5 very feminine fashion items originally made for men (2024)

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Here are five very feminine fashion items that were originally made for men: 1. High heels 2. Handbag 3. Thongs 4. Stockings 5. Menstrual pad JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY! Recommended articles Deodorant or antiperspirant for body odour? Which works best & what's the difference? Chivas Regal Takes Center Stage at Lagos Cocktail Week, A Fusion of Luxury, Cocktails, and Entertainment 5 Cities where people have more dogs than children 3 Reasons to start eating for pleasure 10 daily habits that cause bad mouth odour even after brushing Psychiatrist Warns Poor Sleep and Stress Are Major Risk Factors for Mental Health Issues UNICEF Warns 2.3 Million Children in Nigeria Are at Risk of Polio Game Trends in Africa: What Categories Are Leading the Demand in 2024? How Compact SUVs Are Redefining Comfort and Convenience for Daily Commutes 10 jobs that didn’t exist 10 years ago Is your vaginal odour normal? Find out the causes and remedies Meet Madam Efunroye Tinubu, the powerful slave trader who controlled Lagos Pulse Sports 'It's a serious matter' - Victor Boniface's boss addresses absence from Brest vs. Leverkusen UCL tie Super Eagles legend Nwankwo Kanu's 19-year-old 'boy' makes team of the week on European debut Victor Osimhen inches away from breaking Cristiano Ronaldo's record 'Galatasaray should release videos of Osimhen training' — Turkey football experts wants rest of Lig to learn from Nigerian ace 'Kiss the league goodbye' - Fans tell Mourinho after going 8 points behind Osimhen's ballistic-inspired Gala Alex Iwobi, Ahmed Musa, and the top 10 most capped Super Eagles players of all-time CAF Awards: 9 Nigerians that have won the prestigious the ‘African Footballer of the Year’ award 'Let them do their jobs' - Former Super Eagles coach Finidi George breaks silence on struggling ex-teammates 'I can win the Ballon d'Or' — Chelsea's Cole Palmer backs himself for prestigious award

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RADP / Pulse Nigeria > Lifestyle > Fashion

Temi Iwalaiye

These common female items were once considered manly and masculine.

5 very feminine fashion items originally made for men (1)

Feminine items that belonged to men

Today, if you see a man wearing high heels, a thong, and carrying a handbag, you might assume he’s dressing in a very feminine manner. However, this was actually common in earlier times.

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Gender exists on a spectrum, and certain traits or behaviours that are often labelled as feminine or effeminate are not really so.

Here are five very feminine fashion items that were originally made for men:

1. High heels

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High heels—frequently worn by women—were really designed for men.

In the 10th century, male Persian soldiers used high heels to secure their feet in stirrups while riding horses, enhancing their accuracy and balance.

In the 17th century, high heels made their way to Europe, where they were quickly loved by the male aristocracy who wanted to look taller and more formidable.

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2. Handbag

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The modern handbag evolved from men's hand-held bags in the early 1900s.

Fashion designers adapted these masculine bags to feminine styles, adding features like closures and compartments to enhance functionality.

Over time, the women's handbag became the dominant accessory, replacing the male version.

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3. Thongs

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Thongs were frequently worn by men and showed the buttocks while covering the private areas.

They first appeared in Africa in 42,000 BC, then in Egypt, Greece, and Crete in 1570 BC, and Japan in 250 AD.

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4. Stockings

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Hosiery like breeches, tights, pantyhose, and stockings were made for men.

Tclothing that covers the legs and feet is called stockings, or hoses.

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Since the ninth century, men have worn stockings; men from higher social classes usually wore coloured or white stockings, while those from lower classes wore black ones.

5. Menstrual pad

Benjamin Franklin was the inventor of disposable menstrual pads.

They were primarily used to help stop bleeding in injured soldiers, but because they were easy to use and absorbent, nurses eventually began using them as menstrual pads.

All of these items show that traditional ideas of masculinity and femininity are shaped by social norms.

Temi Iwalaiye Temi Iwalaiye is a senior lifestyle reporter at Pulse Nigeria, specializing in fashion, beauty, research, travel, culture, and food.

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5 very feminine fashion items originally made for men (2024)
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