Refreshing Perspectives on Gender Neutrality
The Beauty of Fluidity - Featuring T-Shirts That Belong In Anyone’s Closet
Gender. Interpreted in so many ways and yet, it’s so intriguing to find that humans are so one-sided on the subject. I can’t say that I understand it, but I do know this — early on, fashion separate us. And instead of encouraging fluidity, society creates false differences in which we begin to believe we are less alike than we really are. You and I, we are the same, we are equal. Instead of looking at fashion as an extreme separation of male and female - it’s important to acknowledge that the two can live in harmony. Especially when it comes to clothing. While it’s understandable that there are different views on fashion taste - it’s important to encourage neutrality in all it’s glory.
It’s come to our attention that these false differences have put both male and females at a disadvantage. “I don’t think much is unique to women. I think we create a lot of false differences. But, the fashion system has already been women identified. So, if you’re studying the fashion system, which you are…you’re studying pieces of that. It has always been hyper-focused on women as both the subject and the object. Women are the subject of fashion. But there’s also the object of the fashion — fashion is kind of created to objectify them or they feel like they need fashion in order to feel good about themselves. Men’s sustainable fashion could be a completely missed market opportunity because different messages appeal to men.” Susan Dobscha, Professor at Bentley University and Expert in Marketing, Sustainability and Gender Issues, tells HOKU. This is a typical narrative in the fashion systems that we often don’t even realize we are reflecting. And that said, we believe it’s important to break down these gender roles, reject the old framework of binary gender identity and embrace ourselves in any form we’d like.
On the quest to push equality for everyone, we kept an eye out for brands that belong in anyone and everyone’s closet. The Classic T-Shirt Company is a T-shirt brand that focuses it’s entirety on sustainability, quality AND making sure that everyone within their supply chain is treated fairly. “We make our t-shirts at one of the most ethical family owned factories in Los Angeles, California, and our garment dye process takes place Orange County, with one of the most stringent regulatory environments. As a result, we believe our product will last longer over time, reducing total cost of ownership and cost per-wear to the consumer and reduce overall T-shirt production.” Says Classic T. We almost forgot to mention that The Classic T Shirt Company is the only company that focuses only on T-shirts, makes them in the US, and uses only organic cotton sourced from small farms in India. We love to see it!
In light of embracing gender neutrality — we created a visual journal that eloquently portrays the beauty of masculinity and the strength of femininity - both interchangeable, both desirable - styled in none other than the Classic T-Shirt Company.
