Young ladies wearing tuxedos, Jaden Smith in a skirt, and my own kid Harry’s personal style of self-expression have me hopeful that this year might be trending to an end of gendered clothing. Okay, maybe that’s wishful thinking. But I think all three examples signal that the younger generations are way less hung up on ideas about “girl clothes” and “boy clothes.”
Recently I smiled until my cheeks hurt scrolling through pictures of women who wore tuxes to their high school prom. The photos appeared in a Buzzfeed story titled, “Badass Ladies Rockin’ Suits at Prom.” In addition to seeing proud, happy kids, you’ll get to read their comments about dressing for comfort, wearing an outfit that represents who they really are, and, well, just being true to their authentic selves. Bottom line: They looked great, with feelings to match!
Instagram: @liv.without.boundaries
The prom photos reminded how stunning I thought Marlene Dietrich looked wearing a tuxedo and top hat in the 1930 flick, Morocco. She looked cool, fierce, and incredibly sexy.
The first time I slipped on a pair of “men’s” tuxedo pants I was in my late twenties. I wore them with a metallic knit necktie and a leopard print jacket. I felt suddenly more confident in those pants, emboldened by two single strips of black satin. I think the sense of inner strength and invincibility they gave me is the same feeling of power Harry describes when he puts on a skirt suit or pair of high heels. And Harry has told me he doesn’t think of his clothes as women’s clothes, they’re just his clothes.
Harry on the set of “Between the Shades”
As a PFLAG NYC mom of a queer kid who has defied gender stereotypes since he was two years old, I volunteer to share my experiences and what I learned from Harry with classes of high school students. I usually start by asking how many of them know who Jaden Smith is. Everyone raises their hand. Most of the kids know the 17-year-old actor and rapper has been in the news for wearing a dress. A few know he’s one of the models in Louis Vuitton’s new ad campaign for its women’s wear line. And nobody laughs.
Jaden Smith, Credit: VIPix /Splash News
“I feel like people are kind of confused about gender norms,” Smith said in an interview with British GQ Style magazine earlier this year. “I feel like people don’t really get it. I’m not saying that I get it, I’m just saying that I’ve never seen any distinction. I don’t see man clothes and woman clothes, I just see scared people and comfortable people.”
Smith’s goal in life: “I just want to teach people how to be comfortable.”
In this season of proms, graduations (where everyone wears a gown!), and Pride, I like to think that the young ladies comfortable in tuxes, the Harrys and Jaden Smiths comfortable in a skirt, are reminders that everyone has the right to define their own identity, express it freely and be proud of who they are.
IF YOU LIKED THIS POST YOU’LL PROBABLY ALSO LIKE THESE:
“The day I fell in love with Jean Paul Gaultier.”
“Life lessons learned from a drag queen.”
“Now who can tell me what transgender means? This one’s a little tricky.”
We have a long way to go, but it is so encouraging to see these kids feeling free to be who they are and hopefully being accepted and embraced for it. A very uplifting post, Julie!
Thanks so much for your comment, Jon. I’m feeling encouraged by these brave, confident kids, too. Jxo
My Dad, your cousin, always said “it doesn’t matter what you are wearing as long as your clothes are clean.” Of course he was referring to the Yak fur outfits our great grandmother sent from Russia every Channukah.
Clothing is like stereotypes and that can always be changed.
Lol, he was right. I’m always spilling something, and stains just won’t do! I’m sooo glad yak fur is gender neutral. I like to wear it when I’m helping bust those stereotypes. 🙂 xo
Your son is correct; They’re Our Clothes and we’re comfortable in them. A great Post. Thanks. From Chloe
Thank you for taking the time to write, Chloe. I’ve learned so much from my kid. And of course they love being right! Julie xo
All I know is I’ve always been more comfortable in pant and shorts vs skirts and dresses. I don’t mind dressing up in them for special occasions, but for comfort…? Good to hear that things are FINALLY really changing! Waiting for the book to come out in stores! Keep us posted!