This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Eli Casas. Find them on Instagram at @elicasasnow. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
Consider this your guide to being potentially closer to finding yourself, not literally but in some ways. It’s been over two years since I came out as myself, nonbinary, they/them pronouns and all, not to be mistaken for coming out because that happened over a decade ago. Don’t worry, finding your style and identity takes time regardless of whether you’re nonbinary or not, think of it as redefining who you are.
The Clothes Section With The Upgrade
You know how apps overtime sometimes require upgrades? as a means to avoid glitches? That’s what it felt like for me. No more glitching in the women’s section! Yay! That section never quite resonated with me anyway. It also never meant I wanted to hyper-masculate my masculinity in the men’s section either, I just wanted to wear whatever felt RIGHT.
Along the way I found out that I could simply see it as that, shopping for myself in a section that is labeled for “men”, but it doesn’t mean I identify as a man I just enjoy wearing what feels RIGHT.
The upgrade is, knowing what works for you, and being comfortable!
I love, love, love, shopping. To me, it’s simply the clothes section, whether that’s online or in person. Over time I have come to realize that being nonbinary means different things for everyone. Whatever you gravitate towards, just own the style!
The Fundamentals
I love a plain T-shirt, it has to be cotton, the soft kind! Old Navy, H&M, and Hollister have a wide selection to choose from. I recommend throwing in a mix of colors to make various outfits, among them: navy blue, white, black, gray, and brown.
Next, you want to have an array of pants. Some slacks, chinos, joggers, and comfy bottoms. Same concept, try to mix it up and have a variety of colors. Some neutral tones to consider include olive green, navy blue, and black, but if you are feeling risky throw in some patterns. You’ll thank me later. Some brands that I find comfortable are Banana Republic, H&M, and PacSun.
Shoes! I know breaking them in can be a hassle but it will be worth it! The best way to make the most out of, let’s say three to five pairs of shoes, is to pick versatile footwear. Now colors are not as essential, but I highly urge you to consider owning a black pair of shoes because they go with almost everything and anything. Bonus points if you decide to go with shoes that are suited for both casual occasions and dressy moments. Such as Doc Martens! Full disclosure, break them in first before any long outings! And if your favorite pair needs a refresh, even small touch-ups with white leather paint can keep them looking sharp across countless outfits.
Layers, Layers, Layers!!!
This is where you incorporate all those hoodies, flannels, and jackets in your closet. Heck, this even embraces the neglected blazer in the far back.
Ideally, layers work best when the climate is rather chilly. The formula goes: undershirt + main shirt + top layer = layers. However, if the weather is in your favor, you might consider this formula instead: undershirt + main shirt + hoodie + jacket = layers squared. This isn’t an exact science use layering to your comfort level, but I highly suggest considering the weather.
Don’t Forget The Accessories
The ultimate guide would not be complete without accessories. I’m talking shades, bags, jewelry, and hats!
Finding glasses, in general, takes trial and error, but shades are a whole different story. Shades come in various tints, styles, and price brackets. However, you want to consider durability as a main factor, you want them to last. Luckily, there are many stores to choose from and you can try on different shades until you find the ones you prefer.
Moving on to bags, I think it’s wise to have at least three on rotation. For events where I need to bring extra stuff or heavy things, I tend to lean towards my Herschel backpack because it fits more stuff plus it is easier to carry. However, for going out I prefer something that looks more aesthetically pleasing, my Coach backpack, which fits all my everyday essentials with room to spare. I will say sometimes you just want a bag that is big enough to fit your wallet, phone, and chapstick so my third go-to is my fanny pack. In my Vans fanny pack, I put whatever my pocket spits up, due to lack of room. I did recently add a fourth bag to my rotation for work, and it is my favorite one yet, my leather messenger bag from Dr Martens, it’s perfect for my laptop and other work-related materials.
When it comes to jewelry, I find that having a few simple statement pieces comes in handy because they tend to fit perfectly with an assortment of outfits whether it’s casual or more formal. Pendant necklaces have been my simple but classy statement pieces lately, highly recommend them. Keeping the same tone with other accessories I think simple bracelets are great, remember that the more neutral the color the more you can incorporate it into various outfits. Last but not least, having one nice more formal-looking watch works great, and in my experience, it ties the whole outfit together.
Hats and beanies also have the same effect, think of it as the finishing touch for casual fits. Colors matter in this department because you want to make sure they complement as many outfits as possible but, I find that having a few colorful ones works great with darker fits. Sometimes I wear all black and wearing a green cap! It’s fun!
Must-Have Essentials
As I get older the more, I realize moisturizing is one of the most important things that protect your skin, that being said do not forget to apply sunscreen daily. Coming up with your skincare routine and products that work well for your skin is key. I have found comfort in using Drunk Elephant products among others. Don’t forget to moisturize your lips as well! It took me forever to find one that I could stick to, but Vaseline came through for me.
I know earlier I mentioned that accessories help tie an outfit together but you know what elevates everything? Your scent! There are countless colognes to pick from, you might even keep a few in your collection just for fun!
In retrospect, these are all some nonbinary fashion ideas coming from someone who embraces their masculinity, but I do believe you can apply all these tips in different manners according to your identity, one last thing, just have fun!
Do you have any nonbinary fashion ideas? Let us know in the comments below.
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