Building a successful unisex brand takes careful planning and execution. You need to understand your target audience, their preferences, and what resonates with them.
Creating gender-neutral clothing that appeals to a wide range of people can be challenging. It requires a deep understanding of fashion trends, customer needs, and the ability to balance style with practicality.
With the right strategies and approach, you can build a thriving unisex brand that stands out in a competitive market. Here’s what you need to know to get started.
What is a Unisex Brand?
A unisex brand creates clothing and accessories designed to be worn by any gender. The styles are not specifically tailored to men or women but aim to have a universal, gender-neutral appeal.
Unisex brands often focus on basics like t-shirts, sweatshirts, and jeans that can be easily mixed and matched. The goal is to create versatile pieces that can be worn by anyone, regardless of their gender identity.
Some key characteristics of unisex brands include:
- Gender-neutral colors and patterns: Unisex brands often use neutral colors like black, white, gray, and earth tones. They may also incorporate gender-neutral patterns like stripes, polka dots, or abstract designs.
- Loose, relaxed fits: Unisex clothing is designed to fit a range of body types, so it often has a loose, relaxed fit. This allows for greater comfort and flexibility in sizing.
- Minimalist design: Many unisex brands embrace a minimalist aesthetic, focusing on clean lines, simple shapes, and understated details. This helps create a timeless look that appeals to a wide range of people.
Why Build a Unisex Brand?
Unisex brands tap into a growing market of consumers who value inclusivity and reject traditional gender stereotypes. As younger generations increasingly embrace fluid gender identities, the demand for gender-neutral clothing continues to rise.
Some key benefits of building a unisex brand include:
- Expanded customer base: By creating styles that appeal to people of all genders, you can reach a wider audience and increase your potential customer base. This can lead to higher sales and greater brand recognition.
- Simplified product lines: Unisex brands often have more streamlined product offerings, focusing on versatile basics that can be worn by anyone. This can simplify your design and production processes, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
- Alignment with social values: Many consumers today prioritize brands that align with their social and ethical values. By creating an inclusive, gender-neutral brand, you can demonstrate your commitment to equality and attract customers who share those values.
- Opportunities for creativity: Designing unisex clothing allows for greater creative freedom, as you’re not constrained by traditional gender norms. You can experiment with unique silhouettes, fabrics, and details to create truly innovative styles.
How To Build A Unisex Brand in Easy Steps
A unisex brand creates clothing and accessories designed for people of all genders. The styles are gender-neutral rather than specifically tailored to men or women. Unisex fashion aims for a universal appeal that transcends traditional gender norms.
Unisex brands often focus on versatile basics like t-shirts, sweatshirts, and jeans that can easily mix and match to suit anyone’s personal style. The goal is inclusive, comfortable clothing that allows people to express themselves authentically without conforming to outdated stereotypes.
When building a unisex brand, keep these key elements in mind:
- Define Your Brand Identity and Aesthetic
- Choose Gender-Neutral Fabrics and Fits
- Develop a Diverse Marketing Strategy
- Partner with Like-Minded Retailers and Influencers
- Engage Your Community
1. Define Your Brand Identity and Aesthetic
Develop a clear brand concept with a cohesive color palette, patterns, and design elements that will carry through your collections. Choose gender-neutral hues like earth tones, primary colors, or black and white. These versatile shades have broad appeal across the gender spectrum.
Embrace minimalist designs with clean lines and simple silhouettes that flatter a range of body types. Avoid overly embellished styles or motifs traditionally associated with a specific gender, such as bows, lace, or camouflage prints.
As you craft your brand aesthetic, focus on timeless pieces that can be easily mixed and matched to create diverse looks. Classic styles like crewneck tees, straight-leg jeans, and relaxed-fit sweatshirts form the foundation of a strong unisex collection.
Incorporate unique design details that set your brand apart without veering into gendered territory. Consider contrasting stitching, unusual buttons, or subtle logo placement to add visual interest and brand recognition.
To ensure your unisex designs resonate with your target audience, seek input from a diverse group of people across the gender spectrum. Conduct focus groups or surveys to gather feedback on your color choices, fits, and overall aesthetic. Use this valuable insight to refine your brand identity and create truly inclusive styles.
2. Choose Gender-Neutral Fabrics and Fits
When designing your unisex collection, select fabrics that are comfortable and versatile for all body types. Cotton, denim, and jersey are popular choices that offer breathability, durability, and easy care.
Opt for relaxed, straight-cut silhouettes that flatter a wide range of figures without clinging too tightly. Boxy tees, loose-fitting button-downs, and straight-leg pants are all great options for unisex styles.
Offer an inclusive size range to accommodate diverse body shapes and sizes. Consider using a sizing system that doesn’t conform to traditional gender binary labels, such as “small, medium, large” instead of “men’s” or “women’s” sizes.
Pay attention to fit details like sleeve length, hem length, and overall proportions to ensure your designs work well for different heights and body types. Garment measurements and size charts are essential tools for helping customers find their ideal fit.
As you select fabrics and design silhouettes, prioritize comfort and functionality. Unisex clothing should be easy to wear and care for, with minimal fuss. Avoid overly delicate or fussy materials that may not hold up well to everyday wear.
Create a cohesive brand logo that reflects your unisex aesthetic. Use a brand logo maker to develop a logo that captures your brand identity and values. A strong logo helps establish brand recognition and sets the tone for your overall visual branding.
3. Develop a Diverse Marketing Strategy
Represent the full spectrum of your target audience in your marketing campaigns. Showcase your unisex styles on models of various ages, sizes, ethnicities, and gender expressions. Let potential customers see themselves reflected in your brand.
Craft inclusive messaging that speaks to your audience’s shared values. Use gender-neutral language in your product descriptions, social media posts, and email newsletters. Avoid gendered phrases like “boyfriend jeans” or “menswear-inspired.”
Highlight real customers and their stories in your marketing materials. Share user-generated content that shows how people of all genders wear and style your pieces. Authentic representation fosters a sense of community and belonging around your brand.
Collaborate with diverse influencers and creators who align with your brand values. Seek out partnerships with LGBTQIA+ influencers, body positivity advocates, and other voices championing inclusivity in fashion. Their authentic endorsement can introduce your brand to new audiences.
When planning photoshoots and campaigns, prioritize diversity both in front of and behind the camera. Work with photographers, stylists, and other creatives who understand and share your commitment to inclusivity. Diverse perspectives enrich your marketing and ensure your messaging resonates with your target audience.
As you develop your marketing strategy, continually seek input and feedback from a wide range of people. Conduct surveys, focus groups, and social listening to understand how your audience perceives your brand. Use these insights to refine your approach and ensure you’re creating truly inclusive, impactful marketing.
Create visually engaging marketing materials by incorporating your unique brand logo. Consistently showcasing your logo helps build brand recognition and creates a professional image. Browse logo design samples to find inspiration for a logo that captures your unisex brand identity.
4. Partner with Like-Minded Retailers and Influencers
Seek out retail partnerships that share your brand’s commitment to inclusivity and gender-neutral fashion. Look for boutiques, online marketplaces, and department stores that already carry unisex or gender-fluid collections. These retailers likely have a customer base that aligns with your target audience, making them ideal partners for expanding your brand’s reach.
When approaching potential retail partners, highlight your brand’s unique selling points and values. Share your mission statement, product offerings, and any press or accolades you’ve received. Demonstrate how your unisex collection complements their existing merchandise mix and appeals to their customer demographics.
Offer attractive wholesale terms to incentivize retailers to carry your line. Consider offering exclusive styles, customizable options, or special promotions to sweeten the deal. Building strong, mutually beneficial relationships with like-minded retailers can help your unisex brand gain traction and credibility in the market.
In addition to retail partnerships, collaborate with influencers and creators who embody your brand’s values. Identify social media influencers, bloggers, and content creators who champion inclusivity, body positivity, and gender-fluid fashion. These influencers likely have engaged, diverse followings that trust their recommendations and mirror your target audience.
When selecting influencers to work with, prioritize authenticity and alignment over follower count. An influencer with a smaller but highly engaged audience that genuinely resonates with your brand may be more valuable than one with a massive following but little affinity for your message.
Develop creative, organic influencer campaigns that showcase your unisex styles in action. Rather than dictating rigid content requirements, give influencers the freedom to style and photograph your pieces in ways that feel authentic to their personal brand. Encourage them to share their genuine experiences and perspectives on your collection, fostering a sense of trust and relatability with their followers.
As you build out your influencer partnerships, consider long-term collaborations and brand ambassadorships. Ongoing relationships allow influencers to develop a deep affinity for and understanding of your brand, leading to more impactful, authentic content. Plus, consistently seeing your unisex styles represented by a diverse range of influencers reinforces your brand’s commitment to inclusivity and helps you reach new audiences.
5. Engage Your Community
Foster a sense of belonging by creating a community around your unisex brand. Encourage customers to share photos of themselves wearing your pieces on social media. Create a branded hashtag and repost user-generated content to your own channels. Seeing real people of all genders and identities rocking your styles helps others envision themselves in your brand.
Solicit feedback and input from your community regularly. Share design sketches or fabric swatches on social media and ask followers to vote on their favorites. Crowdsource ideas for new product categories or colorways. When customers feel invested in your brand’s creative process, they develop a deeper sense of loyalty and connection.
Host inclusive events that bring your community together IRL. Plan a launch party for a new collection or host a clothing swap where customers can trade gently used pieces. Partner with local LGBTQIA+ organizations or community centers to host panels, workshops, or fundraisers. Collaborating with other socially conscious groups amplifies your brand’s impact and introduces you to new audiences.
Give back to causes that align with your brand’s values. Donate a portion of proceeds to organizations supporting LGBTQIA+ rights, racial justice, or body positivity. Volunteer your time or resources to local nonprofits making a difference. Demonstrating a genuine commitment to social responsibility enhances your brand’s reputation and resonates with value-driven consumers.
Create safe, welcoming spaces for your community to connect and engage, both online and off. Moderate comments and discussions on your social media channels to ensure respectful, inclusive dialogue. Establish clear community guidelines that prohibit hate speech, discrimination, or bullying. Cultivate an environment where people of all genders and identities feel seen, heard, and valued.
Benefits of Building a Unisex Brand
Building a unisex brand opens up a wealth of opportunities for your business. You tap into a market that appreciates inclusivity and values brands that recognize the fluidity of gender identity. Here are some compelling benefits:
- Wider potential customer base: Your designs appeal to everyone, regardless of gender, which means more people are likely to find something they love in your collection.
- Increased brand loyalty: Customers who feel seen and respected by your brand are more likely to return and recommend your products to others.
- Opportunity to challenge gender norms: Your brand becomes part of a larger movement towards more inclusive representation in fashion.
- Streamlined production process: Focusing on gender-neutral designs may simplify your production and inventory management, as many pieces can be universally appealing.
Tips for Unisex Brand Success
1. Stay true to your inclusive brand values
Your brand’s commitment to inclusivity should be evident in every interaction. From the designs you create to the way you handle customer inquiries, showing consistent dedication to your gender-neutral ethos reinforces your brand’s identity and mission.
2. Offer a range of sizes
A critical aspect of inclusivity is ensuring that everyone can find their fit. Offering a broad size range, or even custom sizing options, ensures that your products are accessible to a diverse customer base, further emphasizing your commitment to inclusivity.
3. Continuously gather customer feedback
Your customers are your best resource for understanding what works and what needs improvement. Regularly engage with your community, asking for their input on designs, fits, and what they’d like to see next. This feedback loop helps you stay relevant and responsive to your audience’s needs.
Final Thoughts
An authentic unisex brand does more than simply market clothing without gender labels; it actively participates in the dialogue around gender inclusivity and represents a step towards more understanding and acceptance in fashion and society. With intentional design, community engagement, and a commitment to inclusivity, your unisex brand can resonate deeply with customers looking for something beyond traditional gendered apparel.
In a world where everyone wants their identity to be acknowledged and respected, your unisex brand can stand out by offering designs that everyone feels comfortable and confident wearing. LogoMaker supports this vision by empowering you to create a logo that encapsulates your brand’s inclusive ethos.
Create a free logo in minutes with LogoMaker, and take the first step towards launching your unisex brand with a visual identity that speaks to your commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
