It is an undeniable fact that gender-neutral clothing has been an important part of luxury fashion, especially in the last decade. While it’s true that there are still many people who hold biases against gender-neutral fashion, luxury fashion brands are breaking down this bias day by day with the gender-neutral clothes they have been increasingly introducing over the years, their collaborations with celebrities, and their fashion runways.
In this blog post, we will explore how gender-neutral fashion is somewhat challenging traditional fashion and shaping the world of fashion.
Image: Harry Styles for Vogue Cover
The Evolution of Gender Norms in Fashion
Throughout history, people dressed, acted, and at times, were even coerced based on the gender they
were presumed to be. From ancient times to the 18th century, 20th century to the present day, clothing style has always held a significant place within society. Back in medieval times, clothing was utilized to indicate social position and gender. In ancient Rome, for example, men and women wore togas and stolas, representing their gender roles and socioeconomic status.
Especially in Western countries, the 18th century saw the introduction of very gender-specific attire. Men wore suits and ladies wore extravagant costumes with corsets as their clothing became increasingly unique. These rigorous differences supported the image of men and women having different worlds, with men primarily in public responsibilities and women largely in household ones.
While traditional fashion norms may not have been entirely overcome yet, people can now dress much more freely according to their preferences, using their style as a means of self-expression. Compared to the past, individuals have much more freedom to dress as they wish.
Gender-Neutral Fashion in Luxury Runways
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that especially with the beginning of the 20’s, gender-fluid style has become a part of fashion shows and luxury brands’ clothing in general. In 2020, for the first time in the brand's history, Versace combined its presentations of the menswear and womenswear fall/winter 2020 collections into one co-ed show.
Image: Versace
Gucci has also frequently crossed gender distinctions under the creative supervision of Alessandro Michele. Michele's style celebrates androgyny, with models dressed in gender-neutral attire, unusual cosmetics, and accessories that defy conventional gender norms. Gucci even created a separate collection called “Gucci MX” where they combine clothes and accessories that are genderless.
Image: Gucci MX
The Role of Celebrities and Influencers
It is without doubt that celebrities play a significant role in promoting gender-neutral clothing. Through the years, many actors, actresses, and singers shattered conventional strict gender norms and expressed themselves, encouraging others to do the same.
Harry Styles
When it comes to wearing gender-neutral clothing and breaking down rigid gender norms in general, one of the first names that comes to mind is former One Direction member Harry Styles.
Being the first solo man to be on the cover of US Vogue, he wore a custom-made, lace-trimmed Gucci ballgown dressed in a tuxedo jacket. “Once you remove any barriers, obviously you open up the arena in which you can play,” Styles said to the magazine, “There’s so much joy to be had in playing with clothes, I’ve never really thought too much about what it means – it just becomes this extended part of creating something.”
Image: Harry Styles for US Vogue
Diane Keaton
Known for her unique style, Diana Keaton played a huge role in popularizing gender-fluid clothing with her legendary portrayal as Annie Hall in the 1977 film of the same name. Keaton’s portrayal of this character not only had a long-lasting impact on the sense of fashion but also challenged the traditional gender norms and made people question the existence of the terms “womenswear” and “menswear.”
Image: Annie Hall
Park Jimin
Park Jimin, better known by his stage name Jimin, is a member of BTS, one of the most well-known K-Pop groups in recent years, and also the ambassador of Dior and Tiffany & Co. On multiple instances, he has challenged traditional gender stereotypes, proving to audiences, particularly young people, that clothing, accessories, and cosmetics do not have to be gender specific. One of the most memorable examples of this is the plaid skirt he wore in the concept shots for the band's record, which went viral.
Image: Jimin Concept Photo - BigHit Music
Overcoming Challenges and Pushback
Introducing gender-neutral luxury clothes creates obstacles for companies due to highly embedded gender stereotypes and societal reluctance. Overcoming these obstacles requires a diverse approach. To widen acceptability, brands must educate customers about the principle behind gender-neutral fashion through narrative and educational content, as well as collaborate with influencers and celebrities who advocate this notion. Inclusive representation in advertising and runway displays helps to legitimize the trend by showcasing that self-expression via clothes is not limited to one gender. It is critical to create elegant, adaptable designs that appeal to a varied client base, as well as directly address issues or misconceptions to develop understanding. Collaborations with cultural and creative movements and an emphasis on design quality all help break down boundaries and shape a more inclusive future in the luxury fashion business.
Conclusion and Future Aspects
Gender-neutral clothing has grown into a powerful statement of embracing one's uniqueness while breaking established rules in the dynamic world of luxury design. This trend encompasses more than just fashion; it represents shifting views, consumer choices, and cultural growth.
The gender-neutral trend has extended beyond runways and into everyday shopping and internet searches, fueled by Gen Z's significant spending power. This enormous interest has been validated by authoritative voices such as the Business of Fashion. Notably, North America, Europe, Japan, and South Korea are among the first to accept this game-changing move, indicating a worldwide preparedness for change.
Luxury companies are working with influencers, celebrities, and cultural catalysts to break down preconceptions and build an inclusive society. The route to a more inclusive future becomes apparent via education, open dialogues, and new ideas.
Fashion is no longer constrained by traditional gender roles; it is a canvas for self-expression and breaking down barriers. If you're wondering how to incorporate this trend into your brand strategy, we're here to help. In case you want to know how you can smoothly incorporate this trend into your brand's narrative and strategy, do not hesitate to contact us!
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