Do you love shopping? What girl doesn’t! Whether it’s a new lipstick or a cute pair of shoes, it’s a lot of fun to splurge on your female self, isn’t it?
Even with all the online shops, there’s nothing like hitting the mall to do some good old-fashioned shopping in person.
But maybe you’re wondering where you should spend your hard-earned money?
In this article, I share the 7 best trans and crossdresser friendly stores to shop at. These retailers support transgender causes and/or have gender inclusive policies – meaning they are truly worthy of your business.
Note: I focused on U.S. retailers since that’s where I’m based. Please share in the comments if you have any international shops to add!
1. SEPHORA
Sephora is like a candy shop for girls and I could easily spend half my salary there.
Besides the amazing assortment of beauty products, they also offer mini makeovers and beauty classes. At one point, Sephora even offered skincare and makeup classes specifically for the transgender community.
While these classes are no longer listed on the site, they have launched a dedicated online group called Trans is Beautiful. I love Sephora’s philosophy of inclusivity and acceptance.
2. LUSH
LUSH is the best smelling store at the mall with their amazingly-scented natural beauty products.
Here’s another reason to love them: In early 2018, they ran a two week #TransRightsAreHumanRights campaign, featuring quotes from their transgender employees in all the windows of their North American stores.
They also distributed a guidebook called How to Be a Trans Ally in their shops and online.
3. Torrid
I’ve heard from so many of my blog readers that Torrid is one of their favorite places to shop at! This retailer is known for its affordable and trendy plus-size clothing.
Just as importantly, they are welcoming and supportive of their transgender and crossdressing customers, so you can always feel comfortable going in to shop.
4. Target
A few years ago, Target was at the center of controversy for its inclusive transgender bathroom policy. I’m pleased to see that they have not backed down and their inclusive policy is still proudly displayed on their website.
Aside from that, Target is a great place to shop for stylish, affordable fashion and beauty products – pretty much everything you could need for your feminine self.
5. Lane Bryant
Lane Bryant is another popular plus-size retailer. While their clothing style is more classic and mature, they are also known for their gender inclusive atmosphere.
As an added bonus, Lane Bryant offers a wide range of sizes from 10-40W, making them a favorite of plus size crossdressers and transgender women.
6. Macy’s
Macy’s is another corporate giant that is out and proud with its inclusive policies, including gender friendly changing room policies. Macy’s is also a big supporter of LGBTQ Pride Month and LGBTQ-owned brands.
Macy’s continues to be one of the best places to shop for cosmetics, lingerie, women’s clothing, and shoes. This is one department store chain I hope stays around for a long time.
7. Nike
Nike might seem like an unlikely store to have on this list, but I’ve included them for their very cool commercial featuring transgender vogue dancer Leiomy Maldonado. Check out the video below:
If you’re in the market for some cute workout leggings or a sports bra, Nike should definitely be the first place you look!
What are YOUR favorite places to shop at?
I love that these retailers support the transgender community on a corporate level, but they aren’t your only options.
Helpful sales people and supportive shops can be found almost anywhere if you look. (And if somebody doesn’t treat you with respect, take your business elsewhere!)
What are YOUR favorite places to shop at? Do you have any great shopping experiences to share?
Please share in the comments below!
Love,
Lucille
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Hi, I live in the UK and I’m a life long crossdresser. Amazon is the easiest place to shop if you know what you want, but I really love going out shopping as a woman. Men don’t know what they are missing! Even when I shop for women’s clothes and lingerie whilst dressed as a man I never experience any problem. I have often told staff that I am shopping for myself and they have been very helpful.
Dear Lucille, let me start by thanking you for your support of TG ladies. While we are accepted more and more, you were a beautiful first for me.
I just love VS. The ladies there are so empathetic and helpful. And they know when a lady buys a bra that it must fit perfectly for comfort all day. They accompany me into the fitting room and are sooo helpful.
Another place I just love is Dress Barn. What a misnomer for a lovely store which welcomes me with open arms. My wife and I have shopped together at DB for many happy shopping trips.
There are so many places where I am a welcome customer; Macys, Dillards; Payless Shoes (girls, they are now carrying designer Siriano heels in larger and wide styles-I recently purchased a pretty pair of pink suede heels of his design), and Talbots.
Just love my fashions and am living pretty much full-time.
Love to you, Lucille
Elizabeth
you’re so right about Payless – I’ve bought several pairs of heels there – very affordable, and stylish ! In most metro areas there’s always one of their stores identified as the ‘large sizes’ store (I wear a 12) that you can pretty much count on to have a decent selection
I was wondering if it was like that with all Dress Barns or not. I enjoy going there and they are so friendly to me as well.
I do most of my shopping at second hand stores like Salvation Army, Thrifty Shopper and Goodwill stores. It’s easy to browse their racks and they have gender neutral changing rooms.
Torrid is very transgender friendly. I’m a pretty big lady so a lot of my clothes come from on line store ie:Woman with in or Just my size but the problem is you can’t try there stuff on, so Torrid is very good and helps me with advice and they are have a very friendly staff
OMG I love love love Torrid. They are so nice in the store. One of my fav dresses was picked out by an employee there. I was trying on some other cloths and she just brought it back to me.
I have to jump on the TORRID bandwagon too!
They are just so over the top amazing! I try to buy as much as I can from them just because they are so incredibly thoughtful and helpful. It’s never a problem to use the dressing room as they have plenty and the sales staff will bring styles & designs until I find what I like. They even allow me to model them and get their opinion. I wish they had a more extensive lingerie collection but their bras and panties are fantastic. I love the skinny Jegging’s, oh I just love TORRID ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I shop mostly on Amazon because they have everything a could want they even have corsets .but now that you’ve told me about target I’m going to try them out too.thanks again Lucille till next time
I have had good luck at Payless for inexpensive shoes – the clerks are friendly and helpful, especially looking for the 13W gunboats I wear. Pretty much the same at Shoe Show – and they have shoes up to size 14W. Now if I could just find a nice, simple peep-toe wedge in red…
I love to shop at Lane Bryant. I buy a lot of my clothes and undergarments there. They are very friendly and helpful, close to home, and I can wear my sexy short skirts or dresses with heels and be totally comfortable shopping and trying on clothes. They give me nice compliments on my legs too!
Torrid- I’m a 46 band so their 1 fits nice. Their so friendly and let you try on outfits and make recommendations….Also MAC Cosmetics…very trans friendly. Also does lessons and make overs
AMI Clubwear aside from great shoes in our sizes (I wear a 10 in woman’s ) they have everything you could ever want to feel sexy from bikinis and one piece to Maxi dresses mini skirts and of course lingere … Check them out AMICLUBWEAR.COM