FROM BINARY TO BLENDED: STYLING ANDROGYNOUS LINGERIE YOUR WAY

Most lingerie is sold to us in one of two extremes: ultra-feminine lace, bows and frills, or boxy, overtly masculine basics. As someone who’s spent a lot of time trying to find pieces that actually feel like me, I know how frustrating those limited options can be.

For so many trans and non-binary people, for gender-fluid folks and for anyone who just doesn’t feel at home inside those rigid categories, neither option feels like “us.” 

Androgynous lingerie changes the conversation. A softer, gentler middle ground that doesn’t force a decision about who you are the second you get dressed. It lets you dress from the inside out in a way that aligns with how you feel, not what the label dictates.

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY ANDROGYNOUS LINGERIE?

Androgynous lingerie isn’t a product section you’ll find neatly laid out on mainstream websites. It’s a concept. Lingerie that isn’t loudly gendered, pieces that work across identities, body types and gender expressions. 

Think clean lines, soft bralettes, smooth tucking briefs, boxer-brief silhouettes, and simple robes in fabrics that feel luxurious without being aggressively feminine or masculine. It’s lingerie that doesn’t try to push you in either direction, but instead gives you space to exist comfortably in your own expression.

WHY A NEUTRAL BASE CAN FEEL SO AFFIRMING

Lingerie is often the first layer of gender expression, and it has a kind of intimacy that outerwear doesn’t. For some people, highly gendered designs (whether ultra-femme or hyper-masc) can trigger dysphoria or simply feel like too much. 

Androgynous lingerie offers a grounding alternative: something minimalist, gentle and adaptable. It works on the days you feel more feminine, the days you feel more masculine, and the days when you’re floating somewhere in between. It gives you a consistent base layer that doesn’t demand a performance.

THE ANDROGYNOUS LINGERIE LOOK

The beauty of androgynous lingerie is in its simplicity. Instead of leaning heavily into femininity or masculinity, it sits comfortably between the two. Clean lines, straight or softly curved silhouettes, calm colours and fabrics that feel good on any body. 

Blacks, greys, whites, muted pastels and soft neutrals make up the foundation. Jersey, modal, smooth satin and light mesh offer comfort without the fuss of bows, frills or overt shaping. 

It’s quiet confidence rather than spectacle. Pieces you reach for when you want to feel grounded in your skin without needing to “perform” a gendered look.

STYLING ANDROGYNOUS LINGERIE

If you enjoy feminine fashion but don’t always want the intensity of highly feminine lingerie, an androgynous base works beautifully. A simple bralette under a soft dress, blouse or jumper gives your body a gentle shape without lace or embellishment. Smooth briefs or tucking briefs can create a clean outline under leggings, skirts or jeans, depending on your body and expression.

Equally, if you’re AFAB and exploring a more gender-neutral or masculine look, these same pieces work under shirts, oversized tees or straight-cut trousers. You can still enjoy the comfort of soft fabrics without being pushed towards traditionally feminine cuts. And at home, a robe in a minimalist silhouette offers ease and elegance without leaning strongly toward either gender.

Androgynous lingerie is designed to disappear under clothing in the best possible way. A smooth bralette sits discreetly under tailored jackets, hoodies, loose shirts or neutral-toned tops. Soft briefs or tucking briefs offer comfort beneath straight-leg trousers, joggers or denim. 

The look underneath doesn’t have to match what’s on top. Lingerie can support your identity even when the outfit you present to the world leans masculine, neutral or simply practical. It becomes a small, private way to affirm yourself without needing an audience.

DRESSING FOR SHIFTING GENDER DAYS

For many of us, gender expression moves from day to day. Sometimes subtly, sometimes dramatically. Androgynous lingerie is perfect for this fluidity. 

You don’t need separate drawers labelled “masculine” and “feminine.” Instead, you create a base you can lean into however you feel. On a softer day, the same bralette that sat under yesterday’s hoodie might sit under a flowy top. On a more neutral or masculine day, the same briefs feel natural under structured clothing. Your lingerie becomes the constant that adapts to you. Not the other way around.

And if you’re someone who explores both softer and flatter silhouettes, you may find my guide on trans chest binders helpful. 

CHOOSING YOUR ANDROGYNOUS ESSENTIALS

You don’t need a large or expensive collection. A few well-chosen pieces can support a wide range of outfits and moods. 

Soft bralettes work for any gender expression. Smooth briefs or tucking briefs offer comfort and clean lines, regardless of whether your outerwear leans femme, masc or in between. Build slowly, choosing pieces that feel right for your body and your identity. The goal isn’t to “declare” a gender. It’s to feel at ease in your skin.