The Museum at FIT presents His & Hers, a new exhibition that examines the relationship between gender and fashion. Side-by-side comparisons of men’s and women’s clothing highlight their differences—and similarities. Beginning with the 18th century and leading up to the present, His & Hers  explores changing perceptions of “masculine” and “feminine” dress, including so-called unisex and androgynous dress, as well as developments in cross-gender appropriation. While skirts, for example, are generally regarded as “feminine” garments in Western culture, garments such as kilts and sarongs are common attire for men in other parts of the world, and in recent years, Western designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier have created skirts for men.

His & Hers begins with complementary pairings of “His and Hers” clothing by mid- to late- 20th century designers who created fashions for both men and women. A pinstriped, navy blue woman’s pantsuit designed in 1967 by Yves Saint Laurent, who was an influential proponent of trousers for women, is shown alongside a Saint Laurent man’s suit in velvet. Versace men’s and women’s jackets from 1992, embellished with similar “cowboy” details, are shown together. Other featured designers include Pierre Cardin (the first couturier to introduce a menswear line), Giorgio Armani, and Helmut Lang.



Man’s dressing gown, multicolor roller-printed...