Shop Small: Local Businesses : Gender Expansive / Size Inclusive Apparel

A former employer said I was the “Salon Nana” once upon a time. Go figure!
My favorite local businesses
Drip Drop Cafe
107 Thompson St
My matcha makers, and afternoon ray of sunshine. Founded in 2021, NYC Drip Drop Cafe was created to rock your taste buds and stimulate the mind, belly, and soul.
Fountain House and Body
105 Thompson St
Plastic-free, low-waste, natural personal care and cleaning supplies with a mission to empower individuals with mental illness.
Housing Works
Various Locations
Vintage Clothing & Books. Housing Works fights for funding and legislation to ensure that all people living with HIV/AIDS have access to quality housing, healthcare, HIV prevention, and treatment, among other lifesaving services.

Olive’s
191 Prince St
I remember when Olive’s showed up in the neighborhood back in the early 90’s. This corner spot is always good for a bite.

Spring Cafe
153d Center St
Vegan deliciousness. The mushroom fries are my absolute favorite!

Pearl River mart
452 Broadway
PRM is a NY institution. The newest SoHo location has a wonderful small gallery in the back, that features artwork from NY’s rich Chinese Community.

L Train Vintage
Various
Vintage Clothing store I’ve been shopping since 2000. And my son discovered on his own. Gender free and sustainable!

the Pet bar
132 Thompson
Lily’s favorite errand! Pet essentials, cute store tabby, and always friendly staff to assist.
Gender Expansive Apparel
Tonle
GENDER EXPANSIVE
Fair priced, sustainable, gender expansive “feminine” clothing.
“We are a maker lead community creating a purposeful future for fashion that is restorative, regenerative, and just.”

kirrin finch
Menswear inspired
“Kirrin Finch is a conscientious clothing company, founded by Brooklyn-based couple Laura Moffat and Kelly Sanders Moffat, that meets the growing demand for gender-defying fashion by creating menswear-inspired apparel designed to fit a range of female and non-binary bodies.”

ur body
Gender Inclusive
“Redefining gender & body norms in the fashion industry while expanding access to gender-inclusive functional garments designed for self-expression and body affirmation.”

origami customs
All genders
A customized and handmade line of swimwear, lingerie and more.
“Our goal is to construct clothing that makes it easier for people to be in the world. We actively produce fashion technology that supports our transgender and queer community (and anyone else who wants to feel good in their body!)

wildfang
Gender Free
“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.”

both&
Trans/Non-Binary Masculine
“Both&’s mission is to empower, outfit, and serve the nonbinary generation, one garment at a time.”
Extremely well thought out geometry, the fits are brilliant.

HumanKind
Swimwear
“Humankind was founded by LA native Haily Marzullo, a queer woman who was in search of gender-inclusive swimwear. Designed with every body in mind, Humankind delivers on the promise to make you feel comfortable and confidents so you can wear what suits you. “

The Phluid Project
Gender Free
“Launched in March, 2018—in NYC and online—to make gender-free apparel and accessories available worldwide.”

Rubies
Youth Trans Femme
“RUBIES was conceived when Jamie and his 11 year-old daughter Ruby, were packing for their first adventure in Central America. Jamie felt nervous: what should Ruby wear to the beach in a country that may not be ready for a girl like her? With that came a bigger question: how could he help girls like Ruby enjoy the same activities as their friends – with the same level of comfort and confidence, and no matter where they went? “

gender free world
Gender Free
“What started as conversation about buying shirts that were essentially less feminine in their cut and colours, became an obsession with the highly gendered world of retail across the board. “

Honorable Mentions:
Uniqlo- Gender free dressing rooms, blurred lines and crossover over between “departments,” and expanded sizes online. Clever design features like hidden drawstrings in the “men’s” pants and “women’s” shapes that are flattering on most bodies. Their sports bras, have light padding, leave in for fuller bust, or remove and size down for light compression.
Lucy and Yak- This UK sustainable comfy clothing company caters to humans of all shapes and sizes.
Goodwill Bins- Queens by the pound thrifting mecca.