concepts of gender are fluid to eddie. heroes of his often bend and stretched conventional lines of strict gender interpretation. and his judgement of what a ‘ real man ‘ was, was not the common conception of it but someone who was like his uncle. someone who was strong, who was kind, who always took care of those who needed it, and fuelled by his musical heroes - eddies concept of a ‘ real man ‘ was one who was unashamedly himself. this means that as far as he’s concerned, some of the best ‘ real men ‘ are likely not men at all. the religious conservative definitions of it play no role in his beliefs or decisions regarding it.
gender neutrality and fluidity are the basis of a lot of my portrayal. clothing is not gendered, makeup is not gendered, gender is a construct that you may bend or abandon to your will in his opinion.
as such, when not in school, he wears eye makeup and at times lipstick. clothing is not limited but including skirts and dresses. and yes he can walk in heels. nail polish and longer hairs are staples of his wardrobe. expression in hawkins is limited, but he refuses to be anything but unequivocally himself.