I present to you: the culmination of menswear for female bodied people.

Or in other words, AHHHHHH$%^&! MY SUIT CAMMEEE

The rarity of finding men’s clothes that fit me speaks to this momentous occasion. I got it at Topman, the UK brand that’s closest store to me is in New York. The pants are snug and conform well to my lady-thighs and the crotch area doesn’t even look like there’s too much extra room. The jacket bunches up a tad in the middle because of my hips, but the shoulders are the right width and the jacket is the right length. I will take it in and see what a tailor can do about that (and keep you guys updated!)

• Suit: Topman, “Black Textured Skinny Suit”
• Button-up: Banana Republic, Non-iron fitted sateen shirt 
• Tie: Express, snagged during a $10 tie sale
• Shoes: Bass “Susie Black Navajo Leather”
  

Topman’s clothes seem to be tailored for skinny guys. Everything is smaller and even some of the XXS’ are too small for me! I think the closet American Equivalent is H&M, but they only have a few XS sizes sprinkled around and those are still a tad roomie on me.

I’d also recommend just getting the pants if you are looking for men’s dress pants but not a whole suit. Here’s some light gray ones for $50.

My success with this suit demonstrates what my blog is all about: finding clothes that work for queers out of our limited options. I feel like hott stuff in it and I’m really proud to own it. Spread this around, because this suit is really an incredible find.

Special thanks to Georgie who originally told me about them!

I was delighted to interview Shaz Riley, the founder of the Butch Clothing Company (BCC). The BCC creates some kick-ass, beautiful crafted, and carefully bespoken men’s style suits for female-bodied people. Doing this interview has made me dream of getting one some day when I get married or, you know, get invited to a celebrity event. A savvy businesswoman, Shaz won’t give away all her secrets on how she manages to hide women’s curves so well. I suppose that would be like me giving away my great aunt’s kugel recipe. I think this speaks to how special her company is and the quality of their work. Check out the BCC’s Facebook page to see all sorts of butches in action rocking her beautiful suits.

The mission of the BCC is grounded in serving butch women, but they welcome clients of all identities and gender presentations. Shaz even mentioned to me that bridesmen and best men work with her so that their tuxes can match their butch brides’. So Thomas, I’d keep a couple hundred euro on the back burner if I were you.

• Can you tell us a bit about all the kinds of suits you offer? 
• Our design process is fully interactive with our clients. We look at all elements of detailing that make up a suit. Choice of fabrics — of which we hold over 120 — specifically chosen to work on any woman, no matter their body shape. Clients love our garment linings; we carry over 80 in numerous colours and textures. We look at collar types from classic notched to skinny peaked to even the Ghandi style Nehru. We look at number of buttons on the jackets, vests, and cuffs. We look at pocket style, collar shape for shirts etc. and then together we design the perfect suit for you!
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• How do you ensure that your suits fit your customers who are not working on it with you in person? 
• With our overseas clients we offer video Skype consultations. These work identically to face-to-face consults except that — under my careful supervision — our clients and a friend, spouse, or family member do the actual measurement taking. I am there on camera every step of the way, but I do send a BCC measurement guide as well! To date, our Skype consultations and the end results have been exceptionally successful.
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My date to the Men’s Wearhouse was nothing short of amazing. We first went just so that she could convince me that I looked good in a bow tie but then Deonte, the sarcastic fun-loving gent working there, insisted that I also try on a suit jacket. He grabbed two for me and the second one fit remarkably well. I told him that as soon as I come across a small fortune I will buy it. He said that I would probably have to tailor the pants for $35.

Then, he and an older guy who was possibly the store manager, assured us that they are “more than happy for women to come spend their money here.” Women have shopped there before and I was not the first one to come in looking for a suit for myself. (Of course the first time it happened they really had to shake it off, but now they’re used to it.) It’s so nice to get reassured that my existence is accepted. I think I will follow the same courtesy and tell the next straight person I encounter that I am perfectly comfortable with them being in my presence.

Well I might poke fun, but I am quite fond of my experience there, and celebrate it by putting Deonte as the first cisgendered male on my blog. We went to other stores, so stay tuned for part 2 of my shopping adventure.