What Does "Non-Binary" Mean, Anyways?

By Amy Mojica

You may have heard people mention non-binary fashion in the past, but have you ever stopped to think about what it really means?

To understand this, you first have to understand that being non-binary is not the same as being androgynous or gender fluid. Androgyny is characterized as the mixing between both stereotypically feminine and stereotypically masculine traits. The answer is simple but often misunderstood. Being non-binary means not conforming to the traditional gender identities of male or female. While the word “androgynous” is a descriptor for someone’s appearance, “non-binary” pertains to a person’s gender identity.

If you are confused, imagine this: you know a person who openly identifies as female, but wears articles of clothing originally intended for men in a way which creates a gender-neutral wardrobe. She describes her appearance as androgynous because she uses clothing which both males and females could wear. This does not make her non-binary. Overall, if you describe yourself as “non-binary” it means you do not identify as either male or female.

This translates as a mixture of pieces--which are traditionally male or female-- being used to create new looks. These outfits can lean towards one style or another, whether it be grunge or bohemian.

Overall, they have one thing in common: not being restricted by gender roles and their impact. For a more in-depth list of what exactly can contribute to a non-binary or androgynous wardrobe, check out my other article, Staples for the Non-Binary Wardrobe.

Disclaimer: Non-binary fashion is not the same as identifying as gender non-binary.