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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I shop at tagg’d it’s lady’s sexy dress shop in Pine Bluff Arkansas it’s on 3101 south Olive.
One I like is Victoria’s Secret. They are super friendly and quick to help. They provide a dressing room and have given me a bra fitting.
I’ve been a loyal customer of Target for about 24 years now. It’s such a wonderful store! I’m really glad to see how supportive they are (online shopping is rather lousy though–soooo many damaged shipments).
I went to Sephora once a few years ago. I was shopping for some makeup for an online class offered by Lucille. Even though it was towards the end of the day and I was a little apprehensive, the employee that helped me was really super kind and helpful–very knowledgeable too! They have a nice loyalty program where you can see all your purchases on their website, and you can rate them and get custom deals–it really impressed me how customer-oriented they were!!
One bad thing I noticed was that they were kind of expensive. Although my shopping list was essentially my very first one for makeup, it was still rather barebones. …and even then, my budget of about $100 only got me half of what I needed. I think I definitely wanna go back there, because they really understood what I was looking for and needed…however, first, I might check out Ulta. I hear they’re really great, but also affordable–though I have no idea how trans-friendly they are.
I’ve never liked Macy’s. I had one in my hometown in California for the longest time (I’m on the east coast now). The last time I shopped there was about 5 or 6 years ago. My mom got me a mens jacket and I went to exchange it, and they were just so rude and dismissive! Not really saying anything offensive–but it was very very clear in their attitude that weren’t going to help me and wished I’d walk out the door. Maybe, if they do have a new inclusive policy they’ve turned over a new leaf–to help retain customers so more stores don’t have to close, or it might be one of those situations where the higher-ups make a big show of support to seem welcoming, just to draw in customers–and use that as an excuse to avoid making any real changes at the ground level.
I know a lot of cities do that too–having a celebration day or press release to draw in tourists/voters–but afterwards you still see hate crimes or oppositions toward adopting civil rights. The VA is horrible about that, they have detailed trainings, policy letters and even an LGBT week—but then they refuse to provide essential, costly treatment, at the federal level…and at the ground level, they just avoid dealing with you, and act like showing respect is a hassle. (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve accidentally been called “Sir” there–even though my medical records have shown that I’m female for a few years now) It’s so embarrassing, hurtful and disruptive!!
I’m sorry for the rant, lol.
One day I was looking for an inexpensive strapless bra. Sears and Dillard’s are both expensive, so I took a risk and asked the clerk at Rainbow and she said they have many trans customers. The bras cost me $4.99 and I was able to try them on. I now buy dresses, jeans, and all sorts of things to complete my wardrobe. Rainbow is a home run for me and easy on the pocket book.
“Allie”…I bought my first Dress from Rainbow…I was wearing my Bra at the time…I wore the Dress out of the store…It was “So Exciting” for me.
Dear PaulaPlaytex,
I have shared my story about Rainbow with many women at church. It seems many women let alone trans-girls do not know about Rainbow. The clerk told me that there is no middle-man and that is how they are able to keep their prices very low.
Kohl’s, Target, Macy’s, Payless, DSW, and Dress Barn are all good for me as well. Two additional places I have shopped in are Ulta (makeup and beauty, I got a fabulous makeover there) and Famous Footwear (like DSW, off price shoes). I am planning to visit Sephora on my next day out.
just spent two hours in Lane Bryant, trying on lingerie and dresses, a very helpful sales attendent, she had a changing room reserved for me, she brought me many items to try on, I left with a bra and panty set, two dresses, leggings, and a long black pant/jean, interesting was that there were many women in store shopping, and nothing was said with me being there, I will go back again, maybe next time I will be fully dressed enfemme,
Always had good luck with Kmart fashions but they going out of business.
In my experiences, and I don’t know if all of the stores are like this or just the ones I’ve been in, I’ve found that Torrid and Dress Barn have been super friendly to me. They have no problem setting up a dressing room for me, and in the case of Dress Barn have not only helped me zip up and down some dresses but also given me suggestions on how it looks on me and even searched in the store for things they thought I might like.