Tailoring for Masc Womxn

You’re a big, masc queen with a rockin’ (femme) bod. You love an andro look, but masc clothes don’t fit your body and you’re stuck wearing the least feminine women’s clothes you can find (I’m picturing a lot of you in your collection of hoodies and sweats).

Now, there are stores in Vancouver that cater to this demographic and I don’t want to take away from them. They are an excellent resource and I applaud their pioneering. I think everyone should pay a visit to Cos, Peau de Loup, etc. But this article is for people who don’t have the time, or means to visit these places during their open hours. Or perhaps you just don’t like their styles, simple enough.

My advice for you is: Tailor. That. Shit.

“That’s your advice? That’s it?”

Yes. That’s my advice.

Perhaps because I grew up cis femme, or perhaps because my family culture included tailoring, but I have never known a day of feeling *totally* stuck when it comes to what to wear. And it’s certainly not because I have an easy-to-fit body (do any of us?). I get almost everything tailored.

Gurl, go to that menswear store you love. The one that is in your budget, and geographically available to you. Buy the garment that fits the largest (hardest to accommodate) part of your body. Then take it to a tailor and get them to alter the other parts of the garment to your specific body. Got a chest that pops buttons? Buy for that, and have the arms and waist taken in. Or thick thighs, but no booty? Buy pants that you can get up over your legs, and have the “seat” taken in (tailor speak for your ass).

“But Karyn, tailoring is expensive and tedious.”

Yes it is. And I’m really sorry about that. But it isn’t any more expensive or tedious than having clothes custom made for your body. Not to mention the hunt for andro stores in your area, and opening hours that work for you. And I promise you are not the only one. There is a reason tailors exist. No body is the same. It’s impossible for most people to buy anything off the rack and have it fit like a glove.

My 2 besties are butch queens with curvy curves. Their personal favourite (affordable) menswear are RW and CO., Gap, and Ralph Lauren (buying RL second hand makes this option much more affordable – get yourself to a thrift store or Poshmark).

As a society we are so much about fast fashion we have forgotten that clothes are supposed to fit a human body, not just mannequins. YOU have a human body, worthy of being represented in the way that YOU want.

So please go treat yourself to the store you want to buy from, and can afford. Put aside extra $ for tailoring and make that $50 shirt look like $500.