#velyr

Remembered this ocs in dresses lineup i did in early 2021 and felt like sharing it

Left to right: Velyr, Moxie, Mal, Vinny, Aki, Ezief

Ads also talking about this particular species view on gender roles yay!

They’re called tawyras, a fantasy species i made up that is very dragon like. I could talk about them all day but let’s just focus on this one little aspect for now.

As for gender roles in clothing, tldr: they don’t have them, they actually don’t have any gender roles in the first place.

I’ve personally gave a lot of thought to the topic in real life too, things like how clothes are percieved and assigned gender based on nothing but ‘brain washing’. A skirt isn’t female, a tie isn’t male etc., these are all just things that society made us believe.

society....

Naturally my way of viewing the problem seeps into the way these things would affect a fantasy culture. I personally find no enjoyment in a woman succeding in a society by overcoming some sort of arbitrary difficulties that come with her womanhood, to me it feels rather bland and i rarely get interested in such storylines.

It would only make sense that I’d completely avoid this trope any chance I get, and the tawyras are the epitome of that. Nothing is gendered, they have the concepts of feminine and masculine but as ways of expressing oneself rather than based on what sort of category you were born into. Neither is viewed as lesser or superior in any aspect, they are equal. 

This also means that assuming gender upon first sight, as is common in our society, is never done, and is considered very rude. Every tawyra goes by they/them pronouns automatically, and it is up to personal decision of one wants to disclose any other ones. In their language, called tawra (that I have not even started making yes), the choice of pronouns is way higher than in english. I got inspired by how japannesse pronouns work (esp ‘I’ and what the version they use can say about a character)

All in all in their society gender does not matter unless it comes to procreation, which is just about the only biological part where it does matter. Other than that they are fantasy part dragon species so there are no strength differeces between males and females that would be significant

And of course that would mean that wearing a dress would not be seen as an issue at all for any of them, societally at least. On a personal level some might have some trouble with it.

Which brings me to talking about how the ocs pictures would feel about having to wear what they’re wearing in the first place(ltr): Velyr would be furious, but only because that’s the way he always is. He may not wear dresses often but that’s moreso based on his lack of interest in self care and just wearing the same clothes over and over again. He’s nothing against the piece of clothing other than he’s not normally seen wearing it. I actually imagine that if Velyr were to ever go on some prestigous party/ball he’s most likely choose a dress, with his ‘dreamie’ being one of those sorta mid lenght narrow black sparkly ones (gotta draw him in it one day) Moxie’s main outfit is a dress, he wears dresses most of the time anyway and he’s happily wear this around everyday. He’s that sort of person who’s capable of immediatly forgetting what he’s wearing and just vibing, so he could be wearing the most ridiculous shit and be completely fine

While Mal would not be one to wear a dress every day he’s definitely put it on for the occasion, and bro he’d slay. No one would be able to hear the end of how good Mal thinks he looks in the dress, not because he’s completely self centred (well maybe a little) but also because he’d really feel pretty in it.  Vinny is once again someone who can put on anything and be confident, but to the extreme to where he could just be naked and walk out anyway. Naturally a dress would be no challenge for this phlegmatic.  Aki is one to wear dresses quite often, but more of that long cottage core vibe yknow. The one he’s wearing in the picture would most definitely be far from his comfort zone. And since he’s someone who constantly thinks about how he’s percieved he would not have the best time if he were to wear it.

Ezief has definitely worn dresses before, as a part of the aristocracy they basically have to be in his selection of clothes. Though unlike Moxie or Vinny he has standarts, and would only wear ones that make him look professional. Naturally the one I drew him in doesn’t do that, but Ezi is always one to react to the situation as best as he can.