It was just two weeks ago that Julia Fox casually came out as a lesbian on TikTok, saying “so sorry” to all the boys out there. Now, she’s debuted a new side of her fashion sense, and the internet’s divided on what to think.
In a recent TikTok, Fox performed the viral dance to Charli xcx’s “Apple,” proving she’s an active participant in brat summer. In the video, she rocked a classic lesbian uniform: a cut-off T-shirt, knee-length jorts, and black boots.
Fox’s fans were immediately thirsty for her masculine side. “Okay damn masc Julia Fox,” wrote one commenter. “Please U-Haul into my Bbushwick loft I think I’m in love.”
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“She’s dressing the part,” commented another.
“I wasn’t expecting masc Julia but so here for it,” said a third.
“She’s so Julia,” wrote another commenter, calling out the meta-ness of Fox dancing to an album that name-drops her on its most viral hook.
Fox looks hot — there’s no doubt about that. But when a screenshot of that comments section made its way to X, the discourse shifted to whether or not Fox’s style could truly be called “masc,” as some of her fans seemed to believe. Simply wearing cut-off shorts doesn’t make you masc, others wrote, and switching up her outfit isn’t enough to earn the label.
"masc" and it's the most feminine presenting cis woman you've ever seen wearing cutoff shorts
— digital beth (@rulesofthirds) July 19, 2024
Masc is when long Jorts and no visible breasts
— mango!🥭 (@gommgyu) July 19, 2024
But others though Fox’s outfit was undeniably masculine, whether or not Fox herself is. They suggested people were confusing the terms “masc” and “butch”: where “masc” is generally seen as just a style, “butch” is often used as a gender identity, though the definitions of both terms are flexible and highly debated.
Are you perhaps confusing masc and butch ? This is a masc outfit, the only feminine thing about it is maybe her long hair (if you believe hair to be gendered) and like, the fact that it's Julia Fox, who has an hyperfeminine/sexualized image.
— Lo (@tombehaut) July 22, 2024
Fr, she literally liked the comment calling her masc; masculinity is subjective 😭
— Allie (@in_your_spoon) July 21, 2024
I mean isn't that a masc look?? Yeah she's not a butch but she's def giving masc there?? Doesn't matter if she doesn't always give masc
— arbor ★★★ (@plumtreedom) July 20, 2024
Others thought that Fox was neither masc nor femme, but a secret third thing: futch, a term in lesbian circles for those who combine masculine and feminine elements in their gender presentation.
Regardless of the discourse, it’s exciting to see Fox embracing a new side of her style after coming out. Whether masc, femme, butch, or futch, Fox is becoming a certified lesbian icon.
RelatedIs there actually a masc shortage or….By reframing the discussion around autonomy and mutual satisfaction, the term can be seen in a more positive light.