Gender-neutral clothing is a growing trend also making its way into kidswear. Several independent brands are letting go of pink versus blue and offering kidswear with gender-free styles.
Enforcing gender stereotypes through clothes can have serious ramifications for children. A report from the Fawcett Society shows that reinforcing these stereotypes can lead to mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
Reinforces Individuality
Gender-neutral clothing celebrates your child’s individuality rather than assuming that girls like pink and boys like blue. Whether they’re obsessed with dinosaurs or monster trucks, you’ll find clothes that let them express themselves without feeling restricted by society’s expectations.
Gender-neutral styles create a more streamlined aesthetic and are perfect for building a kid-friendly capsule wardrobe. And since both sexes can wear most unisex items, they make great hand-me-downs for siblings and friends.
Even the fashion industry is starting to catch on, with brands offering various gender-neutral clothes. Plus, many of these pieces come in rainbow brights, which makes them a fun addition to any kids’ wardrobe. Ultimately, gender-neutral clothing is a way to break down the rigid binaries instilled in our kids for too long. And with a bit of effort, we can make it a permanent change.
Promotes Self-Expression
When you shop for clothing for all kids, you support a trend that makes sense and promotes equality and inclusion. Gender-specific clothing can cause a lot of discomfort for kids, and they deserve to wear things that allow them to be free, expressive, and comfortable.
Especially for infants, there’s no reason to pigeonhole them into pink and blue outfits that have a specific association with certain gender identities. Choosing between pink monster trucks or blue firetrucks doesn’t make sense for their growing bodies and personalities.
Thankfully, many brands have noted this and are introducing a new world of gender-neutral styles for children to enjoy. Companies make tee shirts with graphics that don’t reinforce stereotypes for boys and girls. Whether a Thomas the Train shirt or a rainbow unicorn, their designs offer a wide range of styles to suit any child’s unique personality.
Allows for Unrestricted Movement
When kids wear clothes that don’t reinforce gender stereotypes, they can move and interact with their environment without worrying about breaking a “boys” or a “girls” rule. It allows their senses to tune in to the world around them rather than being distracted by loud colors and wild patterns.
This freedom of movement is also beneficial for children’s physical development. Gender-neutral clothing is usually made of soft, breathable materials that support natural body movements without causing chafing or irritation. It is significant for babies and young children who spend much time crawling, jumping, and playing.
While some parents may feel like they’re being pressured to buy gender-neutral clothing, the industry is making slow but steady progress. Clothing companies have created a line of cute, sustainable gender-neutral kids’ clothes that are a hit with Gen Z shoppers. The brand’s line features joggers in fun patterns, tee shirts and shorts in classic solid colors, and hoodies in baby and kid sizes.
Promotes Inclusivity
Gender-neutral clothing challenges gender norms and stereotypes by allowing children to express themselves without being restricted to the expectations of a specific gender. The freedom to move freely, unencumbered by a gendered wardrobe, can increase self-esteem and confidence as kids are free from the pressure to fit a certain mold.
Several major apparel brands have started to offer gender-neutral styles in recent years. For example, an e-commerce website offers many unisex styles and carries an entire section dedicated to them.
