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In recent years, Pride month has increasingly been marred by corporate merch that is usually, well, ugly. Simple pieces of apparel with nothing but a rainbow slapped on screams performative solidarity. Yet despite the exhausting cycle of these kinds of collections, there are still queer people — newly out or otherwise — who might still want to signal their identity to fellow LGBTQ+ people at Pride events and in daily life. Is there a solution for these people who want to find something that’s a little more subtle or chic? If you’re willing to scour a little bit, yes.
Below, we’ve sifted through the more interesting Pride collections out there to bring you a wealth of hidden gems. To no surprise, merch that isn’t an eyesore usually comes via queer, independent designers. Not only are they making apparel that could be worn year-round, many of these designers are by giving back to organizations like Transgender Law Center and Human Rights Campaign. Bigger brands have followed suit, pledging donations and putting their money where their mouth is. Whether you’re looking for a new statement cardigan or versatile tote, here are 11 pieces from Pride collections that are easily must-have closet staples.
Pride Apparel
Homoco Apparel is a queer-owned brand whose name alludes to founder Daniel DuGoff’s family’s bygone chain of Washington, D.C.-area gas stations. Fittingly, Homoco has teamed up with the equally cheekily-named Kum and Go gas station for their latest Pride Month drop. The collection’s “Kamp Shirt” splatters the gas station’s iconic logo all over and gives off a vintage edge unique to Pride merch. Proceeds from the conveniently priced $69 shirt are headed to the Transgender Law Center.
Ludovic de Saint Sernin, a queer-owned French fashion brand, is well-known for its high-femme, genderless clothing. This year, they’ve teamed up with queer multimedia artist Jack Taylor Lovatt on a series of t-shirts, including this one featuring an intimate stenciled moment. A portion of the generated sales is headed to a charity of Lovatt’s choosing.
