Reason for Warning: This article discusses sexual topics. Viewer discretion is advised.
Femboy (among many other similar terms) is a self-identifier for a man or boy expressing himself in a fashion perceived to be feminine or otherwise “soft”. The key defining feature is contrasting gender signifiers. Femboy aesthetics display an interplay between clothes and behaviors that are culturally considered to be feminine, a masculine gender identity, and masculine and youthful physical features. Individuals who identify as femboys may be of any sexuality.
History[]
The slang "femboy" originated in the 1990s to describe effeminate men who express themselves by wearing skirts, thigh highs, long leg sleeves, knee highs, lingerie, and other various feminine accessories, and the first online community dedicated to it was created in the form of "Boi Fancy" in 2001.[1] Femboys have recently become more popular on social media, probably also thanks to the prevalence of feminine male characters, genderless characters, and crossdressers in anime and manga.
Visuals[]
Femboy visuals consist of conventionally feminine clothing - anything that is culturally considered "for women" fits this aesthetic.
Fashion[]
- Skirts
- Thigh highs
- Long leg sleeves
- Colors viewed as more "feminine" in nature, such as pink and other colors
- Dresses
- A more feminine physical appearance caused by makeup or clothing shaped to resemble curves
- Women's boots
- Heels
- Fishnets
- Hoodies
Makeup/Hair[]
Femboy-style makeup can be anywhere from none at all to heavy. Some makeup styles can include:
- Light eyeshadow
- Mascara
- Eyeliner
- Bronzer
- Tinted lip balm
- Filled/defined brows
Popular femboy hairstyles are things like short cuts and sometimes long hair.
Common Misconceptions[]
Sexual Orientation[]
Femboys are frequently perceived to be inherently gay. However, this is a misconception; their gender expression does not dictate their sexual orientation. Femboys, like anyone else, can identify as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, asexual, or any other sexual orientation.
Gender Identity[]
Some individuals mistakenly believe that the term "femboy" originated as a derogatory term aimed at trans women. While it's true that the term can be misused in a harmful way, "femboy" was not coined with those intentions. Femboys identify as male, while trans women identify as female. As noted in the "History" section, the term was initially coined by and for effeminate men seeking to express themselves and build community during the 90s.
Those who consider "femboy" as a slur targeting trans women sometimes suggest using the term "roseboy" as an alternative. However, it's important to be aware that "roseboy" carries its own problematic connotations, as it is related to "rosebud", a slang term for the anus, and is used as a slur for gay men who engage in anal sex. It is also reminescent of other gay slurs like "flower". A significant portion of the femboy community finds "roseboy" uncomfortable, and therefore its use is discouraged.
"Femboys don't have to be boys"
Within the femboy community, there are diverse perspectives regarding the role of gender identity. Some individuals within this group do not necessarily identify as male, while others believe that being a femboy requires both femininity and a male gender identity. While a few individuals may identify as both trans women and femboys, this is not representative of the majority within the femboy community. Just as it is highly offensive to call trans women (outside of said fringe) femboys, it is highly offensive to call the vast majority of femboys trans women, or to call them "eggs", suggesting that they are actually trans women and you know their gender identity better than they do.
"Femboys must be cisgender"
A topic of ongoing debate within the femboy community centers on the necessity of being assigned male at birth, or if just identifying as male is sufficient. Purists often express disapproval towards trans men who adopt the femboy aesthetic, with some even deeming it to be impossible. However, it is arguably true that trans men can also express themselves in a way that blends feminine gender signifiers with masculine physical features, and therefore be "trans femboys".
Sexualization[]
"Femboy is a porn term"/"Femboys are inherently sexualized"
In addition, the depiction of femboys as fetish objects within the pornography industry has contributed to the stigma surrounding them. While sissification is a kink that may incorporate elements of the femboy aesthetic, most femboys do not adopt this style because of a sexual fetish.
Media[]
Fictional Characters[]
- Americano Beans from Americano Exodus
- Astolfo from Fate/Apocrypha
- Hideri Kanzaki from Blend-S
- Chihiro Fujisaki from Danganronpa[2]
- Venti from Genshin Impact
- Angel Dust from Hazbin Hotel
- Karsearin from Karsearin: Adventures of a Red Dragon
- Felix Argyle (a.k.a. Ferris Argyle) from Re:Zero[3]
- Endymion Kyrian from SKT - Swallow Knights Tales (could be considered a femboy or a bishounen depending on viewpoint)
- Joshua Lanci from SKT - Swallow Knights Tales
One must also note that, in fiction, characters considered "femboys" may not appear as such of their own volition, but are roped into it due to circumstance (e.g. Chihiro Fujisaki), while in reality, "femboy" is a self-identification.
Resources[]
External links to help get a better understanding of this aesthetic:
Communities[]
Events[]
- Peni Market (nsfw, doujin fair)
Pinterest Boards[]
- Daddyboy and Cuteboy
- MNIAM FEMBOY :3
- femboy world
- Femboy shit <3
- Femboy outfit ideas
- Femboy Friday‼️‼️
- Femboy
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ "Boi Fancy: The Club for Pretty Boiz"
- ↑ Chihiro is confirmed to identify as a man in multiple places: 1) His trial. 2) In his Free Time Events and bonus modes, he confides in Naegi that he wants to be a manly man. 3) His creations, Alter Ego and Chiaki Nanami from SDR2, refer to him as "Father".
- ↑ The author Nagatsuki Tappei has confirmed that Felix identifies as "a man in body and soul" in Arc 4. He is under a pact to "safekeep" Crusch Karsten's femininity so that she can perform her duties as the king of Lugunica.