... and probably elsewhere. This is purely from random observation. I lived through and participated in the similar feminization of fashion in the '70's with long hair, platform heels, and boys and girls clothes being practically interchangeable for a period of years. Then there was the glam rock era of the '80's. Maybe it's my age or my perspective, but this seems different, more widespread, and more permanent and still trending toward increasing feminization. It's probably pointless to speculate on the cause. The internet, the media, the growing acceptance and awareness of gay and divergent lifestyles... who knows. It'd be a long list. We all see it play out, and not necessarily just among our out and visible sisters. I'm equally fascinated by the feminine things that work their way into the male side. Things that not long ago were hyper feminine that now hardly get a mention. Seems like especially in the last 10 years the change has been pretty rapid and is not slowing down, like...
Earrings. Young boys not only allowed to get their ears pierced, but encouraged and sometimes even parents having their ears pierced before they're old enough to have an opinion. It seems to be a statement either by the parents or the child, but I'm not sure what the statement is, but I'm sure I could be misreading it. Earrings are as common among the otherwise hyper masculine as they are among the feminine.
Nail polish. I occasionally see it on otherwise masculine guys. Certainly this must be a nod to some feminine leaning. I can't imagine what it would be otherwise. I sometimes see it on TV and sometimes in public. Men as well as young boys.
Long hair. There's long hair that can be masculine, and there's long hair that's unmistakably feminine. This one just stuns me. Especially (but not only) in the black community, I see so many examples of VERY feminine hairstyles that just hardly get a notice on so many males. Football players with braids down to their waist. Men in all walks of life with braids, buns, straightened, or curled. Back in my long hair days I had a formal updo 3 times, and felt like that was the pinnacle of femininity even as someone who frequently wore feminine styles in male mode. Maybe the guys who now wear these "manbuns" pass them off as masculine by putting the "man" prefix in the description, but I'm telling you I see guys with full blown updos. Never ceases to amaze me.
Guys in makeup. Go to a lot of makeup counters these days and there'll be a male SA in makeup. Occasionally a waiter or a clerk. YouTube is littered with male makeup tutorials, particularly with young boys who are admired for their makeup skills as if it's some rare talent like being a musical prodigy. I guess every major cosmetics brand has a male spokesperson now.
Males modeling womenswear. Certainly there is no shortage of women to model womenswear if the purpose is simply to model the clothes. This can only be to showcase the fact that womenswear can be worn by feminine men, and they can look damn hot doing it.
Feminine men's clothes. I typically wear women't shorts. Last year I hit a Dillard's sale and bought a couple pair of men's shorts that are as short as any of the women's shorts I have. One pair is pink. These were straight off the men's rack, but more feminine than some of my women's shorts. Just about a week ago I bought a pair of Abercrombie men's "super skinny" jeans that are literally the tightest jeans I own. It's hard for me to imagine a guy wearing these as a guy.
Men removing body hair. "Nair for men", men's body shavers... so many examples of mainstream hair removal. It absolutely doesn't even raise an eyebrow. It's more surprising these days to see a guy who has body hair.
I could go on, but that probably hits the high points. This up and coming generation is luckier than they realize, and I'm happy for them. Happy for the guys who bravely express femininity in the most masculine of environments. The college football players with their hair in waist-length braids, their ears pierced and their brows done. So happy for the guys on the other end of the spectrum who get a job at Ulta and get up every morning and do full on stunning makeup. Not just for their work day, but for living their ordinary lives. Makes me happy that they can do that! I'm happy for the boys and trans girls like us whose moms are taking them to shop for prom dresses. It's just an awesome time to grow up, and, yes, I know it's far from universal acceptance, but it's mind-blowingly evolutionary to be at this point.
I think we tend to dwell on the negative and the lack of acceptance and the fear of discovery and reprisal. I know I do in my own life. It's just so awesome to know that there's a segment of society that's evolving at a rapid pace. It'll eventually carry over to other elements of society. Probably as the older generation dies off. I could not have seen us being at this point even 15 years ago. It's very exciting to think of where we might be 10 or 15 years from now!