Gender Neutral and Gender Fluid Fashion
Gender Neutral Fashion: A Beginner's Guide
Gender neutral fashion, also known as unisex, androgynous, nonbinary, and other terms can be worn by anyone regardless of gender.
Have you ever visited a store and found a piece of clothing you really like, but didn’t buy it because it was classified as either “men’s” or “women’s” clothing? Many feel these gender categorizations are unhelpful for transgender and cisgender people alike. It’s disappointing when your own gender discourages you from expressing yourself in the way you feel most comfortable.
Why should these clothes be assigned as “male” or “female?” Is there any way to defy labels, and create something more inclusive?
The answer to these problems is gender fluid fashion, or gender neutral fashion. Read on to discover more about these topics that are quickly gaining traction in the fashion world today.
What is Gender Fluid and Unisex Fashion?
Gender fluid fashion, also referred to as unisex, nonbinary, or gender neutral fashion, defies definition. Theoretically, unisex fashion can include any type of clothing depending on the wearer. It means the terms “menswear” and “womenswear” are irrelevant when categorizing clothing based on gender identity.
Unisex fashion can also refer to clothing that doesn’t have a gender traditionally associated with it. This type of clothing can help some transgender and nonbinary people fit into a more androgynous look.
That being said, you certainly do not have to be transgender to participate in gender fluid and unisex fashion. This fashion movement emphasizes that anyone of any gender should be able to wear the clothing they like. All people should feel comfortable experimenting with clothing, whether the clothing is related to their gender affirmation or not.
A History of Gender Fluid Fashion
Though it may seem like nonbinary fashion has only come into the cultural mainstream in the past few years, it is a concept that has been around for thousands of years. This is due, in part, to the definition of gender morphing throughout history.
In the past, many clothing items in cultures worldwide were deemed appropriate for both men and women. Togas, sarongs, kimonos, and many more pieces were inherently gender neutral in design. Clothing told more about a person’s social and financial standing than about what gender they were.
It wasn’t until the rise of the market economy when men were mainly in the workplace and women in the domestic sphere, that the concepts of “men’s” and “women’s” clothing served a specific purpose. Men wore suits and more practical clothing, while women could wear more colorful things, or impractical things such as skirts and dresses.
Gender fluid fashion began anew in the 1960’s as new social movements formed. Celebrities like David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix wore more flamboyant “gender bending” clothing. This inspired the youth at the time to emulate this style.
Though many celebrities continued with gender fluid clothing from the 70’s to the early 2000’s, the style began to fade among the public.
Today, the style has bounced back to meet the public eye once more. According to VICE, 41% of people in Generation Z “identify as neutral on the spectrum of masculinity and femininity.” As people become more aware of identities other than “man” and “woman,” there is a greater need to make sure things are inclusive for all people.
There are now entire brands dedicated to creating genderless clothing styles. Even London Fashion week has decided to go genderless and seasonless, promoting the idea that every gender is welcome in the fashion world.
What are the Benefits of Gender Fluid Fashion?
Needless to say, gender fluid fashion is helpful for transgender and nonbinary people who are looking for clothing they can look good in and feel good wearing.
Clothing specifically tailored to an androgynous look helps marginalized people feel seen and heard in the fashion industry. Normalizing this type of fashion helps people discover and express themselves in ways that might not have felt safe before.
Gender fluid fashion also brings awareness to the way we categorize clothes that may be outdated. Anyone, regardless of gender, should be able to wear clothing they enjoy. This goes for cisgender people as well as transgender people.
Overall, gender fluid and unisex clothing help bring people into a more equitable world, where people may dress and act however they please. More people defying gender norms in the wardrobe means less room for those norms to exist in the first place.
Fashion Tips for Gender Fluidity
Gender fluidity in fashion encapsulates too many styles to name. Since there are tons of clothing options to choose from, here are some simple tips to begin your gender-neutral journey.
Play with size
You may start with purchasing the same style of clothing as you usually do, but buying a size up or size down. Though the clothes are the same, the size can drastically change whether you’re seen as androgynous or not.
Not to mention, many styles already incorporate the oversized look. Oversized clothing is commonly utilized in streetwear – it’s also easy to find in thrift stores, where people can do their shopping in a more eco-friendly manner.
Balance the masculine and feminine
Gender neutral fashion isn’t about wearing only “androgynous” pieces. It’s also about mixing and matching “menswear” and “womenswear” into a seamless blend. You can pair traditionally feminine or masculine clothing with neutral pieces as well.
Your desire to present more masculine or feminine may also depend on the day. Don’t be afraid to wear traditional “womenswear” one day and a complete “menswear” look the next. It would never make you any less nonbinary as a person.
Embrace neutral colors
Neutral colors like white, gray, black, and brown are typically “nonbinary” colors. You may feel more at ease in colors that do not have a traditional gender designation like pink and blue.
This doesn’t mean you must only dress in neutral colors. If there is a bright color you enjoy, include accent pieces to make it really pop in your outfits.
These colors are also easier to build a wardrobe off of in general, as they work well paired with any color in the rainbow.
Gender Neutral Fashion Essentials
Now that you know more about gender fluid fashion, you may be wondering about its real-world applications. What are some examples of gender neutral clothing items you can wear today? Here are some essentials that defy the gender binary and can be used in a wide variety of outfit combinations.
1) Button-down dress shirts
Button-down dress shirts are essential for anyone of any gender because they are versatile and never go out of style. Pair a white button-down with a tie and slacks for a formal look, or put it with jeans if you’re just going out with friends.
There is a wide range of styles for a button-down dress shirt. Some button-downs are more masculine, while others, like blouses, are more feminine. It’s okay if you feel more comfortable in one style over the other – you can make the shirts more gender neutral in your own way.
2) Flannel
Flannel has become a beloved staple of the queer community for decades. Though traditionally it is a more masculine clothing item, people of all genders find flannel to be comfortable and stylish.
Wear a fitted flannel tucked in to look more feminine, or buy it a size up for an oversized look. No matter how you wear it, you can feel confident that flannel will fit perfectly into a gender neutral wardrobe.
3) Messenger bag
The messenger bag is perfect for those who have too many things in their pockets but don’t want to carry a purse. It’s a more stylish alternative to a utilitarian backpack as well.
The messenger bag is not associated with any gender, and it has a wide variety of sizes depending on how many things you carry in your day-to-day life. This makes it a fantastic choice for those interested in gender fluid fashion.
4) Hoodies/sweaters
Hoodies and sweaters are must-haves during the winter months and they come in many colors and styles to suit any taste. Throwing one on hides your form and creates a comfortable, laid-back silhouette that isn’t focused on your gender at all.
Much of gender neutral fashion has to do with layering. You can easily throw an oversized hoodie over a shirt and a pair of shorts. Sweaters pair well with the aforementioned dress shirts.
5) Blue jeans
There is a reason why jeans have maintained popularity over the years. They offer utility to every gender as they are casual, contain pockets, and are tough enough material for most situations.
Try exploring different styles of jeans to play with your silhouette. For example, if you’re always wearing formfitting jeans, try the oversized look instead. Sometimes a new take on a familiar piece of clothing is all you need to feel comfortable!
Feel More Like Yourself Today
Gender-neutral fashion is a rich tradition that is thriving among people in the United States and worldwide today. As awareness of transgender and nonbinary identities grow, more options become available for everyone to express themselves happily and accurately in society.
You deserve to express your individuality in any way you see fit. Visit our website, Best Genderless, today to learn more about how to incorporate gender-fluid fashion into your closet today.