Androgynous Clothing Guide:
What Is Non Binary Clothing?
Non-binary fashion is paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse approach to fashion. As society embraces the fluidity of gender, this is resulting in an increased demand for genderless fashion.
Traditional gender norms in the past have been limited to men's or women's styles. However, non-binary clothing offers individuals the opportunity to express themselves freely and confidently - regardless of their gender identity. People are recognizing the often harmful effects of a rigid male/female divide. The wider fashion industry is responding to the demand for more inclusive designs.
Australia is home to a variety of brands that are leading the charge to createsustainable, stylish and androgynous fashion for everyone! Keep reading to discover them...
So, What Does It Actually Mean?
The fashion industry tends to throw around the terms 'genderless,' 'gender neutrality,' 'androgyny,' and 'unisex' interchangeably, but what do they really mean in fashion? These phrases are used to describe clothing that isn't binary - meaning that it is designed to be inclusive of all gender identities and expressions.
Cisgendered people can also wear gender neutral fashion and we encourage everyone to wear whatever makes them feel happy!
While the terminology can be confusing, the idea behind non-binary fashion is simple: clothing that is designed to be inclusive & accessible for everyone. It's about breaking down traditional gender norms and allowing individuals to express themselves in a safe place.
Non-binary fashion is not just a trend, but a movement towards greater inclusivity and diversity in fashion and society. It's about creating a world where people can wear whatever they want without fear of judgement or discrimination!
Non-Binary Clothing Styles
Non-binary clothing can take many different forms and styles, depending on the individual's preference and personality. Here are some styles to consider:
Oversized Clothing
Oversized clothing features loose-fitting clothing that does not conform to the body's shape, creating a more relaxed and comfortable look.
Androgynous Suits
Androgynous suits are tailored suits that incorporate elements of both men's and women's styles, creating a unique and versatile look that can be worn in both formal and casual settings.
Gender-Neutral Basics
Gender-neutral basics feature simple and minimalistic clothing that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of different looks.
Statement Pieces
Statement pieces are bold and expressive pieces of clothing that reflect the individual's personality and style. They can include anything from colorful jackets to unique accessories.
Using Androgynous Fashion Into Your Wardrobe
Start with the Basics
Invest in simple and neutral-colored pieces of clothing that can be mixed and matched to create different looks.
Experiment with Layering
Layering is a key element of androgynous/non-binary fashion. Try layering a shirt over a turtleneck or wearing a blazer over a hoodie for a unique and versatile look.
Accessorize
Accessories are a great way to add a pop of color or personality to your outfit. Try incorporating hats, scarves, or jewelry to enhance your style.
Play with Different Textures
Androgynous/non-binary fashion often incorporates different textures and fabrics to create a more complex and interesting look. Try mixing leather with denim or cotton with wool to create a unique and versatile outfit.
Australian Unisex Brands
Australia is home to a variety of talented brands and designers empowering the non-binary community. Discover streetwear, watches, work boots, denim and much more. Check out some of our favourites below!
1. Genkstasy
Genkstasy is an inclusive fashion label that designs clothing for all bodies across the gender spectrum. They prioritize sustainability and ethical practices, using eco-friendly fabrics and creating custom pieces that are tailored to individual body types.
The brand is committed to transparency, providing information about the production process, fabrics, and suppliers. They source materials from trusted Australian suppliers and collect vintage fabrics. Genkstasy is off-grid, powered by solar energy and rainwater, and composts unusable waste.
2. Noskin
Noskin is a unique and sustainable unisex fashion brand that offers high-quality vegan shoes and apparel. Their goal evolved to include creating a line of 'Creative workwear' perfect for the modern disruptor.
The clothes are made from alternative fabrics that match or even exceed their animal product counterparts. The brand is committed to sustainability and produces garments that are made from materials that are steps in the right direction towards becoming fully sustainable.
Noskin believes in quality without sacrifice and designs their products to last as long as possible. They're a partner of the 'One Tree Planted' group and a 'PETA Approved Vegan' brand, making them the perfect choice for those who want to look great and feel good about what they're wearing.
3. La Enviro
La Enviro is a Perth-based brand that is dedicated to producing eco-friendly and sustainable watches that are affordable and stylish. The husband and wife team behind the brand are committed to using only PETA-approved materials, and they offer an extensive unisex range of accessories like wallets, watches, and watch straps.
They use a variety of vegan materials such as apple leather, cork, and Pinatex (a leather alternative made from pineapple leaves) to create their beautiful watches.
With a range of colors, styles, and sizes also available at Myer, La Enviro's watches are a great option for anyone looking for ethical and sustainable fashion at an affordable price.
Discover More Unisex Brands In Australia
Non-binary clothing has many supporters in Australia. Here is a longer list of non-binary clothing labels in Australia:
Best Jumpers: founded in Melbourne in 2018, offers elevated unisex casual wear. It uses high-quality fabrics and local production and takes a minimal and relaxed attitude to fashion, with influence being drawn from Best’s hometown of Melbourne and his time spent in New York. Best Jumpers epitomises quality and attention to detail and has some great skirts, parkas, T-shirts, and hats on offer, in addition to its range of Japanese cotton tracksuits.
Sködia: an independent Australian bred, NYC, and LA-based label, is built on the forefront of the slow fashion movement. It prioritizes local production and functionality and is a non-gender-specific brand specializing in super wearable pieces with a unique fabrication that can be worn together in a uniform mentality. The fit is key, with all bottoms having an elastic waistband and a sizeable waist tie to account for varying weight distributions in all genders, sizes, and ages.
HoMie: Melbourne-based streetwear label sends 100% of its profits to support young people affected by homelessness or hardship across Australia. The brand is gender-neutral, and every item is ethically produced in Melbourne. It offers a mix of bold streetwear looks alongside more subdued, easy-to-wear pieces, and it has a core range packed with colourful hoodies.
A.BCH: independent Melbourne fashion label founded on total transparency in an effort to provide honestly engineered fashion for conscious consumers. It considers the entire lifecycle of each piece it makes and advocates for local manufacturing. Designed for the discerning eye and those with a fondness for a neutral aesthetic, A.BCH’s offering is a line of earth-elevated basics. The label doesn’t have men’s or women’s sections on its website, and the designs are not overtly masculine or feminine.
Lonely Kids Club (LKC): fully independent Sydney fashion label that prides itself on being gender-neutral and ethically produced. Street-style comfort and positive mental health are the vibe for this label. LKC prides itself on a fully inclusive unisex range filled with pop culture quirks. It offers fun graphic T-shirts, funky patterned jackets, dresses, and jumpers, and it ensures fair labour practices and small batch production.
Kodama: sustainable, unisex streetwear brand designed and made in Melbourne. It specializes in basics made from certified organic cotton and outerwear, with a range of overcoats crafted from eco-friendly materials. Kodama's clothing is generally neutrally colored, with a few bright T-shirts, so it’s great for stocking up on sustainable wardrobe staples.
Hew Clothing: founded by Ema Hewitt, creates ethical designs in collaboration with local Melburnian artists. The organic hemp, linen, and bamboo pieces created are increasingly gender-neutral, with a focus on quality fabrics. Hew Clothing offers loud, experimental prints, and its latest loungewear range in a brilliantly bright red and blue check is a must-see.
The Future of Non-Binary Fashion
Non-binary and androgynous fashion is an exciting movement that offers a more inclusive and diverse approach to fashion. With the rise of sustainable and ethical fashion, many brands are starting to embrace non-binary fashion and offering gender-neutral clothing lines.
In Australia, there are several local brands that specialize in non-binary fashion. Genkstasy is a pioneer in this space and they share lots of helpful resources.
The future of fashion is inclusive, diverse, and sustainable, and non-binary fashion is a step towards achieving that goal.
So, which non-binary brand will you be shopping today?