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From the minimalist ateliers of Copenhagen to the neon-lit youth districts of Tokyo, unisex fashion is no longer a fringe concept—it’s a global style revolution. Once limited to avant-garde runway experiments and streetwear capsules, gender-neutral clothing is now reshaping how the world dresses, consumes, and even thinks about identity.
As consumers across continents increasingly reject the gender binaries ingrained in traditional fashion, a new era of inclusive, comfortable, and ethically aligned clothing has emerged. Unisex fashion is not simply a trend; it's a cultural recalibration—especially among Gen Z and Alpha consumers—toward greater authenticity, personal expression, and environmental consciousness.
Why the world is embracing unisex fashion
Behind this widespread shift lies a powerful mix of social change, digital influence, and economic pragmatism.
Global rejection of gender norms: Across continents, youth culture is challenging traditional notions of masculinity and femininity. Whether it’s high schoolers in California, university students in South Korea, or fashion influencers in Brazil, the younger generations are dismantling the rigid binaries that once dictated fashion choices.
A 2023 Grand View Research report identifies the rising visibility of non-binary and gender-fluid identities as a global catalyst for unisex fashion. In the U.S., over 38 per cent of Gen Z respondents in a Pew Research survey said they know someone who uses gender-neutral pronouns. In Europe, fashion houses like JW Anderson and Stella McCartney have consistently integrated non-gendered design language into their seasonal drops.
“For me, unisex is not about taking gender out—it's about allowing everything in,” says Dutch designer Nienke Boers, who creates oversized tailoring and modular garments for their label, Neutral Form.
Table: Global Youth Preferences in Apparel (Ages 16–30)
(Aggregated from multiple markets; 2024 Statista & YouGov insights)
|
Preference Category |
% of Global Respondents |
|
Comfort & Fit |
76% |
|
Versatility (Day-to-Night Wear) |
70% |
|
Sustainability/Ethics |
68% |
|
Gender-Neutral Design |
59% |
|
Digital Influencer Impact |
52% |
The comfort principle across borders: From oversized tees in Lagos to boxy jackets in Seoul, relaxed silhouettes are winning. This movement is propelled by hybrid lifestyles, where boundaries between work, leisure, and self-care blur. The unisex format—with its focus on flexible fits and functional design—is increasingly seen as the most sensible option.
Statista’s 2024 Global Apparel Survey revealed that 76% of Gen Z respondents across key fashion markets (U.S., UK, Germany, India, South Korea, and Japan) rated "comfort and fit" as more important than trendiness or brand name. Notably, comfort-first fashion is expanding from casual wear to formal and workwear categories, with brands like COS, UNIQLO, and Entire Studios leading the charge.
Sustainability in focus: As the climate crisis intensifies, so does the urgency to rethink fashion’s ecological footprint. Globally, unisex clothing is emerging as a more sustainable model by minimizing overproduction and streamlining design processes.
A 2023 McKinsey & Company report on sustainable fashion named gender-neutral design among the “Top 5 Enablers” of circular apparel economies. Brands like Pangaia (UK), Olderbrother (US), and Kaoru (Japan) are innovating with biodegradable fabrics and size-flexible garments that suit all genders—reducing both waste and SKU bloat. “Genderless fashion encourages shared wardrobes, slower consumption, and modular design—these are essential for circularity,” explains Alessandra Morandi, a sustainability researcher at Polimoda, Italy.
Economic accessibility and market logic: In emerging markets like Latin America and Southeast Asia, unisex fashion is also driven by economic logic. When garments are designed to suit anyone, families and consumers reduce the need for separate wardrobes, maximizing utility and reducing expenditure.
Moreover, fast fashion players from China’s Shein to India’s Bewakoof are adopting neutral designs for cost efficiency and global scalability, while premium players like Adidas, Nike, and Lululemon now feature dedicated unisex sections in their global online stores.
Fashion goes viral, not gendered: In the digital age, TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest are where trends begin—and unisex fashion thrives. Influencers like Bretman Rock (Philippines/US), Wisdom Kaye (Nigeria/US), and Ellie Goldstein (UK) challenge stereotypes by modeling fluid fashion for millions.
Unlike legacy fashion advertising, today’s content is creator-led and peer-validated. The global hashtag #genderlessfashion amassed over 2.4 billion views across platforms in 2024, with unisex outfit challenges, thrift hauls, and DIY tailoring hacks driving organic virality.
Regional perspectives, local meets global
• Asia: In South Korea, unisex fashion is deeply rooted in K-pop aesthetics—oversized shirts, pleated pants, and monochrome looks dominate Seoul’s Hongdae district. Japan’s Comme des Garçons and Issey Miyake continue to set the tone for deconstructed gender-free design.
• Europe: Scandinavian minimalism plays a big role in unisex style’s rise. Labels like Arket and Weekday favor fluid cuts and monochrome palettes that appeal to broad audiences.
• Africa: In Lagos and Nairobi, gender-neutral fashion is fused with vibrant prints and street culture. Designers like Adebayo Oke-Lawal of Orange Culture Nigeria are globally recognized for blending queer identity with African heritage in a unisex format.
• Latin America: Countries like Brazil and Argentina are seeing a rise in queer-led fashion labels that celebrate cultural identity through inclusive design, such as Dendezeiro and Juan Hernandez Daels.
Where is unisex fashion heading?
Unisex fashion is entering a new phase—beyond T-shirts and sweatpants, toward haute couture, functional workwear, and adaptive design. The focus now includes size inclusivity, textile innovation, and AI-driven customization. Luxury brands from Gucci to Balenciaga are debuting gender-free lines on global runways.
Retailers are also transforming. E-commerce sites are collapsing gender-based filters, and physical stores are redesigning layouts to reflect a more fluid shopping experience. According to a 2025 report by Bain & Company, brands that blur gender lines in both product and experience see up to 30% higher engagement among Gen Z shoppers. “Fashion is becoming less about categories and more about stories,” says Kumi Yamada, creative director at Tokyo-based hybrid label MonoFlux. “And the most powerful story is one where everyone belongs.”
A global fabric of belonging
From Mumbai to Milan, unisex clothing is weaving a global narrative of acceptance, comfort, and shared identity. It mirrors a world in flux—where rigid labels are being replaced by fluid expression, and where what we wear says more about who we are than who we were told to be. In this new fashion order, the binary is broken—and the future wears what it wants.
Popular outdoor clothing retailer, Millets is closing six of its stores in 2025. These include the retailer’s store on Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough in September.
Of these six stores, the company plans to rebrand four stores located in Lowestoft, Douglas, York, and Grimsby and reopen them as GO Outdoors, a sister brand to Millets. It has also launched a 30 per cent closing down sale at its store in Bracknell. Additionally, the Worthing store, which has been in operation since 2016, is expected to close by 2026-end and will be replaced by a GO Outdoors Express.
A retailer of major outdoor brands like Berghaus, The North Face, and Jack Wolfskin, Millets is owned by JD Sports which acquired the brand in 2012 when it rescued Millets's previous owner, Blacks, from administration.
These latest closures reflect the ongoing struggles faced by high street retailers, including reduced consumer spending, rising staffing costs, and increasing operational bills. The growing popularity of online shopping also continues to pose a significant challenge.
The retail sector has seen a wave of recent store closures. H&M-owned clothing brand Monki is closing its Glasgow store in Buchanan Galleries this August. New Look has also announced a series of store closures, with 11 branches already shut down in 2025, and its Neath, Wales, location is set to close on August 6. Furthermore, Poundland is closing 37 stores in August as part of a restructuring plan following its sale to Gordon Brothers earlier this year.
Italy's antitrust agency, AGCM has fined the Chinese online fast-fashion platform Shein €1 million for making misleading green claims.
The Italian competition authority alleged, operating in the 'fast' and 'superfast fashion' sectors, Shein adopted a misleading communication strategy regarding the characteristics and environmental impact of its clothing products
The environmental claims shared by operator of Shein’s website in Europe, Infinite Styles Services Co are‘in some instances, vague, generic, and/or overly emphatic, and in others, misleading or omissive, notes’AGCM
Shein promotes its ‘evoluShein by design’ collection and the use of ‘green fibers’ as more sustainable.
However, the Italian authority notes, these statements may lead consumers to think that the collection is ‘fully recyclable,’ which it considers to be untrue given fibers used and the recycling systems currently in place.
In a statement to Politico, Shein said, it took immediate action to address the concerns,’ and has ‘strengthened their internal review processes and improved their website to ensure that all environmental claims are clear, specific, and compliant with regulation.
Italy is the second country in Europe to crack down on Shein after France fined the company €40 million for fake discounts and greenwashing in July.
The European Commission in May targeted Shein for alleged violations of consumer protection law involving fake discounts and misleading sustainability claims.
The EU has in recent months been taking a closer look at the millions of cheap parcels that enter the market every day — the vast majority of which from Chinese traders like AliExpress, Temu and Shein. These companies have also been probed over the potential sale of illegal products under the Digital Services Act.
German conglomerate best known for its confectionery brands, The Katjes Group, is expanding its portfolio into luxury apparel with the acquisition of a majority stake in Bogner. Katjes International announced a deal to purchase 60 per cent of the shares in the Bogner Group, with the remaining 40 per cent to be retained by the Bogner family.
A family-owned company, Bogner is recognized as Germany's largest luxury clothing brand, specializing in high-end sportswear and leisurewear. In FY24-25, the company reported net sales worth nearly €200 million and is currently profitable.
This strategic move diversifies the Katjes Group's holdings, which already include personal care brands such as ‘Bübchen’ and ‘Therame. Last year, the Group reported a turnover of €393 million, with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of €45 million. The company has an average of 1,100 employees.
The 83rd Plenary Meeting of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) will be held at the Malaika Beach Resort in Mwanza, Tanzania, from November 17-20, 2025.
The conference will focus on the theme titled, ‘Leveraging Sustainable Cotton and Textiles for Industrial and Rural Development.’ It will feature a variety of sessions covering all sectors of the supply chain, including Deep Learning and Sensor Technologies for Automated Detection and Monitoring of Cotton Diseases and Insect Pests; Financing Investment in Textiles and pparel Value Chain in Emerging Markets; Marketing Cotton: What Works, for Whom?, and Reports from the ICAC Secretariat.
The conference will also feature a session focusing on the views and ideas of attendees rather than the speakers on stage. Titled, The World Café, the session will focus on the theme, ‘Exploring the Challenges and Potential of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES).’
The 83rd Plenary Meeting will also offer attendees an opportunity to participate in a two-day technical tour from November 21-22, 2025 to see Tanzania's iconic wildlife.
To be held from September 3-5, 2025 in Shanghai, Cinte Techtextil China is set to be a key international platform for the technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Featuring exhibitors from across 12 countries and regions, the show will help bridge the gap between Asian and Western markets by showcasing products across 12 application areas.
A major highlight of the 2025 event is the launch of the Textile Chemicals and Dyes Zone. Suitable for applications in sports, industrial protection, and construction, this new category will feature renowned companies like Germany's CHT Germany GmbH and the USA's Michelman Inc. Other exhibitors in this zone include Dupré Minerals from the UK, which will showcase its flame-retardant Micashield Vermiculite Dispersion, and China's Shanghai Xinnuo Chemical and Yancheng Ruize Color Masterbatch, both of which specialize in water-based waxes and masterbatch production.
The event will also include strong representation from Europe, with the European and German Zones featuring top companies. These zones will host returning brands like EMS-Griltech (Switzerland) and Fibre Extrusion Technology (UK), as well as new exhibitors like Belgium's Serel Industrie, which specializes in X-ray technology for textile recycling, and the UK's Proton Product International. The German Zone will include industry leaders such as Brueckner Textile Technologies and Lindauer Dornier, which is known for its high-performance weaving machines.
Automotive textiles will be another key focus, with exhibitors from around the globe presenting their products. Malaysia's JCT Industries will showcase its PVA fibers for automotive applications, and China's Jiangsu HongFeng Thread Technology will feature its certified polyester and nylon sewing threads.
Cinte Techtextil China is organized by Messe Frankfurt (HK), the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT, and the China Nonwovens & Industrial Textiles Association (CNITA). The fair's comprehensive product scope aims to serve as an effective business platform for the entire industry, from raw materials to finished products.
Luxury outwear retailer, Canada Goose Holdings Inc’s net loss widened in Q1, FY26 despite the brand reporting a 22.4 per cent Y-o-Y increase in total revenue, reaching CA$107.8 million.
The company's direct-to-consumer (DTC) revenue increased by 23.8 per cent to CA$78.1 million. This growth was primarily fueled by a 14.8 per cent rise in comparable sales and the positive impact of newer store openings. Canada Goose has been actively expanding its retail footprint, including converting two temporary locations into permanent ones, bringing its total permanent store count to 76.
The company’s wholesale revenue also rose by 11.9 per cent to CA$17.9 million. Other revenue streams, which include Friends & Family events, experienced a substantial growth of 31.1 per cent to CA$11.8 million, further contributing to the overall top-line growth. The company's gross profit rose 25.9 per cent to CA$66.2 million, with the gross margin improving to 61.4 pe cent. This margin improvement was partly attributed to higher-margin output from Canada Goose's European knitwear facility.
However, these positive revenue and gross profit figures were overshadowed by a widening net loss. The company’s net loss attributable to shareholders reached CA125.2 million, , a significant increase from CA77.4million, in the same quarter last year. The operating loss also expanded to CA158.7million.
Beyond the financials, Canada Goose made several strategic moves, including the launch of its Spring-Summer 2025 collection and the second Snow Goose capsule. The brand also introduced a revamped store concept in Amsterdam and reported notable progress on its sustainability goals, achieving a 9 per cent reduction in Scope 1 and a 25 per cent reduction in Scope 3 emissions.
Dani Reiss, Chairman and CEO, Canada Goose, affirms, the brand is off to a strong start withn DTC performance growth. The brand is executing everything with precision, from bold storytelling to smarter retail moves, he adds.
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) announced a new strategy to counter a 20 per cent reciprocal tariff imposed by the US. According to Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, President, BGMEA, the country plans to increase the use of US raw materials in garment production to avoid the additional tariff.
Babu explains, the US executive order on tariffs states that if at least 20 per cent of the raw materials, specifically US cotton, are used in a garment, the 20 per cent additional tariff will not be applied when it's exported to the US. This provides a crucial advantage for Bangladesh's garment industry, as about 75 per cent of its exports to the US are cotton-based.
Previously, the US had imposed a 37 per cent tariff, which was later lowered to 35 per cent, before the reciprocal tariff was set at 20 per cent. Babu highlights, this new tariff structure places Bangladesh on a more competitive footing with key rivals, as China faces a 30 per cent tariff and India a 25 per cent tariff.
Babu stressed the importance of continuous dialogue with the US administration, noting, other countries are still negotiating trade and security deals that could result in even lower tariffs for them. He urged Bangladesh leaders to stay engaged.
Following the announcement of the revised tariff, Babu noted, many buyers who had previously halted orders are now placing them again. He praised the interim government for its leadership, particularly the commerce and security advisers, for helping the country avoid a potential crisis. Babu also mentioned that the association would seek clarification on whether a 40 per cent value addition condition is still required for garments to be labeled ‘Made in Bangladesh.’
In a visionary address at the Textile Leaders’ Conclave 2025 in Ahmedabad, Kulin Lalbhai, Vice Chairman of Arvind Ltd., called for the Indian textile sector to be declared a ‘national priority’—an urgent imperative, he argued, for India to emerge as a global powerhouse in the textile and apparel value chain. His speech underscored an important moment for the industry, urging stakeholders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs alike to “not just participate in, but lead the global textile game.”
The conclave, jointly hosted by JITO Ahmedabad and CII Gujarat, brought together leading textile industrialists, policymakers, investors, and supply chain experts to discuss strategies for strengthening India’s global competitiveness in textiles. Against the backdrop of evolving global sourcing patterns and a bullish domestic market, Lalbhai’s address worked as a rallying cry for transformational change.
Domestic demand meets global realignment
Lalbhai said, India is witnessing a rare convergence of macroeconomic tailwinds: growing domestic consumption, favorable global demand reallocation, and strong government backing through Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, infrastructure investments, and FTAs with markets like the UAE and Australia. These elements, he said, form the perfect springboard for India to seize global leadership in textiles—a $1.4 trillion industry currently led by China but increasingly open to realignment due to geopolitical shifts and rising ESG compliance costs.
“This is a golden window—perhaps a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” Lalbhai said. “We must respond with scale, speed, and vision.”
Gujarat at the helm, from cotton yarn to fashion capital
Lalbhai positioned Gujarat—India’s largest cotton-producing and textile-exporting state—as the nucleus of this transformation. Traditionally known for spinning and yarn, the state must now focus aggressively toward value-added segments such as apparel, technical textiles, and fashion-led exports.
“Gujarat is poised to be the engine of India’s textile leap, but we must go beyond volume to value,” he noted, stressing the need for vertically integrated supply chains, state-of-the-art garmenting parks, and research-backed product innovation.
Three pillars for India’s textile rise
Lalbhai’s blueprint for global competitiveness was centered around three imperatives, all aligned with India’s broader developmental vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
Massive expansion of garmenting capacity: India must move beyond raw material and fabric exports to become a major exporter of finished garments. Lalbhai emphasized the need for large-scale, globally compliant apparel clusters with plug-and-play infrastructure, skilled labor, and digitized production lines.
Increased adoption of Man-Made Fibres (MMF): With global fashion brands increasingly favoring MMF-based apparel due to durability and circularity concerns, India must diversify beyond cotton. “If we want to be relevant in global markets, cotton alone won’t cut it,” Lalbhai said, calling for balanced incentives and ecosystem development for polyester, viscose, and recycled fibres.
Speed and sustainability as core competencies: “Lead times and lifecycle impact will define winners,” Lalbhai stated. He advocated for nearshoring garment hubs, fast digital sampling, and green technologies such as waterless dyeing and renewable-powered plants. Sustainability, he argued, must be seen not as compliance, but as a competitive advantage.
A new textile vision
A central theme of Lalbhai’s address was inspiring the next generation to see textiles not as a legacy sector, but as a sunrise industry. “The future belongs to dreamers,” he said, calling on youth to reimagine textiles through design, tech, and entrepreneurship.
He also advocated for decentralizing manufacturing beyond traditional clusters like Tiruppur and Ludhiana. Smaller cities across UP, Odisha, MP and Assam offer untapped potential for employment, local entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth. “A national textile vision must be pan-India in spirit,” Lalbhai stressed.
Making textiles a national mission
As the Textile Leaders’ Conclave concluded, Lalbhai’s speech echoed as a call for collective ambition. For India to capture a greater share of the global textile trade—currently just 4 per cent compared to China’s 33 per cent—it must overcome structural inefficiencies, skill shortages, and fragmented value chains. Lalbhai’s message was clear: “India’s textile sector must be treated as a strategic lever of economic and geopolitical influence. Let’s elevate it to the level of national priority.” With coordinated investments, policy clarity, and innovation at scale, India has the potential not just to lead but to reshape the global textile map.
Thus as India eyes its centenary in 2047, the textile sector stands at a strategic inflection point. The roadmap outlined by Lalbhai offers not just a business plan, but a national mission—to reclaim India’s historical stature as a global textile innovator, employer, and exporter. The question now is whether the nation will rise to the moment with the urgency, unity, and scale it demands.
The global textile waste management market is experiencing significant growth as environmental awareness and sustainability concerns rise globally. As per a report by Stats N Data, the textile waste management sector is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.90 per cent from 2025-32. This growth can be attributed to several factors, including stricter regulations on waste disposal, a shift towards circular economy practices, and advancements in recycling technologies that allow for greater recovery of materials from discarded textiles.
The expansion of the textile waste management market is also fueled by rising consumer demand for eco-friendly products and practices. As awareness of the environmental impact of fast fashion and textile waste grows, consumers are seeking brands that prioritize sustainability. This shift in consumer behavior encourages businesses to adopt more responsible production and disposal methods, further driving the need for efficient waste management solutions.
The Textile Waste Management market encompasses a range of applications from fabric recycling to eco-friendly textiles, aiming to reduce waste and promote circular fashion. Recent developments in technology, including the integration of artificial intelligence and innovative recycling processes, have catalyzed growth and attracted attention from investors and industry leaders. Strategic partnerships among key players have further enhanced the capabilities of waste management solutions, positioning them to meet the increasing demand for sustainable textile practices.
Several key drivers are shaping the Textile Waste Management market. Sustainability is at the forefront, with increasing pressure from consumers for brands to adopt eco-friendly textile production methods. This shift in consumer expectations is prompting businesses to invest in waste management solutions that align with sustainable textile practices. Digitization plays a crucial role as well, with advanced technologies enabling better tracking of textile waste and enhancing recycling processes.
Transformative trends are evident, including the integration of artificial intelligence, which optimizes recycling processes and improves the efficiency of textile disposal methods. Customization of products is also gaining traction, allowing brands to create items that are not only appealing but also minimize waste. Emerging technologies such as blockchain provide transparency in textile recycling processes, fostering trust among consumers and stakeholders.
The market is witnessing a surge in innovative solutions for textile waste management, demonstrating the importance of creating a circular textile economy. By focusing on waste reduction and recycling, companies can promote sustainable practices while also addressing the impact of textile waste on the environment.
