Hi!
Wednesday’s post about Victoria’s Secret prompted a lot of emails about businesses that support our community. Which is good because that was the point I was trying to make.
Although I think it’s wonderful when a business signals to the world that transwomen are women, I feel that there is still a LOT more progress that needs to happen.
Obviously the models in the VS show are gorgeous. I mean, that’s kind of one of the requirements of modeling. Most designers that work with models tend to feature women with a certain look. It’s not often that you see women in catalogs that aren’t a size zero or that aren’t six feet tall.
I am not the first to bring up the topic, but I do appreciate when, well, normal girls model sexy clothes. I want to see how something would look like on someone like me, someone with a shape that is closer to my own.
I mean, we might get there someday, when that is the norm. But I doubt VS is in any rush to replace their tiny and petite and slim models with girls like me.
I suppose what I am saying is that yes, it’s good that VS promoted gender inclusivity, BUT I would love to see that same inclusivity when it comes to body diversity, specifically for the non-binary community. I think if a business did that, it would send a very clear message about their stance on gender inclusivity.
We as a community want to see businesses that welcome us. We want to spend our money at stores that support us. I like featuring businesses on my website that do these things. I feel that supporting them sends a message that there is value in welcoming non-binary people.
And perhaps this is tooooo optimistic (but what the heck it’s Friday), but it might inspire other businesses to expand their marketing outreach and modify their advertising campaigns.
If we want more stores and businesses to be, well, “crossdresser friendly”, then I feel we can do this by supporting businesses that started on the whole premise of being “crossdresser friendly”.
I am referring specifically to (in alphabetical order), The Breast Form Store, En Femme, Glamour Boutique, and Xdress. These are businesses where WE are the target market. They are not necessarily marketing to the cisgender women demographic. Essentially businesses like the aforementioned rely almost exclusively on us.
In the last few years, we have lost businesses like them, such as HommeMystere and Moot.
All of these businesses started with ambition and optimism and a message about gender inclusivity. They did not pivot towards our community after decades in business. They were for US from the very beginning.
When HommeMystere and Moot folded, I worried about the other companies that promote gender inclusivity. I know we are a VERY niche market and it’s hard for ANY business to thrive, but I fear that if businesses for our community fail, then it sends a message to stores (like VS) that our community isn’t worth marketing to.
Let’s face it, VS and others design clothes and their marketing to demographics for the entire intention of making money. They are not going to market to us if we can’t prove that it’s financially viable or worth their time.
Do I think that VS or other designers will expand their selections and offer items for girls like me? No, but I think they could pivot their marketing to the non-binary community.
Listen. We ALL want more options when it comes to businesses that are welcoming to us. I think any shift towards this should start with supporting the businesses that already do. Support can be shown in different ways, beyond spending money. Perhaps it’s visiting a website to increase their traffic, or commenting on their social media posts.
Losing HommeMystere and Moot stung. I hated seeing two designers that made lovely lingerie designed for girls like me fade away. I want the world to see that non-binary people have money and want to spend it on items designed for us and marketed towards us. I don’t want to lose another business that is for us.
Love, Hannah
Hannah McKnight 
Hello Hannah, just thought I would add that the Ulta store that Raven took me to near the Roseville mall is very transfriendly. There even was a transgirl working there. I blew my budget on makeup there.😆
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I have been to many Ultas and they have all been friendly.
I have been going to one now every six weeks to get my haircut and eye brows waxed and tinted every six weeks for 3 years. They are spectacular. The manager even greats me every time I come in. I can’t wait to retire and have my hairdresser low light my hair and pierce my ears.
I will never go anyplace else for beauty supplies or beauty services.
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When I went to the local VS store to buy a baby-doll nightie, I told the salesgirl it was for me to wear. She smiled and happily directed me to the rack with the sizes and styles and colors I was looking for.
Pretty Sissy Dani
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as always Hannah, you look Maaahvelous!! Thank you you for your article on Crossdresser friendly… I have patronized Glamour Boutique on crossdresser essentials, breastforms and hip pads. My go to store for my female wardrobe, dresses, skirts, intimate wear, shoes (heels & Flats, and accessories is Macy*s.. the store has terrific sales and a rewards program which offers dollars off additional purchases. Needless to say I am a platinum members which gives me additional perks.. although I pick up my packages at the store … Leonara to buy en femme is on my 2025 bucket list because it has a reputation to be CD friendly..
warmest regards, Leonara
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Hi Hannah, as always you look maaahvelous. I have patronized and have been extremely satisfied with Glamour Boutique for crossdresser essentials.. however my go to store for my feminine wardrobe is Macy*s who offer terrific discounts… although I pickup my purchases at the store … since the store has a reputation being CD friendly, Leonara will be purchasing en femme from now on …
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I love you’re optimistic outlook, hopefully we can all feel good after this election. THINK WE’LL BE BACK TO THE CLOSET IF IT DOESN’T GO RIGHT
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Vote! Vote! Vote!!!!
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It sucks when a CD/TG boutique or clothing company goes under.
It really stung when Carla’s, the only trans boutique (and the place I got my first makeover) went under, but I’m thankful for the community I made there (including the friendship I made with the owner, who I refer to as one of my “trans moms” because of how instrumental she was in my, and I know you hate this word, journey). To be honest, I wish I had the business skills and knowledge that the owner had, because I’d buy the business from her and relaunch it.
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Where was this store located?
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San Jose
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Dear Hannah,
Stephanie Marcus is finally back in action and I totally 💯 agree with your assessment of this situation but the owners of businesses that market women’s clothing products like dresses 👗, pant suits, shoes 👠, and lingerie of today are not trying to sell to us because they are afraid of any backlash from the general population, especially far right wing activists who can’t see a trans-woman promote a simple lite beer!
I have to admit though that there is at least one online store that sells products that can be construed as gender neutral, i.e., available for women like us who have to be a man by day and a woman by night and on the weekends 😍! That store is Temu and from that store I have been able to obtain breast forms, fabulous panties, lingerie, shoes, dresses, etc. all at very discounted price points. Leave it to the Chinese and Koreans to not discriminate against people like us.
All the best,
Stephanie
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