The fashion industry reinforces gender norms in many ways, but there’s one we all encounter every day: gendered sizing and styling. A faceless entity dictates what a man or a woman should look like, and if you don’t fit into either mold, don’t fit into either label, then you’re in for a treat. Your problemThankfully, a growing number of segments are providing the tools to break away from that duality.
Gender-neutral and gender-inclusive clothing brands offer a wider range of fits and styles than you’d find from traditional companies. These companies make clothes for queer, non-binary, and trans people of all shapes and sizes. I’ve tried on dozens of pieces from these brands and narrowed down my favorites to these:
Every garment on this list has links to the manufacturer and other retailers that carry these garments. Some third-party retailers’ websites place the items we’ve highlighted in gender-specific clothing sections, which is a shame considering it’s 2024 and these items are not explicitly gender-neutral. I’m just stating a warning so you’re not surprised to see the gender-neutral underwear I recommended categorized as “women’s” on Amazon.
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both&
Both& offers a wide selection of tops and bottoms based on a sizing system that the company developed itself. Rather than using an existing sizing framework, Both& developed its own length-to-width ratios by surveying its community and asking people what they like and don’t like about the way traditionally sized clothes fit their bodies.
The results are most visible in their signature tees: not only are they made from durable, heavyweight cotton, but they also fit the body in a way that creates an out-of-shape silhouette that is accentuated by gendered clothing. The Khazeel tee, for example, fits in a way that easily hides the presence of a binder, and its dropped shoulder cut hangs away from the body rather than hugging it.
Tomboy X
I’ve been using TomboyX for years now and I can’t help but rave about them. From panties, briefs, and thongs to bras and outerwear, I’ve never been disappointed with any of their clothing. Underwear can be tricky for queer and trans people for a variety of reasons, but TomboyX offers a variety of cuts and fits, and sizes all the way up to 6X.
I’m a big fan of their bikini briefs and boy shorts for everyday wear, as well as their 9 inch shorts to wear around the house or under skirts. I also like their bra selection more than any other company on this list. TomboyX offers traditional number and letter sizing for some of their bras, while others offer the standard S to 4X type sizing. If you can’t find a bra that fits, I highly recommend their All-Day Bralette. It’s supportive, breathable, and fits perfectly under any top.
Wild Fang
Born in my hometown of Portland, Oregon, Wildfang has been a mainstay of the gender-neutral fashion scene for many years. Its founders aimed to break free from gender norms and offer clothing that can be feminine, masculine, neither, or a combination of both.
Some garments come in sizes up to 4X (and unfortunately, some sizes go up to 3X), including tall sizes, so it’s pretty easy to find something that fits, regardless of body type or gender. Some pants tend to have a higher rise than you’d expect, even in larger sizes, so you might need to size up or buy a taller size depending on your body type.
I’m a big fan of high-waisted coveralls. Not only do they let you wear a flight suit like an astronaut or space miner, they’re also stylish, come in a variety of vibrant colors, and fit so well that you’ll want to wear them all the time, even when it’s too hot for a full-body coverall.
Another staple in my wardrobe (and my partner’s) is the cropped button-up. I wear it as an outer layer and pair it with a sports bra and pants. CostumeThey fit snugly against your body instead of constricting or slipping off like traditional sized men’s button up shirts.
Thistle and spire
I’ve always had a complicated relationship with lingerie. It fits my chest but not my shoulders, it fits my waist but not my ass, etc. I could write a dissertation on all the lingerie brands that have disappointed me. Instead, I want to introduce you to my new favorites: Thistle and Spire. If you’re active in the online sex worker (OnlyFans, Fansly, etc.) community, you’ve probably seen some of these garments before. There’s a reason for that.
Thistle & Spire provides all the information you need to know about how each item fits with comprehensive sizing and size details for their clothing. One reason is that they’re committed to providing clothes that make people feel sexy, regardless of size, gender, or sexual orientation. And that commitment is reflected in the models who wear each garment. Finding lingerie modeled by people with a body type similar to your own is an incredibly affirming experience.
While the entire Thistle & Spire catalog is decorative, sexy, and creative, my favorite is the Medusa set. The bralette fits snugly around the bust (and shoulders) and is highly adjustable to fit your body perfectly, as are the matching bottoms. Another thing Thistle & Spire stands out is that their lingerie is comfortable. It supports you where you need it, is comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and you’ll want to wear it everywhere. And you can.
You can wear the bralette as a top by simply throwing on some pasties (Thistle and Spire also sells these) Shipped in a mesh bag that can be washed on delicate cycle.
Fraction
Buying a binder can be difficult. It’s best to buy one from a store that will measure you and custom-make a binder to fit you, but this can be time-consuming and expensive.
When I was looking to buy a binder for my partner, I was worried about the wait times, so I started looking for a middle option – a binder that would fit my partner’s needs and be shipped in a shorter time frame – and that’s how I found Fluxion.
This binder is durable and well-constructed, with tight stitching on all seams and a comfortable cotton lining inside the Lycra shell. It feels like a tight swimsuit material, and during testing, we found it would hold a large bust on a small body type, and a medium bust on a large body type, securely. Because it’s made of Lycra, it will stretch and require washing to regain its firmness; this isn’t something you need to worry about as much with binders made from non-stretch fabrics, or custom-made binders like those offered by companies like Shapeshifters.
