A Guide to Androgyny

Particularly when talking about the concept of gender identities, many still see these as binary, i.e. male or female, but lots of people feel that they don’t fit into either of these boxes. Then we have androgynous identities, where people express themselves in a more fluid kind of way. But what does it really mean to present yourself androgynously?  

In this guide, we will dive into what exactly androgyny means and how to embrace androgynous gender expressions, from fashion choices to key behaviors associated with androgyny. 

What does it mean to be androgynous?

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, androgyny refers to “an appearance that is not clearly male or female.” While many people like to express themselves through their clothing, androgyny goes much deeper than just fashion choices. Haircuts, makeup, body language, physique, and even the way someone walks or carries themselves are all contributing factors—Verywell Health says that androgyny is “a type of gender presentation that mixes masculinity and femininity.” By blending the two conventional gender expressions of male and female, androgyny exhibits a cohesive new presentation that’s totally different from anything else. 

Let’s look at the historical context of the term to help us understand it better.

Wordplay

Looking at the word itself, “androgyny” is quite literally an equal mix of both masculine and feminine terms:

Andro- = refers to something that is male or masculine (think “androcentric” or “androgens,” which are male hormones including testosterone). 

-gyn = is a root that can be used as either a suffix or prefix meaning woman. (Think “gynaecologist” if you need a handy reminder). 

With this in mind, people who present themselves androgynously don’t just embrace a different gender expression from what they were born with, but they blend both masculine and feminine expressions in equal measure. 

Roots in Greek mythology 

The history of androgyny dates all the way back to Ancient Greece. Forbes points out that even the famous philosopher Plato referenced “the myth of the androgynous” or “people of the third gender” [who] “simultaneously possessed tremendous strength and both masculine and feminine features.” 

Androgynous people were considered so powerful that even the Greek gods were pretty afraid of them: “They accomplished deeds that even encroached on the power of the gods. Fearful of the androgynous’ strengths, the gods sought to reduce their power, literally dividing each of them into two halves along with their influence. After this so-called ‘division,’ people embraced one of two features: masculinity or femininity.” 

Even now, thousands of years later, we still fear things (and people) that appear different or unfamiliar. 

What is an androgynous person?

So, what do we mean if someone identifies as an androgynous person? As we’ve already established, androgyny is about combining influences from both masculinity and femininity. Therefore, an androgynous person is somebody who presents their gender expression with a mix of characteristics associated with each sex. Deep breaths, stereotypes incoming… 

Research in psychology and gender studies has explored how society categorizes traits as “masculine” or “feminine.” In 1974, American psychologist Sandra L. Bem, a proponent of androgyny theory, developed the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) to measure gender expression. To build the inventory, she compiled a list of 200 personality traits that were stereotypically masculine or feminine, as well as 200 gender-neutral traits.

Of course, these traits are based on stereotypes, but here’s a general idea of how they’ve been traditionally categorized:

Commonly perceived masculine traits:

• Strength
• Dominance
• Assertiveness
• Independence
• Rationality

Commonly perceived feminine traits:

• Patience
• Sensitivity
• Humility
• Vulnerability
• Compassion

An androgynous person would possess not all or even most, necessarily, but a fluid combination of some traits from each list, rather than one or the other.

Is androgynous the same as non-binary?

No. Being androgynous is not the same as non-binary. Androgyny is about how you present yourself, whereas non-binary refers to a deeper level of gender identity which cannot be defined within the traditional binary of male or female. People who identify as non-binary may of course express themselves androgynously, but not always. In other words, androgyny is a personal choice. 

It’s useful to note that anyone can choose to be androgynous, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, no matter if you’re cisgender or trans, gay or straight, and it’s certainly not restricted to solely non-binary people. Androgyny is for everyone, baby! 

Verywell Health adds to this: “Although many non-binary and gender fluid people take on androgynous gender presentations, so do cisgender and transgender binary individuals. There is no inherent association between gender identity and androgyny. Androgyny can be about identity, but it can also be about fashion and style.”

What is the difference between androgynous and agender?

There are many different terms when talking about gender expression, so it’s useful to get to know the different meanings.

Androgyny shouldn’t be confused with agender, which is used when a person who does not identify themselves as having a gender, or who may identify themselves as gender-neutral. You might hear other terms for this, such as “genderfree,” “ungendered,” or “genderblank.”

As we’ve learnt, androgyny is a gender expression which combines both masculine and feminine characteristics. If you want to brush up on your terminology, check out Feeld’s handy inclusive glossary. 

Feminine androgynous: Blending feminine and masculine traits

Let’s face it, cis women have always had a hard time raising their collective voices, due to societal, cultural, and patriarchal constraints. So, it’s easy to see the appeal of androgyny. 

Tom Scout says the fusion of masculine and feminine traits “allows for a versatile and authentic way to showcase their identity, challenging societal expectations and expanding the boundaries of personal expression.” And who doesn’t love a bit of personal growth and experimentation? 

By embracing a feminine androgynous style, you might find yourself unlocking new freedom to express yourself more authentically and confidently than ever. It’s about mixing elements of femininity and masculinity in a way that feels right for you.

Androgyny doesn’t fit neatly into any one box, though. Take masc lesbians, for example—these are lesbians who lean into masculine traits in their style and behavior, challenging the idea that all women should be feminine. On the flip side, femboys are individuals who embrace a blend of traditionally masculine and feminine characteristics, expressing themselves with both feminine clothing and masculine energy. While not everyone who explores androgyny identifies as queer, it can be a powerful tool for discovering and expressing who you are.

Androgynous gender expression: Breaking the binary

Nothing is ever black or white—even our gender. While it’s most common to be assigned a binary gender at birth, gender expression is “how someone outwardly presents their gender to the external world.” (Talk Space). In other words, you can choose your gender expression—including androgyny.

Androgynous fashion: Style tips and inspiration

Fashion has long been a way to showcase creativity and personal expression. Even if you’re not a self-professed fashionista, how you dress is usually the first impression you give someone. Study Breaks says: “As we begin to understand gender outside of the traditional binary, more and more people are realizing different ways of expressing themselves in ways that are more reflective of their individual identity.” 

Experimenting with your fashion is a great tool to showcase creativity and express your identity to the world. And androgynous fashion is nothing new. David Bowie redefined fashion and gender norms in the '70s with his alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, using glam rock and bold, theatrical styling to blur the lines between masculinity and femininity. Sequins, metallic jumpsuits, vibrant makeup, and flamboyant silhouettes became his signature.

Tilda Swinton, is often seen in minimalist, avant-garde pieces. She favors sleek tailoring, flowing silhouettes, and sharp, almost futuristic designs that reject traditional gendered expectations. Her androgynous presence extends beyond fashion, as seen in her roles in Orlando and Constantine, where she fully embraces gender fluidity. On this, she said: "I enjoy walking the tightrope of identity, of sexual identity, of gender identity," and she has expressed discomfort with rigid labels, adding, "The whole idea of being fixed in any way, it just makes me claustrophobic."Non-binary actors Bella Ramsey and Emma D’Arcy continue to challenge traditional fashion norms with their distinctive androgynous styles. Bella often opts for oversized tailoring, structured suits, and relaxed, gender-neutral silhouettes, while Emma embraces bold contrasts—pairing sharp suiting with delicate fabrics and edgy accessories. Their styles showcase how androgynous fashion can, but doesn’t always, go hand in hand with gender identity.

Key elements of androgynous fashion 

Let’s take Billie Eilish, as a useful case study. The young singer-songwriter has become an androgynous fashion icon over the years, with publications such as British Vogue praising her positive impact on fashion. 

From the very beginning of her career, Billie chose to reject traditional stereotypes of what a female pop star should wear. Instead, she embraced a relaxed, baggy aesthetic, which quickly became her signature style. 

The Fashion Law Journal shares that “Eilish’s shifting style, which ranges from [baggy clothes,] to vivid hair colours, [and] form-fitting corsets, is a reflection of her artistic development and the study of her complex identity.” 

It’s clear to see why Billie is a fashion muse for many. Her way of dressing unapologetically herself allows others to feel more empowered to express their personality through their own clothes and embrace their uniqueness. 

Androgynous style staples: 

If you’re looking to dress androgynously, you can certainly take a leaf out of Billie’s book. Here are some key style staples…

• Baggy shorts or jorts
• Midi skirts or kilts
• Baggy, wide-leg trousers
• Harem pants
• Baggy tees
• Oversized blazers
• Waistcoats
• Fitted corsets
• Micro shorts
• Form-fitting dresses

Tips for building an androgynous wardrobe 

As you can see from our list, there’s a huge variety of pieces you can take and build an androgynous wardrobe with.

One of the key things to think about is silhouettes. By taking the very best shapes from both masculine and feminine looks; from loose, baggy t-shirts to tight, form-fitting corsets, you can mix-and-match your outfits to create something that beautifully blends the two together. 

Of course, the most important thing when building an androgynous wardrobe is to go with what feels the most authentic to you. That’s what fashion is all about at the end of the day. 

Living an androgynous lifestyle

Interested in living androgynously? You’re in the right place. Let’s explore some of the many ways to embrace androgyny in your daily life. 

Experiment with your fashion: Whilst living androgynously is much more than just how you dress, fashion is a great way to help us feel empowered and express ourselves. Try experimenting with different androgynous outfits—you never know how amazing you might feel. Remember, nothing looks better than confidence. 

Find your crowd: Try to surround yourself with people that you feel you can be authentically you. Trust us, there’s no better feeling than being true to yourself and expressing your identity in a genuine way. If you feel like you need a helping hand, speak to a friend or family member who you can trust, and ask for support. 

Do your homework: If you still feel like you have a lot to learn, there are ample resources out there about androgyny that you can access online, such as Nonbinary Wiki, Live Love LGBTQ+, Practical Androgyny, or, why not reach out to a support network and speak to like-minded individuals who can share some pearls of wisdom?  After all, knowledge is power. 

Common misconceptions about androgyny

Sadly, like many marginalised groups, there are many misconceptions about androgyny that simply aren’t true. What are the biggest myths? And what’s the real deal? 

Androgyny is just another word for non-binary

Total myth. In the Gay Times article, ‘How do I explain to people that non-binary doesn’t equal androgyny?’ LA-based LGBTQIA+ advocate, Addison Rose Vincent, explains that “there are a lot of preconceived notions about non-binary people and how they present themselves, including that being non-binary means being androgynous.” 

They explain that: “This stems from binary expectations that women owe you femininity and men owe you masculinity.” As a result, there’s a general assumption that non-binary people therefore owe you androgyny. As humans, when we try to make sense of things we don’t recognize or understand in the world, we often join incorrect dots. That’s why, too often, people make generalizations that someone who identifies as non-binary would never present as a cisman or ciswoman. But expecting this can do more harm than good. Many non-binary people choose not to have an androgynous presentation. As Ph.D. Candidate Rose Bell says, "Nonbinary is about who you are, not about how you look."

Androdynous people are just confused

The HomoCulture recognizes that “Many androgynous individuals face societal scrutiny and discrimination, often navigating a world that prefers clear definitions over ambiguity. This can lead to a feeling of alienation or pressure to conform to specific standards.” A sad but very real story for many. 

If you ask us, somebody who presents themselves androgynously has no doubt embarked on a journey of self-discovery—and what’s more empowering than that? It’s time to ditch the notion of being anything “other” than the typical binary expectations equals inferiority. It’s actually a powerful tool for liberation. 

Luckily, we are starting to see signs of progression. There are many online (and IRL) communities which aim to celebrate the fluidity of gender expressions, including androgyny, helping to create spaces where androgynous individuals feel valued and accepted. 

Forbes has even argued that being androgynous can actually help you in the workplace, dubbing it an “emerging leadership trend”—who knew?! 

They write: “Regardless of gender, androgyny in today’s world on a professional or a personal level is a collaborative process about one’s ability to change roles. Therefore, the alliance among androgynous teams—the cycles of giving and taking, leading and following, being active and passive—should be flexible. This is the strength and uniqueness of androgyny. The future development of leadership qualities in ourselves, in our children and in our employees should establish both the feminine and masculine mindset.”

While society has come a long way in acknowledging multiple gender expressions and identities, we still have a way to go. To help drive us forward to a more open and fluid world, we must all continue to educate ourselves on what it means to present androgynously and realise that it’s not something to be scared of, like the Greek gods were. In fact, you may just discover a powerful new part of your identity that you never knew existed. 

Whether you’re exploring your androgynous side or just want a space to express yourself freely, Feeld is a great place to connect with like-minded people who embrace fluidity and openness.