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Orry, Ranveer Singh, Mrunal Thakur, Lilly Singh in gender-fluid fashion | Images used for representation only
On a Delhi college campus, it's not rare to notice friends exchanging jackets and pants without caring whether they were from the men's or women's collection. For India's Gen Z, fashion is not about fitting into previously determined categories; it's about defining new ones.
For decades, discussions on gender-neutral fashion in India were about celebrities. Ranveer Singh in skirts or Harry Styles in a dress made the headlines. But now, it's not just about headline-making moments; it's becoming part of everyday life. There's a silent fashion revolution in progress, driven by young Indians who are walking away with the traditional "his" and "hers" labels and embracing a new form of wardrobe liberty.
Why Gen Z Is Breaking Fashion Rules
To Gen Z, clothing is no longer merely cloth, it's identity, expression, and sometimes rebellion. Social media connects people to worldwide trends, while also giving them the space to highlight their own stories. Instagram thrift accounts, DIY collectives, and college fashion clubs are taking the notions of androgyny and unisex fashion to the spotlight.
Youngsters are wondering: Why should a kurta or shirt be restricted to one gender? The phenomenon of gender-neutral dressing isn't about looks; it's about comfort, inclusivity, and empowerment. This change is an expression of a larger question Gen Z is asking: Why accept the boundaries that never logically made sense to begin with?
The Brands leading India's Gender-Neutral Style
Some of India's most progressive fashion brands are leading this shift, with an unapologetic anti-trend attitude, designing clothes that reject gender binarisms, focusing on fabric, culture, and storytelling. Small independent labels and Instagram stores that sell second-hand or upcycled clothing with no gender label at all. For students and young professionals, these options mean they can dress as they prefer without investing a lot of money.
"Shopping from thrift pages is more refreshing," says Arjun Mehta, a 19-year-old in Delhi. "I don't need to go into a shop where clothes are separated along gender lines. Online, I simply choose what I prefer."
The Accessibility Challenge
Even with this growing trend, India’s high street stores are still divided, menswear on one side, womenswear on the other. For many young people, the easiest solution is to just ignore the labels. They shop at thrift stores, mix and match across sections, and alter their clothes to fit their style.
Instagram resale and thrift store accounts offer a sense of freedom, where clothing is simply clothing. For those who do not want to feel uneasy entering a mall and purchasing from "the wrong section," these online spaces provide a safe alternative.
"Sometimes shopkeepers look at me weirdly if I go into the men's section," says Simran Kaur, a 21-year-old Bengaluru student. "But online, nobody says anything. I can be myself."
Beyond Fashion: Clothes as Power & Expression
For young Indians, gender-neutral fashion is more than a fashion statement. It is a way of being seen. Clothing is an instrument of self-expression when words are heavy. Clothing is also an act of solidarity, pushing against stiff norms that tend to silence individuality.
Women designers and youth-led organisations are particularly at the centre of this change. Their designs confirm that gender-free fashion is not about eliminating identity but embracing freedom and diversity.
What’s Next for Indian Fashion
What does it mean when a generation starts to ignore the labels on clothing racks? The future of Indian fashion can look different: shops without "menswear or womenswear" signs, campaigns showing individuals in the same clothing with no regard for gender, and a more general approach to design at all levels.
Fashion for India’s Gen Z isn’t about permission, it’s about choice, expressed in hoodies, thrifts, and unisex wardrobes.
Views expressed by the author are their own.