Inspired by recent events, including the feedback of Billy Porter's tuxedo gown at the Oscars, I decided to write down, and leave a permanent digital record, of my mission statement: Why Do I Do This Dandy Thing.
In my past blog I gave you a brief history of the fashion movement (go read it if you haven't), and now it's time to discuss its future in my hands. I want my dandyism to go past helping others dress better; I want men, and male-identifying persons, to accept, support, and maybe even embrace masculinity and femininity in other men, creating a widespread social change that allows for full individualistic creative expression. I want men to feel free to wear leather and be as accepted as if they were wearing a three-piece suit, or dressed as flamboyantly as I can do. I want men, and others, to be able to wear feathers, flowers, jewelry, makeup, bright colors, bold patterns, and carry fans, flowers, or parasols, identify as fully male, not necessarily have to be a drag queen (though that's, of course, acceptable), and suffer no societal repercussions of any kind. In other words, society needs to accept that everyone, men in particular, should only be judged by their character and not by their fashion style.
My other goal is to use my platform to address body shaming. Dressing up has allowed this dumpy, out of shape guy to feel sexy and beautiful, but we still judge people, most often unfairly, on their physical appearance rather than their character. Body shaming needs to stop. No man, no woman, nobody, should be subjected to phrases such as "you're too ugly to talk to", just because they are not society's idea of physical beauty, and if my dandyism can play a role in changing society to be more socially accepting of all body types, then I'm donning a top hat.
My range in style goes from very modern, a la Dandy in the Bronx, Iké Udé, and the styles of Why Not Boutique, all the way to drag-influenced dandyism, as I go back and forth with my masculine vs feminine side, on purpose. I am creating a movement, not just a fashion movement, but a societal movement.
@your.dandy on Instagram
