How do I create an androgynous look?

[PhilomenaChristmasPie]

I really want to do this but don't know where to start.

Can anyone help?

Have a look at the Cos website.

You need to not have much in the boob area for a start. Tall and willowy people are the only ones that can pull it off.

i don't think it's necessarily just for boyish figures. Natasha Lyonne does androgynous brilliantly and has an hourglass figure.

*and is also pretty short.

Okay, but what do I wear?

I think there's more than one way of doing it. When I was into androgyny in the 80s I was mainly influenced by women like Annie Lennox and Pauline Black, plus I was obsessed by that photo of Patti Smith on the cover of 'Horses'. I was also (although I didn't consciously think of it at the time) pipe cleaner thin and flat chested. I wore a lot of men's waistcoats and ties, lots of black (except for white shirts). My hair was ultra short and my eye make up pretty dramatic.

This second time around the inspiration is more from men. I'd been to Rome and noticed how well dressed a lot of the old men were, in beautifully tailored suits. I got into Leonard Cohen again and also Cary Grant movies. Plus I don't have that boyish look any more. I have boobs and hips and a waist, my face is fuller and I'm losing my cheekbones. And I'm far more interested now in tailoring and beautiful fabrics. I wear a lot of slouchy trousers - the best I can afford (which often means buying second hand). In summer I wear them with a silk shirt and, in winter, with a chunky, men's V-neck cardigan. I've ditched the ties but often wear those short, paisley scarves. I love a mannish, tweed overcoat or raincoat. My hair's a bit longer (in fact looking at the photos, I don't think it ever looked great so short but anyway) and I wear far less black.

I don't regard one look as better than the other (except for that ultra short haircut - that was never good on me). But they're quite different so I think it's worth thinking about who inspires you and also about your own body shape.

Okay, but what do I wear?

But why do you want to acquire a particular, labelled ‘look’ when you’re not already in tune with its characteristic garments?

Are you doing it for a dare?

It does sound a bit like you're off to a fancy dress party op.

As pps have said, it means different things to different women depending on their body type. PS could get away with just a men's shirt, no makeup and leather trousers, Chrissie Hynde is similar but with eyeliner. Charlotte Rampling did the blazer, shirt & flares thing (sometimes with a trilby i think) in the 70s, NL usually does monochrome with a boxy men's style coat. Maybe google some of the women we've mentioned and see who you're most like and copy their style?

If it were me it would be Katherine Hepburn for clothes and something a bit shorter in the hair department. But then I lean to vintage.

At the moment androgyny is Billie Eilish in a million dollars worth of body concealing fabric. Is that what you meant?

Or little gangs of early teens gathered in a shopping mall - all encased in track suits and trainers?

Any outfit that minimises physical differences between male and female bodies could be called androgynous. It depends more on the environment/occasion you’re dressing for.

Check out Navaz Batliwalla's book The New Garconne and her excellent website DisneyRollerGirl, she does a great line in this look.

Oh is it for a party? I wouldn't have gone on so long if I'd realised But check out all the names mentioned in the thread. And I'll throw in Marlene Dietrich too, and Heloise Letissier (Chris and the Queens).

Having always been bosomy, my staple take on androgyny back in the days when I went to parties looking wonderful (35 years ago) was a brocade tux jacket I found in a thift shop and bought for stage wear for a band I used to dress. I wore it over a plain white crew neck with jeans in the afternoon for shopping, and in London over lingerie for loud parties where I worked. It's now handed down to my DS, who wore it for his prom and will take it to art college. It probably dates from the early 60s, and is a message to Marie Kondo: don't throw it.