Genderless clothing for children
The terms genderless, gender neutral or the more traditional unisex refer to an approach to clothing that is not tied to specific garments or colours in order to fit into the “male” and “female” categories. In the case of children’s clothing, this approach encourages inclusivity, personal expression and creativity.
According to the ideas behind this perspective, children should feel free to express their personality also through what they wear, without being constrained by social norms that dictate what is “right” or “wrong” for boys or girls.
Garments are designed using colours, shapes and materials that are not strictly linked to traditional stereotypes, such as pink for girls and light blue for boys. Patterns and graphics tend to be more abstract, geometric or based on cross-cutting themes, rather than on gender-specific elements such as princesses and ballerinas for girls, or cars and dinosaurs for boys.
In general, there is growing sensitivity around issues such as equality and inclusion, and new generations of parents are more aware of gender-related topics. When shopping for their children, they increasingly look for clothing that reflects a more inclusive approach.
Alongside these concepts is the idea of durability over time. As these garments are not closely tied to trends or to specific colours and themes, they can be passed down from older siblings to younger ones, with clear benefits also in terms of environmental sustainability.
Perhaps a fully neutral approach is not for everyone, and I believe in freedom of choice (because yes, there are girls who love pink and boys who adore dinosaurs). However, even traditional brands — those with collections divided into girls’ and boys’ departments — can benefit from introducing more neutral pieces into their ranges, offering an image that feels relevant to the contemporary context and opening up new opportunities.
To create a unisex capsule collection without overturning a brand’s existing approach, it is possible to adopt a few simple guidelines. The collection can be built around a few key elements:
- colour palettes suitable for everyone: some brands use only soft, neutral shades, while others embrace bright, vivid colours. This depends on the desired style of the collection; what matters is keeping an open mind and moving away from the idea that certain colours belong to boys or girls;
- simple, functional garments that are easy to mix and match: T-shirts, sweatshirts with or without hoods, jeans, joggers, dungarees, and so on, favouring comfortable fits that adapt to different body types;
- patterns and graphics that avoid stereotypes and gender reinforcement: stripes, polka dots, geometric shapes, nature-inspired motifs, animals, etc.
Below, I suggest two examples: one with soft colours and the other with a very colourful palette.
To conclude, here are some Fatamadrina resources that may support you:
- If you’re looking for ready-to-use graphics, take a look at our Unisex collection.
- If you’d like to design your own graphics but need inspiration, discover “A Year of Inspiration”, the digital kit featuring 12 evergreen, unisex themes with colour palettes, mood boards and plenty of ideas to spark your creativity.