagon with, it's really because I want more out of my wardrobe. And I think I speak for every man who does the same. I truly think brands need to have more unisex sections in stores, there doesn't need to be segregated sections!” he says.

“As there’s a wave of more gender fluidity, there’s also less pressure to stick to clothing made for your gender. Womenswear has always had a lot more styles, shapes, fabrics, colours etc. so when considering the options it makes sense that some men are opting for more expressive pieces,”

"Clothing doesn’t reflect people’s sexuality anymore. The vast range of new role models has promoted an attitude of inclusivity."

Original URL: https://www.theindustry.fashion/crossing-the-floor-why-more-men-are-gravitating-towards-the-glamour-of-the-womenswear-department/

Mydroll.com covers Lenny Kravitz's 2022 Grammy Awards appearance in knee length black leather boots.

It's great to see another article covering Lenny's stunning outfit of chain mail, leather pants and knee length heeled leather boots.

As editor of Men's Heels Revolution my personal opinion is that we should share all articles we find on men in heels and boots to amplify the effect of those articles, even when the content of those articles may be quite small, as it is in this case. It's more the fact that someone else is talking about men in heels and boots and bringing men's heeled fashion to a wider audience, breaking down gender stereotypes and social norms. We generally try to link to articles when they've been published in the 12 months prior to when we post them. We don't always find them just after publication, though if you do find something of interest which I've not posted, please do get in touch and let us know!

Original URL: https://mydroll.com/lenny-kravitzs-2022-grammys-look-achieves-great-new-heights-thanks-to-his-heels/

NSS (Naples Street Style) Magazine explores the growing trend of genderless fashion and how it has been influenced by glam rock icons of our recent past.

From the article:

"Harry (Styles) has proven to be the right man at the right time. But his sought-after way of dressing has well-founded roots within the British music scene: in fact, the former One Direction man is the prom king and queen at a college where only glam rock is played."

"there is no denying, in fashion history there is a before and an after David Bowie: his flashy outfits and ambiguous attitude were the solid foundation on which the fluid fashion of our century was built."

"the pinnacle of transgression was reached with the cry of Freddie Mercury, the most charismatic frontman in music history, a timeless glam and queer icon. With his transformative looks that migrated from white tank tops and jeans to bodysuits and wrap-around capes, the British rock star asserted his sexual freedom through brash and casual clothing."

Original URL: https://www.nssmag.com/en/fashion/30364/glam-rock-harry-styles

Livewire, the student new site of Bullitt East High School, explores the history of men defying social norms. Whether it's men in dresses, skirts, heels or other items of clothing normally associated with a different gender. Social norms perpetuate gender stereotypes about clothing. Harry Styles, though not the first, currently has the attention of the media for his gender nonconforming style.

From the article:

"Junior Sophie Boguszewski states her opinion that she doesn’t find anything wrong with it. “I don’t think it’s inappropriate. People used to not want women to wear pants, but now they do. So why can’t men wear dresses,” Boguszewski said.

Not only does this spark the idea of nongender-specific clothing, but it also sparks normalizing “feminine” things for everyone. The former One Direction member and the now solo artist is known for pushing against the social norms of men by painting his nails and wearing pearl necklaces.

Many famous men have paved the way for men in dresses in the past. In 1971, David Bowie was photographed wearing a dress while lounging around his house. Bowie has worn dresses on many occasions, including for one of his album covers."

Original URL: https://www.belivewire.com/8353/national/harry-styles-for-vogue-and-the-history-of-men-defying-social-norms/

While many curious men explore their gender identity at home, often with items of clothing they've acquired by mail order services, they may consider showing up at their workplace in those items as an unattainable dream. There is however some serious research being done in this area by many people to determine the sociological effect of workplace attire and how people who are gender nonconforming, non-binary, genderqueer and so forth are challenging the norm in the workplace.

From the Gender Sexuality at Work Conference 2022, Dr Briony Lipton gives this compelling presentation of her work on "Men In Heels And Workplace Attire" which forms part of a larger project "Invisibilities Of Gendered Inequality In The Age Of Remote And Hybrid Work". Her research on gender equality and changes in professional attire is particularly interesting as it addresses a fundamental shift in our pandemic and post-pandemic work lives where many of us now regularly work from home, or have a hybrid home/office arrangement with who we work for.

She explores "Queer Heterosexuality" and whether there are ways in which straight men can disrupt the dominant paradigm of the straight-masculine and whether this can help to communicate, challenge and influence organisations and individuals perceptions of gender and sexual identities and their perceptions of equality and inclusion in the workplace.

With notable mentions of @MarkBryan911, @The_Heads_Count, @AlokVMenon, @TheeBillyPorter, @GentlemanHeels and @Mens.Heels.Revolution there are a number of other Instagram accounts featured in the video which we'll leave you to discover for yourselves.

Original URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UCe441EoYI&list=PLhOObpoQndRlSrCjtoprhSRUWCa_qqZ8h&t=4s

In this article the Bright Side website highlights the growing confidence of men in heels and explores the possible reasons why.

"It’s not known by everybody, but men did wear heels in the past, long before women started wearing them. High heels were originally designed for men, but this faded over the past centuries. However, surprisingly, heels seem to be breaking their way back into men’s fashion again, as more and more celebs have started to embrace their feminine side by wearing their favourite pair of heels."

"statistics show that the sales of heeled men’s shoes have been on an upturn since 2017. More and more men are embracing their femininity and showing off their beloved heels more confidently than ever."

"High heels are still associated with women’s fashion in the modern day, though more and more celebrities, like pop icons and rock stars, are keeping this trend alive for men. The expansion of heels in the male section at stores has gone beyond the stiletto.

Many different types of heeled shoes have become available. Designer brands, like Gucci, Maison Margiela, and Saint Laurent, knew that heeled shoes would break into men’s fashion again and took the opportunity to develop new models in this category."

While the article presumes that all men that wear heels are getting more in touch with their feminine side, which is somewhat stereotypical, it's generally a positive perspective and worth a read.

Original URL: https://brightside.me/wonder-curiosities/why-men-are-more-confident-about-wearing-high-heels-today-808517/

Lillian Stone (@originalspinstr) writes for Mel Magazine on the rise of men in heels on social media and how some women are falling in love with the growing trend.

From the article:

"Mesmerized by their confidence and how their heeled shoes make their ass look like marble, women are falling head over heels for guys who dare to don a pair of pumps"

"Wearers are posting their videos to Instagram and, increasingly, TikTok, where videos with the hashtag #meninheels currently have more than 82 million views. Someone’s grandfather even went viral for pairing masculine silhouettes with a tasteful pump.".

"Seeing a man wear heels without a hint of irony confirms what we’ve always known, if only subconsciously — that heeled footwear is sexy, no matter the wearer’s gender. It speaks to a simple truth: If you find a pair of shoes that make your ass look like it’s made of steel, you should wear those shoes."

Men appearing to have more confidence comes across as one of the key attractions to women. Having greater confidence is often a reason stated by women as to why they wear high heels, but it's still interesting to see this coming across when the roles are reversed.

Original URL: https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/men-wearing-high-heels

Today, we take a look back to 2020 and a Harpers Bazaar magazine interview with Harris Reed (@Harris_Reed), the then up and coming designer who is now probably best known for styling Harry Styles for the cover of Vogue magazine. That moment was a pivotal moment in Harris's career as it instantly catapulted him into the spotlight.

"I’d like to eradicate the categories of menswear and womenswear,” Reed says. “Fluidity offers an alternate way of being, crossing and merging masculine and feminine.”

Harris certainly has a way of making what we would normally call feminine styles and presenting them in a way in which we can call them gender neutral. He is definitely one to watch for the re-shaping of the fashion world we currently know.

...and if that's not enough gender-bending non-binaryness for you, to take a look at @FluidByHarrisReed for his curated collection of classic gender-bending looks from the stars.

Original URL: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/designers/a34458195/gender-fluid-fashion-harris-reed-no-sesso-art-school/

Footwear Magazine takes a look at the new "Our Angels" Inclusive sized collection from Christian Louboutin and poses the question "Is it finally time to stop separating men's and women's fashion?".

The fashion industry has followed social gender norms since the dawn of what we now call fashion, though when now considered through egalitarian eyes there are huge differences between fashion offered for men and women. The fashion industry is reflecting on these imbalances and tentatively adjusting what's on offer one high heeled step after another.

In heels for men (or indeed genderless), with big names like Louboutin taking an interest and with real-world wear visible by celebrities on the Red Carpet and key social media influencers there is certainly more on offer now. It may take some time, but generally in the fashion world those trends will start to trickle down into the mainstream.

Original URL: https://footwearnews.com/2022/fashion/opinion-analysis/gender-neutral-fashion-trends-1203233685/

GenZ Social Media sensation, Noah Beck caused a stir when he appeared on the front of VMan magazine in Fishnet Tights and Stiletto Heels. As with many features of men in heels, this one also comes with the usual brief, but important history of men in heels.

Also checkout the post of the cover on @NoahBeck's Instagram profile... https://www.instagram.com/p/CL-CCUiHGHR/

Original URL: https://footwearnews.com/2021/fashion/mens/noah-beck-heels-fishnet-tights-jeans-makeup-vman-magazine-1203114717/

Our founder, Rob Taylor, had the pleasure of being interviewed by Hayley Lind (@hayleyclind) for this feature in Input Magazine (@input).

"Hayley was motivated to approach me by the amount of media coverage which I had referenced on heels for men for this piece." said Rob, "She certainly agreed with my findings that there was a definite trend happening in the fashion world for men to wear heels again".

Anchored with commentary from Rob throughout, the article explores the "genderless heels" trend with insights from independent designers who have changed their manufacturing and marketing methods to accommodate an inclusive approach where shoes are for all, regardless of gender. The article also uncovers why inclusive sizing is not quite as simple as to achieve you might think it could be, though not a problem that can't be solved.

We're delighted to get this great coverage and hope it will be the first of many!

Original URL: https://www.inputmag.com/style/harry-styles-lil-nas-x-mens-high-heels-genderless-kira-godey-lidia-talavera

Footwear News covers @HarryStyles editorial for Dazed magazine where Harry essentially breaks all the "rules" of masculinity and offers an alternative perspective in dresses and heels.

Original URL: https://footwearnews.com/2021/fashion/celebrity-style/harry-styles-pleasing-beauty-dazed-editorial-kitten-heels-1203210670/

GQ Magazine looks back upon the style of legendary music artist Prince. Prince will first be remembered for his music, then arguably for his style which was never without a pair of custom made high heels.

Original URL: https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/fashion/gallery/prince-style

It's a good question and not as stereotypical an answer as you might expect...

There may be a number of reasons why men would want to wear high heels. To many women who regularly wear high heels and endure pain and discomfort from wearing heels, the idea may seem absurd, until you also consider the many women who still endure that pain and discomfort for the obvious attractions that heels bring. Many men have similar reasons for wanting to wear heels as women do.

A growing number of people believe that clothes and shoes should not dictate a persons sexual orientation or gender and for that reason alone they will wear whatever they want, regardless of which (usually binary) gender label has been attached to the clothing or shoes. It's a refreshing idea if you've always stuck to social norms around gender stereotypes. It ultimately means, if you like it, wear it and for many men, dressing like this is liberating and provides an outlet for self expression. More recently this idea has been expressed by high profile stars such as Harry Styles and Justin Bieber, though it has been the case for many years with stars such as Prince and David Bowie wearing clothes labelled for different genders.

For some men an extra height boost is one reason. This can bring additional confidence and especially when your partner is also wearing heels it can restore the height differential which male and female partners often desire.

For more fashion conscious men, the reason may be to be just be different from the crowd, more fashion forward, and they will often be more adventurous with the rest of their clothing choices, seeking more distinctive fabrics, colours, textures and patterns. Many men are simply bored with the same old re-cycled options on offer in the mens section and want something different. With this dissatisfaction often comes a desire to change the aesthetic of their outfits by mixing and matching from all the options on offer and higher heels can instantly change the look of an outfit.

Some men want to express outwardly how they feel about their gender. More recent publicity of gender and how it's expressed in almost limitless terms when you consider gender as non-binary, can help some men feel like they have way of explaining why they want to wear heels.

Sometimes men are simply just curious about what it's like to walk in heels and may capitalise on any suitable opportunity to try it out. We've often heard the expression "to walk a mile in someone else's shoes" as a metaphor for understanding someone's experience, however in literal terms, men can also fully experience a flavour of what it's like for a woman to wear heels.

Diversion is another reason why men wear heels. Some men enjoy playing with that taboo that comes with gender boundaries and the experience can either be a form of mockery or great reverence for women or social constructs around gender standards.

A more stereotypical view of a man in heels is the practice of cross-dressing. Where a man, typically heterosexual, will dress entirely in women's clothing. The same term also applies to women who dress in men's clothes, though the term is seldom used when women cross-dress. Cross-dressers may derive a sense of peace or euphoria from dressing entirely in women's clothing, some may also derive sexual pleasure from it. Synonymous with "cross-dresser" is the term "Transvestite" although this is outdated and often viewed as offensive, as is the "Tranny" slang version.

Transgender people may wear high heels for any of the reasons above, though more usually to help affirm their gender identity. Most transgender people seek to bring their bodies into alignment with their gender identity. This is called transition. Some men realise that their biological sex and gender are fundamentally misaligned and for them, this is a way for them to express their true gender. Like all people, many transgender women will want to wear high heels, though this is not always the case. Their gender is every bit as valid as everyone else's and is often reflected in how they express themselves.

In conclusion, there are many reasons why a man would want to wear high heels, or anything else for that matter. All are valid reasons and are perfectly fine. As awareness of this trend increases, you're likely to see more men expressing themselves in this way. For men's fashion, breaking these long-standing gender stereotypes is perhaps long over-due!

Comments from our readers

We had some great comments on this question posted on our Instagram page for previous posts of this Q&A issue, from both men and women...

"Totally agree with this! I think shoes and heels should be for anyone and everyone! Same with all types of clothing. On a basic level, it's just material that covers your body, on a complex level it's how you want to feel and for me wearing heels feels amazing!! And it's not necessarily about attraction... But I have to say a liberated confident man in heels is very sexy to me 😉 xox"

"Because they look so sexy"

"I like to wear high heels just because I love how they look, and I love how I look in them, so why not wear them. Besides fighting with toxic masculinity, I might say that I also find somehow challenging to find everything I like in my size (women's size 13). Things are much better than ten years ago, there are many brands that offer these sizes, but most common and commercial brands still have to realize that there is a growing demand they could serve. Hopefully soon."

"About 40 years ago Marks & Spencer actually sold riding boots for men, I bought a pair, the main part were ox-blood in colour with a black ridge at the top and a small wedge heel, sadly I sold them a few years later, I'm also at an age when platform boots were on trend, mine were red and yellow with a beautiful chunky heel, and also of course I had the multi coloured flowered shirt with same matching tie, and thin brown leather pants, oh to have that 28 inch waist again"

"In the animal world , especially birds, it is the male that has the brightest plumage, so why do guys have to be in dark and boring clothing, I always love to wear ladies coloured gloves, at first I was not confident, I always imagined that everyone would be staring at me, In most cases people just don't care what you wear"

"Why are we doing this? Because we do not only like to see high-heeled shoes on women, but also like to wear them ourselves. We feel good in high heels! They give us and our gait quite grace, but also strength. There is also a sense of self-confidence when we walk in high heels. As a man, in particular, you need more courage and skill, but also the strength and charisma to express this in a positive way."

"Hi, I just came across your page and I absolutely love that there are guys who enjoy wearing heels, flats, boots, etc... Me personally for some time have a strong belief that clothes/shoes have no gender and that it's for everyone! I am a 21 year old gay male who enjoys wearing heels and flats as well as makeup and accessories because I want to express my personality and be my own person that is different from everyone else."

"I have legs, feet and thighs that I would truly find hot in any woman but I am a man. Therefore I look better with nylons, skirts and heels. That’s just body and I accept it. Why can’t I show myself at my best without being labelled with a gender or sexual orientation that is really not correct?"

"I wear women’s boots because they make me feel complete"

"Because we can 🤷🏻‍♂️"

"When I go into a department store for men's gloves, the gloves are functional but lack any style or fit, so always head for the ladies gloves, so many colours and really a nice tight fit"

"I wear high heels 👠 and women’s clothes despite being 6’2” for a few reasons. One is because men’s clothes are (for the most part) boring and pedestrian. I’m a little different from a lot of Xdressers in that I don’t desire to be or impersonate a woman. I have no desire to appear female. I’m a straight man who is into fashion, and I look hot as hell in a miniskirt and heels. And lastly, there’s some internal drive, be it a past life remnant or a genetic punctuation, or anything, that gifts me the super power to live life outside the box. I exercise this super power to help other men learn that they too can grow this super power. As I say on my page, the first time a “Dude Bro” sees a man in heels and a skirt, he sees a gay alien 👽 who has come to abduct and convert him. By the third time he sees this, he sees a human being. That’s why I do it. It only takes three times to normalize it."

"You're absolutely right!! Men's everyday wear is so pedestrian and dull. I always bitch about how women's clothing has more color, style and design. I hate when I see a great shirt and its a women's small and they don't have it in men's sizes. And the shoes... I'm crazy about stiletto's and boots."

"It's very simple, have you seen them? They are just beautiful! 😁 My only reason haha."

"I would love to wear heels all the time I just feel more comfortable wearing them. Men’s shoes suck and I don’t own any"

"Never judge a book by it's cover, the same could equally be said when it comes to meeting other people, whatever their gender is"

"Wear what you want!"

"Because a pair of heels changes an average outfit to a much nicer one. So as not so many women still wear heels, then I do it myself."

Fashion magazine celebrates Tom Holland's (@TomHolland2013) red carpet outfit for the premiere of Spider-Man: No Way Home and highlights Tom's calling out of Misogynistic comments made about his height in relation to his taller partner Zendaya and how he regrets not wearing heels for his rendition of Rhianna's "Umbrella" in 2017.

Original URL: https://fashionmagazine.com/style/celebrity-style/tom-holland-heels-spiderman-premiere/

Footwear News reports on Harry Styles (@HarryStyles) appearance at the Sony Brit Awards in 2020 in a "Women's" Suit and heels "for men". Setting aside the gendering of the clothing items, it's a positive thing that we're seeing these red carpet events publicised like they are, but surely it's just a suit and heels? After all, we wouldn't say "Dua Lipa appeared in Men's trousers and heels for women" would we?!

Original URL: https://footwearnews.com/2020/fashion/celebrity-style/harry-styles-marc-jacobs-womens-suit-mens-heels-1202928555/

We are living the gender revolution, so why don't men wear skirts, make-up, fancy tops or high heels? NoKill magazine (@nokillmag) takes a deeper look at the construct we have built around gendered clothing and ultimately declares that it's time to degender fashion.

Original URL: https://www.nokillmag.com/articles/men-in-skirts-its-time-to-degender-fashion/

You've possibly already heard of Mark Bryan (@MarkBryan911), though many outside of Instagram won't know that this sixty-something man regularly wears a skirt and heels to the office. He believes, like many more now do, that clothes and shoes have no gender. This interview for Harpers Bazaar brings us up to date with what Mark has been doing recently.

Original URL: https://harpersbazaar.com.au/mark-bryan-interview/

x

Original URL: https://www.ruetir.com/2021/11/20/men-who-wear-a-dress-or-use-nail-polish-should-we-applaud-that/

Bruzz interviews Mark Bryan.

“Most people assume that clothes say something about their sexual orientation, and they don’t want to put a label on them that doesn’t fit them.”

“The battle will only have been won when people stop seeing a skirt as uniquely feminine”

Original URL: https://www.bruzz.be/en/culture/culture/mark-bryan-man-high-heels-2021-11-03

This article from The Irish Examiner (@irish_examiner) reflects on the Spring/Summer 2022 runway shows at Paris Fashion Week and the rise of heels for men. It's not a new concept, just reinvented somewhat, as Jimmy Choo puts it "High-heeled shoes for men are unlike stilettos. The heel shape is adapted from the basic Cuban heel into a special shape that will bring out the best in the masculinity of the man wearing it.".

This is a great read for getting yourself up-to-speed with what's current on the catwalk.

Original URL: https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/fashionandbeauty/arid-40343159.html

Dapper Confidential (@dapperconfidential) looks at the current trend for Men’s heels, contrasting against previous times when heels for men were popular and offers some great tips for what and how to wear higher heels today.

Original URL: https://www.dapperconfidential.com/feelin-high-mens-heels-are-back/

Koreaboo gives the run-down on the top male artists in K-Pop who love to wear heels.

Featuring:

GOT7

• Mark Tuan - @MarkTuan
• Jackson Wang - @jacksonwang852g7

BTS

• V - @thv
• J-Hope - @uarmyhope
• Jimin - @j.m

SHINee

• Taemin - @lm_____ltm
• Key - @bumkeyk
• Jonghyun - @jonghyun.948

Eric Nam

• @EricNam

N.O.M.

• @n.o.m_official
• B-SIDE - @n.o.m_b_side
• J.K. - @j.k_what
• KOM - @n.o.m_kom

Teen Top

• @official_teentop

NCT

• @nct

The Boyz

• Juyeon - @magijuyeon

EXO

• Kai - @zkdlin

2AM

• Jo Kwon - @kwon_jo

Mentioned in the article are the video for "I Need U"...

• BTS - I Need U

and the feature on BTS in Esquire

Original URL: https://www.koreaboo.com/lists/male-kpop-idols-defy-gender-norms-high-heels/

Vogue Magazine looks back on how men’s fashion changed for the better in 2021.

The article has the full detail, but in summary...

• Hollywood stars took risks
• so did regular men
• The runways delivered exciting clothes
• and the stores reflected that
• The momentum isn’t going to stop!

Original URL: https://www.vogue.com/article/mens-fashion-recap-red-carpet-style

This article from Catholic University's "The Tower" newspaper asks if we're entering a new era in gender neutral fashion, centred around recent coverage of @HarryStyles' non-binary style. It looks at the origins of gender non-conforming fashion and why it is gaining in popularity now.

Original URL: http://cuatower.com/2021/11/does-harry-styles-mark-a-new-era-in-gender-neutral-fashion/

The New York Times reports on the trend in Spring 2022 fashion shows which is embracing new ideas about gender and its fluidity in fashion. They ask whether we still get freaked out by men in dresses and skirts because we're still holding on to old power structures? and "Is it seen as somehow disempowering for men to have access to classically female clothes? That it somehow... weakens them, since women are supposedly the 'weaker sex'". They conclude that "the balance of power is shifting. These distinctions are just old historical constructs."

Original URL: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/11/fashion/the-end-of-gender.html

This article from Czechoslovakian magazine RESPEKT, and translated online here into english, features Vlastimil and Michaela, the couple behind @genderblender1 who share some of their experiences and insights into their ongoing "Sociological Experiment" of gender bending fashion. We gain an appreciation of the experience from Michaela's perspective and what it was like for Vlasta venturing out in alternative fashion choices. Well worth a read!

Original URL: https://www.translatetheweb.com/?from=cs&to=en&dl=en&ref=trb&a=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.respekt.cz%2Ftydenik%2F2021%2F33%2Fpodle-vlastnich-pravidel%3Fgift%3Dmzxtjptmw0#

This short article from Footwear News covers the appearance earlier in the month of Jared Leto wearing high heeled boots at the LACMA Art + Film Gala.

Original URL: https://footwearnews.com/2021/fashion/red-carpet/jared-leto-gucci-white-suit-heels-lacma-gala-2021-1203206969/

This great is a great article by @LandonPeoples for @Refinery29, which quite rightly points out that if you have an issue with men in heels, you really need to take a good hard look in the mirror as maybe that's "a you problem". I can't paraphrase any better, so I'm going to tempt you with a few of the best bits...

"The inquiry has become more of a reflection of the insecurities of those asking it than the actual subjects who wear them."

"A man's interest in style, no matter the color of their shirt or the height of their heel, should not be a litmus test for their masculinity"... "The feat of wearing heels, even a chelsea boot, should be celebrated as an act of bravery."

Great article. Well worth a read.

Original URL: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2017/08/166952/harry-styles-history-men-in-heels-photos

British newspaper The Independent reports on changing time and how Vogue magazine has decreed that heels for men and now in vogue, literally. @KanyeWest, @HarryStyles and @JustinBieber are leading the way with small heels, but the trend is definitely towards higher heels specifically for men. Gender lines are blurring and men in heels are now a sign of the times.

Original URL: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/heels-for-men-back-in-fashion-harry-styles-kanye-west-justin-bieber-russell-brand-marco-rubio-a7794591.html

This article from Medium goes looks back at the way we used to dress and how societal norms have changed around the association of certain items of clothing and colour with specific genders. What was normal only 150 years ago is now considered by conservatives to undermine masculinity in today's society. The article concludes that today's genderless and gender-neutral fashion is starting to change the way we think about the clothes we wear and what they mean.

Original URL: https://historyofyesterday.com/yes-men-used-to-wear-dresses-high-heels-and-colour-pink-280dd5fa03bc

The last ten years have seen a sustained interest in heels for men. Catwalks regularly feature men in high heels. Heels specifically made for men are making a sustained comeback. Vman's Sam Ford takes us through some of the best the fashion world has to offer, further bluring gender lines and offering an alternative to dated mens fashion choices.

Original URL: https://vman.com/article/the-mens-heel-renaissance/

The Bubble asks “Do clothes define gender?”. Harry Styles’ appearance on the cover of Vogue magazine in a Gucci dress opened the flood-gates of discussion around gender. This article digs a little deeper into the topic of gender, stereotypes and the associated backlash from conservatives.

Original URL: https://www.thebubble.org.uk/current-affairs/do-clothes-define-gender-harry-styles-sparks-debate/

Harry Styles blazes a trail for gender neutral dressing. The Guardian newspaper talks about the interview he did for Vogue and how he loves to play with clothes without any self-limiting beliefs about gender, although his style is not without its critics.

Original URL: https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2020/nov/17/how-harry-styles-became-the-face-of-gender-neutral-fashion

The Wall Street Journal looks at why shoes and boots for men with higher heels are on the rise. Acknowledging that men were the first to wear high heels and re-affirming that they are the ultimate statement of confidence.

Original URL: https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-2020-should-be-the-year-of-the-man-heel-11601546429

@TheMarcJacobs has been wearing women’s fashion for 20 years. He, like many, believe that clothing has no gender and as one of fashion’s powerhouses of free thinking and great styles, he should know!

Original URL: https://pagesix.com/2020/12/04/marc-jacobs-says-clothing-has-no-gender/

The Daily Targum looks at gender, society and fashion trends and concludes that men can wear dresses, heels or whatever else makes them feel good.

Original URL: https://dailytargum.com/article/2021/02/men-can-wear-dresses-get-over-it-why-fashion-has-no-gender

Published only last week, @teovandenbroeke writes in GQ magazine that now is the time to bear our legs, and he’s not talking about shorts! Yes, it’s time we all stopped being so Victorian and let our legs loose!

Original URL: https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/fashion/article/stop-skirting-the-issue

Vogue magazine examines the retail fashion industry and with the statement “A piece of fabric, a textile, or a garment has no gender. This is an undisputable fact!” and the reality of the retail fashion industry divided along binary gender lines, probes what the industry can do to represent the spectrum of gender in a more inclusive and realistic way.

Original URL: https://www.vogue.com/article/the-future-of-retail-is-genderless

Metro Newspaper Interviews John Benge (@johnbengemodel). John, unrepentant, quite rightly points out that he's an adult and can wear whatever he wants, regardless of what anyone else says.

Original URL: https://metro.co.uk/2017/08/30/i-dont-need-vogues-permission-to-wear-stilettos-men-in-heels-is-and-has-always-been-ok-6878051/

Interview Magazine (@interviewmag) talk to Mark Bryan (@MarkBryan911), 61 grandfather of four about his love of high heels and how his style of dressing helps people to see things in a different way.

Original URL: https://www.interviewmagazine.com/fashion/can-you-walk-a-mile-in-mark-bryans-louboutins

This article from Medium highlights a feature on Harry Styles wearing a Gucci gown which appeared on the cover of Vogue magazine. The article covers how gender norms around clothing are changing and highlights some of the resistance against it, but ultimately "we just want to see sexy people in beautiful clothes" and a dress is just a dress.

Original URL: https://gen.medium.com/why-women-like-men-who-wear-dresses-509e66846a66

This article from respectable UK newspaper The @Guardian, highlights the increase in sales of men's heeled boots and stilettos in the #MeToo era, with a focus on broader publicity created by public figures such as fashion designer @TheMarcJacobs and celebrities such as @SamSmith, @ShawnMendes, @HarryStyles and Timothée Chalamet (@tchalamet). The cowboy boot marks a resurgence in popularity too, perhaps backed by a desire by men for higher heels but with more broader social acceptance than slimmer and higher heels on footwear marketed towards women. However you look at it, the trend is upwards.

Original URL: https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2020/jan/03/high-fashion-the-rise-of-heels-for-men