THE ROLE OF FASHION IN EXPRESSING ONE’S GENDER

A Research Study
Presented to the Faculty of
Saint Louis School of Pacdal, Inc.

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for subject

English-10

By
Bagyaw, Sean Leinole
Gatchalian, Troy Mavrix
Pel-ey, Yurry
Adais, Jellian Destiny
Caligtan, Elliemae
Calpo, Jewel
Naguit, Erra

April 2024
 Chapter 1

Background of the Study

Identity in relation to style is an important element. Fashion is a medium that enables people

to showcase their gender identity visually and try out various styles that resonate with whom

they really are. It creates freedom from expectations, going against societal norms by

encouraging people to use dress, make up, hair style among other things as their gender

statements. According to a study by Bartsch and Loewenthal (2020), fashion allows individuals

to visually communicate their gender identity and explore different styles that align with their

true selves.

Moreover, fashion has been used as a tool for dismantling the traditional manifestations of

gender stereotypes. In other words, fashion helps individuals mix elements traditionally

associated with either femininity or masculinity to create unique looks that defy binary

constructions of gender according to Davis and Witten (2020). This results in more inclusive

societies where individuals can freely express themselves without fear of condemnation.

Therefore, fashion acts as a major tool for determining one’s individuality regarding gender.

Through visual communication and challenging social norms, it makes it possible for people to

search for different kinds of clothes they identify with. Gender diverse forms of expression are

improved through accepting it hence fashion becomes a core part of society.

References:

Bartsch, A. L., & Loewenthal, K. M. (2020). Fashion as gender expression: A review of the

literature. Journal of Gender Studies, 29(6), 650-666.

Davis, F., & Witten, K. (2020). Gender and fashion: A multidisciplinary approach. Bloomsbury

Publishing.

Statement of The Problem

Fashion serves as a powerful medium through which indivuduals express their gender identities.

However, among evolving societal perceptions of gender and its fluidity, there exists a complex

interplay between fashion, ,societal laws, and individual expression. The purpose of this study is

to examine how the way individuals presents themselves through their behavior, appearance and

other expressive means influences their own understanding of their own gender identity. This

research encompasses understanding how fashion shapes and reflects gender laws, the influence

of cultural and social factors on fashion choices, the extent to which fashion empowers or

constrains individuals in expressing their gender identity, and the implications for diversity and

social acceptance. Moreover, exploring the impact of commercialization, media presentations,

and technological advancements on gender expression through fashion is crucial in addressing

the complicated dimensions of this issue.Ultimately, explain the complexities of the relationship

between fashion and gender expression is essential for fostering greater understanding and

acceptance within diverse communities.

 1. How does fashion contribute to the construction and expression of gender identities?

2. What are the societal laws and expectations regarding gender expression through fashon?

3. How do individuals use fashion to challenge or conform to traditional gender roles?

4. What role of fashion industry play in shaping perceptions of gender?

Review of Related Literature

Write a note in this area. It's really easy Social norms and expectations have a significant

influence on how people express their gender. Being a "woman" was associated with femininity,

whereas being a "man" was associated with masculinity. These ideas dictated how men and

women should behave, seem, and speak. The most visible way to show and transmit gender to

the outside world are through dress and beauty. Fashion and beauty are ever-evolving because

they frequently reflect social and cultural norms around what can be considered undifferentiated,

androgynous, feminine, and masculine. Therefore, it is crucial to emphasize that what is

considered to be particularly masculine, feminine, androgynous, or homogenous clothing or

cosmetics depends on the environment and varies between cultures and historical eras.

Despite the fact that the fashion business has undergone enormous changes recently, showcasing

a gender inequalities in the "new sense of fluidity and freedom" (Akdemir, 2018: 262). Prior to

the 1800s, gender inequalities were minimal. According to Wright, "male and female fashions

were closely allied in style" (Wright, 2018: 276). Rose et al. (2012) examined how men and

women presented themselves in a study. Women on Facebook, discovering that "Males were
more likely to have short hair and were wear outfits including shirts, jeans, suits, loose shorts,

ties, and hats (p. 599), conversely, "females preferred to wear tighter apparel (such as skirts,

jeans, and gowns, shirts), in addition to cosmetics, high shoes, headgear, and ties" (p. 599),

conversely, "females preferred to wear tighter apparel such as skirts, jeans, gowns, and shirts in

addition to jewelry, high shoes, cosmetics, and so on (p. 599). These associations help in

highlighting a person’s sex so that viewers may make an assessment the binary sex based on

appearances (Entwistle, 2000). According to Entwistle, "one of the most direct and potent ways

that bodies are gendered" (p. 141), establishing standards for what is appropriate attire for men

and women. These stereotypes and prejudices begin early; infants are dressed in certain Pink for

girls and blue for boys are the colors and designs that help to distinguish them when a physical

characteristic make it hard to distinguish between people (Entwistle, 2000). This supports the

notion of gender being naturalized despite being taught because of the strong links between sex

and gender at birth (Butler, 1993). The presumption that a person's look corresponds with their

gender is but completely shaped by social and historical factors, with gender expression and

becoming more fluid in appearance. According to Wright (2018), "meaning is subject to

stereotyping, which results in the preservation of specific viewpoints” (p. 275). It is common to

see gender specificity in object design. More investigation has centered on how color affects

gender and style, as color may be used to improve a manner someone looks (Kodzoman, 2019).

Based on recent fashion theory, femininity is associated with bright, lively colors, while dark,

muted hues combined with a manly vibe. Gallant (2023) states on (p. 51) that "men dress

typically in plain, mundane looking clothing, attempting to ascribe to society's ideas of

masculinity." Miller (2004) offers the fact that men are more likely than women to wear darker
colors as an example. According to Gallant, women, on the other hand, usually dress "in more

light colours attempting to ascribe to the ideals of femininity."

(Gallant, 2023: 51). Gender-neutral clothing has grown in acceptance and popularity. A study

conducted by Kim et al. (2022) revealed that the conversation around the term "genderless

fashion" doubled between 2020 and 2019. This research declared Gen Z and millennials to be

"the leading groups of trends and consumption" consumers started to share their gender

identification on social media and engage in dialogue about it (p. 13).

The survey conducted by Spinner et al. (2022) was divided into four themes: work, houses,

fashion, and food.

The girls' publications included cuisine, fashion, and home topics more often than

The issue of jobs was more prevalent in the magazines targeted to guys as well as those that were

gender-neutral.

periodicals for boys as opposed to those for girls and gender-neutral publications. This elaborates

on the idea

the social constructs of gender rely on expectations of each individual in society

sexual activity.

The Markova et al. (2019) study discovered in a sample consisting of three distinct generational

groups that

76% of participants said that gender-neutral clothing should be acceptable for both men and

women.

apparel featured in advertisements.

According to Simone de Beauvoir “One is not born, but rather becomes,

woman” (2010 [1949], p.330) the traditional association of gender with biological sex has
been challenged. Nonetheless, throughout the development of the gender theory and the

understanding of gender as a social construct, the world is framed as a normative binary

matrix one complies and wanders through:

Gender is what is put on, invariably, under constraint, daily and incessantly, with anxiety

and pleasure, but if this continuous act is mistaken for a natural or linguistic given, power

is relinquished to expand the cultural field bodily through subversive performances of

various kinds. (Butler, 1988, p.531)

In regard of this understanding of gender as a social construct, gender has been associated

with fashion, as garments have been frequently considered as a marker or sign of gender

and an expression of the gender binary and gender roles (Crane, 2000, p.16). According

to fashion scholar Joanne Enwistle, garments add a cultural layer to one’s body, since

there is no relation between female bodies and femininity and male bodies and

masculinity (2015, p.143).

The self-expression of gender through fashion is interrelated to the self-expression that

occurs in regard of fashion brands and consumers. Brands could be assigned traits of a

person/human, such as gender, following the theory of anthropomorphism (Lieven, 2018), or the

concept of brand personality (Aaker, 1997, p.347), due to the fact that

consumers develop relationships with brands (Fournier, 1998). Thus, the development of

an understanding of brand gender will relate to key aspects of the brand. Further

implications and consequences will arise in line with the mentioned self-representation

and self-image associations happening between brands and consumers.