The Unisex Pattern Myth: Killing Two Birds with One Stone?
Do you think using a unisex garment means you can kill two birds with one stone and serve everyone with half the cost of patterns? On the surface, unisex patterns might sound like a genius solution for manufacturers looking to cut costs and streamline production. But in practice, someone will always lose out—and more often than not, that someone is the female athlete.
I once worked with a client who came to Pattern Room heartbroken after seeing a female customer leave his shop in tears. She had tried on a so-called unisex sports uniform that left her feeling fat, uncomfortable and self-conscious. This wasn't just about vanity—poorly fitting uniforms are one of the top reasons female athletes stop playing sports altogether. Now, that’s a significant part of your client base disappearing simply because the garment didn’t fit properly.
Why Unisex Patterns Fall Short for Female Athletes
In truth, there’s no such thing as a truly unisex garment. It’s either a men's style with a feminine twist or a women's garment that's oversized to mimic the "boyfriend" look. And while these styles might work in casual fashion, they don’t cut it in sportswear where comfort, fit, and performance is key.
Here are some key reasons why unisex patterns don’t work for sportswear, especially for female athletes:
Oversized Drop Shoulders
Have you ever tried putting a men's jumper on a female athlete? Even if the torso fits okay, the arms will likely be too long, leading to an awkward and uncomfortable fit. While oversized drop shoulder styles are trendy in casual wear, in sportswear they can limit mobility and even affect performance. A jumper with long sleeves that constantly gets in the way during a game isn't just annoying—it can be detrimental to how the athlete plays.
Crotch Shape: It’s All About the Anatomy
Let’s get real—male and female bodies are different, especially when it comes to the hips and crotch area. The easiest way to describe this is a little morbid: imagine a cross-section of the body. Males tend to have "more junk out front" while females have "more junk in the trunk." This difference in anatomy makes it almost impossible for unisex patterns to provide a good fit for both men and women.
Chest and Bust: Fabric Placement Matters
Another key difference between male and female bodies is the chest. This isn’t rocket science—fabric needs to accommodate the bust by going out before it goes down. A unisex pattern that doesn't account for this often results in gaping armholes and a shirt that rides up at the front, leaving the wearer uncomfortable and constantly readjusting their garment. At Pattern Room, we’ve fine-tuned our patterns to ensure they sit snugly around the armhole, with a little extra room in the front for comfort.
Movement Matters: The Difference in Posture
Men's clothes are generally designed to fit when their arms and legs are outstretched, reflecting the typically more active, open movements they make. Women’s clothing, on the other hand, is designed to look neat and well-fitted when standing still. This difference in design philosophy is one of the many reasons unisex patterns fail to meet the unique needs of female athletes.
The Real Impact of Bad Fit: Why Female Athletes Deserve Better
As mentioned earlier, badly fitting sportswear is one of the main reasons female athletes give up on a sport. The last thing any athlete wants is to feel uncomfortable or self-conscious in their gear. And yet, unisex patterns often make female athletes feel exactly that way. If you're in the business of sportswear manufacturing, it's essential to provide garments that not only look good but also perform well. Female athletes deserve sportswear that fits their body and enhances their performance.
Unisex Patterns vs. Gender-Specific: Which Is Right for Your Business?
When it comes to making the choice between unisex patterns and gender-specific designs, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. Yes, unisex patterns might save you time and money upfront, but are they really helping you in the long run? Poor fit can lead to lost customers, bad reviews, and even returns—all of which will cost you more in the long term.
Gender-specific patterns, on the other hand, ensure that you’re offering garments tailored to the needs of your customers. This not only boosts customer satisfaction but can also speed up your product to market because you won’t have to deal with returns or complaints about fit.
The Pattern Room Advantage: Get the Right Fit Every Time
At Pattern Room, we understand that time is money—especially in the sportswear industry. That’s why we offer a wide range of pre-made patterns, including those specifically designed for men and women, available in DXF and AI formats within 48 hours. Whether you’re a sublimation printer or a sportswear manufacturer, our patterns are designed to save you time and help you deliver garments that fit well and perform even better.
Our catalog includes a variety of gender-specific patterns, so you can be confident that you’re providing your customers with the best possible fit. We also offer tools like the Fit Finder, which helps you measure garments accurately and choose the right pattern the first time around eliminating the guesswork and reducing the risk of returns.
Don’t Let Unisex Patterns Hurt Your Business
While unisex patterns may seem like a quick fix, they often do more harm than good, especially in the world of sportswear. By choosing gender-specific designs, you’ll ensure a better fit, happier customers, and a stronger brand reputation.
So, next time you’re thinking about saving time with a unisex pattern, remember: getting the right fit is worth the extra effort. For every men's pattern on Pattern Room, we have a matching female pattern. Female athletes deserve clothing that makes them feel confident, comfortable, and ready to perform at their best—and so does every other customer. You can start by exploring the women's pattern catalogue here- Womens Pattern Catalogue
