The Truth About Femmephobia

July Westhale, femme lesbian, argues eloquently for the right of anyone to express their “femme” side:

“Fierce femme identity, to me, is a purposefully blurry entity unto itself, and I think there is something gorgeously radical in that ambiguity. I can tell you what femme does not mean with a bit more ease: femme identity is not especially rooted in physical appearance—to qualify as a glorious femme, you do not need to wear heels, glittery eye shadow, garters, or stockings, nor do you need to date butches or masculine-of-center folks, or any other such limiting nonsense. Though glitter, dresses, makeup, bowties, and thigh-high cheetah print boots are my current fierce femme M.O., one of the wonderful aspects of femme identity is that it is inclusive and embracing of femmes with all kinds of styles, abilities, desires, tastes, backgrounds, and preferences.”

I would add that you will find femmes among straight cis women as well, among cis men, and – of course – among trans women. I have even been in touch with femme trans men. It is time for us all to open our minds to the diversity of gender expressions.

Fashion: When ‘gender neutral’ means masculine

i-D criticises Zara’s so-called unisex fashion line:

‘When a woman toys with masculine tailoring, she’s “power dressing” — the term itself reveals that the archetype of aspirational masculinity still lingers. Men are still told to “man up” and, although these are small factors, they underline the reasons that female masculinity is largely more accepted than male femininity — which is, clearly, the reason that Zara’s range consists solely of basics that are already staples of the male wardrobe.’

I am sorry to say, but for a woman to use stereotypical male clothing is “dressing up”. For a man to wear anything remotely feminine is inviting invalidation and ridicule.

This is how a most likely well-intended, progressive, campaign like the one of Zara reinforces the gender stereoypes.

i-D: What can fashion learn from zara’s ‘ungendered’ backlash?