gendered labels Archives

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How gendered labels influence people’s perception

We can say that a garment is unisex or genderless, but it seems like people cannot really understand the point. Which is a matter of freedom and style. Either they fear something, like they are afraid of judgemental comments. Or maybe they are waiting for validation or approval in order to wear a piece of clothing.

The power of gendered labels

But why gendered labels have this power over people? Can labels define people’s life? So it seems. In fact, independent thought and auto-determination work for a few. Most people need pre-packed boxes to identify and fit in. Therefore, labels satisfy that need of belonging, having the same effect as a cloak you wear to feel protected. Labels, in general, and specifically gendered labels, make people feel safe.

However, this strict separation seems to be less present among young people. Having a different perception of style, they feel more open to playing with clothing.

Unisex or genderless

Unisex or genderless, men’s or women’s – find your own definition if you need it. Find the label you feel comfortable with if you really have to. But be advised that no one is going to ask from what category you picked the garment you are wearing. Perhaps no one cares!

Fashion style #formodernhumans

The point is not the category and not even the size. For instance, take a shirt or a sweater and wear it on. Do you like it? And do you like the fit, how it falls on your body? Also, do you feel comfortable in it? Enough! No one needs any further explanation. And, if anyone asks, you are free to respond as you like.

From whatever category we pick out the clothes to assemble our selections, we refer to most pieces as unisex or genderless. We don’t see categories as a limit, we just take what we like. Because style is not a matter of fitting into a gendered category. It’s only about how clothes look on you. And how you want to wear them.

Gendered Labels

10 January, 2022

Reading Time: 3 minutes

A viewpoint on fashion and gender among young people

What makes someone more likely to ignore gendered labels on clothing?
As an American man living in Italy, I have been told by more shop owners than ever to stop looking in the women’s section for clothing. It has never been mean-spirited. But every person has been very insistent—the men’s section is there, this is the women’s section. I do wear more male presenting clothing and have masculine physical attributes. But I still like to look at every article because I can see myself wearing anything.

The survey on gender and fashion

After surveying a good number of people my age (early 20s), all of which fashion-forward in their own ways, I was surprised to find the large discrepancies in how they would gender their wardrobe.

Individuals either said only 10-20% of their wardrobe could be worn by any gender. Or they said that 70% or more could be – no one in between these extremes. The two separate groups have nothing strikingly in common, given nationality, gender, sexuality, race, fashion style, or social progressivism. It did not even come down to what kind of brands or styles they shop. When asked what stores or designers make genderless clothing, both groups included a wide array of answers like Rick Owens, UNIQLO, and H&M.

So, the overall question remains. But by asking them how much of their closet could be worn by any gender, I could see if they believed anything is gender-neutral. Despite what items they might actually own.
For now, it still boils down to one’s personal taste and view in clothing. Something hard to qualify or analyze.

For me, I would say 100% of my clothes are gender-neutral. Not due to how I dress but due to how I perceive clothing in general. Fashion is about the freedom of self-expression, despite whatever confines placed upon it.

I hope that whatever the reason is that we stay on one side of the department store aisle or the other can be addressed and removed. For the freedom of fashion to prevail.

✍️ This piece is written by an American student and intern working for suite123, Jackson Garske.

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gendered labels

Unisex or Genderless