This is What Genderless Fashion Looks Like in India

This post originally appeared on GQ India. 

The one real luxury of living in 2021 is progress, and the rise of genderless fashion is testament to that fact. While climate change and untamable viruses wreak havoc upon the world, we can at least take solace in the idea that there has been a modicum of movement toward the positive in spaces like art, culture, and cinema; one that allows for a more inclusive world view.

 Playing its part in that POV is fashion, through the emergence of more thoughtful, responsible and open-minded creations; and the rise of more and more gender non-restrictive brands factors heavily into that. The brands we've chosen for this list of genderless fashion truly do treat gender as a construct, with more of an emphasis on great clothes than who is likely to be wearing them. If non-binary has always been your style MO, this list should qualify for instant bookmark status.

It should be noted that the brands chosen for this list are primarily genderless in their POV. We have not included brands that do a few genderless pieces as part of a largely gender-led brand ethos. If you see some favourites missing who’ve had genderless pieces as part of their collections, you now know why.

6 homegrown brands doing genderless fashion right

A spanking-new sustainable label that assigns no gender to any of their slick (but practical) pieces, the capsule collections at The Misnomer ought to be on any aficionado’s radar, whether you're keen on genderless fashion or not. The range of responsibly-made jackets, tracks, belt bags and laptop covers are carved from sustainable leather (think chromium sulphate free and vegetable-tanned), BCI fabric and as much recycled fibre as possible. Plus, you know, what’s more sustainable than a piece you can share?

What qualifies Akshat Bansal’s Bloni–which does do some very emphatically gendered collections as well–is that there is a strictly non-binary selection available at all times in tandem with his ‘Men’s’ and ‘Women’s’. The lashings of (faux) lather, patent as can be and the bondage-meets-tie-die vibe are amenable to styling across the board. Their harnesses, cropped jackets and drop-crotch trousers are particularly fun buys.

Pranav Kirti Misra and Shyma Shetty’s streetwear brand has been the gold standard for genderless fashion since its inception in 2012; and it’s never had to be noisy about it. The easy-chill of their hoodies, oversize tees, co-ords, sweatshirts, denim and accessories have always been decidedly one-style-fits-all, and they keep those cool limited edits rolling in. Keep an eye for their collabs and capsules–Bukowski and Cold Pressed Rose were two of our favourites.

Though Rishta’s minimalist-monochrome aesthetic finds itself split between ‘Men’s’ and ‘Women’s’ on the shopping platform, the labels seem purely cursory upon a closer look at the clothes. Each of their Deconstructed Cape Jackets, asymmetrical shirts or pair of their Draped Moon Trousers or hybrid lungi pants lends itself to any form, gender or body type. An observation endorsed by Saluja himself, with they key thought to have every piece be versatile enough for every person that takes to it.

A self-proclaimed ‘gender-agnostic’ label, it takes one careful perusal of Anvita Sharma’s unabashedly colourful collections to realise the term is not just decoration. Her pieces speak to a certain aesthetic–one that revels in brightness and art and embellishments, even when it pairs them with darker neutrals for contrast. Look to this brand for a sequinned jacket, colour-blocked coat or patchwork bag that you and your partner (or friends) can own together.

Premised on the pillars or revival, reuse and responsible craftsmanship, Aanam is one of the more under-the-radar queer-focussed brands that should be a bigger part of the conversation; both for its fluid, genderless pieces and its work with draping and sustainable textiles. You’ll find no dearth of original, futuristic silhouettes done in a series of muted tones that don’t need to scream to make the statement they’re making. Definitely worth knowing about if you like clothes with unique, experimental construction.

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