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The demand for gender-neutral fashion has skyrocketed as more transgender and plus size nonbinary people embrace their identity and look for new and expressive ways to share their gender – through fashion.
With this in mind, we wanted to offer seven styling tips for plus size non-binary people and brands that are doing gender-fluid fashion right!
Tip #1 – Go bold.
Plus size nonbinary bodies are powerful and meant to be seen and celebrated. For any look, you should feel dramatic, bold, and sexy as yourself. This is why we love Universal Standard: their sizing is inclusive, their website isn’t divided by gender, and they offer clothing modeled by folks of all genders and body types to help you best determine if a fit or style works for you!
Tip #2 – Get it tailored!
We miss opportunities to engage with clothes that we love because they don’t fit perfectly, or the stretch isn’t there, or this one part won’t lay flat. You deserve clothing that feels like it was custom-made for you. We love UnCommon closet, LLC based in Chicago, and Sweetlime Alterations, based out of Cleveland, Ohio, both queer-owned businesses that offer alterations for plus size nonbinary folks!
Tip #3 – Look for unique pieces you can alter!
In our research, we found many transfemmes and plus size nonbinary folks rely on sites like Ebay and Amazon to find unique plus size looks they can alter or tailor to their needs. It can be hard to find affordable, plus size clothes in stores, and online shopping offers a safe way for folks to shop and try on clothes!
Tip #4 – Mix and match styles
Vintage shops can be super helpful in finding those one-of-a-kind pieces, but they aren’t always size-inclusive. This is why we recommend researching small businesses like Sparkhaus Vintage, based out of Green Bay, Wisconsin, that regularly stock plus size clothes for all genders!
Tip #5 – Dress for you, and your comfort
For plus size nonbinary folks that might bind or are looking to minimize their chest, it can be hard to find a plus size binder. We recommend binding safely by shopping at brands like Shapeshifters, who make custom binders for folks of all genders. We also love TomboyX for undergarments, including swimwear, packer-friendly bottoms, and period underwear.
Tip #6 – When in doubt, go for the v-neck.
Chests are sexy and gender-neutral! We love an unbuttoned collar, and any t-shirt is a v-neck if you have scissors. An open-neck look can be comfortable and sexy for any plus size nonbinary folks who want to feel good in their skin, which is why we are so inspired by Alok Vaid-Menon and their exploration of fashion as a gender-non-conforming artist and model.
Tip #7 – Embrace new styles
Many plus size nonbinary folks may struggle to try clothes on in stores because shopping through gendered clothing sections can be frustrating and stressful. We love using Stitch Fix to try out new styles and find bold new looks that are delivered right to your home, where you can safely and comfortably try on new styles, and return the ones you don’t love!
The future of fashion is inclusive clothing for folks of all genders and sizes because everybody is worth celebrating. If you’re looking for more plus-size brands, we recommend you check out this article, by Alysse Dalessandro Santiago: “Here are 10 LGBTQ+ owned brands that offer plus sizes!“
