The Call for Genderless Clothing in the Slow Fashion Industry
Introduction to Genderless Fashion
Over the past few decades, we have seen a massive shift in our world’s definition of gender. While gender has historically been something assigned at birth, our generation is taking a stand and fighting for the overturning of this outdated practice. Gender is a social construct, and should be treated as such- we, as autonomous individuals, should be given the freedom and capacity to decide for ourselves how we choose to identify.
To that end, genderless fashion is the art that embraces this idea of gender fluidity and sex identification. The fashion industry provides people the freedom to dress however they please, without the social constructs of gender being a hindrance to their choices. Inherently, genderless fashion is neither masculine nor feminine. Instead, it is all-inclusive, fully expressive clothing for any and all to wear.
While we have seen a few spikes in the genderless fashion industry, most notably in the 50’s-70’s. However, the Baby Boomers in the 80’s quickly discouraged this trend and put fashion back into two boxes: masculine and feminine. While we still remain in this era of gender assignation at birth, genderless fashion is making its way back onto the scene thanks to the relentless fighting from millennials and Gen Z trying to right societal wrongs.
Importance of Genderless Options in the Industry
So what role does fashion play in this fight for gender rights? Well, the fashion industry is one of the most important outlets we can use to express ourselves If you are reading this, I’m sure you are like me and you love clothes- we love how they make us feel and we are passionate about turning this industry into an environmentally friendly one, and we should all have the right to embrace those passions without boxing ourselves into one gender or the other.
In a conversation I had with Bre Legan, a Master’s Student at Marquette University, and a Milwaukee Emerging Poet fellow, she noted that, “Genderless fashion is a radical choice to not have to choose. To have clothing that subverts traditional binaries and exists within this liminal “other space” is truly affirming.”
When there are genderless options available, all identities are given the space to be seen, heard and recognized for their individuality. Lenger continued, saying that “for folks like myself who are nonbinary, genderqueer, and/or trans, being able to wear clothing that doesn’t place stereotypes or attempt to define my identity without my consent is such a privilege.”
We have been raised to believe that boys are the color blue and wear slacks and sport coats, while girls are the color pink and should be in dresses and skirts. This is not only incredibly outdated, it is also extremely problematic.
If you are looking for some social media accounts that truly embrace the idea of genderless fashion, check out Alokvmenon (@alokvmenon), Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn) and Ruby Rose (@rubyrose). You can also turn to celebrities such as Harry Styles, Megan Rapinoe, Kristen Stewart and Billy Porter.
3 Genderless Companies in The Slow Fashion Industry
If you are looking to tap into this realm of genderless fashion, here are three fantastic brands that are not only supporting genderless fashion, but are also sustainable and extremely eco-friendly.
1. Salt
Photo Source: Salt
Salt was founded by Jessie Levandov and Austin Bjoman in their NYC apartment. Their mission is to “disrupt the historically harmful and exploitative garment industry” while providing clothing that “resists white supremacist, capitalist, and normative standards of beauty and expression.” This brand is full of stunning, gender-neutral pieces that you can wear knowing you are supporting a greater cause
Photo Source: Official Rebrand
This brand was created by MI Leggett, a non-binary artist in New York, that has a passion for repurposing used clothing and transforming them into works of art. Leggett is using their platform to disrupt these harmful social constructs surrounding gender and conveys this sentiment in all of their pieces.
3. LP Mode
Photo Source: LP Mode
Alyssa Pichardo founded LP Mode out of Portland, Oregon and aims to move past trendy, gender conforming fashion. Pichardo handmakes every piece that is sold to fit the buyer perfectly, using only sustainable, zero-waste products. LP Mode aims to create pieces that comfortably fit and suit all gender identities, while also being zero-waste and long-lasting.
We hope this information and resources gave you a good launching point if you are in search of genderless fashion. Particular styles, trends and aesthetics should not be gender-bound, and the aforementioned brands help to offer a counter-narrative to what we have been taught to believe: that fashion is inherently masculine or feminine.
Written by Maddy Henry
Maddy is a 24 year old Graduate Student at Marquette University, studying communications and media studies with a focus on feminist and queer theory. She loves writing, reading fantasy books and has a huge passion for sustainability and environmental activism. After graduation, Maddy plans to move to Sweden and hopes to work for a publishing company as an editor or at a sustainable fashion company as a Public Relations Practitioner.