Ace gender-fluid fashion with these easy tips

Earlier this month Balenciaga made waves for showing their first hautecouture show since 1967 in which they showcased a more nuanced version of their typical genderfluid aesthetic Ella Emhoff who is all wellknown for her eccentric and irreverent take on fashion as being related to US Vice President Kamala Harris walked the runway in Paris in a padded silk opera jacket layered over a sharp tuxedo cementing the verdict that androgynous fashion is here to staySanjana BubberldquoThe growing popularity of shows such as Ru Paulrsquos Drag Race is emboldening fashion lovers to break fashion and gender norms and truly own their identities and aesthetic sensibilities In many ways this move is necessary and a welcome change mdash the fashion cycle has become very repetitive and predictable Genderless fashion can therefore create a whole new genre for creative experimentationrdquo says fashion designer Sanjana BubberFocus on silhouettesAnuradha Mohan contrasts sharp cuts with delicate coloursldquoWomen can opt for structured and oversized silhouettes that do not emphasise their body shape Deep necklines and very flowing or gathered skirts are a nono Instead wear pleated pants baggy trousers or jeans or pleated cuffed shortsrdquo Bubber explains Fashion blogger Anuradha Mohan is partial to structured looks ldquoFor a more balanced outfit I like to introduce feminine colours like pastel pinkrdquo she saysReinventing menswearTejeshwar Sandhu incorporates floral prints and draped silhouettesUnlike women men would do well to incorporate flowing elements whether draped kurtas or bundees or skirts says Bubber A simpler route is to include traditionally feminine prints and patterns such as florals or animal prints to a traditional menswear look says fashion influencer Tejeshwar Sandhu ldquoThink Harry Styles while choosing patterns and focus on more fitted looks Jumpsuits and rompers make for fun additions to genderfluid wardrobes as do anarkalicut sherwanis for Indian occasionwearrdquo he addsPlay with classicsldquoDuring the pandemic especially most people are steering clear of very seasonal trends and choosing to invest in classics Here you canrsquot go wrong with a structured classic white shirt that can easily be styled in multiple waysrdquo says Bubber For instance you could roll up the sleeves and wear a pair of pleated cuffed black pants with a bowling hat for a simple but chic genderfluid look Khan pairs hers with baggy ripped jeans and a harness to create a look that is both edgy and androgynousStreetwear chicAndrogyny lends itself well to streetwear looks Bubber says highlighting that most staples are baggy and oversized ldquoGraffiti inspired prints especially on jackets are very trendy as are leather or denim bomber jackets Pair these with sneakers or Oxford shoesrdquo she suggests Jannat Khan a fashion influencer layers menswear elements such as Hawaiian shirts over longsleeve tees and relaxed pants ldquoItrsquos important to use the right accessories Bucket hats for instance are all the rage and are quite genderneutralrdquo she says