Star couples sharing clothes are paving the way for genderless fashion – think Jennifer Lopez in Ben Affleck’s plaid shirt, or Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde sharing one
- Power couple Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have been spotted sharing the same shirt, and plenty of others are doing the same
- Borrowing clothes from your partner isn’t a one-way street – stars like Harry Styles are normalising skirts for men, and promoting gender- neutral fashion
Quite possibly one of the best things to come out of 2021 has been the reunion of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. Who knew we all needed Bennifer 2.0?
The couple ended their engagement in 2004 but have since been spotted on loved-up holidays, sparking a sense of nostalgia and hopefulness that love and redemption can be found no matter how long it’s been.
The idea of Lopez, a true and glorious diva, wearing her boyfriend’s plaid shirt – well, it just tickles, doesn’t it? She’s still just Jenny from the Block.
JLo isn’t the only celebrity into sharing her wardrobe with her guy. The delicious gossip Instagram account Deuxmoi recently shared a series of examples of celebrities borrowing from their partner.
Meanwhile, on a slightly tangential note, Megan Fox revealed on US late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! that she intentionally matches outfits with her beau, rapper Machine Gun Kelly. “We do [match], yeah,” the actress said on the show in July. That’s something I started with him because he’s such a flamboyant dresser.
“I can’t really pull off just the sweatpants and the yoga gear. I have to, like, elevate myself to his level.”
The shared couple wardrobe (share-drobe?) also plays into that ultimate fashion catnip – “borrowing from the boys”. The idea of wearing a paramour’s oversized shirt, blazer, tie, waistcoat or, hell, boxer briefs, has long held allure.
Think Diane Keaton in 1977 film Annie Hall, or Julia Roberts in her ’90s baggy suits and any of the Instagram fashion set currently wearing oversized blazers, super loose, low-rise jeans or boxer briefs. All of which are major trends this year.
Indeed, Danish fashion it-girl Pernille Teisbaek recently posted a snap of herself wearing a pair of boxer shorts with a blazer in a look she captioned “summer suit” and which is certain to be emulated by many a fashion follower.
While the “borrowed from the boys” aesthetic has eternal appeal, the concept of gendered clothes is becoming increasingly redundant.
In a 2020 survey, Vice Media noted that 56 per cent of Gen Z consumers already shop outside their gender. “Brands and retailers need to understand that Gen Z don’t think of themselves in terms of boxes or binaries. And they don’t want brands to either,” Emily Safian-Demers, an editor at trend forecaster Wunderman Thompson told Vogue Business.
Deborah Sams, creative director at Australian label Bassike, which is available in more than 60 retailers around the world and has a particular focus on beautiful basics that suit everyone, says while the concept of genderless fashion is not groundbreaking, it’s definitely gaining momentum.
“The concept of genderless fashion is by no means new, but it’s certainly gained a lot more mainstream attention in recent years with the rise of oversized tailoring and the ease of slouchier fits for both women and men,” she says. The brand has experienced particular success with the universal appeal of its low-slung denim styles, cotton-jersey shirts and sneakers.
“I think the boundaries and concept of what we consider ‘genderless fashion’ will only continue to expand, as the industry looks to become more inclusive and diverse in the future,” she adds.
Pray tell JLo and co are taking note.
