Products and Brands I Appreciate as a Trans Man
There are some products and brands that I really appreciatemuch more than others — as a transgender man.
So I thought I’d share them here. Maybe I’ll include them, along with some “Things Every Trans Man Should Know” in a book.
First…shoes…b/c I have a serious shoe fetish.
👞👟👞👟👞😁😁😁😁😁
No Bull — These are my favorite athletic shoes because (even the size 7 Women’s) look much bigger than they really are. So they make my very small feet appear much longer. Some might consider them expensive, but I think they’re worth every penny, considering the overall quality. And their customer service is top-notch.
- Adidas — Mainly because they offer a lot of their men’s shoes in smaller sizes, so I can wear them. And since they sell the Sambas (one of my favorite casual shoes), they remain one of my favorite brands.
- Bed|Stu — I can’t say enough about their shoes. I absolutely LOVE them. They are great quality…and though they don’t offer the mens’ shoes in smaller sizes (though I’m trying to push them to do that), a lot of their boots are very masculine-looking.
Now, let’s talk about vehicles. My absolute favorite vehicle (for many reasons) is the Jeep Wrangler. I have had numerous Jeep Wranglers in my lifetime. Whenever I buy a different make and/or model, I always end up coming back to the Wranglers. I currently have a 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport S. It’s Sting Gray and I love it.
One of the biggest reasons I love the Jeep Wrangler (other than the fact that it’s an awesome vehicle that holds its value) is it makes me feel much taller than I am. I know…I know…that may sound silly to some people, but I’m 5'4" tall — very short for a man, and that does cause some dysphoria at times. So sitting high up, driving a Wrangler — well, it makes me feel bigger, stronger…kind of like I’m on top of the world. 😀 💪🚙
As for clothing, you can’t go wrong with TomboyX. I mean if you just read about how the company was founded, that’s more than enough to entice you to check out their merchandise.
A TALE OF TWO TOMBOYS
TomboyX was founded the way many brands are, trying to fill a need that had gone unfilled for far too long. We asked ourselves, “How hard can it be to make good underwear?” And by that we meant underwear that fit regular bodies and fit how we saw ourselves. And underwear that any body could feel comfortable in, regardless of where they fell on the size or gender spectrum.
And then there is Kirrin Finch…
Clothing and accessories that let you be your authentic self.
This one might be a bit expensive, but Official Rebrand has got some pretty unique merchandise. And if you needed another reason to buy from them…
Official Rebrand revives discarded clothing, breathing new life into what was once unwanted. Through painting and other alterations, artist MI Leggett’s “rebranding” process proposes an anti-waste alternative to today’s industrial and social norms. OR?!’s transformative process celebrates the fluidity of identity, dissociating garments from gendered categories, reintroducing them without arbitrary social constraints.
Oh…and Wildfang. Definitely.
When two Nike executives realized they couldn’t find menswear-inspired pieces with silhouettes that flattered them, Wildfang was born. Named after the German word for “tomboy,” the label offers a range of workwear, suits, tees, and more, all of which offer the pared-down, structured look that’s often stocked in the men’s section.
We’re on a mission to rethink gender norms and how they show up in fashion. We embrace our masculine, our feminine, and our-everything-in-between.
FarFetch is awesome…and they even sell pre-owned clothing. Warning: they are quite expensive, even the pre-owned items.
Telfar Clemens was onto the need for genderless clothing well before the fashion establishment deemed it a trend. The self-taught designer presented his first collection in 2005, and has been producing coveted unisex garments ever since. Telfar has won a devoted following by living up to its motto, “not for you — for everyone”.
Hope and Harmony Etsy Shop — if you are looking for a great place to buy some cool t-shirts, look no further.
A Tribe Called Queer (also has a podcast)
A Tribe Called Queer is a multidisciplinary brand that features a gender neutral and size inclusive clothing line, podcast, zine, virtual events, and a blog.
FLAVNT Streetwear is an Austin-based independent clothing brand for everyone within and anyone who supports the LGBTQ+ community. Started with the goal of creating clothes that promote confidence and pride, FLAVNT is all about being comfortable with who you are and flaunting that to the world. We promote this message of self-love and confidence through our designs and actions by supporting the LGBTQ community as a whole, as well as impacting individual lives through our fundraising initiatives.
The Phluid Project — Definitely check this one out. They also have some “smell good” and I know how much everyone loves to smellllll good.
The Phluid Project, founded by Robert Garett Smith, launched in March, 2018 — in NYC and online — to make gender-free apparel and accessories available worldwide. We joined a movement committed to challenging the ethos of dated traditions that inhibit freedom and self-expression, embarking on a mission to improve humanity through not only fashion, but also community outreach, activism, and education.
We strive to amplify the rising voice of today’s youths, which rejects binary gender norms, and favors an inclusive world that allows individuals to wear what makes them feel good — that is, what best reflects who they really are inside.
We’re working to infuse the world with more empathy, equity, and compassion, to give all people a chance to explore and express their truest selves without fear, judgment, or the limits of traditional gender identification.
Annnnnd…they also partner exclusively with brands whose products celebrate the non-binary. As if you needed one more reason to shop here.
Okay…lunch hour is over, and thus so is this blog post.
Hope many of my followers find this post useful.
☮ and ❤,
Liam
