Pride Style 2017
Wear your true colors on your sleeves and just about everywhere else, while supporting important organizations
Visibility represents a primary component to Pride Month, the LGBTQ+ community’s rolling series of celebrations, talks, parades and activist events across the nation. As members of this diverse, beautiful body of individuals stand forward with strength and defy suppression and ignorance, apparel becomes more than a fashion statement, it’s a political one. It’s a unifier, a group announcement, and a bold statement of togetherness. The following items are more than just bright and colorful. All incorporate a charitable element, with proceeds going to causes that need immediate assistance. Whether you are a member of the community or an ally, here’s a great starting point for pride parade (or any day) attire. It’s worth calling to attention once more artist Paul Tuller’s “We Exist Chechnya” T-shirt as well, from which proceeds benefit the Russian LGBT Network, an NGO that has been working to extract members of the queer community from Chechnya safely. After all, we as a global community must look after each other.
Pride Necklace
Celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, Perth-based designer Poppy Lissiman’s “Pride” necklace ($135 AUD) is made from 18k gold-plated sterling silver and high-quality rainbow-colored cubic zirconia. 10% of the profits are donated to Rainbow International, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ rights activists in countries where gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are criminalized.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Pride Mesh High-Top
Yet again, Converse has come through with their 2017 Pride collection, lending the familiar rainbow to several products—perhaps most successfully the Chuck Taylor All Star Pride Mesh High-Tops ($95). The bright, but not over-the-top design is a smart take on the rainbow flag, and the classic All Star sneakers, of course, still go with everything—all these decades later. Plus, all net profits from the sale of any item in the 2017 Pride collection goes to LGBTQ youth organizations—the It Gets Better Project and the Happy Hippie Foundation.
Kapten & Son’s Pride Watch
Punching up a minimal design with a loud and proud rainbow strap, the Kapten & Son’s Pride Watch ($159) comes with white or black watch face options, and rose gold or silver cases (in two size options, 36mm and 40mm). The Germany brand is donating 15% of profits from the watch sale to Heritage of Pride, the non-profit that produces New York City’s official LGBT Pride Parade.
Levi’s Pride Socks
Another return to the rainbow design, Levi’s Pride Socks ($18) will go with all your looks—since everything matches with acceptance. All 100% of proceeds go to the Stonewall Community Foundation and the Harvey Milk Foundation. The socks come in a pack of two and have cushioned soles for your Pride March stomping.
HRC’s Love is Love Cap
The classic rainbow is represented via love-hearts on Human Rights Campaign Love is Love Cap ($22), of which 100% of profits go to their fight for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. Available in white, grey or pink, this adjustable cap is yet another cute way to show love will always win.
Everlane’s The 100% Human French Terry Sweatshirt
Emblazoning all kinds of apparel with the phrase, “100% Human,” Everlane is hoping to create a message of unity. From unisex sweaters, to T-shirts, hoodies, tanks, pins and more, the company has everybody covered. Our pick is the white-on-black 100% Human French Terry Sweatshirt ($45). For every 100% Human product sold, Everlane will donate $5 to the ACLU.
Otherwild’s “Gay Power” T-Shirt
With 10% of all proceeds donated to the Lesbian Herstory Archives, Otherwild + Herstory’s boxy, unisex “Gay Power” T-Shirt ($13) is for anybody and everybody who believes in the sentiment. Also available as a black-on-black hoodie ($54), the design was inspired by a balloon at the 1970 Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade.
Gamut Pronouns Pins
With they/them, she/her and he/him options, Gamut has made preferred pronoun pins ($10) that look more sophisticated than many we’ve seen. These black and gold pins politely request which pronouns the wearer identifies as, and 100% of profits are donated to Camp Aranu’tiq, which is a not-for-profit organization that transgender, gender-nonconforming and gender-variant kids and their families through camp experiences.
Mack Weldon Pride Boxer
It’s all in the details with Mack Weldon’s Pride Boxer ($28). A close inspection reveals a pride stitch along the total eclipse blue form fitting undies. For every pair of the Airknit (long staple cotton, modal, lycra) shorts sold, Mack Weldon donates $2 to NYC’s Stonewall Community Foundation.
Revel & Riots Unisex Queers For Fears T-Shirt
While the primary message of not-for-profit Revel & Riot’s classic cut Unisex Queers For Fears T-Shirt ($30) happens to be the clever play on the classic rock band’s name, it’s the subtitle that really pushes its value further. “Angrier and scarier than ever,” a smaller text reads. And that’s a statement of truth. With unity, an angry queer community can tackle just about anything.
Images courtesy of respective brands, hero image also courtesy of Otherwild
