In modern society, the perception of a person is often determined by a complex interplay between visual attributes and verbal signals.

The Intricate Balance of Gender Expression

In modern society, the perception of a person is often determined by a complex interplay between visual attributes and verbal signals. When appearance reflects traditional femininity while speech or the choice of grammatical forms reveals traits usually associated with masculinity, it is not merely a mix of styles but an entire philosophy of self-expression. Such a combination may indicate a striving for independence, a search for inner balance, and a rejection of stereotypical frameworks, creating a multifaceted and intriguing personality.

This dynamic picture challenges entrenched norms, forcing us to rethink old ideas and imbuing traditional notions of gender with new meaning. With a rich inner world, a person who balances the conventional with the non-traditional demonstrates that true self-expression does not abide by narrow categories. Such a mix of signals is often seen as a manifestation of intellectual boldness and uniqueness, opening up space for new dialogues on how traditions can be combined with individual freedom.

In the end, the combination of outward conformity to cultural norms and an inner drive for innovation turns these contradictions into a source of strength and originality. It is a striking example of how rejecting standard frameworks can contribute to the creation of a self-possessed, vibrant, and truly free personality.

How does gender expression affect the perception of personality if a girl uses masculine grammatical forms but prefers traditionally feminine clothing?

Answer: Gender expression has a significant impact on how a person is perceived, especially when verbal signals and appearance reflect different facets of gender identity. In this case, using masculine grammatical forms may signal a pursuit of confidence, independence, and a rejection of stereotypical femininity, while the choice of traditionally feminine clothing emphasizes a connection to cultural and aesthetic norms of femininity. Such a combination can lead to the perception of the individual as complex and multifaceted, where the external and internal aspects do not always align, creating a certain ambiguity.

For example, one source states:
"Clothing should express sexual difference. I believe that due to our climate (and this is my personal opinion), it is necessary to have Orthodox designers. So that for winter we have a suit combining trousers and a skirt—both at the same time, so as not to get cold. That would be a magnificent solution, very beautiful and wonderful. It would express the female sex and, on the other hand, prevent one from freezing in tights. Deviating to the left is a sign of being lukewarm. We are not fanatics like others; we are enlightened people, so we all know that all your prohibitions are nonsense. But, as Apostle Paul said, you have knowledge, yet because of your knowledge your brother perishes, for whom Christ died. How will you respond?" (source: link txt)

Another source recounts a personal experience of conflict:
"Perhaps I began to treat my clothes with disdain precisely because of an excessive love for outfits, having received a painful wound in this area from fate in childhood that made me a boy. I always strove for beauty, and what I considered beautiful was seen as a quality, an attribute, and a right of women. Therefore, when it finally became clear to me that I could not be a girl—and then, as if to spite me, little Lucy began to grow up—I, so to speak, gritted my teeth and turned away from my clothes, which, to me, certainly could not be beautiful: I would have liked semi-transparent silk, beautiful pleats, lace, bows, a hat with a hummingbird, perfume, and jewelry, all in soft and light shades. My quarrels with Lucy were rooted precisely in a feeling of being deprived by nature. Lucy's outfits provoked my anger not so much out of envy as because the elders tried to convince me that boys do not like "rags" and that this is a trait of girls, while I knew from personal experience that I love dresses and understand them even better than Lucy does." (source: link txt)

This emotionally charged account demonstrates how deep inner experiences may arise from the clash between personal preferences and imposed norms. Applying this logic to the situation of a girl using masculine grammatical forms, one might assume that such a mix is perceived by others as a signal of a complex inner world seeking balance among different aspects of identity.

Thus, when a girl employs masculine grammatical forms while pairing them with traditionally feminine clothing, it may lead to her personality being seen as contradictory, free from stereotypes, and striving for self-expression beyond conventional frameworks. This mismatch between verbal and visual aspects of gender expression allows others to perceive her not merely as a reflection of accepted norms, but as a rich, multi-layered individual where elements of both traditional femininity and attributes traditionally associated with masculinity intertwine.

Supporting citation(s):
"Clothing should express sexual difference. I believe that due to our climate (and this is my personal opinion), it is necessary to have Orthodox designers. So that for winter we have a suit combining trousers and a skirt—both at the same time, so as not to get cold. That would be a magnificent solution, very beautiful and wonderful. It would express the female sex and, on the other hand, prevent one from freezing in tights. Deviating to the left is a sign of being lukewarm. We are not fanatics like others; we are enlightened people, so we all know that all your prohibitions are nonsense. But, as Apostle Paul said, you have knowledge, yet because of your knowledge your brother perishes, for whom Christ died. How will you respond?" (source: link txt)

"Perhaps I began to treat my clothes with disdain precisely because of an excessive love for outfits, having received a painful wound in this area from fate in childhood that made me a boy. I always strove for beauty, and what I considered beautiful was seen as a quality, an attribute, and a right of women. Therefore, when it finally became clear to me that I could not be a girl—and then, as if to spite me, little Lucy began to grow up—I, so to speak, gritted my teeth and turned away from my clothes, which, to me, certainly could not be beautiful: I would have liked semi-transparent silk, beautiful pleats, lace, bows, a hat with a hummingbird, perfume, and jewelry, all in soft and light shades. My quarrels with Lucy were rooted precisely in a feeling of being deprived by nature. Lucy's outfits provoked my anger not so much out of envy as because the elders tried to convince me that boys do not like "rags" and that this is a trait of girls, while I knew from personal experience that I love dresses and understand them even better than Lucy does." (source: link txt)