Gender Neutrality in Bridal Today

The bridal world has tens of thousands of gowns to choose from for the traditional, modern, and high-fashion Cis woman. Of course, every client has their own style and taste for what they want in a wedding look, but there are those who look for something that most bridal stores don’t have a high inventory of.

In the fashion industry, today gender neutrality is growing more than ever with unisex clothing that can be worn no matter the gender, but it is interesting to see how the bridal industry is following along. The fashion industry can always keep up and be right on the tip of where consumers are at, but when it comes to bridal it seems like it is a long journey.

Historically, weddings are the most gender-strict occasion in one's life and throughout time seen as ownership of women in the case of a dowry. Wedding ceremonies have had strict rules depending on social behaviors, cultures, and religions as the choice of marriage looks very different today.

“The marriage took on a new role of saving men and women from being sinful and procreating. Love wasn't a necessary ingredient for marriage during this era” says Stritof for Brides.

Time has evolved since interracial marriage was legalized in the U.S. in 1967 and it took a long way, but same-sex marriage was legalized in 2015. Now, marriage is seen as a celebration of pure love and freedom to marry who you want.

Gender neutrality in weddings had me interested in learning how bridal stores approach clients who seek a non-traditional fluid wedding look. I interned at one of the most famous stores in the country as you might know from TLC’s Say Yes To The Dress: Kleinfeld Bridal. I interned here a few years ago but still remember the system, designers, and my experiences with the five brides a day I assisted consultants with.

Kleinfeld’s was the perfect place to look into with their endless amount of bridal appointments and having over a thousand styles in inventory. I spoke to the top stylist at Kleinfeld and star of Say Yes to the Dress, Lisa Furhman. I remember working with Lisa one time and observing her precise process and technique for her clients to fall in love with a gown and ultimately say yes to the dress.

With Furhman’s many years of experience, I wondered about her strategy with a non-gender conforming client.

“I first sit down and have a short consultation with my client and get to know a little more about them and the details of the wedding. Then it depends on color and style as everyone comes in with different tastes and ideas,” she says. “First I’m saying bride as an example but it depends on whatever the client prefers to refer to themselves as. In the past few years, we received more pantsuits, jumpers, and rompers so we have more options if they are not looking for a dress.”

Pantsuits are a popular alternative to a gown for gender-fluid shoppers as pantsuits have been a popular two-piece for decades and are known for women adopting a masculine style. There are many options when it comes to design and details for a pantsuit, including, silk, embellishments, casual, beaded, pantsuit with shorts, and trench blazers from Beaute Comme Toi or a jumpsuit with a cape from Safiyaa.

Furhman also relays that clients can also do as many customizations as they want with the designers and productions which gives more freedom and flexibility with a vision.

Furhman feels that bridal stores can do better at promoting gender inclusivity.

“It’s on the company to keep up with the trends and know what’s going on. They need to continuously be across the board with designers and consultants when it comes to race, pronouns, and size inclusivity,” she proclaims, “Here at Kleinfeld, we welcome everyone no matter what you look like or who you are.”

Furhman explains that she never had much difficulty when having a client that wants a gender-fluid look and that the store has enough of a variety to give the shopper options, but it all comes down to what the client envisions for themselves and if Kleinfeld aligns with that vision which goes for everyone who comes in for an appointment.

In this case, I asked Lisa if this meant that in her point of view there was no lack when it comes to gender-fluid clientele in the bridal industry.

“Oh, no way. There is still a lack when it comes to this type of clientele. There's more work to do and I would not say that it is all there,” she replies.

From here, it seems that the bridal industry has taken steps into becoming much more inclusive with a wider selection of designers for the gender-fluid shoppers who are getting married, but of course, like many things that still need work in the fashion industry, there’s still more work to do for the genderqueer community to feel secure that there is something for them when it comes to any special occasion.

For future wedding celebrations there are also gender-neutral terms that can be used to refer to those involved:

Celebrant - For a person who is engaged
Marrier - For a non-binary bride
Nearlywed
To-be-wed
Wedding Shower - Instead of bridal
Couple
Person of Honor - For maid of honor and best men
Wedding attendants - For bridesmaids and groomsmens