Shopping for Transgender-Friendly Clothing in Birmingham, England
Birmingham, England, and other major cities in the UK, have a growing range of shops that cater to the unique needs of the transgender community. Finding the right clothing and accessories can be challenging, but with a little research, you can discover the best options for your size and preference.
Commonly Available Brands
Most major clothing stores in Birmingham offer garments that fit the needs of transgender individuals. Brands such as Evans Yours and Simply Be are well-known for their inclusivity, providing decent clothes in larger sizes. Additionally, Dorothy Perkins and MS have a limited selection of "tall" clothing options, which can be a good starting point.
Shoes for Transgender Individuals
Shoes can be a significant challenge, especially for those requiring larger sizes, typically over UK8. Fortunately, Evans and Yours cater to a wide range of sizes up to UK10EEE, offering a more comfortable shopping experience. However, it's important to respect the shop's customs when trying on clothes, which may include making an appointment or adhering to specific procedures.
Avoiding 'Specialist' Shops
Specialist transgender clothing shops can be very expensive and may not offer much more than what can be found in mainstream stores. In Birmingham, and in other major UK cities, you can find a wide variety of clothing suitable for transgender individuals, so it's typically more economical and convenient to shop in regular high-street stores unless you have specific needs that require larger sizes or specific styles.
Alternative Shopping Options
For items like breast forms, which are not commonly found in mainstream shops, online retailers typically offer better prices and a wider range of options. It's important to purchase from reputable sources to ensure quality and fit.
Despite the challenges, Birmingham has several neighborhoods where transgender-friendly shops and services can be found. For example, if you're nearby, a catering service located a few streets over provided a delivery for a recent get-together. If you'll be in Birmingham, you can visit any shop and find garments that meet your needs, and you can respect the shop's customs by making a visit in-store.
If you're looking for the nearest shop that caters to transgender people, pretty much all the stores in Birmingham are inclusive these days. The same is true for all major UK cities. My personal experience hasn't encountered significant problems in the towns I've visited, except for breast forms, which are best purchased online at competitive prices.