There are days during the National Arts Festival when the sun decides to make a guest appearance in town. This is a little winter sunshine that is appreciated by all festival goers. It's tricky finding the perfect winter/summer balance on days like this, though. You want to pull out those booty shorts that have now become as useful as a Tyga album in the music industry, but you know by 5pm warmth will be merely a myth.
This is why on such a day I was just happy to not have to layer like an onion. I kept it simple in an all black ensemble accompanied by a statement blazer - the ultimate daywear cheat.
During the day someone made a comment about how "tomboyish" my outfit was and that sparked a conversation about the unlearning of such terms. The unlearning is necessary because gender binaries in clothing are imposed on us from childhood and when we seem to somewhat deviate from said binaries, our choice is misconstrued as a symbol of our sexuality rather than simply a sartorial decision, which is exactly what this was on this particular day.
Enter gender neutral fashion, which in itself is still a difficult term for some to grapple with because of its connotations to sexuality. I can't speak for everyone, but I appreciate it from a fashion perspective rather than an actual position on the gender spectrum because that isn't for anyone to define other than the individual.
We shouldn't have to call Jaden Smith a "carefree black boy" when he dons a skirt with all the class in the world for a Louis Vuitton campaign. Kid Cudi and Kanye West have both worn crop tops before and their masculinity remained in tact after the American tabloid furores.
As I always say; fashion is how you say this is who I am today. So on some days I'm a black Barbie doll in a mini skirt and stockings and on others I'll be that laid back girl in loafers and yes, "boyfriend" jeans.
I think it's important to challenge fashion norms you feel uncomfortable with. Like why has the label "boyfriend" been attached to our loose fitting clothes? Why is it called a "man bag" rather than just a handbag when it's for men? Perhaps a fashion chat for an upcoming post? Let me know ;)
[Look out for Fashion Friday's episode on gender neutral fashion next week]
Pictures by: Elelwani Netshifhire
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