According to digital wholesale specialist JOOR, the unisex category, also known as gender-neutral, is experiencing rapid growth. With its platform offering products from over 14,000 fashion brands across various categories, unisex is leading the way with a 46% year-on-year increase in the first half of 2023. This growth in investment has been consistent over the past five years, with wholesale transaction volume for unisex products growing more than 11 times from H1 2019 to H1 2023. Additionally, the number of brands offering unisex styles has increased by 40% during this time.
The growth in the unisex category is particularly noticeable in the Handbags & Accessories sub-category, which experienced a significant 69% increase. It is interesting to note that while ‘it’ bags and mini bags may receive more media attention, retail buyers are recognizing the appeal of gender-neutral backpacks, messengers, cross-bodies, and totes among consumers. In the Apparel segment, unisex products saw a respectable growth of 28%, and Footwear had a 25% increase.
This trend of unisex fashion is not limited to a specific region; it is a global phenomenon. However, the growth is most significant in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), with an impressive 64% increase. South America follows closely with a noteworthy 54% increase, North America is almost on par with South America at 53%, while the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region lags behind with only a 24% increase.
Looking ahead, JOOR CEO Kristin Savilia predicts that the demand for genderless fashion will continue to be strong. The company’s extensive platform, encompassing 600,000 curated fashion buyers from 150 countries, showcases the significance of this trend and its potential impact on the industry. With the continuous growth and increasing number of brands offering unisex styles, it is evident that the unisex category is here to stay. Regardless of the name used to describe it, whether unisex or gender-neutral, the category’s growth and consumer demand cannot be ignored.
To learn more about the rise of gender-neutral fashion, you may visit the following links:
1. JOOR’s Official Website
2. Vogue Business Article on JOOR and Unisex Fashion
