Choosing between unisex vs gender-specific hoodies isn’t a life-and-death situation. But the decision you make will surely AFFECT your profit margin.
Unisex hoodies break the barriers of fashion. No limits. No boundaries for who can wear them.
Gender-specific hoodies allow you to connect with your customers on a personal level. Deeper level of customization. Cuts are tailored to certain body shapes and preferences.
Luckily, finding a reliable hoodie manufacturer is easy for both unisex and gender-specific.
So, which one is better, really?
That’s what you’re about to find out! Keep reading and pick the perfect hoodie for your business!
Table of Contents
Unisex vs Gender-Specific Hoodies: Which one is better?
Unisex Hoodies
Unisex hoodies are designed to be worn by people of any gender.
Typically, the styles, silhouettes, and colors are all intended to be NEUTRAL. Meaning, it’ll fit the fashion preferences of both genders without being gender-biased.
Plus, unisex hoodies come in a wide range of sizes. They can be sized up or down to fit all body types.
It’s the perfect choice if you want to champion inclusivity and diversity.
Gender-Specific Hoodies
The name says it all—gender-specific hoodies are made to fit a specific gender.
Simply put, women’s hoodies are often curvier or fitted. That’s generally the natural shape of a female body.
On the flip side, men’s hoodies are typically looser and more relaxed. Complementing a male’s broad and muscular build.
Of course, the sizes are also explicitly TAILORED for each gender.
Unisex vs Gender-Specific Hoodies: Key Differences
Let’s have a more detailed comparison of unisex vs gender-specific hoodies, shall we?
1. Design and Style
Design and style are the first notable differences you’ll notice at first glance.
Unisex hoodies can blend with any crowd. So, I always refer to them as the neutral zone of fashion. Everyone can rock the style without leaning too far into one gender.
The colors are neutral. Cuts and patterns are very VERSATILE.
Gender-specific, on the other hand, are made to flatter specific body shapes.
Men’s hoodies are styled in a way to look more structured. Has a stiffer fabric. Seams are more fitted for a clean fit. Hoodies for women are all about showing off curves.
2. Fit and Sizing Options
Unisex hoodies are one-size-fits-all.
Yes—everyone who wears it can fit in just right since designs are typically forgiving. Either your customers are tall, short, or somewhere in between. They keep your sizing SIMPLIFIED.
Gender-specific hoodies are tailored to fit the proportions of men and women.
For example, men’s proportions tend to be broad with a straight body shape. Women have more curvy silhouettes. So, their hoodies feature a more fitted shape around the bust area down to the waist.
As for sizes, women’s hoodies obviously run a smaller size compared to men’s. For accurate sizing, check out JaceApparels, hoodie size chart.
3. Market Appeal
No discussions are needed. Unisex hoodies have a stronger market appeal. The fit and style are UNIVERSAL. Consider it your do-to solution for SIMPLIFIED sizing.
But here’s the deal—some customers prefer gender-specific hoodies. Especially when there are designs or graphics involved.
So, yep—both types of hoodies are marketable. You just gotta know which of the two your customers prefer more.
Expert Tip: Want to find the best hoodie manufacturers? Check out our trusted list of hoodie manufacturers in Portugal. This list won’t disappoint you, I promise.
4. Versatility in Design
Gender-specific hoodies are generally more versatile. You know your target market for each (women vs. men). So you can easily get CREATIVE with the designs you choose per hoodie.
For example, if you’re selling hoodies for women. You can research the best fashion trends for women, the colors they usually use, and such. There are more options to explore. You’re not playing the “Safe Game”.
Unisex hoodies need to cater to both men and women. There are limited colors, sizes, and designs you can explore. You can’t precisely add flowers and pinkish patterns to a hoodie. Then expect men to love it as much as a blue text-only hoodie. Don’t get me wrong—some men do love pinks and flowers, but you know what I mean.
Bottom line: Be as creative as possible with gender-specific hoodies. Opt for the safer designs when selling unisex options.
Which Option Is Better for Different Business Scenarios?
Retail Businesses
Unisex hoodies are way better for retail businesses.
Don’t get me wrong, though. Gender-specific hoodies are definitely profitable, too. But in terms of adaptability and mass appeal, unisex is the real MVP.
Offering unisex hoodies means you’re casting a wider net. Designs and fits are loved by anyone who wears them. Gender-specific quiet LIMITS who the wearer is. For example, you cannot force a man to wear a women’s hoodie with floral and pinkish designs. Am I right?
Bottom line is, if your brand leans towards inclusivity, choose unisex hoodies.
Corporate Branding and Uniforms
For corporate uniforms, gender-specific is often the better choice.
Not only do they provide a more PROFESSIONAL look. But they also create a polished and uniform look for a team. Especially for company events like team building.
The only scenarios where unisex hoodies work wonders in corporate settings are:
- Casual work environments
- Promotional giveaways
Expert Tip: Corporate uniforms usually include logo and company colors. So, it’s better if you find an all-in-one manufacturer. A manufacturer that can produce in bulk and can incorporate branding with ease.
Ila Nain, Apparel Entrepreneur
Promotional Merchandise
Speaking of promotional merchandise, I’ve already said it, unisex is the go-to.
It’s universal, easy to produce, and appeals to literally EVERYONE. Plus, unisex hoodies eliminate the guesswork of sizing. You can just stick with medium or large size, and everyone can still wear it.
Best of all, they’re easily customizable since they usually have neutral designs. You can stamp your logo, and that’s it! They’re ready to be given away at trade shows or corporate events.
Tips for Choosing the Right Hoodie Type for Your Business
Unisex hoodies and gender-specific hoodies are not mutually exclusive. This means you DO NOT need to choose one or the other for your inventory.
But there’ll always be scenarios where you must pick one of the two. In those scenarios, remember these tips. They’ll help you decide whether unisex or gender-specific hoodies are the best fit:
Know your audience.
First of all—know what your target audience needs or wants. Sometimes, this factor alone could lead you to which of the two categories to choose. For example, if you’re setting a beauty brand for women, there’s NO REASON to opt for unisex. Go for gender-specific reasons. Hoodies catered for women.
Other times, this decision isn’t so simple. For example, if your target audience includes sports teams. You can’t really pinpoint whether they prefer unisex or gender-specific, right?
But at the very least. Knowing your audience’s preferences will give you a solid hint of which to choose.
Think about your brand identity.
Businesses should always consider their brand identity. Yes—even when you’re just choosing between two product types.
Are you all about inclusivity, minimalism, and universal appeal? Boom—unisex hoodies are your go-to.
If your brand is gender-focused and fashion-forward. Gender-specific hoodies give you more room to experiment with style.
Reflect on your existing product line up. And think about whether unisex or gender-specific designs best align with your identity.
Don’t forget your budget.
UNISEX hoodies are cheaper to stock. You don’t need separate sizes for men and women. Just one style for everyone. So, if you’re short on budget—UNISEX is your safest bet.
This is why we usually recommend small businesses to start selling unisex apparel. You’ll test the waters with minimal investment, and you can get feedback from your customers.
Speaking of feedback…
Ask and act based on feedback.
Nobody knows your customers better than themselves. So, when in doubt, ask your audience what they want.
You can use surveys, post engaging social media posts, or hold quick chats. Better yet—show PROTOTYPES of each, so they can just point to which one they prefer!
Feedback is GOLD in business. Don’t be shy. There’s a reason even big brands like KFC ask for your feedback in exchange for a free cookie!
Don’t limit yourself to one type.
As mentioned earlier, you actually DO NOT need to stick to one type of hoodie. Unisex or gender-specific. You can SELL BOTH! More often than not, we recommend that you do so.
But you shouldn’t divide inventory as 50/50. Depending on your customers. They’ll prefer one or the other. So, use the above tips to KNOW which type you must prioritize over the other.
Don’t be too disappointed if you don’t get it right the first time. You may need a bit of trial and error to really know which style sells more!
People Also Ask About Unisex vs Gender-Specific Hoodies
1. Are unisex hoodies better for customization?
Yes, unisex hoodies often feature minimalist designs. So, if you want to print your logo, you can freely do so. Even with your brand color, you can easily incorporate it. Just make sure that your brand color suits both genders.
2. Are gender-specific hoodies more expensive to manufacture than unisex options?
Yes. Gender-specific requires separate inventories for men and women. Unlike unisex where there’s no separate inventory needed for both genders.
3. Do unisex hoodies come in a wide range of sizes for all body types?
Absolutely. Unisex hoodies also come in a wide range of sizes: S, M, L, XL, and so on.
4. Is it better to offer both unisex and gender-specific hoodies in my store?
Yes! Offering both is a smart choice if you want to maximize your profit margins. However, don’t jump into selling both if you’re short on budget. You may stick to unisex and expand to gender-specific once you already have a solid customer base.
Conclusion
Choosing between unisex and gender-specific is a hard choice. Unisex leans toward inclusivity, while gender specific caters to individual preferences. Want the best advice? Choose based on your customer’s needs.
Or better yet…
Call the experts, JaceApparel. We only recommend what we think suits your business. Whether you need unisex hoodies or gender-specific ones. We offer both and a lot more choices for you to choose from.
Source:
- quora.com – Men and women hoodie differences
- nieuweinstituut.nl – How unisex is a hoodie