However, it is with regret that we must announce a pause in operations. Despite our small but dedicated team, we have struggled to achieve the scale needed to sustain the business. Rising costs, supply issues, Brexit, and various challenges have made this difficult decision unavoidable.
We will be closing our physical store at the end of April and have marked down the remaining inventory on-line by 25% or more. Please take advantage of this final chance to own original GFW label designs.
We are the only company that ignores gender binaries and makes each shirt design in 4 body shapes and 7 to 10 sizes per body shape. Our unique sizing was the reason that many of you first chose to purchase from us in the first place and we still believe there is potential in our approach to gender-free sizing. If any entrepreneurs or companies with the resources and capabilities to re-imagine the business come forward, we would welcome that discussion.
Thank you for your support over the years. We hope you've enjoyed our products as much as we've enjoyed providing them.
Cheerio x
Lisa, Anna, Millie, Blondie and the rest of the extended GFW team.
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Smart shirts for businesswomen and some of the best shirts for interviews are easier to find than you’d believe. What if you’d prefer a less fitted cut shirt for women for work wear, but you need the staples of a black or white shirt? One of GFW Clothing specialities is formal wear for women who love androgynous or masculine-inspired shirts for professional women.
We’re going to walk you through some of our most popular shirts for business women, as well as shirts for bustier women while still maintaining that masculine fit.
The white short-sleeved shirt is a staple for any business women’s capsule wardrobe. We know short-sleeved shirts are synonymous with professionals in the summer, but this one is made from 100% medium-weight weight twill-cotton - perfect for throughout the year.
What makes the white short-sleeved shirt especially great for curvier business women is the hidden bust button designed to prevent gaping and maintain a truly androgynous fit. The white short-sleeved shirt is specifically made for women looking for a looser fit that doesn’t accentuate the bust or the waist.
The White Long Sleeve Shirt comes in sizes Alex, Billie and Charlie and now this is also available with rainbow buttons. If you’re not familiar with GFW Clothing speak, this means we can cater to different body shapes and sizes.
The Alex size, for example, is for those of us who have wider hips and bigger bottoms. The Alex is ideal for women who have a classic pear shape or if your trouser size is a couple of sizes bigger than your top size.
The Billie size comes with 2 revese buttons to prevent gaping and no pocket. This is just so you can avoid any gaping issues when it comes to bust size.
As one of our most popular shirts for professional women, the Black Long Sleeve Shirt can be paired with almost any colour and pretty much any pattern.
As always, the Black Long Sleeve Shirt comes in Alex, Billie and Charlie sizes, so there are 3 body shapes and 7 or 9 sizes per shape. It may seem a little biased of us to say this, but this shirt really is a must-have for any bustier woman looking for a gender-fluid style. This shirt proves that curves don’t have to be the focal point of a business wear outfit for women. We also offer the Rainbow Button Black Long Sleeve Shirt for those of you who want to add a pop of colour to your formal wear wardrobe.
Do you have any capsule work wardrobe hacks? Tell us all about it in the comments or on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages!
]]>We are chuffed to have his endorsement, this is what he says....
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We’re here, we’re queer...but how can we signal this without saying anything?
Queer signalling has been around for decades. In the 70s, LGBTQI+ signalled to one another using a handkerchief system. They would put hankies in their back pocket or their waistbands and each colour signalled a specific sexual preference and specific kinks.
There were several variations of the hanky code, so if you’d like to find out more about this slice of LGBTQI+ history, take a look at this great article about flagging (TW: lots of very explicit sexual language). Flagging is not so common now, though a few artists have created an updated version!
Comedian Justin Sayre did a stand up performance on flagging...or more specifically “The New Hanky Code.” It’s worth a watch if you need a laugh and want to learn a bit of gay history at the same time.
Nowadays, signalling takes many shapes and forms! People want to signal for various reasons including finding friends and partners, as well as showing others that they’re part of the LGBTQI+ family or even just someone safe to talk to in the street.
We’re not saying all LGBTQI+ people wear certain things to signal to others...it’s just there are some clothing and accessory choices that are far more prevalent with LGBTQI+ people. Much of the time, we are signalling without even knowing it! A great example of this is the rainbow - and of course the pride flag uses different colours of the rainbow to represent different groups. GFW Clothing features a rainbow on some of its Print; there is a black and a white shirt which uses rainbow buttons, the merfolk shirt and unicorn shirts have nods to the rainbow too, subtlety worked in to the design.
If you’re a queer femme woman, how can you let people know without telling people? Some of you may have experienced the “you don’t look gay” thing and it can be very frustrating, especially if you’re looking to meet other likeminded women. Never fear, nails could be the solution! If you’re femme and you’re into manicures then femme flagging using your nails could be just the thing you’re looking for. We think of it as poking the very real issue of femme invisibility right in the eye with a well-manicured finger.
Each finger on each hand has different meanings...and each colour on each finger can represent different things.
As a general rule of thumb (pardon the dreadful pun):
Photo by Analia Baggiano
Femme flagging is still a great way to signal to other women who love women that you’re interested. There are so many wonderful blogs about femme flagging - this one mentions hair rosettes as a femme flagging technique (it looks so cool! Especially if you’re into the vintage look).
No, not the band from the 00s, but the clothing champion of many LGBTQI+ people. Plain white tees (PWTs) are particularly a staple for queer women worldwide. Some of TV and film’s biggest LGBTQI+ characters are renowned for their PWTs. Just take Chloe Sevigny’s character Amy in If These Walls Could Talk 2’s or L Word’s Shane or Ruby Rose (and even Ruby Rose wearing a plain white tee on a white t-shirt!). It’s clear PWTs have been, and still remain, a LGBTQI+ wardrobe favourite.
Those of you into body art may already have several tattoos relating to LGBTQI+, but if you don’t and you’re considering it then the good news is you’re spoiled for choice!
During the Holocaust gay and bisexual men were labelled with pink triangles and lesbians / bisexual women wore black trinagles (although the women were referred to as “asocial” rather than lesbians because, erm, Nazi backwardness). Even to this day, some gay men, lesbians and bisexual individuals choose to get triangle tattoos as a symbol of strength, unity and pride.
If that background story is a little too morbid for you, then you could go for a tattoo featuring your favourite lyrics from a well-known LGBTQI+ icon. Tattoos are always a fantastic conversation starter, especially if you’re on the lookout for that special someone.
Lesbians of the 1950s also started a nautical star tattoo trend. In the awesome book Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold: The History of a Lesbian Community by Elizabeth Lapovsky Kennedy and Madeline D. Davis they say: “The cultural push to be identified as lesbians – or at least different – all the time was so powerful that it generated a new form of identification among the tough bar lesbians: a star tattoo on the top of the wrist, which was usually covered by a watch. This was the first symbol of community identity that did not rely on butch-fem imagery.”
Some intersex people opt for a circle tattoo or, more specifically, a purple tattoo with a yellow background. This stems from the intersex flag, which uses the same colours. According to the flag designer Morgan Carpenter, yellow and purple are “the intersex colour[s], neither blue nor pink “ and the circle is “unbroken and unornamented, symbolising wholeness and completeness, and our potentialities.”
There are countless tattoos you could use for signalling - it’s just a matter of sitting down and working out which one (or two or three or four or more!) is the right choice for you. If you need a bit more inspiration - check out this potted history of LGBTQI+ tattoos.
This one is now an oldie, but in the 70s and 80s, lesbians would clip a carabiner with keys on their trousers. Wearing them on the left side meant “top” and the right “bottom.” Some lesbians will still recognise this today, although the younger generations may not! You could always bring it back into style yourself. Slate wrote an amazing opinion piece on carabiners, lesbians and signalling - make sure you check it out here.
Gen Z has created a few brilliant ways to “signal” they’re queer on social media. Specifically, the eyebrow slit is one of the most popular ways to show that you’re LGBTQI+, just as gay men did when they wore an earring on a certain ear in the 80s.
Credit Favorite Fandom
TikTok in particular has its own mini signalling system. If you ever see comments such as “Have you heard Sweater Weather?” then it’s highly likely the person is asking if someone is bi without being overly direct (or they just really love the song Sweater Weather ...who wouldn’t!). An alternative is to ask “Do you listen to Girl In Red?” which is code for “Are you a woman attracted to women?”
Of course, this isn’t to say only LGBTQI+ folk listen to Sweater Weather or Girl in Red...it’s just a trend of its time. It’s kind of like asking someone in the 90s if they’ve seen Bound!
As mentioned, clothing and dressing in a certain way or choosing a certain brand might signal queerness, but not necessarily. As an inclusive brand, gender free world is worn and loved by all genders and sexualities.
Gender Free World Dress Shirt circa 2017
Check out our latest button up shirt collections here.
It’s important to remember that flagging or signalling isn’t a form of consent. It’s more of a way to show that you’re cool with being approached by potentially compatible people - whether for friendship or something more. So, if you’re interested in trying the art of signalling out - have fun and stay safe!
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Dressing for your gender identity can change everything about how you move through life. Confidence, posture, accepting compliments or opening up around others, can all shift towards how you are inside. But it can also reveal ways you’ve never imagined you could feel about yourself, as I found when I needed an outfit for two family weddings in 2021.
Two ceremonies, one weekend, maximum pressure. At my sister-in-law’s, in the stately surroundings of Kenwick Park Hotel in the Lincolnshire Wolds, I hoped to make an impression as a member of the bridal party.
What kind of impression though, I still wasn’t sure. I’d come out as non-binary almost six months before, but my self-knowledge had shifted. Privately I’d chosen William as my name, ready to reintroduce myself as a trans man.
But not then. Not right before two huge family events complete with named place settings, and even custom bride tribe loungewear. I couldn’t throw a wrench in the works like that. But I could share something true in what I wore.
So I went to buy my first suit and tie since being out of school uniform. Even as I browsed the rails, I hadn’t decided if I was going to ask for help. But when it came to speak up or leave, I got up the nerve to make it known I wanted a men’s suit, and that this was my first time.
To the store assistant’s credit, he played off the extent of the adjustments as business as usual. I’m still grateful for that. To this day I wonder if he realised the difference he made in my confidence. Even now, I wonder if he knew I was trans—if he was one of the first to see me.
As I watched him roll, tuck and pin the clownlike lengths of sleeve and leg in the mirror, in full view of other shoppers, I saw myself transformed. I’d gone too far from pretence by the time he asked me for contact details. I took one of those strange leaps of early transition, making this stranger the only person besides my partner to know my chosen name.
I took my new clothes and the hidden knowledge of how well they fitted me into the hotel room, where the three bridesmaids plus yours truly each gave an old, new, borrowed and blue gift to the bride. (I was blue. No word of a lie!)
Then, finally, we got dressed up.
After checking the how-to for a Windsor knot and fastening the tie against my bound chest, I arranged the knot and admired myself in the bathroom mirror. Its diamond details flashed glossy against the matching shade of the shirt (in the fashion which a quick search tells me is á la page).
I ran my gaze down my body and tugged the jacket front to pose, as if to pull my mirror image in closer.
I carry the memory of that reflection, that day, as the first time I knew how beautiful a boy I truly am.
Since then, I’ve learned more again about my identity and expression. I’m less of a binary guy than I put on myself in the thrill of embracing my masculinity. Now, I identify somewhere along the lines of a non-binary transmasculine, femboy genderqueer. What I wear continues to shift with my self-awareness, but a bold shirt is always a safe bet.
Wearing clothes from GFW has been a blessing for how they cut the needless gendering, and worries over what will fit from too-big men’s and too-curvy women’s sections. No matter how my gender journey reveals itself, I know I’m wearing something that affirms me in body and soul. Putting on that burgundy shirt still reminds me of the pure joy of looking in a bathroom mirror, and seeing someone I wanted to keep around.
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In the last few years, the concept of gender neutrality has really begun to gain traction, as many in society continue to challenge traditional gender norms and embrace inclusivity. One area where this shift is particularly evident is in the world of fashion. Gender-neutral clothing, has become a powerful tool for self-expression by breaking down the barriers of gender stereotypes How does the rise of gender-neutral clothing, and specifically in the case of the GFW Clothing brand, which offers button-down shirts, loungewear and unisex boxer shorts, contribute to a more inclusive and diverse fashion landscape?
GFW Unicorn shirt
Breaking Down the Binary:
Gender free Clothing defies the limitations imposed by the binary understanding of gender. They offer individuals the freedom to express themselves authentically, regardless of societal expectations. Our shirts feature fun patterns and designs, 4 different cuts, and silhouettes that are not limited to the traditional male or female categories but are related to the variations in our physical bodies. By rejecting rigid gender norms, gender-neutral shirts empower wearers to explore their own unique style and challenge the boundaries of fashion.
Unleashing Personal Expression:
One of the most exciting aspects of gender free shirts is their ability to express personal expression. This clothing can provide a blank canvas upon which individuals can paint their identities, free from the constraints of prescribed gender norms. Our gender free shirts embrace a neutral not overly fitted cut, fun patterns or solid, bold colours, and clean lines, allowing the wearer's personality to shine through. Whether you chose a bold print or are attracted by subtle details such as a contrast collar or placket, these shirts celebrate individuality and promote self-confidence.
GFW Sugar Skulls Shirt
Fit and Comfort:
Traditionally gender-neutral clothing has prioritised comfort and versatility. They are often crafted with relaxed fits that cater to a diverse range of body types and sizes; GFW Clothing goes one step further, by offering shirts in 4 different body shapes and up to 10 sizes per body shape we ensure that our shirts will fit your body regardless of your gender identity.
Inclusivity and Representation:
GFW white shirt with rainbow buttons
Gender-neutral clothing plays a crucial role in fostering inclusivity and representation within the fashion industry. By breaking away from the male and female dichotomy, these clothes embrace a spectrum of identities and promote visibility for individuals who do not conform to traditional gender norms. Furthermore, gender-neutral fashion encourages conversations surrounding gender identity, paving the way for increased acceptance and understanding in society.
As we continue to celebrate the uniqueness of every individual, let us embrace gender-neutral clothing and promote a world where fashion knows no boundaries.
We hope you see something you like your style in our current collections.
]]>For great clothes for EVERY body - regardless of sexuality or gender, check out GFW Clothing.
In years gone by, the classic short back and sides was the ultimate way to identify a lesbian - because it was a way of expressing the individual which wasn’t conforming to feminine cultural norms.
But over several decades we’ve seen more diversity with regards to hair length on women, regardless of sexuality. Think of the 80s when Annie Lennox (or just Annie Lennox in general), Grace Jones and Alison Moyet all sported beautiful ‘butch’ haircuts. Or how about Sinead O’Connor’s iconic shaved head style?
Annie Lennox. Source: RCA Records
The point is, ever since the 80s hair length is slowly being eradicated as an indicator whether someone or not is a lesbian.
Hair is not how we identify other lesbians any more in this ever-increasing egalitarian world.
For the past few years one of the most popular fashionable hairstyle for women of all sexualities is to have long hair with shaved sides. It’s a progressive hairstyle and is usually coloured with vivid hair dyes.
As for lesbians, it’s pretty much a free-for-all when it comes to hairstyles. Short hairstyles such as quiffs, crew cuts and shaved heads are still prevalent, but longer hairstyles are just as common now. This is fantastic in terms of the fact we feel more comfortable in expressing ourselves whether we’re femme or butch...and everything in between!
So...how do we recognise another lesbian now that the short hair and masculine clothing, considered by some as the bedrock of 'lesbian fashion,' are more widespread among all women’s sexualities?
I tried to come up with a few ways lesbians might identify each other - but it was difficult without involving stereotypes. So I decided to bust several myths about stamping ‘lesbian confirmed’ onto a woman....
Short nails
This one is derived from the whole “super-practical for intimate reasons” theory.
Myth busted: Nail-biting is still very much a big habit among all sexualities.
Masculine clothing
You can spot a lesbian a mile off if she’s into ‘tomboy’ fashion.
Myth busted: Ever heard of femmes? And tomboy is kind of redundant now...
I mean, what is lesbian fashion? Lesbian clothing style is a spectrum. Some of us love to wear dresses and heels, some of us like to wear masculine suits and ties. And that’s not counting the infinite mixtures of self-expression in between.
Body language
A woman is definitely a lesbian if she sits with her legs apart on public transport or if she slouches a lot, puts her elbows on the tables or if she doesn’t walk in a ladylike manner.
Myth busted: Not every woman attends Ms Cuthbert-Bellingham’s Finishing School for Ladylike Ladies. Some women like to adopt a more relaxed stance...for no reason other than they prefer it.
Hiking boots and fleeces
Lesbians like hiking. They wear hiking boots and fleeces...so they can go hiking a lot.
Myth busted: Straight women go hiking too.
Cool factor
Lesbians are really cool.
Myth busted: I’m tempted to agree with this one but we are available in a range of temperatures.
The conclusion? There is no surefire way of identifying a lesbian unless she tells you herself! We’re all amazingly unique and that is something to be celebrated!
Photographer @lori_sapio_photographer. Model @un_diverso_tipo_di_produzione
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Having fun in bed (GFW popcorn style)
Here are some key features of our pyjama / loungewear collection:
1. Gender-Inclusive Design: Our pyjama bottoms have a relaxed silhouette that allows for freedom of movement. With a focus on both style and functionality (yes pockets), these bottoms are suitable for any body type or gender identity.
2. Comfort and Quality: We understand the importance of comfort, and our pyjama bottoms and tops are made with a beautifully soft bamboo viscose from a closed loop sustainable source and dyed and manufactured in the UK .
3. Stylish Options: Our collection offers 3 colour combinations and 3 different tops to mix and match with the bottoms. Choose your bottoms then add a top for 15% off.
4. Ethical Sourcing: We prioritize ethical production practices and ensure that our loungeware range is crafted with sustainability in mind. We source materials from environmentally conscious suppliers, reducing our impact on the planet while providing you with high-quality products. The pyjama sets are manufactured in Manchester, UK using the same fabric as our boxer shorts. Quirky fact - the factory we use makes its own lingerie and its Kinky Knickers range previously featured in Mary Portus' programme 'Mary's bottom line'.
We understand that finding clothing that aligns with your identity can be challenging, and we are proud to offer this range of options to support your personal expression.
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We’re delighted to announce the launch of our Pride Socks inspired by the internationally known pride flag! Lisa, our co-founder, explained: “We originally wanted to do the Progress Pride flag but, with 9 colours, the manufacturing equipment wasn’t up to it.”
However unfortunate it may be that we couldn’t include all the colours, we thought we’d break down exactly what the Progress Pride flag colours represent and their importance.
In 2017, Philadelphia introduced a “More Colour, More Pride” flag as part of a campaign from the state’s Office of LGBT Affairs. They added both a black stripe and a brown stripe to the original rainbow flag. The original pride flag was created by gay activist Gilbert Baker, friend of Harvey Milk, to better represent queer and trans people of colour.
But why is the Progress Pride flag significant to Philadelphia? The city wanted to address the ongoing problem with racism in gay bars. In fact, it was reported that 11 gay bars in the area had to take anti-racism training as a result of racial discrimination complaints.
The Progress Pride flag as we know it today, with the trans flag and marginalized community stripes, was created by Oregon designer Daniel Quasar (pronouns xe/xem). Xe designed the flag to celebrate intersectionality. Xe commented: “The trans flag and marginalized community stripes were shifted to the Hoist of the flag and given a new arrow shape. The arrow points to the right to show forward movement, while being along the left edge shows that progress still needs to be made.”
Colour |
Meaning |
Red |
Life: The colour of blood, the ultimate life force and sign of vitality. In some cultures, red is seen as the colour for good luck and in others it’s seen as a passionate or romantic colour. Basically, it’s a positive colour all around.
|
Orange |
Healing: Orange is also seen as the colour of enthusiasm and joy. |
Yellow |
Sunlight: As the centre of the flag, the yellow is said to represent the sun which in itself is a symbol of optimism and hope. |
Green |
Nature: Otherwise recognised as prosperity, organic growth and freedom. |
Blue/indigo |
Peace and harmony: Calmness in the advent of tough times. |
Violet/purple |
Spirit: Similar to blue in that this colour symbolises tranquillity but with an underlying soulful element. |
Black/brown |
Representing people of colour: Diversity and inclusivity |
White/Blue/Pink |
Transgender and non-binary folk |
Yellow/Purple Circle |
Intersex people |
Historically, the original Gilbert Baker Pride flag included a hot pink stripe and a turquoise stripe, rather than the six-stripe pride flag that appeared a little later. The meanings of all the colours remained the same - apart from hot pink (sexuality) and turquoise (magic and art). It’s said the reason the hot pink and turquoise stripes were removed was because of dying and manufacturing issues,
Of course, there are many different types of Pride flag, some of which include:
The Progress Pride flag incorporates many elements of various Pride flags, making it one of the most inclusive designs so far!
Fancy a pair of GFW Pride socks? Take a look at our newly launched socks here!
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Since we launched back in 2016 we have been committed to making in the UK for a number of reasons. As a new brand it was easier to work with a UK supplier, we could visit and learn about the production process especially with our different body shapes and multiple sizing. Our first factory was very helpful as they allowed us to make small runs which was essential in testing out the market. Of course garments made in the UK and then later when we used a Spanish supplier, cost more than than very large orders made in the developing world where workers are paid much less.
However, as an inclusive brand, it was a shame that we had to retail our shirts as mid-priced and we have long wanted to introduce some shirts at a more 'budget inclusive' price.
Being committed to sustanable practices, how could we begin to find a new supplier and trust that they meet our criteria?
In 2021 we were chosen to be part of the Collaborative challenge with London College of Fashion students, and it was there that we met Pranav.
Pranav is studying a Masters in Global Fashion Retailing and he was keen to introduce me to his family firm. We spent much of the following year talking about how we could work together, receiving fabric samples and preparing our first order.
About Excel Deals
Founded in 1975, Excel Deals is one of the leading clothing manufacturers in Tiripur. It has a modern sate-of-the art manufacturing facility powered by solar panels.
This video shows some of our shirts being made.
Workers are paid on a contract basis between 30000 and 50000 rupees depending on skill set which is at the top end of payment for garment worker in India. We hope these first shirts are the start of a good partnership and we plan to make more shirts with them; our exclusive digital prints will continue to be produced in Spain and the majority of shirts will still be made in the UK.
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Boxers aren’t just for cis men…or even for those who want to express a more masculine look. In fact, boxer shorts are classed as gender neutral clothing. They’re perfect if you want to wear a skirt while you play sports. Women who played netball at school will know exactly what we mean - remember those short shorts we all wore under our netball skirts? They’re a form of jersey boxer short!
For those of us who are curvier, boxer shorts can be a godsend. They can prevent chafing and the dreaded wedgy. In short, they keep everything in place and they’re incredibly comfy. And you can say goodbye to visible panty lines (VPLs) - boxer shorts blend very well with most clothing items, so VPLs are minimal or even non-existent.
The beauty of boxer shorts is they’re multi-purpose. Not only can you wear them as underwear, but you can also use them as loungewear or even activewear on their own (yoga, we’re looking at you!). Boxer shorts are some of the most versatile gender-neutral clothing items you could ever own.
Here’s where we come in - we have a dazzling array of boxer shorts available. You can choose from vibrant purples, vintage paisley-inspired patterns, practical greens and many more. At GFW Clothing - the world is your boxer shorts oyster!
Nothing quite beats sliding on a fresh plain white tee to complete that gender-neutral look. Whether it’s a tight muscle-fit tee or or a cool oversized tee, you really can’t argue that plain white tees are gendered.
Credit: Poppy Pix @Shutterstock
The great thing about the classic white tee is they come in so many cuts, which makes them perfect for all body types. For example, if you want a boxier look for bigger shoulders then you could go for a crew neck slouch tee. Or if you want to show off your curves, you could go for a slim-fit v-neck. Crew neck t-shirts also draw attention to the face, whereas longer crew neck t-shirts can go well with bodysuits where you need to tuck in the shirt. Scoop neck t-shirts are a brilliant choice for those of you who want to accentuate the bust or elongate the neck.
Credit @bothandapparel
If you have sleeve tattoos, a plain white tee does a fantastic job of showing off your ink. The contrast between the bright white and the darker tattoos makes for a striking look for any gender.
FranciscoStockLife @shutterstock
Plain white tees and vests are essentially a blank canvas. You can accessorise them any way you like - from smart braces to knotting the t-shirt at the waist. They make a great base for showing off a zany or colourful pattern such as geometric patterned trousers and animal prints.
Collared shirts aren’t just reserved for the masculine look. We consider our shirts as the perfect complement to your gender neutral clothing style.
For example, our short-sleeved penguin shirt can be worn with a cute pair of overalls or a dungarees - ideal for all year round. Just pop on some boots for the winter or roll the legs up in the summer and pair them with tennis shoes or flip-flops. The same can be done for our massively popular unicorn shirt and, come to think of it, any of our shirts!
Of course, you could pair a GFW gender neutral shirt with trousers or shorts or even a gorgeous pinafore dress. It all depends on how you accesorise with a dress shirt or a short-sleeved shirt. We also have a range of plain shirts from plum to our linen blend light grey shirt. Some gender fluid people like to jazz up their shirts with a bow tie or a tie (not strictly for men!) and others love to add some glamour with a necklace and earrings. Why not mix it up with dangly earrings and an undone bow tie? Gender expression is a playground and we’re all welcome to it!
Our shirts are particularly gender neutral as we cater for all body types and sizes. We want you to feel comfortable in your body and in the clothes you wear. For example, our ‘Billie’ sizing is a good choice for people with bigger busts and our ‘Alex’ shirts are especially for people with bigger bellies or wider hips. You can check out our sizing guide here!
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We've had several requests from customers who love our unique designs to make and accessory for their pups. Well here you go...we have so many lovely bandanas to choose from, made from the same fabric we use to make our shirts. Made in Britian with our 'no labels' strapline. Yes, you've guessed it, we don't care whether your pup is a good girl or good boy - we have made our bandanas in 5 sizes so they are sure to fit your dog's body.
So if you have the tiniest Chihuahua or the largest woolly St Bernard, or every shape and size of pup in between, you'll find that our products will fit your dog perfectly! Now which one will you choose...unicorns, bicycles, cherries?
Buy dog bandanas - unique to GFW Clothing.
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This is, in my opinion, one of the biggest pitfalls of womenswear design. Even the BBC once declared that “Hunting for women's clothes with proper pockets can be an exasperating experience.” Apparently, way back when, women didn’t need pockets because their husbands carried the money for them. But along came WWII and women were needed in factories, farms and other such manual industries. This meant they needed more practical clothing - so they started to wear trousers...proper pockets. But the war ended and so did the appearance of actual useable pockets on women’s trousers. Some would say, “Why don’t you just use a handbag?” But that defeats the point - more women than you think would prefer to be hands-free. That’s why sales for cross-body bags are going through the roof.
Luckily, there are a few retailers out there that sell women’s clothes with proper pockets. Nicola Hustler, womenswear design manager at Fat Face, commented "Pockets are often a key feature for our customer in her everyday, busy life. We would not consider doing 'fake' pockets on our product as we provide authentic clothing and pay special attention to every detail when we design."
Oh and ‘flaps’ - let’s not forget about them, they’re everywhere. On blazers, skirts, jeans, trousers - you name it, there’s a version featuring pointless flaps. But what are these irritating things? They’re essentially fake pockets (again with the pockets!), with the flap acting as the pocket ‘lid.’ If you lift up the flap you’ll see, well, nothing underneath.
2. See-through material
Why is women’s wear usually made of flimsy, see-through material? I’m pretty sure not all of us want to show off every part of our body (it’s fine if some women do!), it’s just I’d rather have the choice whether to show off my body with transparent shirts and sheer vests. Also, I don’t want to have to remember to wear my ‘best bra’ because it’ll be on display for everyone to see. This means women have to layer up - because see-through clothes are freezing. Come to think of it...is this a subtle way companies make women buy more clothes? Hmmmm.
3. Where are the regular t-shirts?
Some women love wearing tees depicting their favourite band, movie or even just a funny quote. You only have to go to a gig and look at the merch stall to see just how different the women’s t-shirts are to the men’s. Shorter sleeves, lower neckline and poorer quality material seem to be the norm for women’s band t-shirts. And you can’t really go for the men’s t-shirts because they either just hang off your body like a poncho or too tight in the waist or bust.
4. Impractical sportswear
Don’t get me started on women’s active wear! Even professional female athletes are having trouble with official sportswear. At Wimbledon, for example, many of the female tennis players wore the Nike Premier Slam tennis dress. While it met all requirements for Wimbledon’s strict dress code, the players found the dress to be wholly impractical (Serena Williams outright refused to wear the thing). Katie Swan ended up tucking the dress into her shorts and Šafářová just let it blow everywhere. This seems to me that women in sport, even the top athletes, still aren’t taken as seriously as men.
If you shop for running gear in the women’s department (online or in-store) you’ll more than likely find that the only colours available are pinks and purples. Sure, you could opt for a more generic grey or black - but look at the men’s section and you’ll see an array of colours to choose from. Red, blue, orange, green - it’s all there. That isn’t much of a problem when compared to the practicality of these sports clothes - we’re talking low necklines and low waistbands for gymwear. The sheer impractical nature of the cut of women’s sportswear means we’re more at risk to mooning everyone when we need to do squats, or flashing someone when we’re lifting weights.
We felt so strongly about pink in women's sportswear that we made a little video about it.
5. Deceitful sizes
Have you ever tried on an item of clothing that’s your size, only to find it’s way too small? This is way more common that you think. It makes women feel like there’s something wrong with their bodies. You’re a size 14 in Primark, but a size 18 in Topshop - what is going on? Apparently, in the last century women were expected to alter shop-bought clothes themselves. Another problem with the way the world sizes women’s clothes is they only take into account a certain body type. The industry forgets that some of us have bigger busts, wide hips, narrow hips, larger bums, flatter bums - the list goes on. That’s why some clothing companies not only offer a standard ‘size’ but also a choice of ‘body shapes’ (At GFW Clothing it’s Alex, Charlie and Billie!).
Finding Clothes that suit your Style
For great clothes for EVERY body - regardless of sexuality or gender, check out GFW Clothing, and we promise, our clothes do not feature any of these irritating features!
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Did you know 10,000 items of clothing are sent to landfill every five minutes? To tackle this issue, we are empowering you to easily resell your Gender Free World items through the Continue app - thus reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
This partnership not only helps to promote sustainability, but it also provides you with an opportunity to extend the life of your clothes (and make some money!). It's a win-win situation for everyone involved.
You can automatically sync your Gender Free World purchases to your very own Continue Digital Wardrobe. Simply download the Continue app and watch the magic happen with all the shirts you have purchased from the current GFW collection being downloaded.
Now you have Gender Free World verified clothes in your wardrobe that you can resell with the swipe of the finger. No need to upload photos, descriptions, sizes, categories, colours.
If you have products which are discontinued you can create a listing with your own pictures as with other resell apps.
This app is ideal for any of your Gender Free World purchases that reach the end of their time with you: if you have changed size or for the ones you feel you don’t wear enough.
Here is a summary of the wonderful new experience we’re providing all of our customers:
Frictionless selling
- Sync your Gender Free World purchases straight to your wardrobe.
- See product histories and follow the product's lifecycle for more trust and transparency.
- Sell your items with the swipe of a finger.
- Store unlimited items in your Continue Wardrobe and sell whenever you want.
- Chat with other Continue buyers and sellers within the app.
Easy purchasing
- Browse pre-loved items as if you were buying new.
- Secure in-app payments and buyer protection.
- Order tracking throughout the product's lifecycle.
We believe that sustainability is everyone's responsibility, and we are committed to doing our part. Our partnership with Continue is just one of the many ways that we are working to reduce our environmental impact.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to working together towards a more sustainable future.
Use the links or QR code to download the app.
App Store
https://lnkd.in/ePWiujGQ
Google Play
https://lnkd.in/ez6m3Zz9
How to sync your previous purchases with your Continue wardrobe:
1. Download the Continue app and sign up with the email that you used to purchase your items on GFW website.
2. Verify your email address through the link we send you
3. Head to your profile section
4. Click 'Sync wardrobe'
Credit Dfree / Shutterstock
Janelle Monae
If you’re over 30, you may remember when Janelle first hit the music scene in the late 00s and celebrated everything non-binary at a time when the term ‘non-binary’ wasn’t as widely known as today.
Over the years she has championed bisexuality and pansexuality, as well as pushing through gender norms. Here are some wise words from the legend herself: “I feel my feminine energy, my masculine energy, and energy I can't even explain."
Fitted suits, glamorous gowns, vintage avant-garde…Janelle wears whatever she likes - regardless of gender norms. She smashes the monochromatic, sharp-suited look and equally aces primary block colours.
Marlene Dietrich photographed by her lover, Mercedes de Acosta
Marlene Dietrich
Back to the distant past of Hollywood glamour now! Marlene Dietrich was a proud bisexual woman. She could often be found hanging out in Berlin’s gay bars and drag balls of the 1920s. Marlene went through a Vesta Tilley style revival - wearing “men’s” tuxedos, top hats and dinner suits.
Ms Dietrich didn’t just stop at formal wear! She was a talented boxer too, combining “feminine” clothing with “masculine” athletic wear. Marlene blazed a trail for gender fluidity through fashion, film and sports. What an absolute superstar!
Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
Jonathan Van Ness
Let’s come back to the present now with the beautiful Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness. It should come as no surprise that Jonathan is a queer fashion icon. Gender is no boundary to Jonathan - they use he/she/they interchangeably and use their platform to advocate for queer and trans rights.
As well as flowing gowns and magnificent mini dresses, Jonathan has been known to wear feminine-cut suits including a Stella McCartney white two-piece. Jonathan Van Ness always looks out of this world.
Los Angeles, 1974. Photo: Steve Schapiro
David Bowie
What kind of queer fashion blog would this be without the ethereal, late, great David Bowie? He enjoyed playing with gender and sexuality and influenced hundreds of future musicians. He brought queer fashion into the spotlight in the 70s with the “androgynous” (non-binary) stage characters Aladdin Sane and Ziggy Stardust, featuring sparkling jumpsuits, punky orange mullets (before punk was even a thing!) and elegant silk shirts.
Bowie followed this up with his Thin White Duke character in the late 70s - making a complete U-turn from glam rock and kitting himself out in tailored suits and adopting a “masculine” style throughout the severely underrated (my own opinion!) Berlin trilogy albums. He continued to experiment with gender and broke societal norms until he died.
Bowie made it ok to be “weird” (read - interesting and fabulous!). This was reflected in his stunning outfits - whether that was the baby blue suit from the Serious Moonlight tour in the 80s or the boho dress he wore on the 1970 album cover for The Man Who Sold the World. Bowie remains a queer icon to this day.
Laith Ashley
Laith is one of the most inspirational famous trans men out there at the moment. He has modelled for Calvin Klein and Diesel. In 2018, he became the first-ever transgender male pit crew member for RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Laith nails the classic look - think plain white tees and 90s-style blue jeans (very Calvin Klein!). He is also possibly one of the smartest-dressed men on the planet at the moment. He usually opts for suave checked suits, floral shirts and darker colours…though he is known to jazz it up with fitted suits in pink or purple. If you’re looking to perfect a more masculine style, look no further than Laith!
Rebel Wilson
Recently out and proud, Rebel Wilson is certainly a queer femme fashion icon! She doesn't shy away from bright colours and sparkly numbers. Rebel also knows how to rock a cape and a little black dress with a flourish. When she wears block colours, she always pairs the outfit with killer heels and vivid clutch bags. Rebel is always red carpet-ready, celebrating her beautiful curves and choosing outfits that express her personality.
A fun print button up shirt is loved by queer icons, non-queer icons, and lots of other folks too! Where to get the best patterns button ups? Look no further than GFW clothing's shirt collection.
Who are your favourite queer icons? We want to know! Tell us all about it in the comments or on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages!
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Fatboy Slim, international DJ and musician is known for his striking shirts. When he saw our designs he said 'gimme those, right here right now' and bought 2 shirts straight away.
We are chuffed to have his endorsement, this is what he says....
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Good news! There seems to be a growing number of independent retailers offering a particular style for trans-masc people. At GFW Clothing we’ve partnered with Both&, who specialise in making incredible AFAB masc-presenting clothing for trans men and the trans masculine folk.
In their own words, Both& say “You need clothing designed for your body, that creates square shapes and helps you feel gender joy.” We couldn’t have put it better ourselves!
Here are some of our best trans-masc clothing tips so you can feel 100% like yourself!
Binder-friendly t-shirts and vests
How often have you found the seemingly perfect t-shirt only to find the material is so thin that it shows the outline of your binder? Or how about loose-fit vests where the arm holes are way too long? This is a common problem with clothing catered to cis-men. But there are tops, shirts and t-shirts out there that keep binders in mind.
The Romeo tank top from Both& features narrow arm holes and a medium-weight material so you can rest easy knowing that your binder is hidden from view. The Khazeel shirt might just be the king of all binder-friendly t-shrits for trans-masc people. It’s a fantastic choice for non-binary and trans-masc people who prefer the streetwear look. The heavyweight cotton completely hides binder lines and helps create a boxy, bigger fit - genuinely a great choice for all AFAB body types.
Khazeel T shirt
Bigger shoulders
Trans-masc folk looking to accentuate their shoulder width need worry no more! The Finnegan t-shirt could be the answer to bigger shoulders for trans-masc people. The slimmed-down sleeves give your body a minimal profile, reducing curves and creating a streamlined look. The raised collar is designed to cover binder lines, while the narrowed shoulder width emphasizes your chest and shoulders.
Finnegan T shirt
But what about if you’re looking for a more formal style? GFW Shirts have a boxy shape, which can create a more masculine aesthetic. For example, our charcoal long sleeve shirt is a smart wardrobe staple. It comes in 29 variants across four body shapes for the best fit possible. This includes Alex, Billie, Charlie and Drew. For more information on the sizing and body types, take a look at our guide here.
Bust, hips and curves
AFAB trans-masc people generally want to avoid clothing that highlights the hips, bust and bum. If you don’t want to wear a binder, but you have a bigger bust, then you could go for a shirt with a hidden bust button. This prevents the dreaded “bust gaping” situation we see all too often with clothing catered to cis male bodies.
Our Billie shirts could be an amazing choice for those of you’re “top heavy.” They’re specifically made to fit people with bigger busts. Our Alex shirts, on the other hand, accommodate people with bigger bellies or bigger hips, making them a popular choice for trans-masc people who prefer to wear short chest binders.
GFW White rainbow button shirt - Billie cut for bigger busts.
If you’re not keen on your hips, you could always use compression shorts. They hug your body and flatten your hips and thighs. However, just like a chest binder, make sure you’re not wearing your compression shorts for extended periods of time (over 8 hours).
We hope you found our trans-masc clothing tips useful! If you have any go-to clothing tips for non-binary and trans-masc people, let us know on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages!
See Both& Apparel full range at www.bothandapparel.com
See all GFW Clothing gender neutral shirts
Cover Photo by HamZa NOUASRIA
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GFW Clothing will be having a stall at the Out & Wild Festival this summer (9-12th June ). We asked co-founder Polly to write a blog about why it was set up and now it is back for its second year, what to expect. Hope to see you there.
Guest blog by Polly Shute
Out & Wild Festival began as a vision way back in lockdown 2020. Becky and I, joint co-founders, wanted to create a fun, safe and supportive space for LGBTQ+ women and those who are non-binary, to connect through shared experiences.
Our research told us women wanted more than just a music festival, they wanted activities and experiences throughout the day and night. They wanted a beautiful location and great camping and glamping options.
Out & Wild Festival has 5 key zones; Wellness & Workouts, Music & Comedy, Spoken Word, Sport & Hikes (including wild swimming and standup paddleboarding) and Workshops & Talks.
Our first Festival in 2022 was a massive success, around 400 people attended and we were delighted to get 100% recommendation in our post event survey.
For 2023, we are expecting 800 attendees over the three days and nights.
Attendees love the variety of activities across the days, among the most popular being the daily hikes, tasters of sport, the wide variety of wellness experiences and the interviews with award winning authors.
We end the evenings with music, comedy, improv, burlesque and cabaret. For 2023 we are also introducing open mike for music and poetry.
You can camp, glamp or bring your campervan or if you want to stay off site. We make sure there are plenty of toilets and showers (including accessible ones).
The location is stunning, overlooking the River Cleddau, on the edge of Pembrokeshire National Park. We follow an existing Festival, so that means we have great facilties in place, including WIFI and places where you can charge phones and other equipment and even an a cafe on site!
For more information and tickets please go to Home - Out & Wild Festival (outandwild.co.uk)
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Here at GFW we believe that everybody deserves to have a fantastic shirt to fit not only their body, but also their awesome style. GFW was a business born out of frustration - we were bone-tired of the insipid range of shirts on offer in the womenswear section. Why were they so dull, so puff-sleeved, so demurely pastel/stripey/floral? Over in the mens department there was a carnival of bright colours and bold prints, but they didn't nearly fit our body shape. Why were shirt patterns so gendered? Why was clothing even separated by gender? Why wasn't anyone doing anything about it?
Well sometimes you just have to roll up your (button up shirt) sleeves and sort it out yourself!
We work with a number of talented illustrators and textile designers and are so proud of our fantastic designs - the featured picture is of Emery Smith showing the original artwork they made for the popular Sunset Starling short sleeve button up shirt. Emery is also responsible for many of our other designs including the Unicorn, Merfolk, Books and Autumn Leaves patterns. The Cats and Sappho prints are the work of Victoria Suvoroff and Esme Mackenzie designed the Brighton Town and Meercat prints. Below is a selection of some of our personal favourites, including limited edition runs which are no longer available.
We've got a bunch of great ideas for upcoming production, but we thought we'd turn it over to you and see what sort of things you'd like to see featured in our designs. What do you love, what do you want to show off about yourself? We've had some great suggestions recently that we're working on bringing to life, but we're always hungry for more.
So have a think, comment below, comment a bunch, hit up your friends for suggestions, don't be shy!
Merfolk Print
Sunset Starlings Print
Brighton Print
Cats Print
Navy bicycle print
]]>What is vanity sizing? In short, it’s a marketing tool. Clothing companies wanted to compliment shoppers by reducing the sizes to make women feel they’re a size or two smaller than they really were. Well, it was a marketing tool but apparently it isn’t used as much today with the advent of ‘plus size’ outlets such as Evans and Curvissa.
But this meant clothing designers started to set their own definitions of sizes - just take a look at this info from The New York Times. A pair of Dolce and Gabbana trousers with a 31 inch waist is actually 26 inches for a pair of Banana Republic trousers - that’s five inches of extra cloth between the two!
Why is this considered a problem? Part of it is waste. A lot of us shop for clothes online and 40% of us have to return clothes because they don’t fit. Not all women are the Marilyn Monroe hourglass shape (but that’s great if you are!) - there isn’t a single defined shape for a woman. For example, at GFW clothing we’ve got 7 or 10 different sizes to pair with 4 body shapes, and because there is no uniform ‘size 14’ we created our own size numbering system. Sure, there are way more than 4 body types, but the concept can make a big splash in the clothing ocean! The variety of shape / sizes we offer, combined with our extensive sizing guide means that our exchange rate is only 7%, pretty unique in the on-line retail world.
Sizing has changed so much over the years. In the 50s a UK waist size 8 would be a size 12 today, while a 38 inch bust is now a 44 inch bust. Is it because we’re just getting bigger as a population? Well, yes and no. Clothing sizes have changed dramatically at both ends of the spectrum.
This Vox report breaks is down well.
In the mid noughties, you probably remember the huge campaign against ‘Size Zero,’ the US equivalent of a UK size 4. Luisel Ramos, a size zero model, died from anorexia in 2006. This prompted Madrid Fashion Week and the Milan Fashion Show to pull size zero models from the fashion show indefinitely. A lot of fashion designers and shows have banned models with a BMI of 18 or under (the underweight category).
While this does encourage clothing manufacturers to consider that not all women fit the supermodel body type, it is risky to shame those who are ‘skinny.’ Just as we should support bigger body types, we should support those with naturally slimmer figures too. After all, there is such a thing as ‘petite size’ and the ‘tall’ in outlets such as New Look.
With this in mind, fashion retailers should treat us with respect. H&M’s biggest size is a 16 - but plenty of taller women with a healthy BMI are sometimes size 16 and above. It all depends where the fat is on your body. Surely cutting off clothing sizes halfway through the average sizing spectrum would damage a person’s body confidence? Ruth Clemens, a student shopping at H&M, tried on a pair of size 16 trousers in H&M and you can see for yourself how small they were - despite Ruth being a perfectly healthy size.
Another reason why sizing is a problem for women is a big one - expectations. We’re constantly under the magnifying glass for what we wear, whether it’s playing tennis at Wimbledon or being the Prime Minister. Who cares who ‘won the fashion face-off,’ Daily Mail?! Women are shamed, objectified and insulted for wearing almost any outfit - ranging from ‘too frumpy’ to ‘too slutty.’ It seems we can’t win and, to top it all off, we can’t find anything in the right size.
Some might say ‘but this is a first world problem', but at GFW Clothing, we believe that everyone should be able to access clothing which suits their style, identity presentation as well as fitting their body. We make our shirts in 4 different body shapes and 7 or 10 sizes per shape - that's 32 variants per fabric design. Our shirts will fit you!
Article
By Beth Kennedy. Cover image - Youtube/Vox
]]>By Beth Kennedy
Women wearing men’s clothes is fast becoming more widespread than ever before. Many women have worn men’s clothes at some point. But what are the things that change for women shopping the men’s section? As a fan of wearing ‘mens’ clothes, I’ve noticed a number of things...
1. Sometimes I’m taken more seriously
I’m going to start with something a little controversial. If you start to wear men’s clothing you may notice that people take you more seriously - especially in the workplace. We saw this in Lucy Rycroft-Smith’s incredible article when she writes, “I’m wearing a three-piece pinstriped suit, matching tie and pocket square, and the confidence of a mediocre white man. To my left, a man is pouring me coffee; to my right, another is listening respectfully.”
2. Smart clothes are actually comfy
Gone are the days where to dress smartly you would have to wear tight, restrictive skirts, killer high heels and plungey shirts. Formal men’s clothes are all about comfort as well as style. Granted, some men’s clothes don’t fit more curvier women (that’s where GFW Clothing comes in), but in general men’s clothes are certainly comfier than women’s clothes.
Think how heavenly it is to step out in flats for a night out and be able to dance until the early hours without blisters or swellings!
Photo by Mariya Georgieva
3. You get a lot more choice
Of course, you can pick and choose between the women’s and men’s departments in clothing stores, so automatically you double your options. But what I really mean is the advent of versatile men’s style at the moment. Whether you’re a lover of ‘masculine’ camo (silly to call camouflage ‘masculine’ because there are plenty of women in the forces!) or partial to tropical floral prints you’re going to find it. At the moment, I’m very impressed with the array of patterns and colours available in the men’s clothing section right now. In decades gone by, you’d find the only colours socially acceptable for men to wear would be blue, grey, black, taupe and fawn at a push. Just take a look at the vibrant patterns and colours available to women in the 1940s! These days, we’re very fortunate to see a plethora of colours, patterns and prints in both the men’s and women’s clothing departments. Masculine clothes for females shouldn't be a trend but available to those who want it.
4. Shop assistants get confused
I don’t mean in the sense people start saying ‘Are you a man or a woman?’ I mean in a way that purchasing anything marketed towards men comes with questions.
Just the other day I bought some ‘men’s deodorant’ only for the shopkeeper to say ‘But that’s for men!’ in a very confused manner. It also happens with clothing - I’ll buy some stuff from the men’s department, go to the till and the cashier will sometimes say ‘Are these for your boyfriend / husband / son / brother?’ I always make sure to correct them, albeit very nicely, by simply saying, ‘No they’re for me.’ I make sure not to justify why I’m buying them (I like the patterns, the style, the cut, etc) because if we start elaborating we’ll have to keep elaborating. If you start purchasing men’s clothes, you will almost certainly confuse the cashier!
5. Increased storage space
Women’s clothing is notorious for having pointless pockets. Put on a pair of men’s trousers and gasp in awe at the deep pockets, gaze in wonder at the blazer pockets that aren’t sewn together. Not all women like to carry a handbag (but those who do - you go, girl. You do you!). Men’s clothing gives us a sense of freedom from lugging around a bag thanks to the ample storage space, so to speak. The pockets are deep enough to fit your phone, wallet / purse, your keys and even a small paperback book if you’re an avid reader. Lack of pockets irritates us so much that we devoted a whole blog piece to it!
6. Homophobia and transphobia
Unfortunately, the world on the whole isn’t ready for ‘women dressed as men’ - even though we’re not dressed as men, but rather wearing masculine clothes. There are plenty of women who aren’t lesbians that prefer to wear masculine clothing. I can’t count how many times I’ve been called a ‘dyke’ or a ‘rug muncher’ in broad daylight just because I’m wearing a clothes traditionally targeted at the men. And that’s just the homophobic remarks. Women wearing men’s clothing is apparently also a reason for men, women and children alike to be homophobic. I remember a couple of years ago I was standing outside a bar waiting for a friend while wearing a shirt and tie. A man stumbled out of the bar sneered at me and scoffed, to the bouncer (while still looking at me), ‘Is that a man or a woman?’ The bouncer and the man laughed - almost as if I was invisible. Although this doesn’t happen everyday, it’s still a semi-regular occurrence. I say transphobia because what if I was a FTM or MTF transgender person? They weren’t to know, yet they still proceeded with their vitriol.
7. Respect from lovely people
It’s not all bad news - I’ve found that wearing men’s clothing as a woman has resulted in some wonderful comments from both friends and strangers alike. One heterosexual male friend declared, completely unprompted, I look fantastic in a men’s suit. Members of the public can also be extremely supportive. Quite a few years ago I was at a job interview where the female interviewer said. ‘I love your suit.’ To which I replied, ‘It’s only from Primark!’ She then responded with, ‘For all I know it could have been Hugo Boss, it looks great.’
I find it promising that my mind includes these strong positive memories that can often override the everyday bigotry I, and many others, face.
So, we may have a long way to go when it comes to gender equality in the mainstream fashion world, but for now it’s important to wear what you want and keep on being you.
Gender Free World clothing is not separated in to mens or womenswear. We believe that your gender should not affect your clothing choices. If you like a fun shirt or like wearing boxer shorts your gender is irrelevant; and that's what we mean by 'gender free'.
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Available in both long- and short-sleeved variations, this wonderful design captures the spirit of Brighton and uses the colourful artwork of their botanicals, Brighton Gin bottles and Brighton landmarks.
To celebrate the launch of these shirts, the good folk at Brighton Gin have a great discount offer for GFW customers.
Brighton Gin was born of a passion for gin, and a passion for the place where both GFW Clothing and Brighton Gin operate, live and play – it is a gin that embodies the 'Spirit of Brighton': unusual, playful and fiercely independent.
Brighton Gin's multi award-winning gins make classic, citrus-forward G&Ts and a juniper-led base for a delicious range of cocktails. Clear and bright in the glass, the subtle notes of juniper and persistent hints of citrus amongst other botanicals including lime, milk thistle and locally grown coriander seeds make Brighton Gin gentle and approachable.
Handmade Craft Gin
A truly handmade gin, each bottle is carefully washed and filled by hand; each label is applied by hand and each bottle is dipped every one in wax ourselves: no factory production lines!
Brighton Gin is gluten-free and the first craft gin to be certified 100% vegan - which includes the wax bottle tops and the gum uses to stick the labels on! The company keeps their carbon footprint down by delivering in Brighton & Hove on a specially adapted gin bike – that’s a lot of huffing and puffing up some of those hills!
Enjoy 15% Off Brighton Gin!
An exclusive treat for GFW Clothing customers, enjoy 15% Off when you shop at Brighton Gin until Christmas Eve - from Brighton Gin gift sets to mini tree decorations, personalised gin bottles to merchandise!
Find out more about Brighton Gin here
Terms & Conditions: Discount for New UK Customers only. Code may be used once per customer for orders of any value. Code valid for orders placed at www.brightongin.com or in person at our distillery. Discount is not applicable to gift vouchers, tours & experiences, hand sanitiser or charitable products including Pride 2022 Limited Editions. Offer expires midnight 24 December 2022.
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Menswear, womenswear, we are so over that concept as you know! The term dapper has been primarily applied to menswear aesthetics but in the last few decades this is changing and we know many of our customers have this look down regardless of their gender. Here are some tips on how to look dapper and some fantastic accompanying pics of stylish dapper folk.
Where did the word dapper come from? Originally, it was a Middle Low German or Middle Dutch word meaning ‘strong, stout or bold.’ Though it later evolved to mean elegant, attractive and well-dressed…with particular emphasis on the last word.
Being a dapper woman or dapper person isn’t just about women and nonbinary folk wearing menswear. It’s about style, finesse and a general air of confidence and awesomeness.
Credit: Grownandcurvywoman
The beauty of suits is that you can get them in any colour, any pattern and any cut. In the pic above we can see a bright red two-piece suit paired with a casual checked shirt and a suave blue tie. High-waisted suit trousers are a gorgeous way to embrace your curves.
Credit: Madam Secretary CBS
However, if you prefer a more masculine look then take notes from actor Sara Ramirez. They opt for darker colours and a more traditional cut to achieve a flawless and robust look.
If you’re feeling adventurous, then nothing screams “dapper” than going back in time. Bow ties can go with tweed and twill for the 1940s professor look, whereas a black bow tie compliments a Victorian-style drag king tux à la Vesta Tilley!
If you’re not a bow tie sort of person, then maybe the wide-legged trousers of the 1940s are more your bag:
Credit: Dapper Women Blog
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/774124919005912/
Credit: Thomas & Thomas London
Going vintage as a dapper woman doesn’t necessarily mean you need to avoid casual clothes. As we can see in the photo above, this look combines the rustic old country style with a cool, modern vibe. Blues and browns tend to work well with this look - and it looks fab with or without a tie!
Pinstripe suits will always be one of the most popular ways to get that vintage dapper woman's appearance. We can see the women above mean business, with that square-shouldered, confident aura.
Pork pie hats, boaters, flat caps, top hats - you can’t really beat a good hat with a smart outfit. It makes a dapper outfit stand out from the rest.
Credit: Bellisimo Hats
Marlene Dietrich
Credit; Tessolina
Wearing a tie isn’t a must when it comes to being a dapper woman but it is an amazing way to pull together an outfit.
Some of the types of ties for dapper women might include:
Traditional: Think 80s yuppie or 90s office worker! An excellent tie to go with double-breasted suits or an overcoat.
Kipper: Popular in the 70s and still one of the widest ties available - great for the retro aesthetic.
Skinny: Made popular by mods in the 60s and again by indie bands in the 00s, this die-hard tie style usually has a width of 1.5 - 2 inches at its widest part.
New standard: A couple of inches shorter in width than a traditional tie. A staple choice for today’s office workers.
Bolo: A string tie held together with a decorative wooden, metal or plastic brooch. A brilliant way to personalise your outfit.
Credit: DapperQ
Bow ties are an entirely different story - they’re a category unto themselves! The story of the bow tie is pretty interesting - check it out here.
Credit: Scott R Kline for Kipper Clothiers
The little things can often make or break a dapper outfit. This means paying attention to details such as collars, cuffs and lapels. It all depends on what style you’re going for: are you a fan of the streamlined button-down collar or perhaps you prefer collar wings for a super smart look?
Lapels can really shape the rest of your outfit. Shawl lapels, although round, can be a good choice for the sharp contemporary look paired with skinny trousers and Oxford shoes. The notch lapel is a great all-rounder - specifically for those of you on the hunt for a classic look.
Take a look at the guide below for some dapper inspiration:
To start your dapper wardrobe, take a look at our collection of gender-free clothing.
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Does it matter? The baby won’t know what colour the room is.
Why aren’t there more goth babies in the world?
@aryn.spen genderized products are so strange and hilarious 😂😭 #deoderant #names #feminine #masculine #funny #humour #oof
♬ Plottwist - Andy Hansz
@born_human Gendered trash cans? Ummm … WHY??? #pointlesslygendered #maleandfemaleversion #genderedobjects #genderedproducts #makesnosenseatall
♬ Thot Shit - Megan Thee Stallion
This soap reeks of masculine insecurity...
why is this gendered soap so hilarious 2 me #MyRoutine #fyp #fypシ #foryou #lgbt #queer #gay #genderedproducts #genderedobjects
♬ original sound - cherri.satin
Brighton-based companies Gender Free World (GFW) and Lightning Like Scissors are pleased to announce their collaborative project challenging the dominant notions of gender and identity.
The theme is Gender Evolution – honouring the life-changing protest that has given us freedom and paved the way for us to express ourselves openly in our daily lives. Whether it be through the broad spectrum of gender identities or our sexuality, we wanted to acknowledge how far we have come by resisting centuries old norms, and how far we have still to go by continuing to push the evolution and elevation of a truly inclusive culture and community for ourselves and future generations.
The shoot is grouped into six ‘montages’ depicting the strength which is found when one's inner self and outward expression combine in harmony. Each model has been cut, coloured and styled by Buck Lightning Rumstache (he/they/she), owner of Brighton and Hove’s first non-binary and gender neutral barbershop, Lightning Like Scissors. Gender free shirts and unisex boxer shorts featured are designed and made by GFW Clothing. Each collection of images playfully echoes "The March of Progress", a reductive image and concept of ape to man, which was once used as a representation of our own evolution. Gender as it is presented today is a social construct and we are here to show with undeniable humanity: it is time to evolve.
GFW Director Lisa Honan (she/ her) explains why limited gender roles need to be challenged. She says:
"Gender roles are really harmful because you're limiting your own sense of self. It's not great for your mental health - people want to be who they are and your clothing, your hairstyle, your choices all reflect that. Why should society tell you what you're allowed to do?”
Rumstache elaborates further: "For me, providing a service and a place for people to come and express themselves and find out about their own gender identity through their aesthetic is not as superficial as it may appear. It's about the outside matching what's on the inside. For me, my service and what I can provide is my experience in these areas, helping to bring this authentic inner person to the outside and then for people to look into a mirror and see the reflection of something they actually want to see, that hasn't been defined by someone else's rules but defined by their own rules."
Each montage features a slogan; some have been around for a while and some are new, but all are still relevant today. Clothing does not have a gender, and neither do hair cuts. We aspire to and fight for a world where your gender does not limit your choices. Full stop.
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Equality.
They them are valid pronouns.
Smash the Patriarchy.
My body my business.
Credits
Shirts & Boxers: @genderfreeworld
Hair: @lightninglikescissors
Photos: @photography.madsen @georgina.lowe.photography
Makeup: @emeraldxcloud
Models (in order above)
@alihendrycoaching
@alix_coe
@lightninglikescissors
@erinenfys
@loveyohair
@veronamoitt
Here at GFW we can be a bit literal with our product names - you know: blue shirt, penguin shirt etc, but we think these patterns are very evocative and decided to name them after female artists. Historically women's contribution to art is often overlooked, underated, and many artists disappear from art history altogether. We celebrate these 4 artists and hope our underwear inspires you to look up their work.
Boxers for Every Body
Our unique design means that these super comfy boxers can be worn by anyone. Double layer where it matters, for those with or without external genitals. Yup everyone!
Viscose fabric is incredibly soft, stretchy and durable, we think you're going to love these new designs and you'll find these the most comfortable boxers ever.
Our boxer shorts are made in Manchester, Britain, by the same company who makes Mary Portas' Kinky Knicker’s range. Find out more about the factory, Headen & Quarmby, in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/bN-Z59OY6W8?autoplay=1
O'Keeffe Smudge Print
Named for artist Georgia O'Keeffe. Born in 1887, O'Keeffe was an American artist who painted nature in a way that showed how it made her feel and is best known for her paintings of flowers and desert landscapes.
Schapiro Paisley Print
Named for artist Miriam Schapiro - a Canadian-born artist based in the United States, Schapiro was a painter, sculptor, printmaker, and a pioneer of feminist art. She was also considered a leader of the Pattern and Decoration art movement and her artwork blurs the line between fine art and craft.
Delaunay Block Print
Named for artist Sonia Delaunay. Delaunay was a French artist who co-founded the Orphism art movement, noted for its use of strong colours and geometric shapes. She was the first living female artist to have a retrospective exhibition at the Louvre in 1964.
Rae Streak Print
Named for artist Fiona Rae - for 25 years Rae has developed a distinctive body of work, full of restless energy, humour and complexity, which sets out to challenge and expand modern conventions of painting. She was appointed the first female Professor of Painting at the Royal Academy Schools in 2011.
See all unisex boxer shorts for sale.
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Skinny jeans are soooo 2014, though they’re not completely on their way out. Boyfriend jeans and mum jeans are back in the spotlight again - especially when it comes to the tomboy or androgynous look.
Why does society think that your gender should dictate what clothes you wear? How one expresses their self satorially should not be restricted by a person being defined as a man or woman. Clothes may look like a small part of the everyday, but they are one of the most consistent messages that we receive about who we are and who we are not supposed to be and let's face it gender feels like an increasingly over simplified and artificial way of identifying oneself.
Most high street trends today focus on the idea that gender must be expressed through clothing. This can have a negative effect on society as it puts people in boxes and asks them to stay in them. It is not just the colours: pink - girls, blue - boys but the shapes, cuts, patterns and materials used by big companies that assign clothes with messages which consequently label and categorize the wearers. These fixed ideas that certain colours and patterns only belong to a certain gender group are now changing. We like to focus on our clothing having signs that define the gender of its owner, indeed 'no labels' is our secondary brand name and is stitched into all our clothing.
After all we no longer live in Victorian times and there are no longer dress codes or rules when it comes to the division between the sexes. Gender neutrality is very important as it represents a gesture of liberalism and creativity.
Our shirts are designed to fit body shapes, it is about the universality of fit that looks good on everyone and at the same time escaping the narrow confines of gender dressing. Gender neutral clothing is not a trend or a provocative statement, but fashion evolving with current times and most importantly about people loving their wardrobe and embracing the fashion that feels appropriate to each individual.
Shop now]]>For a long time, being fat/plus-size/curvy/whatever you want to call it, has been mutually exclusive with keeping up with fashion trends. With a recent surge in followers, although fatshion has been around for a while, it’s now that brands are really starting to take notice of it.
So – how do you begin? It’s always going to be tricky to walk into a regular high street shop and find items in your size. Even if they fit some parts of your body, they might not fit others. Jeans with gaping waist bands that are somehow ridiculously tight on the thighs – sound familiar? Luckily, I’m here to help you find your feet in the world of fat fashion.
This step is aaallll about Instagram. Even if you don’t use the platform to post things, make sure you get yourself an account and follow pages you like the look of. To get you started, here are some we love:
The next step is finding those key pieces that will change your wardrobe. As we mentioned before, regular high street shops can often be out of the question for us fatties. Unless the current style is oversized, I’m rarely likely to find anything that fits me anywhere other than Tents R Us.
So where should you look? Here are some suggestions:
It depends massively on where you’re living, but charity shops can often be places where you find the most unique clothing. Before you step foot in the door, make sure you’ve got a list handy of the items you’re looking to find. That will save you hours of sifting through the same long flowy trousers hoping to find inspiration.
Obviously, there are too many places online to list, but ASOS Curve is a solid starting point. Their sizing guides are generally very accurate, and you can just return anything that doesn’t fit how you expected it to. And of course, there are niche retailers like Gender Free World, who will give you fitting advice if you give them a phone or email. Currently their sizing range is from 10 to 22 with plans to increase the larger sizes in the near future.
We’re not talking H&M and Topshop here, we’re thinking smaller independent shops, and most towns will have an area off the beaten track which is worth exploring. In the UK, just a couple of miles away from Brighton, you can find GFW Clothing's physical store, which is one of the best places to find clothes that are designed specifically for different body shapes.
This is where you need to bring a bit of step one back in – check out those Insta posts again and see how those people put outfits together. Give yourself a solid couple of hours either alone or with a trusted friend, just to play around with your new acquisitions. Don’t forget accessories, and take pictures of each outfit you style for future reference.
Once you’ve styled a few outfits, take them on test runs. Wear them to work, out for a date night, or to meet a friend. Make sure they’re comfortable and wearable for long stretches of time, and ask your friends for their honest opinions. Take lots of pictures and use all of that experience to help you out in the future.
There you have it. A beginner’s guide to fat fashion. Any other questions or comments? We’d love to hear from you – leave them below or @genderfreeworld us on Twitter.
]]>Going from winter to warmer weather is the perfect time to change up your style. Instead of covering up with layers of warm clothing, you can experiment with different outfits and new ways of wearing the clothes you had forgotten about over the winter. So whether you’re on the beach or gazing at the sun out of your office window, here are some tips to help your spring wardrobe go the extra mile.
If you’re fed up of everything on the high street, why not go to your local charity shop? If you’re not sure where to start, you can check out where your nearest shops are here: https://www.charityretail.org.uk/find-a-charity-shop/.
Some charity shops organise items by size, and others by colour. Whichever type you go to, make sure you search through everything they have on offer as there can be hidden gems in amongst what may look like racks of uninteresting clothes.
Keep an open mind as you search through the racks, and make sure you wear clothes that are easy to change as you try things on. A top tip is to pick up at least one ‘risky’ item every time you take clothes to try on – you never know what you might find.
The simplest of outfits can be changed with a well-placed accessory, but it can be difficult to know what to pair with which outfit. For the beginner accessoriser, a brooch or badge is a good starting point. Pin it onto a top you don’t mind getting holes in, and wait for the compliments to come in.
Ready for the next level? Try going for some jewellery. A chunky necklace, ear cuff or long pendant can be perfect for any gender.
Once you’re confident in your accessorising skills, there are no limits. Cinch in an old dress with a new belt, use a colourful bag to set off your monochrome outfit, or add a straw hat to make your outfit season-appropriate.
One of the best things you can do to transform your style is to reduce the amount of clothes you have. If you’re searching in an overfull wardrobe, you’ll never be able to see what you’ve actually got in there.
A great way to declutter is to use the KonMari method: take everything out, then hold each item individually and ask yourself if it sparks joy in you. If it does, it gets put away. If it doesn’t, give it away or sell it. You can read more about this method here: http://makinglemonadeblog.com/10-steps-decluttering-your-closet-clothing-konmari-method/
Once you’ve decluttered, you will be able to easily see the gaps where you might need to pick up a new item of clothing, or a combination you had never even considered before.
A great way to discover an outfit you would never have thought of is to get someone else to think of it. Have a friend come over and pick you out an outfit (including accessories) from your own wardrobe. You’ll be surprised what they come up with!
Then, turn the tables and help your friend discover an outfit they never knew they had lurking in their wardrobe.
These are becoming more and more popular. Whether you attend a commercial one or organise your own, clothes swaps are a great way to not only find new items for your wardrobe, but also to allow your old clothes to find new homes.
If you want to organise your own, all you need is a space where the clothes can be laid out: a dining table, clothes rails, or a large sofa. Provide a screen for people to change behind and you’re set! It’s up to you if you want to make it free to attend or have people pay a cost per item, which is a great way to raise some money for a charity close to your heart as well as rejuvenating your wardrobe.
A new colour will inject new life into your outfits. You can start small with this if it scares you; try some brightly-coloured socks, a red scarf, or a new pair of purple-framed sunglasses. Once you feel confident in these, you can move up to the bigger items such as skirts or shirts.
A great place to find colourful shirts is GFW Clothing – there are all manner of vibrant prints from bikes to parrots. It’s easy to pair these with what you already have in your wardrobe – a pair of black trousers and a smart jacket to dress it up, or casual denim to dress it down.
The important thing to remember is that this doesn’t just have to be in your clothes. Sure, a coral hat or some bright green trousers will turn heads, but so will a blue lipstick or a pink streak in your hair. Style isn’t all about clothes, and makeup, hair and jewellery are great ways to add colour into your life.
Try sitting next to the window in a coffee shop and looking at people as they pass by. If you see an outfit you like the look of, take a quick note of it and use that to inform your next shop.
This works even better if you focus on people who have the same body shape as you. At GFW, shirts come designed for all body types, but if you’re looking on the high street or in charity shops you may not be so lucky. Look at how people wear different items of clothing – for example a shirt doesn’t have to button up, it can be tied at the waist or worn as a coverup over a sleeveless tee.
How long does it normally take you to change into more comfortable clothes when you arrive at home? If you’re anything like me, it’s anything from 10 to 15 seconds, but the problem is that often our comfortable clothes don’t make us feel very stylish.
Being comfortable in the clothes you wear is so important, and if you can find an outfit you feel relaxed and trendy in, you’ve hit the jackpot. Have a search for some loose-fitting clothes that you could walk to the shops in as well as lounging in front of the TV and you’ll be surprised at the difference it makes, especially if you have unexpected visitors.
What you wear on the outside is what people see when they look at you, but you won’t feel comfortable in it if you don’t have well-fitting underwear. For those with breasts, this means a well-fitted bra. Surveys suggest that 80% of bra-wearing people are wearing the wrong size. Check out this video for a comprehensive explanation of how to fit yourself for a bra and what to look for in a good fit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jk55ep4XUQ
And as for the bottom half, make sure that whatever you wear, it is comfortable and breathable. Something that can be very freeing and rejuvenating is to throw away all your underwear and start again. If you can afford to do so, I highly recommend at least throwing out the uncomfortable or broken pairs of underwear and getting some good quality items to replace them.
Here’s a secret: those numbers sewn into your clothes? They don’t mean anything about the kind of person you are. It is possible to fit into a children’s jumper and some size 18 jeans in the same shop – believe me, I’ve done it. All that matters is how those clothes feel on you. And that's why GFW Clothing made their own unique sizing, once you know your GFW size every shirt will also fit exactly the same.
Alternatively, just add glitter. Glitter fixes everything.
GFW Clothing aka Gender Free World
Here is a selection of our new Spring shirts 2022. One well made, well fitting item will last you much longer than disposable fast fashion.
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