femininemasculine

Femininemasculine is a term used in discussions of gender expression to describe the blending or coexistence of traditionally feminine and masculine traits. It is not a fixed or universal identity in scholarship, but rather a way some people describe the ways they present themselves, feel, or prefer to organize their appearance and behavior beyond a strict binary.

In practice, femininemasculine may appear in fashion, style, and grooming, where elements associated with both genders are combined—such as tailoring or masculine silhouettes paired with feminine details, or a overall aesthetic that rejects strict gender coding. It can also refer to personal temperament, interests, or ways of speaking and moving that do not fit conventional expectations for either gender category. The term is used across cultures with varying degrees of familiarity and acceptance, reflecting broader conversations about gender diversity and nonbinary possibilities.

Femininemasculine sits alongside related concepts like androgyny, gender nonconformity, and nonbinary identities. It emphasizes variability within individuals rather than a binary classification. Critics of any gender-label approach argue that such terms can inadvertently reinforce stereotypes by framing traits as inherently masculine or feminine. Proponents contend that these descriptors help people articulate nuanced experiences of gender and offer language for expressing a more complex spectrum of identity and presentation.