Stealing from the opposite gender’s closet is a pastime at this point.
The fashion industry has been marketing a more loose and relaxed fit called “The Boyfriend” jeans or shirt to the women’s section of clothing stores.
There’s been article after article on how to take items from the men’s section and adapt it into a female wardrobe. I’m even guilty of this; I love stealing men’s T-shirts, dress shirts and sweatshirts for a looser, more relaxed fit.
Men’s accessories are also adapted into a female’s wardrobe. Sneakers, socks, beanies and watches are all things that can be bought in the men’s department, but later found in a female’s closet.
However, it seems that clothing companies can’t make “The Girlfriend” fit for the men’s section or take into consideration that there is more than the heterosexual relationship in today’s society.
To put it simply, gender roles and rules are changing. We can’t put everyone into little boxes labeled “male” or “female.” We also can’t expect that because someone is a woman she’ll want either women’s clothing, or women’s clothing marketed as “The Boyfriend” fit. The same applies to men.
Everything I’ve previously described would be considered unisex, or clothing that can fit both genders.
But the fashion industry is now breaking down all gender-related titles and creating a new title: Everyone.
“Everyone” is a genderless section of clothing. Whatever the consumer considers themselves, they can find something in the everyone section.
Collections of genderless clothing include loose silhouettes of shirts, pants, kilts and skirts.
While gender titles can’t be completely shaken—a kilt is the same thing as a skirt, but the first is used with men and the latter is used with women—this is the first step in creating something that doesn’t put everyone in a little box.
Being able to combine clothing items, a little from the men’s section, then from the women’s, and finally from the everyone section, will create a well-rounded closet that anyone can reach into and find an outfit for the day.
With the fashion industry constantly evolving, this seems like the right next step. I’m proud of designers who put things on the runway they think everyone can wear.
With “everyone” clothing, there will be no debate on whether this was originally meant for the men’s or women’s section or if it can be adapted into the opposite gender’s wardrobe.
Genderless clothing will allow the consumer to decide if it personally works for them and how they would adapt it into their clothing collection.
While I don’t think men’s and women’s sections will ever disappear, I think “everyone” clothing will become a new addition and eventually become a norm just like its sister clothing sections.
Meg Ryan is a 19-year-old mass communication sophomore from Philadelphia. You can reach her on Twitter @The_MegRyan.