Unisex Fashion - Is it Really Working?

Sunday, November 12, 2017


Jacket - Vero Moda (Asos)
 Top - Shein
Pants - Asos
Heels - Wanted Shoes
Inspiration - Happily Grey , Tommy Hilfiger Spring 2017 RTW , Bria.Via Instagram

Unisex fashion is on the rise with fashion houses and retailers alike jumping onboard the bandwagon for breaking down gender stereotypes. But the question is – are they succeeding?

That depends on your definition. Androgynous fashion has been around for some time and has benefited both sexes to some extent with the long reign of skinny jeans and now above the knee shorts breaking the mould for menswear and baggier silhouettes like boyfriend shirts changing things up for women.

But neither of those items are interchangeable between sexes. You simply won’t shop for your boyfriend jeans or shirt in the menswear section at Zara. So from a gender neutrality point of view, what difference is it making? The divide between men’s and women’s wear is just as stark as ever and the few odd hipsters rocking their thrift store finds can’t do it alone.

For gender neutrality to make its mark, we need the retailers to get behind it and some certainly have but not with a great deal of success. Case in point: American Apparel. The retailer was one of the first to pioneer unisex clothing but continues to face criticism for what many say are sexist campaigns by featuring men hanging out with their buddies, whilst females are featured half naked and in suggestive poses.

Although, there are certainly designers and labels that have contributed to furthering the neutrality agenda, where retailers often go wrong is their approach of testing the waters and focusing on marketing instead of their corporate social responsibility to make change. Not that they are solely to blame. In today’s volatile retail market, innovation has to be measured. Unfortunately, the money currently lies in gender specific clothing and retailers continue to chase that to meet their bottom line.

The attitude towards gender neutrality needs to change before retailers follow because they can’t all afford to be the pioneer in a country where chain after chain of retailers has collapsed in recent times.

And the social change can begin with kids – a relatively less risky market to try and make some changes in. We need to shift past the pink for girls and blue for boys narrative. It’s a perfectly suitable choice to make, but it shouldn’t be the only one.  

Regardless of your sex or whether you choose to wear gender neutral clothes or not, anybody can like cars, superheroes, sparkles, dolls and playhouses.

For a real change to come it’ll have to be gradual and bloggers I believe can definitely help with that. We are creatives who have control over our own spaces and platforms to try out new things. And it’s time we made the most of that.

PS: I would love to connect with you guys on Instagram. My Insta handle is @aanchalbha so please add me and hola at me too so I can follow you guys back :)

------------------------------------------------

By the way guys, I am thinking of updating my camera body and currently use a Nikon D3100 which I bought years ago when DSLRs were taking off and never updated since. I have updated lenses though and use a Nikorr 70-300 lens and a Sigma Art 30mm. Does anybody have good camera suggestions that will also be compatible with my existing lenses?





Links à la Mode, November 16th

You Might Also Like

21 comments

  1. i certainly love this idea. as it is i do shop in the mens section already hahaha a bit difficult to find my size but sometimes i get lucky.
    kisses from the sandpit ❤︎
    www.mahryska.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love that blazer...has a Chanel vibe to it

    http://www.vivellefashion.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha thanks ! i thought the same tooo! Will be styling it in a more Chanel inspired look soon!

      Delete
  3. I love the idea of unisex fashion as I tend to like a lot of clothing from men's clothing section but sadly even their smallest size is too big for so I can't try. Killing the gender roles will definitely a great thing for fashion!
    xx
    http://realgirltalks.com/

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have never shopped in the menswear section but I believe everyone has the right to choose what they wear. I love this look. Your blazer is so Chanel-esque.

    Her Style Hive

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww thanks love! Although I wasn't going for a Chanel inspired look I totally thought the same whilst buying this jacket! Will use it again in future for a more Chanel look! :D

      Delete
  5. You look absolutely gorgeous! Love your look and background! AMAZING as always!
    Stay fabulous!
    Have a wonderful day!
    Much love, Len
    www.lenparent.com
    XO

    ReplyDelete
  6. Professional just WOW! love your jacket!!
    xx
    Mónica Sors
    MES VOYAGES À PARIS
    NEW POST: CORDUROY PANTS | SANTA MONICA PIER

    ReplyDelete
  7. wow the colours on this pictures are amazing!
    love the look!

    xx

    http://alondoncalling.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Looking gorgeous hunny and that blossom in the background is amazing! xx

    http://www.thatnewdress.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank You! Spring is perfect in Sydney with jacarandas everywhere!

      Delete
  9. Totally love this outfit on you and your jacket is AMAZING! Too cute.

    xo,

    H

    http://firsttimethings.com/

    ReplyDelete
  10. Aw such a beautiful look! Perfect from head to toe!
    xx
    cvetybaby.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a chic outfit, girlie! I love that jacket, the color and fringed details are so pretty and unique. Also, what a great conversation that's so relevant to discuss on your blog. Thanks for sharing and I hope you're having a great week so far!

    XO,

    Jalisa
    THE STYLE CONTOUR

    ReplyDelete
  12. Interesting thoughts, dear. I am super excited atm because women are wearing so many traditionally masculine pieces and rocking it, but it is true that it's not the case for men wearing typically feminine clothes... We should all be able to wear whatever we feel confident in, without answering to gender divisions and I do agree the fashion industry has an important role to play there. Thanks for the food for thought and happy Thursday!

    Saida | She talks Glam

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know right! We totally working it ! but equality should be for all !

      Delete
  13. I like the idea of unisex fashion, we should wear what we like the most :)
    xx Elisa
    Francine's Place | DIY & LIFESTYLE BLOG

    ReplyDelete
  14. It's a cool idea, so modern and up to the future... fashion is our way to express ourselves, and we all have to pay more attention to what we feel :)
    Love you outfit btw
    Dasynka
    http://dasynka.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. You look really good, I like your tweed jacket. Unisex fashion can work especially in the street wear category.

    www.busyandfab.com

    ReplyDelete