Genderless Fashion and the Media Conversation

Genderless Fashion and the Media Conversation

In 2025, fashion no longer speaks in binaries. The rise of genderless design isn’t just a trend—it’s a cultural shift, driven by designers, consumers, and creators challenging the rules of who gets to wear what. But while the runway has increasingly embraced fluidity, the media conversation still lags behind, often defaulting to labels that oversimplify or sensationalize.

For brands entering this space, the challenge is clear: how do you talk about genderless fashion in a way that’s authentic, inclusive, and media-savvy?

What Genderless Fashion Really Means

It’s not about unisex hoodies. It’s about breaking down rigid category walls:

• Designs that move beyond “menswear” and “womenswear” norms
• Sizing and fits that adapt to bodies—not assumptions
• Editorial styling that resists gender cues altogether

This isn’t androgyny 2.0. It’s a rejection of expectation altogether.

Media Still Frames It Wrong

• “Men wearing skirts” headlines that center shock, not substance
• Overuse of the word “androgynous” when the intent is actually expansive
• Tokenism in fashion features, with a single nonbinary model in a traditional lineup

Progressive language requires progressive framing.

How to Talk About It in PR and Marketing

1. Center the Philosophy, Not the Provocation

Instead of leaning into “disruption,” highlight intention:

• “Designed for bodies, not binaries.”
• “We believe comfort, silhouette, and confidence have no gender.”

2. Let Your Community Speak

Feature real people of varied identities—not just models—wearing your pieces. Let their stories guide the narrative.

3. Be Clear on Language

“Genderless,” “gender-expansive,” and “ungendered” all carry nuances. Know what you mean and say it consistently.

Pitch Angles That Work

• “Why this designer dropped the gender labels—and what happened next”
• “The future of fit: how fashion is learning from identity-first brands”
• “Gen Z isn’t shopping in ‘men’s’ or ‘women’s’ anymore—and brands are catching up”

Inclusive Visuals Matter

• Style without reinforcing gender cues (pink = femme, etc.)
• Mixed height, size, and body shape casting
• Editorials that feel expressive, not explanatory

Brands Doing It Well

• Telfar: “It’s not for you—it’s for everyone.” A fashion tagline turned mission statement
• Official Rebrand: Queer-led, repurposed clothing with an unapologetic point of view
• Wildfang: Rooted in defying expectations of “how women should dress”—now serving everyone

Final Thought

Genderless fashion isn’t about neutralizing style. It’s about expanding it. As media, brands, and consumers evolve together, the conversation must follow—moving from labels to liberation.

If your brand is entering this space, make sure your message doesn’t just sell. Make sure it respects.