The way I see it, I don't even think in truth that it is femininity, I just consider the drive of being bodily attractive to simply be sensuality, and it's because men have associated it to be exclusive to women in order to distance themselves from them to be "man enough" that it is perceived as femininity. Kinda like how virility is seen as a male concept, only because men more than evolution have prevented women from being just as virile.
^^ Such an important point! Took the words right out of my mouth. I think that's why I try and use the word "femme" exclusively (as opposed to "feminine") when I describe men and/or women presenting in ways traditionally reserved for women (think makeup, nails, dresses and skirts, heels etc.) A good friend of mine (self identifying as a femme lesbian) once explained the difference to me as femme = a more diverse range, emphasizing that it's not just limited to the female form. Thought that was interesting. Definitely important to realize, as you said, that fashion is never actually "masculine" or "feminine" – those are just how our perceptions have been formed – they could just as easily be flipped. Sorry for going on and on haha your comment really made me think this morning :) Thanks!
The way I see it, I don't even think in truth that it is femininity, I just consider the drive of being bodily attractive to simply be sensuality, and it's because men have associated it to be exclusive to women in order to distance themselves from them to be "man enough" that it is perceived as femininity. Kinda like how virility is seen as a male concept, only because men more than evolution have prevented women from being just as virile.
^^ Such an important point! Took the words right out of my mouth. I think that's why I try and use the word "femme" exclusively (as opposed to "feminine") when I describe men and/or women presenting in ways traditionally reserved for women (think makeup, nails, dresses and skirts, heels etc.) A good friend of mine (self identifying as a femme lesbian) once explained the difference to me as femme = a more diverse range, emphasizing that it's not just limited to the female form. Thought that was interesting. Definitely important to realize, as you said, that fashion is never actually "masculine" or "feminine" – those are just how our perceptions have been formed – they could just as easily be flipped. Sorry for going on and on haha your comment really made me think this morning :) Thanks!