By Andi Allen.
About the author: Andi Allen is creative director of GFW Clothing, an independent UK brand creating gender-inclusive clothing designed to fit different body shapes. As part of the GFW team since 2024, Andi champions greater choice, comfort and freedom in fashion, challenging the idea that clothing should be restricted by traditional gender categories.Â
Fashion has always been a way to communicate status, identity, personality, and creativity. As clothing becomes less restricted by traditional gender categories, terms like masc styling and unisex clothing are becoming more common.
Although they are often used together, they describe two different ideas.
Masc is about presentation. Unisex is about design.
The simplest way to understand the difference is:
Masc describes the way someone chooses to present themselves.
Unisex describes the way a garment is designed to fit and be worn.
Masc styling is about expression - the shapes, silhouettes, and styling choices that create a more masculine-coded appearance.
Unisex clothing is about construction - creating garments that are less tied to traditional gendered fits and can be worn by a wider range of people.
What does Masc styling mean?
Masc styling refers to a masculine-presenting approach to fashion.
It may include elements traditionally associated with menswear, such as:
•             Strong silhouettes
•             Tailored pieces
•             Relaxed proportions
•             Structured outerwear
•             Straight lines
•             Minimal styling
However, masc does not describe who someone is. It describes how someone presents themselves.
A person does not need to identify as masculine or male to enjoy masc styling. Clothing can be a creative choice, a form of self-expression, or simply a preferred aesthetic.
What does unisex clothing mean?
Unisex clothing focuses on creating garments that are designed to work across different genders.
Rather than being built around traditional men's or women's categories, Unisex clothing often uses:
•             Neutral proportions
•             Adaptable shapes
•             Flexible sizing
•             Less gender-specific detailing
The intention is not necessarily to create a masculine or feminine look, but to create clothing that allows more people to wear the same style.
Where do Masc and Unisex overlap?
Masc and Unisex often meet because both move away from strict gender rules in fashion.
A Unisex shirt, for example, may have a relaxed shape that works for many people. Someone might style that shirt in a masc way by pairing it with:
•             Tailored trousers
•             Heavy footwear
•             Structured layers
•             Minimal accessories
The garment may be neutral, but the styling creates the presentation.
Where are they different?
A masc garment is designed around an aesthetic.
A unisex garment is designed around accessibility and fit.
A masc piece might intentionally create:
•             A sharper shoulder
•             A straighter silhouette
•             A traditionally masculine shape
A Unisex piece might intentionally create:
•             A more forgiving fit
•             A neutral silhouette
•             A shape that accommodates different bodies
Neither approach is better - they simply solve different fashion needs.
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The collar detail for masc styling is key, the shape and structure, the point and spread.
Birds print shirt by GFW Clothing with a medium spread and stiffer collar.
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Why does the difference matter?
Understanding the difference helps people shop and style with more confidence.
Someone looking for masc clothing may be searching for a specific feeling or presentation.
Someone looking for unisex clothing may be looking for flexibility, comfort, or a garment that is not designed around traditional gender categories.
Both approaches allow people to engage with fashion in a way that feels authentic.
Masc and Unisex are connected, but they are not interchangeable.
Masc is about the style someone chooses to express.
Unisex is about how clothing is designed to fit different people.
A person can wear Unisex clothing and create a masc look. A person can wear masc-inspired clothing without wearing unisex garments.
Fashion is not only about what a garment is — it is also about how someone chooses to wear it.