Dior Homme AW25 at Paris Fashion Week brilliantly showcased gender neutral fashion with feminine details and silhouettes — a giant bow appeared on the back of a pastel pink blazer and cuffed the upper-arm of a bomber jacket. Let us dive deeper into the journey of how our world achieved gender neutral fashion.
Dior Homme Autumn Winter 2025 Showcases Gender Neutral Fashion
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What is Gender Neutral Fashion?
- The Origin and Rise of Gender Neutral Fashion
- Gender Neutral Styles on the Runway
- The influence of celebrities on Gender Neutral Fashion
- FAQs on Making Our Wardrobe Gender Neutral
Diversity and inclusivity in fashion has been an implausible dream due to the standardisation of beauty, restricting itself to models of a specific type, be it gender, age or skin colour. However, fashion brands are now stepping up the game and developing an inclusive aesthetic.
Per Statistica: “One of the movements taking center stage in both high fashion and on the high streets is gender-neutral clothing. Data collected in a survey in May/August 2022 by fintech company Klarna and Dynata found that as many as 36 percent of U.S. consumers had purchased fashion outside of their gender identity, followed by Sweden with 33 percent and the United Kingdom with 31 percent.”
This movement is mainly being led by Gen-Z, who are more likely than older generations to view gender identity as a spectrum rather than a binary. When looking at the Gen-Z age bracket specifically, around 50 percent of online shoppers globally have purchased fashion outside of their gender identity, and around 70 percent of consumers say they are interested in buying gender-fluid fashion in the future.”
What is Gender Neutral Fashion?
Gender Neutral Fashion at Harris Reed
Gender-neutral fashion, often referred to as unisex or androgynous fashion, is a style movement that defies the traditional binary categorisation of clothing into “menswear” and “womenswear.” Instead, it embraces inclusivity, offering garments that can be worn by anyone regardless of their gender. This style emphasises comfort, practicality, and individuality, focusing on fit and functionality rather than adhering to socially constructed norms of masculinity or femininity.
At its core, gender-neutral fashion seeks to eliminate the barriers associated with traditional clothing norms, challenging the idea that specific colours, cuts, or fabrics are inherently “male” or “female.” By promoting the idea that fashion should cater to self-expression, it allows individuals to wear what makes them feel confident, comfortable, and authentically themselves. The rise of this style reflects broader cultural shifts towards inclusivity and diversity, redefining how we perceive fashion in the modern world.
The Origin and Rise of Gender Neutral Fashion
The concept of gender-neutral fashion can be traced back to earlier decades when fashion designers began questioning traditional clothing binaries. In the 1920s, Coco Chanel broke societal conventions by introducing trousers and blazers to womenswear. Similarly, the androgynous looks of the 1970s, inspired by musicians like David Bowie, blurred gender lines in fashion, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become a larger cultural movement.
Today, the fashion industry is tentatively evolving to embrace gender inclusivity. Often referred to as gender-neutral or gender-inclusive, these new styles answer fashion requirements of the LGBTQ community as well as those fed up with limited off-the-rack options and standard sizes that don’t flatter all body types. “Gender-fluid or gender-inclusive clothing can be any clothing, in theory,” Nick Paget, senior analyst at World Global Style Network, tells NBC.” The notion that clothing as an expression of our personality belongs to one gender or another is the social construct that needs disassembling.”
A fashion brand that has been on the forefront of this movement is Daniela Uribe Footwear. “Inclusivity isn’t just our vibe, it’s our purpose. We have ensured that all of our high heels have been equally tested on both male and female feet to deliver the same sleek look, stability, and exceptional comfort,” stated their release. Daniela Uribe is rooted in inclusivity. The brand has partnered with Stonewall Community Foundation — for every pair of shoes sold, it donates $5.00 to Stonewall Community Foundation in order to assist them to make a difference on issues that are central to the LGBTQ community.
Mainstream fashion’s involvement in the gender-fluid movement has no doubt helped expand people’s perception of how men and women can dress. And if you need more evidence that gender cross-pollination has broken out of the avant-garde boutiques, John Galliano for Maison Margiela SS19 indicated, “What masculinity and femininity today? I hope this is a journey to help us discover a new sensuality, a new sexuality, breaking down preconceived ideas of what’s masculine and what’s feminine.” Gucci, under the creative direction of Alessandro Michele, has consistently embraced gender fluidity, presenting collections that feature skirts, flowing blouses, and bold prints worn by male and female models alike.
In recent years, fashion campaigns have played a pivotal role in popularising gender-neutral styles. In 2017, H&M launched a “unisex denim” collection. Similarly, Zara Ungendered offered basics such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, and joggers with minimalistic designs. Selfridges launched ‘Agender’, a campaign designed to break down gender boundaries and transcend notions of ‘him’ and ‘her’. These efforts by mainstream fashion brands have propelled the movement into the global spotlight.
Zara Ungendered. Image: Pintrest
Per Vogue, “conventional elements have migrated to unexpected places to create entirely new shapes—”altering reality to create a new reality” as Galliano explains it—so that, thanks to ”the fearlessness of a couturier’s scissors,” a trench coat is cut into skateboard shorts, and the front of a velvet jacket morphs into a black lace shift dress onto which it has been grafted.
The radical displacements meant that a jacket’s pocket flaps, usually located at hip level, became epaulettes or sleeve cuffs instead, or the waistband of classic men’s tailored pants were transformed into a jacket’s stand-away raised neckline that evoked a mid-century haute couture gesture. What Galliano politely calls a ‘combinaison’ but admits is essentially a “onesie’ becomes the most gender fluid garment of all.”
Stella McCartney ‘Shared’ represents this cultural shift. “While my collections have always been an effortless dichotomy of feminine and masculine energy, inspired by my parents’ shared wardrobe growing up and my training on Savile Row, today’s youth are naturally open-minded and fluid with gender,” Stella McCartney told Glamour.
“I think it’s beautiful how they inclusively celebrate individuality and diversity, and are using their self-expression to affect social change, to create the world they want to see… I love how they approach life and style with an activist perspective, whether it be tearing down the male — female binary or demanding sustainability from brands, and this is so aligned with our values at Stella McCartney.”
Stella McCartney. Image: stellamccartney.com
Model and trans activist Ava Grey tells Vogue Business that gender-fluid movement in fashion could help embolden trans representation. ”When queer-identifying youth see queer representation on the runway and in the media, we become symbols of hope for them. We show them lives that have been able to move past the constant bullying and negative statistics.’’
The Influence of Celebrities on Gender Neutral Fashion
The influence of celebrity endorsements cannot be overlooked. Celebrities such as Harry Styles, Jaden Smith, Janelle Monáe, and Billie Eilish have broken away from traditional gendered clothing, embracing designs that defy outdated stereotypes. Styles wore a Gucci dress on the cover of Vogue in 2020, sparking conversations about redefining masculinity in fashion.
The rise of inclusive fashion, amplified by celebrity endorsement, has pushed the boundaries of traditional aesthetics and also fostered greater representation for marginalised communities. British pop star Harry Styles changed the narrative with the Gucci outfit he wore while hosting the 2019 Met Gala — a black, diaphanous blouse, Cuban heels and a single pearl earring. Later, he graced the cover of US Vogue December 2020. The the cover line read: “Harry Styles Makes His Own Rules”. He tells Vogue: “There is so much joy to be had in playing with clothes. I’ve never thought too much about what it means — it just becomes this extended part of creating something.” The writer of the article, Hamish Bowles, writes that Styles “manages to make ruffles a compelling new masculine proposition, just as Mr Fish’s frothy white cotton dress… did for Mick Jagger when he wore it for the Rolling Stones’ free performance in Hyde Park in 1969”.
Harry Styles for Gucci Men’s Tailoring Cruise 2019 campaign. Image: gucci.com
Luxury fashion brands such as Gucci, Balenciaga, and Telfar have partnered with celebrities to design and promote collections that cater to all body types, gender identities, and cultural expressions. This partnership has cultivated a growing acceptance of diversity in mainstream media and encouraged consumers to rethink their own relationship with clothing. Moreover, the influence of celebrities goes beyond fashion—it challenges the idea of conformity. By rejecting the binary approach to clothing, these public figures inspire fans to embrace their true selves, free from societal expectations.
The impact of celebrity advocacy in this space is immense, as it helps dismantle barriers and makes gender-neutral and inclusive fashion more visible and accessible. The future of fashion, as shaped by these trailblazers, looks liberated, diverse, and celebratory of individuality.
Gender Neutral Styles on the Runway
Gender-neutral styles dominate international runways, showcasing how high fashion is embracing inclusivity. One of the most notable examples is Gucci Fall Winter 2020 collection, which featured an eclectic mix of lace blouses, oversized blazers and pleated skirts worn by male and female models interchangeably. Alessandro Michele’s vision challenged traditional notions of gender in fashion and garnered critical acclaim.
Paris Fashion Week has seen its fair share of gender-neutral styles. Rick Owens Fall 2023 combined exaggerated silhouettes and futuristic designs, offering pieces like long-line coats and wide-leg trousers that were free of gender-specific connotations. These designs showcased how avant-garde fashion can cater to a broader audience.
Similarly, Jonathan Anderson of JW Anderson has consistently explored androgyny in his collections. His Spring Summer 2023 runway presented knitted tops, relaxed trousers, and flowing tunics that could be styled by individuals of any gender. The collection celebrated fluidity while maintaining the luxury fashion brand’s signature playful yet sophisticated aesthetic.
The most recent example is Dior Homme AW25. While bows were a big womenswear trend in 2024, Kim Jones integrated it into the homme collection as blindfolds over models eyes, as a giant bow on the back of a pastel pink blazer, and cuffing the upper-arm of bomber jackets.
FAQs on Making Our Wardrobe Gender Neutral
What is the first step to creating a gender-neutral wardrobe?
Start with versatile basics like plain T-shirts, oversized jumpers, neutral trousers, and denim. Focus on pieces that prioritise comfort and can be styled in multiple ways.
Which colours are best for a gender-neutral wardrobe?
Opt for neutral tones like black, white, grey, beige, and navy. However, feel free to incorporate bolder colours based on your personal preference.
Can accessories be gender-neutral?
Absolutely. Scarves, hats, and jewellery such as chunky rings or simple chains can be styled by anyone regardless of gender.
How do I know if a garment is truly gender-neutral?
Look for pieces designed with functionality and inclusivity in mind rather than items marketed specifically as “male” or “female.”
What fabrics work well for gender-neutral clothing?
Soft, breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, and knitwear are great options. Structured materials like denim also work for everyone.
Should I shop in both men’s and women’s sections?
Yes, feel free to explore all sections of a store. Labels are simply categories—what matters is how a piece fits and makes you feel.
What footwear is suitable for a gender-neutral wardrobe?
Trainers, loafers, boots, and sliders are all excellent choices that can complement any outfit.
Can tailoring help make clothing more gender-neutral?
Definitely. A good tailor can adjust garments for a better fit, ensuring they suit your unique body shape while retaining a gender-neutral aesthetic.
Is gender-neutral fashion suitable for formal occasions?
Yes, items like tailored suits, monochrome blazers, and minimalist dresses work perfectly for formal events.
How can I ensure my wardrobe aligns with sustainability?
Focus on timeless pieces, invest in high-quality fabrics, and avoid fast fashion. Gender-neutral styles often promote sustainability by encouraging versatility.
Conclusion
Gender-neutral fashion is more than just a trend; it is a cultural shift that embraces inclusivity, individuality, and sustainability. By challenging traditional norms, it opens up new possibilities for self-expression and encourages us to view fashion as a tool for unity rather than division. The upshot: more choice, and not just for fashion risk-takers. Regular people of all ages and body types are shopping with newfound freedom. From gender-neutral Barbie Dolls to luxury fashion brands designing gender-inclusive collections, the taboo is being dealt with and dispelled.
Jasmeen Dugal is Associate Editor at FashionABC, contributing her insights on fashion, technology, and sustainability. She brings with herself more than two decades of editorial experience, working for national newspapers and luxury magazines in India.
Jasmeen Dugal has worked with exchange4media as a senior writer contributing articles on the country’s advertising and marketing movements, and then with Condenast India as Net Editor where she helmed Vogue India’s official website in terms of design, layout and daily content. Besides this, she is also an entrepreneur running her own luxury portal, Explosivefashion, which highlights the latest in luxury fashion and hospitality.
