Howard University - Bison Yearbook (Washington, DC)

Page 16 text:

Androgynous Fashions Toses the Question 3 it a Man ora Woman Is it for girls or is it for guys? With androgynous fashions making their way on campus, that question was to tally outdated. Designers were creating clothes with no particular sexual specification. It was no longer an oddity for a female to know that in women's shoos she wore an 8 and in men's, a size 6. This new wave of liberal dressing allowed for trend-setting creativity. It allowed for the boldness to make an individual statement beyond traditional boundaries. College sludonts have had a reputation of boing trendy and fashionable, thus making the college campus an ideal setting for observing new tronds. Collogiato women found it more fashionable to dress in a non-traditional style. They wore pantsuits with squared, padded shoulders in jackets that were once reserved strictly for gentlemon. Stepping into masculine styles with feminine charm was also noticed in shoes that women wore. Anything from square-heeled, lace up dress shoes to high-top, athletic sneakers were now acceptable attire for women. Suspenders, ties, and hats have crossed over to help accessorize the new fashions. Tina Scotts, on 18 year old Prc phormocy major from Virginia, explains. I sometimes buy clothes from tho men’s department becauso their clothes are a lot more comfortable. I think androgynous dressing has become so popular because the 80's has proven to be the era for more aggression in women. We aren't expected to always be seen and not heard. We don't havo to just look pretty for the guys. We have entered a period for general role switching in the home and on the job. So why not in the way we dress? Tho men on tho college campus were also breakng away from the old standards as well. No longer were they confined to the tedium of drab colors such as grays, browns, and black Now men are demanded attention and caused heads to turn as they “sported red. yellow, orange, and bright blue. For calmer moods pastels were ideal for guys. Tight stirrup pants, a recent comeback for women, were now being worn by men. A major addition, formally considered a practicality for ladies only, was the designer tote bag. Accessories added to these new styles for men were brooches, gold and silver chains, as well as the single carring-studs and even hoops! Richard Glass, a junior majoring in English, feels that. “Women are attracted to men who are different. It’s nice to do something or wear something that makes you stand out from other men.” As women fought for equality in society and in their careers, men joined the struggle for fashion equality as well. Daring originality said a lot for the person who tried to be distinctly different. It distinguished him or her as an individual. There was no better way to make this declaration than through daily styles of dressing. by Sherri Milner Layout by Lesa Walker K I r«rfhrltrr The bloufty. bright coat and rolled up pants added a touch ol whimsy to Ron Higgins' outfit. Sandi Morgan and David Folhegill disput'd sexual clolhinj; as they strolled across campus in similar outfits 12 Androgenous Fashion

Page 15 text:

Wlh Founder Ubriry 1 hit bark. Rep. William Gray III challenged the iiaduolrn In play Ihr name in corporate America during hit lummrnce-mtat addrmt HrruldiMit Cheek stepped aridr at Ted koppcl of AWT '.Vight line prepared lo reteivr Hi honorary degree Graduation 11 After the conferral of depTre , « the graduate , the re teat nf tul loon marked the ralraac at the graduate lkrni elvei In compliance with a claaatc Howard tradition the honorrr joined in the waving at Ihr end of the irising of the alma mater.

Page 17 text:

Men's blazer doubled as overcoats on •mall women like Whitney Ynung. The oversized sweaters paired with leans worn by Sherri White and Lisa Prcsha were common to both men and women. Aisha Karefa-Smart's choice of pale pink blouse and socks brought out the frminin-ity her androgynous slylr nf dressing concealed. Androgenous Fashion 13