After months of hibernating and burying ourselves beneath layers of clothing, we are officially over it. While we've still got a ways to go before beach days and grill outs, warmer times are so close we can almost taste it.
In celebration of the upcoming season, we've compiled a list of our favorite FTM, trans and gnc-owned clothing companies. These awesome companies are totally ready to re-up your t-shirt collection. What's more, many of these companies have robust give back programs - raising money for surgeries and other community causes. By supporting these companies, not only will you look fresh this summer, but you can feel good doing it.
Transguy Landon Reed founded AwareWolf in 2015 to raise funds for his top surgery. Many years later, with his chest surgery long behind him, Reed continues to churn out dope t-shirts. We especially love the tattoo flash aesthetic of his designs. Our pics in his current collection are two shirts with much-needed messaging.
Flavnt Streetwear has been a leader in the t-shirt game for a long time now. Influencer Christopher Rhodes founded the company with his twin sister Courtney Rhodes. The pair have been creating high-quality apparel and binders out of their hometown of Austin, TX ever since. Flavnt also partners with members of the community to raise funds for gender-affirming surgeries. They're currently on their 12th community partnership - this round with a trans woman name Dunhill. Make a purchase today and 15% of the sale will go towards her gender-affirming surgery.
While the "Pretty Boy" tee remains a classic, we're jazzed on the recently released "See The Stars Blaze" series. This "Be Who You Needed When You Were Younger" shirt is our favorite of the lot. As Chris says, "It is so important to try to be who we needed when we were younger when we are finally able to live our authentic lives, because we never know who is looking up to us." Also this "Grow At Your Own Pace" Tee is a great spring design (yay floral) and we love the messaging.
Genuine Valentine makes clothes for queer/gender non-conforming folks. Queer and enby owned, like FLAVNT, 15% of their sales are donated to a community member in need. We're particularly partial to their "Not Cis" line which includes tees and hoodies.
The first solo project by trans fashion designer, Auston Bjorkman, Sir New York has been elevating trans-masculine style since 2010. Their all-over sublimation print designs have been spotted on everyone from Rhianna and ASAP Ferg to RuPaul's Drag Race legend, Detox. Our current faves:
the Mystery Beach and
Seahole tees.
Forget being humble, we're really proud of the designs that we've come out with this year - especially our Trans Trailblazer Series. Each shirt in our entire collection is designed with the community in mind. From messages of empowerment to inside jokes, our tees are meant to lift you up and make you smile. That said, our
T Monster and
Becoming Tees are our top pick for this Spring/Summer.
Point 5cc is another trans-owned apparel company repping strong in the giveback game. The company was established in 2012 to help raise money for creator Aydian Dowling’s top surgery. After the completion of this fundraising event, Aydian decided to keep Point 5cc open as a way to give back to the community that had given so generously to him. 20% of net proceeds from all Point 5 CC sales go to supporting programs for our community.
Still want more? Here are 4 more Trans and GNC Owned Brands Worth Checking Out:
Support the T is dedicated to helping transgender and non-binary individuals raise money for their transition-related expenses through creating and selling custom made t-shirts and other merchandise.
Founded by trans model and writer, Devin Norelle, a portion of each sale goes towards the Werk Those Pecs Fundraiser, which helps funds surgeries for trans people in need of financial assistance. Their now iconic "Trans is Beautiful" tees sell out often, so nab one when you can!
FOLX was created for the gender non-conformist. This newly founded apparel company aims to inspire, support, and stylishly clothe those who identify as non-binary, queer, gender queer, gender neutral, and everywhere in between and out of the box. FOLX is currently run by one (1) non-binary-identifying digital entrepreneur, Ava (they/them).
"For the radical and the fearless." Proud Animals is an LGBTQ Clothing and Accessories brand that makes fresh tees, hoodies, and accessories. They're based out of the UK so expect longer shipping times for US orders.
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