Is Unisex just a word used to sell menswear to women?

There’s a new conversation around unisex fashion. With the rise of streetwear and more brands choosing to be gender neutral, unisex labels are on the rise.

Unisex clothing isn’t new, the term specifically refers to clothing designed to be suitable for both sexes. Traditionally unisex would apply to those Fruit of the Loom t-shirts people buy to print on, hoodies and clothing where sizing isn’t specific for men and women. It’s no wonder unisex is adopted by loads of streetwear brands who typically sell t-shirts, jumpers, and tracksuits.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpWjIC2n_Zx/

However, the new conversation emerging regarding unisex fashion is focused on the designs, fabrics, and cuts. A lot of people feel that unisex fashion shouldn’t just mean size but style as well. Although unisex brands are for both sexes the styles would align with what’s considered to be masculine. This means that most of the time women are just shopping at what would normally be considered a menswear brand and men are not getting anything new. Women are constantly shopping in the menswear section and men are shopping in womenswear brands. Shouldn’t unisex fashion be a solution to this?

https://twitter.com/sunwaIk/status/1106194147956932608

An issue that has arisen for men is that more affordable menswear brands aren’t adventurous enough in their styles. Rapper Lil Uzi Vert was called gay for wearing a women’s blouse. The rapper responded by saying  “nobody felt these fabrics before.”  Lil Uzi Vert isn’t alone, plenty of men buy women’s clothing because there is a larger choice of prints and fabrics. Should this be something that unisex fashion offers?

When they asked my fav Uzi why people think he’s gay because he wears “girls” clothing he responded while wearing a $2,400 Valentino blouse:

💅🏽💅🏽💅🏽💅🏽 pic.twitter.com/0U9IX7cPhM

— Shelby Ivey Christie (@bronze_bombSHEL) March 28, 2019

The truth is, the structures that once restricted menswear and womenswear are no longer there. When it comes to unisex fashion, people want to be introduced to new styles, fabrics, and prints which are designed for both sexes.