This might be an unpopular rhetorical question, but who cares if Jaden Smith wears “girls” clothes? Or for that matter, dudes in general. Who cares if a guy wears women’s clothing in this day and age?
Before I proclaim Will Smith’s philosophical-tweeting rapper cum actor son as this generation’s gender defying ambassador, let’s set the scene.
Last week, the 16 year old Smith caused uproar on social media when a photo surfaced of him traipsing around in a long white mesh top over what looked like a knee length black sweater dress. Gasp! A boy in a dress. How… scary. We must batten down the hatches and notify Homeland Security.
Yet, that wasn’t the first time Smith has been called under the rug for wearing a women’s garment. Au contraire mon amour, he’s posted a string of selfies on Instagram in the no pants/ sheath look. Notably, one with a caption that read “Went To TopShop To Buy Some Girl Clothes, I Mean ‘Clothes’”, Smith has received a lot of Twitter hate for it. As per his reaction, no fucks are given.
So why do we?
In the age of the suited and booted Ellen DeGeneres and the frock wearing male fashion blogger, Bryanboy, why do we give a rat’s patootie if the spawn of Will and Jada Smith happens to don a traditional woman’s look? Who cares if men or women decide to flip flop and wear the supposed assigned gender’s traditional clothing? For decades, fashion houses have embraced the menswear trend for a woman which has evolved into mainstream acceptability. But, an elongated tunic for a male celebrity is deemed too “effeminate”? That’s not exactly fair on the gender equality spectrum. As we tread deeper into the millennium, there shouldn’t be value in putting gender labels on clothes, not when gender neutral lavatories are becoming the norm.
I have a slight confession; I have been known to rock a woman’s garm from time to time. Does it make me feel less of a man? No. Is it a preference? Yes. It comes down to taste and in many instances, affordability. My friends’ joke that I am a “petite” guy – which I am at 5’7 140lbs. – and that I can fit into a perfect women’s size 6. This is all true. But again, taste and affordability. Sometimes the lady sales rack has it going on. That doesn’t mean I want the pinkest frou frou garm on the rack. No. It also relies on taste. Style is and should be fluid. It shouldn’t be defined by gender, color, creed or nationality, rather choice. I will say that women have it way easier. Guys have to put pants on one leg at a time and unzip the bloody thing when we have to whiz, when girls can simply lift up their dress and try not to sit on the toilet seat. Shirts 0. Blouses 1.
As one of young Hollywood’s most visible tastemakers, Jaden’s move to wearing traditional women’s clothing is more than a fashion statement, but a push for womenswear for men into the mainstream. The act is no doubt progressive and with the hate he has experienced, there’s also been an outcry of support from gender breaking advocates. However, only time can tell if more men will push this forward.
Meanwhile, I’ll anxiously wait for the day when Barney’s will announce a gender neutral department.
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