Redefining Fashion with Unisex Clothing

Throughout history, society has always laid down terms and conditions that dictated how women should dress in a certain way and men in another way. This sort of conditioning begins in schools itself - skirts are for girls and trousers are for boys. However, with the rise of unisex clothing, these traditional norms are being challenged. Girls love pink and boys prefer blue, but now, anyone can wear any color they choose.

However, with the growing interest in gender fluidity and gender-neutral clothing, several fashion designers and brands are moving away from gendered clothing. That's the beauty of unisex fashion that it does away with all of this segregation. Think oversized T-shirts, dungarees, sweatshirts and all the flowy silhouettes and looser cuts that are not restricted to the conventional "menswear" and "womenswear" labels.

What exactly is Unisex Fashion?

Well, unisex clothing are garments that are designed without keeping in mind a specific gender. Actually, the term unisex was invented in the late 60s to signify clothes that are intended for both men and women. Back in the 1950s, Hollywood actors such as Marlon Brando converted the simple jeans and T-shirts into some fashion craze. T-shirts and denim jeans were perhaps the first unisex garments that were accepted by everyone whole-heartedly.

In the last few years, unisex styles have risen in popularity, and the pandemic appears to have sped up the trend drastically. Unisex clothing has set a new standard for the fashion industry. In fact, more and more leading brands are launching clothes that are not gender specific.

What's more, some brands have even gone ahead and removed gender-specific signboards in their showrooms and let their products speak for themselves. Unisex fashion is all about individual self-expression which is free from any judgements.

In fact, for some people, gender-neutral fashion symbolizes more than just clothing. It's a small yet an effective way to move towards the world where there is more acceptance of gender fluidity.

How Unisex Fashion Became the New Normal?

Even though unisex clothing is not some latest fad or a new concept, it has made it to the high street quite recently only. Over a period of time, fast fashion chain brands have come to realise that a growing number of customers don't want to be defined by the label on their garments or the section of the showroom where they shop in.

In 2015, Selfridges, a chain of high-end department stores in the UK, launched an 'Agender' initiative wherein the womenswear and menswear segments were merged into one. Eventually, Zara, the Spanish apparel retailer brand, displayed an "Ungendered" line which was a collection of hoodies, shirts and jeans. H&M followed suit and in 2017, put out the collection titled - "Denim United" which included work wear that were designed for everyone.

Even high-end fashion brands embraced the unisex fashion. In 2015, Alessandro Michele, the creative director of Gucci, the Italian high-end luxury fashion house, showcased lace shirts in his menswear collection.

Celebrities who Popularised Unisex Fashion

Celebrities such as Jaden Smith, the American rapper and singer, and Young Thug have worn unisex clothing with elan on various occasions. The popular American rapper, Kanye West, has famously worn oversized T-shirts and skirts on numerous occasions. Back in the 80's and 90's, Prince, David Bowie and Kurt Cobain popularised the unisex fashion.

Various Hollywood actresses have chosen to grace the red carpet wearing suits rather than gowns. At the 2017 Golden Globes awards, Evan Rachel Wood skipped the typical gown and famously wore a custom designed suit.

Bollywood and Unisex Fashion

In India, the Bollywood star such as Ranveer Singh has often shattered stereotypes by wearing clothes that are supposedly feminine. The actor has normalised men wearing pussy bow blouses, and skirts. As a Bollywood actor, he is single-handedly responsible for challenging the gender norms in India.

Breaking the Stereotypes Unisex fashion defies the old-fashioned, traditional rules. If you like a certain garment and it fits you the way you want it, just go ahead and buy it. You just should not be restricted by gender. It will not even replace the traditional fashion rules in its entirety. However, the way the growing number of brands are including unisex clothing in their collection, it just goes on to prove the ever-increasing popularity of unisex clothing.