Target will be selling breast binders and packing underwear as part of its latest clothing collection just ahead of “Pride month” in June.
The retailer is known for celebrating June in a splashy, rainbow-colored way. It has been criticized for offering a pride collection for kids, specifically babies, for years. Now the company is catering to the trans community by promoting specialty garments specifically made for them.
According to Bustle, Target partnered with TomboyX and Humankind for the collection, which are both “queer owned, female-founded brands.” Merchandise will include the expected rainbow-colored messaging that’s become commonplace for these collections. It will also have some new items that a mainstream retailer like Target hasn’t sold before.
The TomboyX collection includes undergarments such as chest binders, packing underwear, bras, and boyshorts in sizes S-4X. Humankind’s line is focused on swimsuit styles, including swim trunks, tops, and unisuits.
Bustle reported, “as binders and gender-affirming swimsuits are notoriously difficult to find (particularly in extended sizes), this accessible drop will make shopping for everyday garments much easier.”
Mila Myles, a “black, queer non-binary writer and stand-up comedian,” was a model for the collection along with partner Yasmin Almo. Myles discussed being happy with the experience of modeling for a mainstream store like Target.
“It was the first time that I was welcomed and empowered to make other people feel empowered,” Myles said.
On set, “no one was a prop. We were all [there for] an opportunity to feel seen and for someone else to feel seen.” The model hopes the campaign will “redefine ‘commercial beauty,’ by hiring different-looking ‘commercial models.’”
The article confirms that items such as chest binders will be available in store and online.
Kids items in the Target Pride collection include toddler tees that proclaim, “Trans Rights Are Human Rights” and shirts emblazoned with pronouns, plus the expected rainbow-colored merchandise in all forms, including onesies and matching sets for the whole family.
Toddler books in the collection include “Bye Bye Binary” and “The Pronoun Book.”
In the adult collection, a poem that includes the line, “For the queer lovers and everyone in between, for the rebels that fight to forever be seen,” is featured on tote bags, shirts, and beach towels.
There are also pride flag cat toys, including a giraffe designed in lesbian flag colors and stuffed teacup with rainbow tea, and three tea bags with the lesbian, transgender, and bisexual pride flags.