Roundup: Trans Clothing Swaps

Trans Clothing Exchanges

Trans Clothing ExchangeLet’s face it: transition ain’t cheap. Fees for updating ID, chest binders, packers, blood work, testosterone, surgery… it can add up fast! Often overlooked are the costs of overhauling your wardrobe. This is especially true for guys on testosterone: fat redistribution and muscle and/or weight gain require sizing up. Thrift shops and having some skill with a needle and thread will get you far in terms of expense, but the shopping experience can be intimidating for some guys. Enter: The Trans Clothing Swap.

“Clothing swaps are a much more comfortable and safe place to try out different styles or try on clothing, which can be very stressful to do in a store if you are not gender-conforming or if you have a ‘non-standard’ body.” — Wiley, Clothing Swaps Can Be a Lifeline for Queer and Trans People

Tumblr’s community-driven design has made it the platform of choice for a number of trans clothing swap services that have launched over the past several years. The Tumblr Transgender Clothing Exchange (est. 2012, NY, US) and The Transgender Friendly Clothing Swap are hubs for trans people to sell/give away and buy/receive clothes with other trans people.

Reddit’s transtrade is another active online trans clothing exchange.

Offline, trans clothing swaps have popped up as pop-up and regular events in the U.S. and Canada:

If you’re looking for a similar service in your area, check with local community and campus LGBT groups. If they don’t have a trans clothing swap, consider volunteering to help make it happen! Here’s some information to get you started:

Not only are trans clothing swaps are a great way to shop without spending a dime but they’re also an easy way to keep textile waste out of landfills.

Do you know of other trans clothing swaps? Leave your comment below!

First published: 11/25/14. Last updated: 11/25/19

8 Comments

  • Robin says:

    I know of a few tumblr sites that are trans clothes exchanges such as benjiscloset.tumblr.com and The Leelah Alcorn project.

  • Thanks Robin! Benji’s Closet sounds familiar… Super active Tumblog but I couldn’t find any posts about the clothing exchange. Looks like The Leelah Project has just closed doors.

  • Nic Titus says:

    Benji’s closet also now has a forum for those in need of support http://benjiscloset.boards.net/

  • iikkg says:

    Hello!
    I am not fine. I use ace bandages and I have lungache. (or I don’t know how to tell in English)
    I can’t get breathe. I live in Hungary, and I am 145-146 centimetres and 33-34 kilograms. Can you help me, please? I need only one binder. Just only one what is fit to my body. Please help me!
    The truth is that I have an empty wallet so I can’t buy a good one.
    Thank you!
    (sorry for my English)

  • Kayla says:

    I run a free clothing pop up boutique ! Geared towards LGBT youth but we serve everyone- youth,families,and allies at two chapters. One in Orlando, FL and one in Philadelphia,PA. You can learn more about your mutual aid project here : metamobileboutique.com

  • Thanks Kayla, that’s cool!!

  • Jack says:

    The one in Seattle is no longer being held; there’s been no activity on its Facebook page nor any mention of it on local gay news sites since 2018. At this point, listing it is misleading.

    No one’s stepped in to replace this group & thrifting in the Seattle area is super pricey, so the lack of any kind of service like this is notable.

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