W ould you wear women’s clothing? We are not referring to YSL backless dress or Gaultier corseted top here. Think of maybe your girlfriend’s skinny jeans or Balenciaga jacket. They are not exactly made for you but somehow they just fit and you look great in them. You may cringe at this whole idea but according to style.com ‘gender-neutral’ might just be the future of fashion.
We are okay with unisex perfume which we happily share with our girlfriends, so why not share clothing too? Take Kanye West as an example. This fashion monster has been spotted front and centre at so many fashion shows and events. But Kanye has taken his passion for fashion to a different level by wearing a look from Celine Spring 2011 collection at Coachella festival recently. There’s nothing girlish about it. The shirt was worn oversized on the runway, so it fit perfectly on West well-built physique. But still people are making such a big fuss about it for the reason that unlike unisex perfume, there’s no such stamp on women’s clothing.
Kanye West in Celine
Marc Jacobs in Prada
Andrew Mukamal, current assistant at Seventeen magazine is another great example of man who wears women’s clothing without coming across too gay or girlish. Instead, he looks like a trendy rockstar more than anything. His obsession with Celine and Proenza Schouler is obvious in the way that he always wears pieces from both designers’ latest collections with his trademark skinny jeans and backward baseball cap. When asked about the whole idea of ‘gender-neutral’ and his penchant for wearing women’s wear collection, Mukamal replied ‘Women have more options. Their collections explore different shapes, fabrics, prints, colors, proportions. Menswear collections don’t go there.”
Andrew Mukamal in Proenza Schouler
James Goldstein in Balmain
Andrew Mukamal’s got a point there. Men during our time are more fashion conscious and willing to explore and try out new things. As for menswear designers, they are trying to catch up with the growing demands and interest in fashion. But somehow there are still limitations and voids when it comes to actually realizing the ideas for a new collection. They still have to think of the market and the group of people who would actually buy their clothes. Andrew Mukamal and Kanye West as well as Marc Jacobs might spend their money on a collection consisting of tribal print jackets and fur stoles but what about the rest of male population out there?
So for the time being, this smaller crowd of fashionistos have to turn to Celine, Proenza Schouler and Balenciaga to fulfill their needs for fashion. You may not like the idea now, but ‘gender-neutral’ fashion is set to take over the future. Now you better get ready to raid your girlfriend’s walk-in closet!
Additional info/photos: style.com
