Breaking Gender Norms: The Rise of Unisex and Gender-Neutral Fashion
Unisex Vs Gender-Neutral Clothing
Typically, retailers organize clothing sections by gender. However, Gen Z shoppers and fashion influencers are requesting that their favorite brands add unisex or gender-neutral styles to their collections.
Gender-neutral designs can help reduce costs, as parents don’t need to buy two separate wardrobes for their children. Additionally, the garments are easier to share or donate.
Unisex
Unisex clothing is fashion that disregards the traditional sex-based binary, which defines men and women into different categories. From the long, draped tunics of ancient Rome and the Middle Ages to Japanese kimonos and Southeast Asian sarongs, there has been minimal distinction in men’s and women’s clothing throughout history. But the gender-bending trend didn’t become popular until second-wave feminism took hold among baby boomers in the 1950s.
Today, fashion designers are reviving the unisex movement with ungendered collections. These collections, often referred to as gender neutral or gender-inclusive, can be hard to find. But the trend is growing, and there are ways to shop it.
To help you find ungendered clothing, look for the words “gender-neutral,” “gender-inclusive,” and “unisex” when shopping online. Also, make sure that the label lists its materials and production process. You should also look for eco-friendly brands that use sustainable textiles and practices. For example, the brand LaneFortyfive takes inspiration from classic workwear garments like chore jackets and wide-legged pants, making their clothes from organic cotton and corduroy.
Gender-neutral
Gender-neutral clothing is a fashion trend that celebrates diversity and breaks gender stereotypes. It’s especially popular among nonbinary people and those who identify as gender-fluid, but it also appeals to people who don’t fit into the binary. The fashion industry is responding to this growing demand, with designers creating gender-neutral lines that include shirts, bottoms, and accessories. Many of these brands are small or independent retailers, and some are owned by LGBTQ+ people or BIPOC entrepreneurs.
Gender-neutral clothing is available in a wide variety of styles and colors. It’s easy to mix and match different pieces and create a look that’s unique to you. In addition, this type of fashion is more environmentally friendly than traditional men’s or women’s clothing. You can buy gender-neutral clothing from high-end designers, or you can find it in your local thrift store. It’s also a great way to support small businesses and make an impact on your community. The unisex style is also a great choice for kids.
Non-binary
Unisex clothing is increasingly popular worldwide, with companies catering to this growing consumer demand. The popularity of this style is driven by several factors, including feminism and LGBTQ+ rights movements that challenge stringent gender conventions. This trend has inspired many designers to incorporate unisex clothing into their collections.
Kirrin Finch, for example, designs ethical and sustainable formalwear that transcends gender norms. This clothing brand specializes in pleats and boxy fits and uses natural, muted colors. It also donates a portion of profits to nonprofits that support women and other marginalized communities.
Gender-inclusive brands like Girlfriend Collective also strive to promote equality by selling everyday loungewear in oversized styles, such as joggers and sweatshirts. However, these genderless fashion collections can sometimes fall flat if they don’t include non-binary models or other forms of inclusivity. This is why it’s important to shop for a non-binary fashion brand that prioritizes inclusivity. This way, you can find a brand that matches your personal style and beliefs.
Transgender
While many mainstream clothing brands have struggled to keep up with the gender-neutral fashion trend, a few upstarts are making headway. One of them is Girlfriend Collective, whose Everyone line launched earlier this year with oversized loungewear in shades of brown. The collection was criticized for being reminiscent of the “brown sack” that is often associated with gender neutrality, but others have come to its defense.
The brand’s customers are cis men and women as well as trans people, and it has designed clothing that is sized accordingly. It has also developed designs that create the appearance of a larger bust or wider hips, which can help some transgender people who want to transition but do not have access to medically assisted sex surgery. It’s a strategy that is working, as more and more shoppers are demanding more options for gender-neutral apparel. This demand is especially strong among Gen Z shoppers, and many retailers are catching on.
