Unisex clothing: Tokenism or greater genderfluid inclusion?

ZARA added an ungendered line to online stores around the world, which looks like an effort to step in line with movements calling for greater genderfluid inclusion.

While some reaction has been positive, hailing it a major step ahead, there have been critics, who have pointed out that the line comprises mostly of conventionally masculine clothing donned by distinctively male and female models. For instance, there are no skirts or dresses currently included in the collection. Is it merely tokenism to make fashion all inclusive or a positive step to bring down the gender barriers. 

Wendell Rodricks

This is a stupid PR exercise on the part of ZARA. All the garments shown have been unisex since the 70's. Can anyone claim a T-shirt, pullover, sweatshirt, jeans or track pant to be men's or women's? Forget about genders when it comes to the classics. A kurta,  bundi, shawl, chudidaar, morjari, dhoti, lungi, Kholapuri chappal...are unisex Indian staples. In pret and couture, a jacket, bomber, a tuxedo or a scarf is embraced by all sexes. Get a new PR agency ZARA that knows costume history ....worldwide. Asia has always been unisex. So get your sexuality up to date with the real 2016 world. 

Nimish Shah

Unisex is a new trend. The Kayne West long line t-shirt looks like a woman's kurta and that shape works for a girl. As a retailer, it's a key area to invest and communicate. I think it's more inclusive for men than women because women are happy to try any shape but men will still think before investing in a silk shirt. However, it's a first attempt and needs to be given more time. 

Anupama Dayal

I feel gender fluid feels right at this point. And even if it's tokenism it's still action in the right direction. 

Hemant & Nandita

ZARA has been known to follow the lead of the top International designers, and it is possible for this to be something inspired by the Louis Vuitton's much talked about campaign with Jaden Smith; and to that effect only time can tell if this move is mere tokenism or actual gender fluid inclusion. We would hope for it to be a move towards gender fluid inclusion. With fashion cycles constantly updating to be more inclusive of the societal direction and thought, unisex or "ungendered" silhouettes are so in trend, and we are completely ready to embrace it! We at Hemant&Nandita strongly believe in the concept of easy, wearable and comfortable clothes, and easy loose fit outerwear is in fact our main feature of our collection - AW 16/17.

Shruti Sancheti 

I think unisex clothing or gender- fluid inclusion is a very progressive step towards sustainable fashion. Androgynous clothing any which way has become big and it is endorsed by people and I feel this kind of dressing has potential and there is no gimmick attached .Brands who introduce such clothing have better chances of movement from the racks. The only drawback is that it cannot be too drastic or else it is difficult for majority and the conventional lot to sport a trend like this

Pria Kataaria Puri

Honestly, I think it's a great move. Inclusion of the gender fluid line by the retail brand is an interesting idea. Personally for me, there are often times in Berkeley, where my kids live, that I have raided my son’s cupboard and picked up his hoodie, tee with funky quotes, beanie and even his backpack. I would not say that gender flux clothing is a new concept as unknowingly many of us do that with our husband, son or brothers' stuff. However, it’s unheard of for men to pick out women’s clothing and be experimental. It’s a good move to create a specific new category to aim at this niche market. It may be the inception of a new trend.

Swapnil Shinde 

This is the first step in such a move, and such decisions need to be taken with baby steps. I for one find it very positive and it's the best way to start a revolution for gender equality. Why define what women wear by skirts or colours or what men wear by pants and fabrics? It's a great move and I can't wait to see it grow.

Neeta Lulla

ZARA an oriented fashion center catering to all age groups has a range of indispensible designs that are conceded for years. ZARA is a fast fashion brand that offers considerably more products than any other company. Launching with this new move of  ''Ungendered'' Line, it shows creativity, flexibility, and equality in design. With people expecting more immensity in this fast challenging industry, this new line would definitely create a change and make it more comfortable. Thus it would be resetting the boundaries for what shoppers expect from a high end clothing store.

Amy Billimoria

Although the ungendered line is considered a step forward in the new age, I am of the opinion that unisex styles in the true sense could have inclusion of female silhouettes too to experiment with and see how the market trends react to it not only play it safe with loose boxy silhouettes like shirts and boxy pants.

Anisha Chaudhri, Founder Threads & Shirts

Fashion is rapidly changing course with clothing being a mere facade for expressing your personal style. With the concept of tailored fitted clothes and dabbling on the un-gendered lines we make a headway for clothing as a way of expressing oneself.

Karn Malhotra

There has been a wave of change in the world. We no longer operate between demarcated lines in culture, geography, age or gender anymore. With the concept of gender flux and gender fluidity coming into picture, I think it was a matter of time that the gap for fashion for the category was created. There is an unmet demand for non-binary fashion which I believe that ZARA is trying to fill by creating clothes that complement this need.