The Rise of Masc Fashion Through Nesie’s Lens
Choosing what to wear is something everyone goes through, especially women. From first dates to everyday errands, clothing often reflects personality, comfort, and confidence, and, for some, a deeper expression of identity.
Masc Fashion, short for masculine fashion, which often refers to a style of dress that embraces traditionally masculine clothing and aesthetic, regardless of gender. Often paired with androgynous fashion, which blends both masculine and feminine elements. Overall, both styles have become a significant form of self-identity within the queer community.
For Nesie, a masc fashion influencer from Houston, Texas, can understand finding self-identity in a small community, “Around 14 or 15 years old, I used to dress girly, I hated it. Then, going into high school, seeing other tomboy girls dress how I wanted to dress, that’s when I knew I could do it too.” Said Nesie. “So that definitely helped shape my comfort level with being more masculine.” She added with a laugh. The Fashion industry is experiencing growth and a shift toward LGBTQ+ fashion. Featuring so many gender-fluid models and designers, but with this category, it seems to get lost in such a huge industry. Causing other masculine women to not feel seen or thought of during the process.
“I almost hated going to church because you know the church shoes and dresses, the South doesn’t play when it comes to how you present yourself at church. I didn’t want to give people the wrong idea of my sexuality,” Said Nesie. “Feeling judged by my grandparents as well was something that I had to overcome.” She spoke. Putting on a mask or being shunned by family is something that every queer person deals with. That’s why it’s important to have a community and be seen. Because seeing yourself spotlighted can boost your self-esteem, you never know who you might inspire.
“My mom didn’t care too much about what I wore, but to protect her and the backlash she was getting from her parents, I just wore what they told me. I wanted to protect my mother.” Those strong words that carry Nesie through her fashion journey. You don’t think about clothes being a shield to protect yourself, but in the queer community, it’s like a signal or a superhero costume. Once you finally have an idea of who you are at your core, the style comes with ease. “It took some time; it was all new to me dressing like this, but I wouldn’t change who I am for anyone,” Nesie said proudly with her head held high.
This isn’t a brand-new concept by any means. Throughout queer history, women have been dressing masculine since the early 1920’s when the big shift happened of women entering the workforce during WW1. Queer icon Gladys Bentley was a figure in the Harlem Renaissance, dressed in fabulous suits and known for her smooth voice and piano playing. Later, in the 1930’s, a timeless actress, Marlene Dietrich, famously wore a man’s tuxedo, top hat, and white bow tie in the film Morocco. This film was groundbreaking at the time, blurring the lines between gender-bending fashion. This sparked a conversation in the fashion industry.
Nesie wants to set the tone and make her mark on what masc fashion is through her content. “I think we still have a way to go in society, but we are making progress because now you have men dressing more like us. Can you believe it?” As we both laughed, she was referring to a heated online discussion on TikTok where cisgender men were stepping into androgynous fashion. “I’m not saying men don’t know how to dress, but I love seeing a cisgender man who is confident in himself, and that’s what we need more of.” They didn’t quite grasp the self-identity aspect of masc fashion, just hopping on a trend because more masculine women are gaining traction in the Fashion TikTok subcategory online.
“Being a content creator is somewhat of a responsibility. I want to make sure when you see my content, you feel seen, and you too can dress like me,” said Nesie. Clothes should be fun and help boost your confidence. When you put that button up on or add an accessory, it’s a feeling you get, “That’s all me right there!” she shouts with excitement. As this fashion genre grows, we are seeing so many more examples in the media of masc and androgynous fashion. “It makes me proud and gives me inspiration and a sense of not feeling like I’m the only one. A Statement that resonated with me as Nesie said it.“Women like me are killing it, I love to see it!”
She’s right, there are many women excelling now. Masc women have gained 1,000 points if we were scoring. Several queer women are gaining visibility and being recognized nationwide. For example, Neace Robinson, known as “Funeral Stud” on social media, transitioned from an online joke to being featured on platforms like Planet Fitness’s New Year’s Eve countdown and releasing the Super Bowl logo for Super Bowl LXI. In sports, WNBA athletes like Natisha Hideman and Courtney Williams are also making strides as a dynamic duo known as “StudBudz,” showing that fun, creativity, and being yourself are the ultimate goals. “Women are so powerful that we have the best of both worlds, with that soft, feminine touch or going edgy all the way, depending on how we want to feel. A person who came to mind when Nesie said that was Jonquel Jones, who walked the Met Gala in 2025 wearing a Sergio Hudson suit. The attention to detail and the determined persona were the statement pieces, and she held her head high, proving she belonged in that room just like anyone else.”
“You don’t have to be queer to understand fashion, it’s genderless wear what you want to wear. Nesie knows what it takes to be a trailblazer in her community. Protecting and giving guidance is her natural instinct at her core. Mixing Fashion with comfort and helping others find their self-identity. “It is okay to be scared, it’s okay to have those feelings of self-doubt, but it’s not okay to put yourself in a shell you’re not comfortable with. It’s like trying to put a turtle in a snail shell; it just doesn’t fit. Also, do what is safe for you.”
Masculine women are not trying to be men; we are simply women who love clothes and how they make us feel from the inside. Thankfully, there are many brands that spotlight masc fashion, including Kirrin Finch, Style Is Freedom, For Them, and Ash&Court. As these brands continue to spotlight masc and gender-inclusive fashion, representation is becoming more visible and more accessible. What was once questioned or misunderstood is now stepping confidently into the mainstream.
