Genderless Fashion
Genderless fashion has never been more enthralling than this very moment. People have begun to reject the binary and rigid framework of conventional gendered clothing and are choosing to lean towards androgyny. As Ken Downing, the fashion director of Neiman Marcus, says “What we’re seeing now is a seismic shift in fashion, a widening acceptance of a style with no boundaries, one that reflects the way young people dress.”
But what is androgyny? Androgyny derives from the Latin word ‘androgyne’ which describes a mix of male and female physical characteristics. However, in fashion, androgyny is not just a woman donning a suit occasionally or a man just putting on a skirt. This could be referred to as pseudo-androgyny, clothing that still represents entrenched masculine or feminine features whilst trying to appear genderless. It is the absence of gender binary that erases ‘traditional’ genders. This requires blurring gender-defining attributes such as physique.
As reported by Vogue fashion critic, Anders Christian Marsen, genderless fashion is becoming progressively favourable by designers. Many have been seen to “[merge] their men’s and women’s shows into co-ed shows”. While others are “quietly [ignoring] the gender labels of clothes.”
Many gender-neutral clothing stores have begun to spring up all over the world, emphasising the positive progression society and fashion are making in being more gender-inclusive. Brands such as Lonely Kids Club, Riley Studio and Olderbrother are booming as is the rise of smaller independent shops.
Of course, androgynous fashion has existed much earlier than 2020; with icons such as David Bowie, Elton John and Freddie Mercury. Arguably these legends were the blueprints for many iconic fashion styles to come in later years. David Bowie was extremely influential with his looks shaping high fashion catwalks. Jean-Paul Gaultier and Tommy Hilfiger have also been seen to adopt Bowie’s style cues. Recently, designers from Miu Miu to Givenchy have released designs drawn directly from Bowie’s album covers and videos such as his 1973 bodysuit inspiring Gaultier’s Spring 2013 show.
It begs the question, does fashion really need gender constraints? The answer is subjective, of course, however, in this modern-day and age, it is not necessary to place ourselves in a box that society picks for us. If we wish to wear very ‘feminine’ clothes one day, but opt for something more ‘masculine’ the next, this should in no way constrain us as our fashion choices are an integral way of expressing ourselves and demonstrating who we are. It is important to choose clothes that make us feel good, not ones that are assigned to our preferred gender.
