Why Does This Article About Women Wearing Menswear Feel Revolutionary?
A recent article in Esquire caught our eye
We recently released our conversation with N3VLYNNN—artist, writer, dancer, renaissance woman—where we talked about lots of things, including her frustrations with trans activists rewriting history and erasing lesbians in the process. We talked about the campaign to say that Pauli Murray was trans or non-binary, instead of a what she was—a woman, a lesbian, and a civil rights hero. (Listen to the full episode here if you haven’t already.)
In the bonus content with N3VLYNNN we talked about Janelle Monáe declaring a non-binary identity and Sasha lamented the fact that so many female artists who are edgy and unique and interesting seem to be adopting these alternate identities and rejecting the label of woman. (Visit
’s Substack to read more of her take on Janelle Monáe.)So, our producer, was thrilled to come upon a recent article in Esquire magazine titled “The Women Using Menswear To Explore Their Own Identities.”
The article features three women working in art and fashion who embrace a more masculine style while retaining their connection to their womanhood.
Here’s a quote:
Getting dressed up has always been deeper than just clothes—it’s a way of telling the world how we want to be seen by sharing the parts of ourselves that we revere. And for women that align with a more masculine presence, they are making a statement that challenges the limitations of traditional dressing and engages with the tension between expectation and presentation.
No mention of non-binary identities, no alternate pronouns, no insistence that women who like more masculine clothes aren’t women. Just good old-fashioned pushing of societal norms through art and fashion. How refreshing!
This feels like a shift back toward the trajectory we were on before the activists took hold—the “free to be you and me” era, where society was working toward embracing gender non-conformity, not pathologizing or medicalizing it.
Is this overly-optimistic?
Check out the article here: “The Women Using Menswear To Explore Their Own Identities” and let us know what you think in the comments below.
This was me from ages 16-21 or so, back in the 80s. I was androgynous— short haircut, and often wearing head-to-toe menswear… hat, tie, oxford shirt, vest or suit jacket, baggy pants (or leggings), loafers. The only thing femme was my makeup and underwear.
The shoulder pads in women’s jackets in the 40s were a symbol of taking over powerful roles in society while men were away at war. Then shoulder pads came back in the 80s, right when “rising-career-girl-becomes-boss” themes were everywhere in the movies.
I was all woman, even as I dressed masculine. And heterosexual as well. I loved wearing men’s tuxedo tails and a top hat. I was quirky and playful. I’ve started bringing a little of that back into my life on some days; it reminds me of being young. Clothing is such a powerful signal to ourselves and others. I want everyone to understand they have endless clothing options… but the caveat is to pay attention to what will— or will not— foster easy, pleasant connections. It’s all individual, but there are important broad cultural semiotics to keep in mind…
“Go ahead and be splendid” is the theme of a TEDx talk I just gave… reminding people that clothing and accessories can not only raise our energy and mood, they can invite new connections with strangers, boosting everyone’s mental and physical health. “Is the cure for loneliness hiding in your closet?”— that’s the title. Here’s the link:
https://youtu.be/mcYPiQGyZbM?si=McsAfpY-9CFo4yzP
Hallelujah. I loved your episode last week, and I love this article so much for all the reasons you highlighted.