Feminine Differential - A Practical Look

 

For many the art of Femulation (as Stana describes it) is a process with or without a destination. 

Without a destination you get all dressed up and remain home enjoying cleaning, cooking or self exuberance. This is your time and the "escape' is as real as you need.   

For others the process is extended into hours of preparation to be able to escape, ever so briefly, into the civilian world. Sometimes noticed. Sometimes stealth. Fear be dammed! The adrenalin rush is enormous which only robbing a bank could rival. "I did it - the world did not end".  

I know this feeling well because in the early days this is just as I felt. Maybe to just mail a letter at midnight or drive-through to get a hamburger. Yes, I breached my front door and am so proud of my bravery. Truly an "Escape". Time to clean up now and plan/dream about the next time. 

As our "Escapes" have evolved many of us have nurtured feminine personas that become less male and default into the feminine. You first notice it when no extra-effort produces a, "Welcome Ladies" pronounced when out with friends. What was it that prompted that response?  Some of us may have enhance our feminine persona by an androgynous style that blends masculine and feminine elements to blur gender lines. In my case my solid white hair is nearing mid back that I wear in a high ponytail much of the time. All of my jeans are feminine slim cut, some pull on leggings. My sneaker are typically a female designated size although there is very little difference in look these days.  My shirts / blouses are fitted sometimes scoop neck or drop shoulder.   

Let's be practical.  Although a subtle feminine approach is my desired daily look, a degree of practically is necessary.  A doctors visit or a return to Home Depot does not require heels and makeup. I have no qualms about being seen as myself in what I call a casual, everyday blended feminine look. Above is similar to what I am wearing today for a Doctor's consolation on a medicine I am not tolerating well. After, there will be a quick lunch at an outside cafe.   

Here is an over simplification; For decades women have been borrowing for the masculine side so I borrow from the feminine.  Why not?    

How do you blend your "Escapes" to be practical and still be you?  

“une femme d’un certain âge”

Mastering the Boy-Girl Mix for More Interesting Outfits

What does it mean: Une femme d’un certain âge is a French expression (“a woman of a certain age”) that suggests a positive attitude toward age, and alludes to the wisdom, experience, and elegance that we acquire along the way.

I found a blog recently written by Susan Blakely that not only defined this French term, but gave it meaning.  

By Susan Blakey March 18, 2024

One of the things I’ve always loved about the French style aesthetic is that there’s often a mix of masculine and feminine elements in an outfit. Today I’m sharing an easy striped sweater outfit. And I’ll break down how I balanced the masculine / feminine elements to hit my style sweet spot.

I think a little bit of contrast or tension in an outfit can be what makes it interesting. Outfits that are too much one thing can look a bit formulaic and expected. I love mixing masculine and feminine, rough and refined, polished and relaxed, or classic and quirky to achieve a certain vibe. (And I’ve never been comfortable in a strictly “girly” look, anyway.)

Nowadays, many types of clothing have become more unisex. (Jeans, for example.) And whether an item of clothing “reads” as masculine or feminine may depend on the viewer’s culture, region, upbringing, and traditions. It’s not my intention to perpetuate rigid gender stereotypes, and your perception of an item may differ from mine. And each person will have their own idea of what feels “balanced.” But here’s my breakdown, and why this look hit the balance and vibe I was going for.

The boy-meets-girl outfit breakdown

Starting with the base, the jeans and tee alone would read as masculine. (Especially a cuffed, straight-leg jean.)

The bandana pattern of the scarf leans a little masculine, but the soft, silky fabric is more feminine, so that’s a nice mix right there.

The softer shape and crocheted texture of the cardigan read as feminine, though the stripes temper that a bit. (Straight lines and shapes tend to read as more masculine, curved lines and shapes more feminine.)

The shoes…definitely feminine with that pointed toe. (I could also go slightly more androgynous with a pair of sneakers instead.)

And the soft bag with the drawstrings also reads as more feminine.

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What opposing elements (if any) do you try to balance in your outfits?