I am thoroughly enjoying my hot pink pants these days, especially the chance to contrast their softness and “femininity” with more tailored, “masculine” pieces. As someone who generally veers away from looking either overly saccharine or androgynous, combining the two creates a new space in which I can feel more myself, while also pushing me to trying new things. Suddenly trying out a fedora doesn’t feel so out of place for me and even gives me a little confidence boost.
Even as I use the words “masculine” and “feminine”, I try to be aware of how limiting they can be. Unfortunately the terminology used in fashion is not exactly known for being nuanced (as discussed in this post), but at the same it is convenient to use terms with associations that everyone understands. On a related note, here is a very interesting article on the history of girls wearing pink (spoiler alert: it was once considered a masculine color and put on boys instead!).
Translating the nuance and complexity of visual language into words is daunting, which is why I think fashion journalism is an especially difficult field. I think the key is to avoid using the terms in a way that only reinforces stereotypes and instead use them mainly as starting off points for more nuanced discussions that challenge the social constructs they reference.
This is why I particularly love the current colorful/printed/embellished pant trend, which hybridizes a garment traditionally associated with masculinity by injecting it with traditionally feminine touches. It makes it a little tougher to pigeonhole these pants as strictly one or the other, pushing visual dialogue on gender and fashion a little forward.
Many of the pieces I’m wearing juxtapose contrasts in a similar way. For one of my scrap-upcycling projects last year, I added some leftover DKNY silk onto the cuffs of this jacket. The original fabric was a classic navy stripe, but I felt the need to jazz up a traditional blazer with some vibrant floral brushstroke fabric. Likewise my fedora has a bow and my shoes are oxford-heel hybrids, which are again plays in contrasts.
Wearing: Shalwar pants from this shalwar kamees outfit, Urban Outfitters bird print dress (worn as a top) and bird skill ring, Reworked Banana Republic blazer, Target fedora, Civico 10 Oxford heels, Asos bag, Vintage jade bangle
Anyway on this lovely day, one of my best friends came to visit and we went down to Steinway Street in Astoria, also known as “Little Egypt”. With great Arabic restaurants, shops, and hookah lounges, I felt like I was right back in the Middle East. If you ever visit, I highly recommend Layali Beirut, a fantastic Lebanese restaurant. Then stop by a bakery and have a delicious date cake or two with some Turkish coffee! That’s my cultural recommendation for the week 
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… and sting like a bee” ~ Muhammad Ali
Wearing: Zara silk top, Thrifted pants, Nina laser-cut heels (handed down), Self-made fuchsia chain necklace, Vintage painted brushstroke wooden bangle, Gifted crystal bangle from India, Random sunnies
) and said to myself , “Why not?!” The colors may be very different, but the small touches of fuchsia in the skirt speak to the pink top, while the navy touches in the top speak to the blue skirt. That’s enough for me!
