One style fits all
One style fits all
T
his season a unisex trend has made its mark on the runways. Blurring the lines between gender boundaries, this trend has got many people feeling more confident about the way they dress. The days of expected femininity are over as this trend is like a breath of fresh air that encourages women to wear what they want with no fear of judgement. This all sounds great but has anyone stopped to think about how this can affect the gay community? Women dressing like men are bound to cause some confusion for lesbians who have relied on dress code as a way to read someone’s sexuality. So is this trend a good thing or a bad thing? Names such as JW Anderson, Saint Laurent and even DKNY have helped pave the way towards gender neutralisation in fashion. Even celebrities are jumping on the bandwagon. Cara Delevingne appears in this season’s DKNY ad-campaign dressed in a tailored suit and trainers. Many other celebrities such as Kristen Stewart, Lorde and Emma Stone often incorporate an androgynous style into many of their outfits which will influence and appeal more towards the younger generations. Not only is this trend an intriguing transformation in the fashion industry, it’s also an impressive feminist statement. Perhaps women are tired of conforming to what men want us to wear and are finally beginning to take a stand. It’s not all about looking sweet and desirable in a cute skirt; women are
starting to realise that being comfortable in what they wear is important too. It is nice to see the fashion industry attempt to embrace equality of the sexes in their latest collections. So let’s take a look at the one name that stood out at Paris Fashion week, shall we?
Vivienne Westwood brought unisex to Fashion Week this season with a collection that had no labels or gender. The British designer’s Autumn/Winter collection saw the women dressed in tailored suits, and the men in dresses. The deep burgundy, grey and navy colours all made their mark and really proved that colours don’t apply to gender. Gwendoline Christie, best known for her role in Game of Thrones, even graced the runway in some of Westwood’s unisex designs. Christie is often associated with the androgynous look so to see her on the runway in some of Westwood’s designs really was a treat. The collection shows that it is perfectly acceptable to wear whatever you feel most comfortable in – and it’s about time we’re hearing this! Of course, as with anything associated with Westwood, the designs are a little crazy and quirky but she’s showing the world that fashion is fun and we should all take risks sometimes. Many of the pieces really are stunning, and would look equally as flattering on either sex, which really is an impressive achievement on Westwood’s behalf. My personal favourite has to be the grey checked suit, worn by a woman on the runway. The loose cut on the trousers added to the low cut of the blazer adds just enough sex appeal to the overall formality of the outfit. Finally, the finale of the show saw a bride dressed in a suit and a groom in a dress kiss, which is a massive statement in itself. ■ Christie Bannon
T
his season a unisex trend has made its mark on the runways. Blurring the lines between gender boundaries, this trend has got many people feeling more confident about the way they dress. The days of expected femininity are over as this trend is like a breath of fresh air that encourages women to wear what they want with no fear of judgement. This all sounds great but has anyone stopped to think about how this can affect the gay community? Women dressing like men are bound to cause some confusion for lesbians who have relied on dress code as a way to read someone’s sexuality. So is this trend a good thing or a bad thing? Names such as JW Anderson, Saint Laurent and even DKNY have helped pave the way towards gender neutralisation in fashion. Even celebrities are jumping on the bandwagon. Cara Delevingne appears in this season’s DKNY ad-campaign dressed in a tailored suit and trainers. Many other celebrities such as Kristen Stewart, Lorde and Emma Stone often incorporate an androgynous style into many of their outfits which will influence and appeal more towards the younger generations. Not only is this trend an intriguing transformation in the fashion industry, it’s also an impressive feminist statement. Perhaps women are tired of conforming to what men want us to wear and are finally beginning to take a stand. It’s not all about looking sweet and desirable in a cute skirt; women are
starting to realise that being comfortable in what they wear is important too. It is nice to see the fashion industry attempt to embrace equality of the sexes in their latest collections. So let’s take a look at the one name that stood out at Paris Fashion week, shall we?
Vivienne Westwood brought unisex to Fashion Week this season with a collection that had no labels or gender. The British designer’s Autumn/Winter collection saw the women dressed in tailored suits, and the men in dresses. The deep burgundy, grey and navy colours all made their mark and really proved that colours don’t apply to gender. Gwendoline Christie, best known for her role in Game of Thrones, even graced the runway in some of Westwood’s unisex designs. Christie is often associated with the androgynous look so to see her on the runway in some of Westwood’s designs really was a treat. The collection shows that it is perfectly acceptable to wear whatever you feel most comfortable in – and it’s about time we’re hearing this! Of course, as with anything associated with Westwood, the designs are a little crazy and quirky but she’s showing the world that fashion is fun and we should all take risks sometimes. Many of the pieces really are stunning, and would look equally as flattering on either sex, which really is an impressive achievement on Westwood’s behalf. My personal favourite has to be the grey checked suit, worn by a woman on the runway. The loose cut on the trousers added to the low cut of the blazer adds just enough sex appeal to the overall formality of the outfit. Finally, the finale of the show saw a bride dressed in a suit and a groom in a dress kiss, which is a massive statement in itself. ■ Christie Bannon
