Why More Women in China Are Choosing to Wear Men's Clothing

A noticeable shift is occurring in China's fashion landscape as more young women embrace men's clothing. Kexin, a young woman who found her wardrobe increasingly dominated by traditionally male attire, is not alone. She, like many others, is choosing shirts, t-shirts, and shorts that were not intended for her boyfriend or father, but for herself.

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Women can buy this in a smaller size and wear it themselves. It's unisex, women can wear it too.

The reasons behind this burgeoning trend are multifaceted. Participants frequently highlight the superior quality of men's garments, often made with higher cotton and linen content. They also point to more refined cuts, larger pockets, smoother seams, better finishing, and significantly lower prices compared to women's clothing. Furthermore, many women express relief from the perceived pressure and body-shaming often embedded in women's fashion marketing, which frequently emphasizes idealized body types and delicate aesthetics.

This sartorial change is unfolding against the backdrop of a cooling consumer economy in China. On social media platforms like Xiaohongshu (RedNote), the hashtag "women wearing men's clothes" has garnered over 82 million views, while "gender-neutral clothing" exceeds 90 million. Kexin's own journey began after encountering men's clothing sales on Douyin (China's TikTok). Initially puzzled by algorithm recommendations, she soon realized the appeal lay in the focus on material quality and practicality, rather than the constant emphasis on conforming to traditional beauty standards often found in women's fashion.

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That really attracted me. I never understood why women's clothing insisted on traditional beauty standards, especially when the designs are often uncomfortable.

"Women can buy this in a smaller size and wear it themselves," and "It's unisex, women can wear it too," were common refrains heard during livestreams. Kexin found this directness refreshing compared to the often-complex messaging surrounding women's apparel. After purchasing her first "men's" t-shirt, she was struck by its comfort, breathability, and superior fabric compared to pricier women's items. The anticipated embarrassment of wearing men's clothes never materialized, and these practical, comfortable garments have steadily become a staple in her wardrobe.

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like an invasive species marginalizing the native