Black dandy culture took center stage, blending heritage and high fashion
The lines once sternly drawn between genders is dissipating faster than ever, and the ambiguity that arises from bending and melding wardrobes has become something to aspire to in the world of fashion, and beyond. But there are certain bold icons who took, and continue to take, great leaps towards this idyllic fashion future where anyone can wear whatever they like without anyone else batting an eye. Here are the stars who kicked off the movement, and the ones who picked up the baton.
When she attended a 1932 film premiere wearing a tuxedo, Hollywood rippled with shock for her breach of gender norms, but mostly because she looked so compelling doing it.
The revered actress has been a style icon since the '70s, and she’s a big fan of vintage men's clothing: well-cut shirts, high-waist baggy trousers, neckties, vests, and hats are her preferred style.
The gender-fluid actress loves wearing gender-neutral clothes, favoring oversize suits, t-shirts, hoodies, and sneakers. She even launched a gender-neutral clothing line, Scallywags, with her former fiancée Phoebe Dahl.
The singer cemented himself as a fashion icon in 2019, from his frilled Gucci shirt and Vermeer-esque pearl earring at the Met Gala to his unapologetic openness about his love for "women's" clothing.
Kid Cudi's campaign to normalize dresses in menswear has taken another step forward! The rapper appeared wearing a custom wedding dress designed by Eli Russell Linnetz to the CFDA Fashion Awards. It's an event that encourages guests to push the boundaries of fashion, and Kid Cudi clearly understood the assignment. He paired the white lace dress with a white tuxedo jacket, a veil, white sneakers, and grungey black eyeliner. The look seemed to be a tribute to Kurt Cobain, as Cudi Tweeted a picture of the late artist wearing a frilly white dress.
This isn't the first time Cudi has paid homage to Cobain by wearing a dress. He performed on 'Saturday Night Live' in June 2022 wearing a floral gown with an identical pattern to one worn by Cobain in the past. During his appearance he made a statement about his androgynous style: “For me, it represents personal empowerment despite any social norm." He went on to say, "It vehemently represents confidence. It’s Cudi knocking on your television screen saying, ‘Hey! Be yourself.’”
The up-and-coming Hollywood star has proved himself as something of a fashion icon, rocking incredible red carpet looks, from a floor-length puffer jacket gown to this shimmery look with glitter, silver-streaked hair, and a fluffy white coat.
Androgynous style icons: Past and present
Trendsetting stars who break all the fashion rules
FASHION Looks
The lines once sternly drawn between genders is dissipating faster than ever, and the ambiguity that arises from bending and melding wardrobes has become something to aspire to in the world of fashion, and beyond. But there are certain bold icons who took, and continue to take, great leaps towards this idyllic fashion future where anyone can wear whatever they like without anyone else batting an eye. Here are the stars who kicked off the movement, and the ones who picked up the baton.