Walking to the bus stop, I listened to the sound of boots clicking along the sidewalk. I looked down only to be distracted by my faded red jeans stuffed in my military boots. I looked in front of me at the guy wearing black Sorels, only to realize we were wearing the same pants. The click-click-click of boots haunted me until a brunette girl, whose hair was blowing gracefully in the wind, clicked by. As I turned around to look at the perpetrator in brown cowboy boots, I saw the familiar red jeans walking away.
CUI Opinion Editor Mandi Meek. (CU Independent/David Zimmerman)
Three individuals were all wearing the same jeans despite their different genders and styles, and each of them rocked the faded denim in their own way. Thinking back to the guy with the unkempt wind-tousled hair much like my own, I would have rocked his outfit. He strutted through his day in a black peacoat with large black buttons, a dirty white T-shirt, red jeans, black Sorel boots and a scarf that would make Burberry jealous. Given the opportunity, he probably would have rocked my faded black T-shirt with an old Harley graphic, Danny Zuko’s black leather jacket from “Grease” – if only it were the real one, the same red jeans and my black leather combat boots.
This androgyny among clothing is nothing new. Legendary rock goddess Joan Jett has been blurring gender lines since the ‘80s. During the glam-rock and hair-metal years, she and Bret Michaels from Poison could have easily been swapping swag and cosmetics. These rock genres brought androgyny to the forefront of pop culture. Ever since, the genders of fashion are constantly borrowing designs from each other through color, cut and style.
To find a clear definition of what androgynous means, I turned to my beloved dictionary. But to fully understand these definitions, I explained them in terms of this spring’s latest trends. Merriam-Webster offers three definitions for the word androgynous.
Merriam-Webster starts with “1: Having the characteristics or nature of both male or female.” Think the ever popular denim chambray shirt. Men have been sporting these faded shirts for years; even my grandpa has a few of those in his closet. Now women are sporting them with their skirts or over dresses — I’ve even worn mine with leopard jeans and a faded concert shirt.
“2 a: Neither specifically feminine nor masculine.” Also in this season is the contrasting mix of black and white. This timeless color combo has been around so long even the penguins are doing it. In the ’60s, the classic tux and the little black dress with pearls couldn’t be topped in class. However, today we are seeing a change in the patterns. This spring, white dresses with black accents are taking over the runways, which is a definite inversion of classic ’60s evening wear.
“2 b: Suitable to or for either sex.” Bros and frat stars alike are taking notice of the infinite color options, especially those resembling rainbow sherbet. Sorbet colors are no longer locked away in the closets of our grandmothers, and it’s good to see them breathe again.
Lastly, Merriam-Webster defines androgynous as “3 : Having traditional male and female roles obscured or reversed.” Typically, girls are borrowing from the boys with their boyfriend’s jeans, suits and even military boots. The reverse has yet to fully be made, but the signs are there. Men are now kicking it at home in their Uggs along with every female who fell for squishy, fluffy, warm fur between their toes. A walk through campus will prove that men even squeeze into skinny jeans. I guarantee by the time spring break rolls around, we’ll be witnessing men wearing espadrilles minus the five-inch heel.
Fashion is a world of ever-changing opinions, styles and acceptance. As our culture progresses to an acceptance of men’s sensitive sides, women’s strength and the other similarities among the sexes, fashion will continue to push the envelope. So here’s to man-Uggs, skinny jeans and suits. May they continue to encourage equality among men and women.
Contact CU Independent Opinion Editor Mandi Meek at Amanda.meek@colorado.edu.
