I’ve always wondered why masculinity equated to power and femininity to weakness. I think there is more power in displaying emotions than weakness.

When I was an angst-ridden teenager, I ended up crying on a bus ride home one day. I felt awful and embarrassed about crying in public, but on that day my best friend told me something I’d never forget. “You are not weak. Showing emotion is not weak because you crying in public is stronger than anyone who can’t cry in public.” Ever since she spoke those words to me, I haven’t been afraid to cry in public.

Reflecting on this, I wondered why men aren’t supposed to show their emotions. We’ve been socialized into thinking men shouldn’t display emotion. If we keep teaching men to hide their feelings, we will never truly know who they are on the inside. The clothing we choose to wear often reflects our emotional state. Our choice of garment is a reflection of who we are presented to the outside world. By segregating clothing by gender, we ruin the full potential of people to express themselves by applying artificial labels to things that don’t need them.

I want to prove that it’s possible to feel confident and comfortable in any clothes, regardless of what section of the store you find them in. I want to break the boundaries of toxic masculinity and change ideas about femininity as well. I want to show that people can look and feel beautiful no matter the clothes on their bodies.

From discomfort to acceptance, the models seen here go on a journey of self-exploration and discovery to see themselves in a way they are not used to.

Matt

He/Him

How did you feel in the clothes that you were wearing?

Surprisingly, a funky feeling of both liberated and exposed. I’m not used to having my shoulders out and it was just an interesting feeling to have the breeze and my own hair just kind of drift on them. I actually kind of liked it as well. It was soft… I liked the colour on it. I kinda liked the way it look and I didn’t think it looked bad. It was nice. I enjoyed it.

Would you ever do something like this again?

Yes, I would. I kept the dress if that’s any indication of whether or not I would. I would definitely do that again.

John

He/Him

How did you feel in the clothing that you were wearing?

I felt different but I was still “me”. The clothes were oddly freeing (though I think because it was very freeform clothing). Clothes don’t make the person, they’re just an extension of how we identify ourselves physically.

Would you ever do something like this again?

I’m not opposed to it but it depends on what it is. I’m willing to try most things at least once.

Jared

He/Him

How did you feel in the clothing that you were wearing?

I look, well, uncomfortable at first. That’s for sure ‘cause those aren’t the clothes I wear normally, right? Like I get this whole thing is, I’m assuming, to flip the script in a way? And uhh, I felt uncomfortable at first and then I used to it just ‘cause nobody else around me was bothered by it or making fun of me. It was good to build confidence.

Would you ever do something like this again?

Probably not. This was a good experience, that’s for sure, but it’s not something I’d make a regular habit of because I like the clothes that I wear.

Kavita

She/Her

How did you feel in the clothing that you were wearing?

I feel actually pretty comfortable. I’m not actually too worried about if it’s too baggy or if it’s tight. It’s comfortable, it’s loose. It feels like normal to me.

Would you ever do something like this again?

Yeah, I would. I feel that it doesn’t matter what gender you are, as long as you feel comfortable wearing these clothes, that’s what’s important.

Neryse

She/Her

How did you feel in the clothing that you were wearing?

It was different because I find when you wear more masculine clothes, you feel more powerful and that also just kind of speaks to our society as the patriarchal form that we associate power with masculinity. I also was pretty comfortable I have and wear masculine clothes in my style.

Would you ever do something like this again?

Yeah probably, I’m pretty comfortable with my own sexuality and my own gender identity and things like that. So, you know, whatever I want to wear and feel comfortable in, I’d be happy to wear. So if that means it’s more masculine on a day, then it’s more masculine on a day.

Allison

She/Her

How did you feel in the clothes that you were wearing?

They’re very comfortable. It’s not too different than what I normally wear, but it’s very comforting. They’re looser I find.

Would you ever do something like this again?

Probably. It’s comfortable. I guess I feel confident in the clothes. I never felt confident in dresses or skirts so I wear pants. Men always wear pants and I guess their pants are different though. They’re better to what I like.