It’s a familiar exchange to many women: “I love your dress.” “Thanks, it has pockets!” So coveted is the spacious inset pouch in womenswear that when they exist, they are likely to attract attention.

These common female items were once considered manly and masculine. Today, if you see a man wearing high heels, a thong, and carrying a handbag, you might assume he’s dressing in a very feminine ...

Product design has never stayed fixed to one gender. In many cases, items people now label as feminine—pads, purses, pink clothes—were created to meet male needs first. Some even played functional ...