Unisex Clothing

H&M's unisex denim range

After John Lewis's unisex kids clothing was revealed it sparked anger and delight, but it is now not just childrenswear that is non-binary, there's a sartorial revolution for adults too. The conversation over whether clothing should be more gender-neutral does not just apply to childrenswear – over the past decade there has also been a rise in gender fluid adults clothing. Some high-end designers such as JW Anderson and Rick Owens have championed gender-neutral clothing, while a raft of smaller companies run by young designers, such as Rich Mnisi, are pushing the idea that men’s and women’s clothes should be obsolete categories. This approach has also filtered down to the high street – H&M (who created a unisex denim range) and Zara have both created non-gendered ranges. 

The shirt company GFW Clothing – GFW stands for Gender Free World – has three fits, designed to fit different bodies rather than the broad terms “men” or “women”. Lisa Honan co-founded the brand online less than two years ago and opened a shop in Hove earlier this year. Initially, she says, it was borne out of frustration at not being able to find shirts she liked. “I’d look in the men’s aisle and see great patterns and short-sleeved shirts, and then you’d go to the women’s aisle and they were blousy, they’ve got puffs or are lacy.” The men’s shirts, she says, didn’t fit her “because I’ve got a woman’s body. It got me thinking why is [there] a man’s aisle and a woman’s aisle, and why do you have to make that choice? You’re not able to make many purchases without being forced to define your own gender.” 

The GWF website say 'Shirts that are designed to fit your body rather than your gender. We offer 3 different body shapes and 7 sizes per shirt design, this means our shirts will fit you like nothing on the high street. Also check out our other products: T Shirts, hats, bow ties, kids Ts. GFW Clothing, the store where you are treated as an individual.' 

This research shows that gender neutral clothes are not only just for the gay or trans community, but it is useful to all men and women. Being able to buy unisex clothes means so much more choice when buying clothes and a lot more freedom of expression, men and women could even share clothes. A lot of people already buy clothes from the opposites sex department for example some girls like bigger comfy over sized clothes therefore buy items from the mens department.