In 2018, gender-neutral fashion exploded on the catwalks. Almost half of the finalists on the LVMH shortlist featured gender neutral designs, showcasing how important this trend has become. Once written off as a fad, it’s now established itself as not just a fashion statement, but a challenge to the status quo.
Here’s more information.
Defining gender-neutral
Streetwear label Wildfang summed up gender-neutral fashion succinctly in a recent interview with The Independent. Highlighting the restrictions of gender as a concept, the brand’s CEO, Emma McIlroy, stated: “gender-neutral clothing doesn’t force someone into a box. It allows them to self-express exactly how they chose to.”
In a nutshell, fashion has ceased to be a simple case of ‘skirts for the girls; trousers for the boys.’ With gender-neutral style, there are no ‘masculine or feminine’ palettes, and no cuts or detailing that are specifically for males or females. It’s about breaking down barriers and smashing through stereotypes.
What about cosmetics?
Cosmetics brands are now starting to embrace make-up for him, her, or whoever. Genderless cosmetic ranges often tend to be:
Strong, bold and natural. Nude, matte lipsticks typify the look, along with subtle bronzer and a natural eye palette.
Graphic and fierce. On occasion, you’ll also see geometric, uncompromising lines – strong lipliner, sharp eyeliner or obvious contouring. The key ethos here is ‘I’ll do it my way’.
Less ‘overdone’.
Generally speaking, gender-neutral make-up tends to be edgier, with a hint of ‘just got out of bed’. It’s a style that is deliberately carefree and underdone
minus any fussiness or over-detailing.
It’s not about creating separate looks for men and women; but about offering a choice of cosmetics that can be worn by anyone. Freedom of expression is the most important aspect.
Skincare brands
Several skincare brands have now also recognised the importance of creating ranges that appeal to everyone, regardless of gender. Many of these brands not only use gender-neutral packaging, but also leverage technology to create products that genuinely benefit all types of skin.
Some excellent examples include Dermalogica, SkinMedica and Youth to the People.
Fragrances
Perfume houses are also waking up to this emerging trend. Several of the most iconic fragrances combine traditionally ‘feminine’ and ‘masculine’ ingredients; resulting in a more balanced, gender-neutral effect. For example, Neroli Portofino is truly unisex, with its notes of citrus, myrtle, angelica and bitter orange. There are some other good examples at Copycat Fragrances.
Embracing gender-neutral
It’s not difficult to incorporate gender-neutral fashion or cosmetics into your look; as there are no specific rules. Ultimately, the goal is to encourage everyone to feel comfortable with their style, regardless of what gender they are. When choosing gender-neutral cosmetics, think about the following:
Have you chosen this because you believe it to be feminine / masculine? If so, why? (this mindset can be tough to break through to begin with – we’re all conditioned from an early age to believe that certain styles should be worn by men, and some by women).
If it feels right, go for it. This fashion movement is about creating comfort from within, and emphasising that beauty really isn’t skin-deep.
