We All Deserve To Feel Sexy
Corners of our world are seeing so many types of representation grow and get better, and, I don’t know about you, but it fills me with joy. We need to see more people who look like us, and products actually made for us. All of us.
One of my biggest sources of excitement during the weird hell-year of 2020 has been seeing the diverse models used in recent Savage x Fenty campaigns. Seeing products for diverse male bodies, on diverse male bodies? I’ll drink to that. But shouldn't inclusivity be a given for all brands? Shouldn’t we all have easy access to clothing (and therefore underwear) that actually works for us and makes us feel f***ing good?!
We all deserve to truly believe in our own sexiness if it is something that boosts us. To be liberated, to feel empowered. Yet, accepting our ever-changing bodies is never easy. Celebrating them is even harder. Harder again for those of us who are queer, POC and/or disabled. Self-love takes work. It takes support. How we dress our bodies can be a massive deal in this journey of at least being okay with our bodies, too. Whether we’re getting intimate with ourselves or anybody else, wearing lingerie that is a perfect fit for our body and our personality can give us the extra sparkle we need to get through the day with confidence.
I want to share with you a bunch of wonderful brands I’ve discovered which I think might be able to help you on this journey, no matter who you are or what barriers usually stand in your way. I hope you can learn to see your own beauty more and more with time, but if some nice underwear might give you a helping hand, then these are some shops to throw your love (and money) at.
Fenty x Savage
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Since we’ve already named them, we can't exactly ignore them. Savage x Fenty is taking the world by storm. We stan Rihanna and the wonderful work her team is doing to push a brand that champions diverse beauty and encourages the exact kind of confidence that makes us feel our sexiest. Whether you are after standard lacy, strappy goodness or something much more casual, Savage x Fenty may have something for you.
If this is the kind of thing you're after, you'll also love… Playful Promises, Figleaves, Uye Surana.
Parade
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Parade is a wonderful meet-in-the-middle for those of us like myself who kind of like the idea of minimalism but can't bear a lack of bright colour choices. They are committed to funding sex education via 1% of all their revenue to Planned Parenthood, and are super sustainable. If you want something well-fitting with a simple yet zesty androgynous vibe, Parade may have something for you. (Shipping to USA only currently)
If this is the kind of thing you're after, you'll also love… ARQ, Girlfriend Collective, What Lydia Made.
Slick Chicks
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Slick Chicks makes adaptive pants. I swear, finding underwear for anybody with mobility issues or physical disabilities that has any style is hard. These pants may not come in any fancy colours or different fabrics, but they’re styles, side-fastening and come in a few different cuts. Slick Chicks seem like an all-round amazing company doing amazing things. If you’re after easy-to-get-on pants and want to support ethical and diverse manufacturing, Slick Chicks may have something for you.
If this is the kind of thing you're after, you'll also love… Intimately, TOMgirl Apparel, Wings Intimates.
Vanilla Blush
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Vanilla Blush specialize in hernia support and stoma and ostomy underwear. They also supply the NHS (get your cute lingerie funded, UK-pals-with-stomas!). Their founder, Nicole, describes the lack of good underwear for these needs as “a fashion issue, not a medical one,” which is the best summary I’ve heard of on these matters. Vanilla Blush is doing important and valuable work through very pretty lingerie. If you’re in the market for hernia or stoma-pocket underwear, no matter your size or gender, Vanilla Blush may have something for you.
If this is the kind of thing you're after, you'll also love… Ostomy Secrets, White Rose Collection, Comfizz.
TomboyX
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This might be one of our absolute favourites. Gender-neutrality at its finest, every colour and fit, even period pants: TomboyX has it all if you feel way sexier in something simple, soft and not so in-your-face femme. There is so much info about sustainability, their goals, every product you want and more on their website. We are impressed by TomboyX. If you’re all about Calvin-Klein-esque undies, fun prints and abolishing gender, TomboyX may have something for you.
If this is the kind of thing you're after, you'll also love… Chromat, KÖN, Playout.
GC2B
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GC2B is the place for comfortable, safe and accessible chest binders. You’ve got your choice of prints and colours, a good size range and plenty of other bits and bobs to go along with your main purchase. GC2B is trans-owned and it aids the LGBTQ+ community brilliantly through charity donations and other schemes.. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive and the price-point is decent, so if you’re in the market for a binder, GC2B may have something for you.
If this is the kind of thing you're after, you'll also love… Rodeoh, Rebirth Garments, Spectrum Outfitters.
GI Collection
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Inclusivity: 🌈🌈🌈🌈
GI Collection is a trans-owned lingerie brand all about embracing who you are, which is exactly what we are here for. The selection of products is unbelievably pretty and fills a gap in the market perfectly. It has even pre-cut and continuous lingerie tape for your tucking needs. If you are non-binary, trans-feminine or a trans woman looking to femme it up to the max, GI Collection may have something for you.
If this is the kind of thing you're after, you'll also love… Origami Customs, JBC Lingerie, Zaza Atelier.
Please, if you can, treat yourself, a partner or whoever else might be appropriate to a set of good, sexy underwear this holiday season. If you’re not in a place to do this, share your favourite brands, and even send us a message so we can big them up, too. Support the brands who make you feel good so they can continue to thrive. Feeling yourself is never not the perfect gift.