Genderless Fashion: How Fashion Redefines Gender Boundaries

Fashion has always been a reflection of social developments and has constantly reinvented itself over the decades. Genderless fashion has gained momentum, especially in recent years, radically challenging traditional notions of gender roles and clothing. Genderless fashion is not just a trend, but a movement that has firmly established itself in the fashion world.

Pants are a man’s thing?

In the past, fashion was strictly segregated by gender. Men wore suits, women wore skirts and dresses. Corsets symbolized femininity, while robust fabrics and clean cuts dominated the masculine aesthetic. But as early as the early 20th century, pioneers began to challenge these norms.

One of the most famous is Coco Chanel , who became known as a pioneer in putting women into trousers and incorporating masculine elements into women's fashion. Her legendary tweed suit revolutionised the fashion world and, at least to some extent, dissolved the strict gender segregation. In some international luxury hotels, there was even a ban on women wearing trousers as late as the 1970s.

The first steps towards genderless fashion

In the 1980s, Jean-Paul Gaultier caused a sensation with his iconic men's skirts. He was one of the first designers to consciously break with gender-specific clothing and pose the question: Why should skirts be reserved exclusively for women? Vivienne Westwood also challenged the norms by presenting provocative and punk fashion that defied male and female categories.

Another milestone was the work of Yohji Yamamoto and Rei Kawakubo in the 1990s. Their avant-garde designs broke the boundaries of gender and form, creating voluminous, flowing silhouettes and focusing on individuality rather than gender.

Today's Genderless Fashion

Today, numerous brands have internalised the idea of gender-neutral fashion and are establishing it in the fashion world.

Gucci (Alessandro Michele): Since 2015, Michele has focused on androgynous fashion that breaks with traditional gender stereotypes. His collections include flowing dresses for men and striking suits for women. Gucci succeeds in establishing gender fluidity on the runway.

Telfar Clemens: With his eponymous brand, Telfar exclusively offers unisex designs. The iconic Telfar Bag is considered a "bag for everyone" and stands for inclusivity and diversity.

Collina Strada: Hillary Taymour, the creative force behind the label, designs gender-neutral collections that are both sustainable and expressive. Her fashion represents self-realization and the conscious use of resources.

Several prominent figures have established genderless fashion on the big stage and significantly influenced its social acceptance. One of the most well-known names is Sam Smith . The British singer identifies as non-binary and reflects this in his fashion. Whether at performances or on the red carpet, Smith focuses on outfits that consciously defy traditional gender roles. Sam Smith received particular attention at the 2023 Brit Awards when he appeared in a striking, inflated latex suit by Harri.

Another figure in genderless fashion is actor Ezra Miller , known from films such as Fantastic Beasts and Justice League . He regularly wows audiences on the red carpet with extravagant and non-binary looks. One of his most iconic outfits was his look for the 2019 Met Gala: an intricately embroidered Burberry suit, combined with surreal makeup and multiple painted eyes. This outfit sparked conversations not only about fashion, but also about gender identity and expression.

When Harry Styles wore a dress on the cover of Vogue in 2020, he broke with convention and sparked debate around the world. Billy Porter also caused a stir on the Oscars red carpet in a custom-made tuxedo dress by Christian Siriano—a fashion statement that impressively demonstrated that elegance isn't a question of gender.