.gay Community Spotlight on Play Out Apparel

In this week's .gay Community Spotlight, we had a chat with PlayOut Apparel — the fashion warriors fighting against the binary shopping experience.

PlayOut is on a mission to ensure everyone can dress like their true selves, regardless of gender expression, so say goodbye to old and tired outfits and hello to playful, expressive clothes that fit your unique style.

Learn more about them in our chat below. 

How would you describe your brand’s mission?

Play Out’s mission is to lead the next generation of fashion by applying equality to design, shopping, and gender expression. We look to positively impact queer visibility and represent queer celebration. Queer people, gender nonconforming, and transgender individuals deserve to see themselves joyously reflected in clothing and brands.

Tell us about how that mission is brought to life through your work?

For Gen Z, binary gender norms are outdated. In fashion and shopping, 56% of Gen Z shops outside of their assigned gender. Gender equal fashion is the future of mainstream fashion; we say “gender-equal” because we are not neutralizing anything (we prefer the term gender-equal over “gender-neutral” clothing). How do we define gender equal shopping? Dismantling the notion that gender drives style. We offer inclusive, affirming apparel with affordable price points, unique artistic designs, and a shopping experience that is inclusive for all customers - gender-expression inclusive and size inclusive.

Why does LGBTQIA+ visibility matter to you?

At Play Out Apparel, we are creating the brand that we wish existed when we were younger. Gender equal shopping and taking the binary out of the shopping experience is not a trend to us. We are members of the queer community. We are lesbian, gay, queer, and trans and nonbinary identified. We represent these terms with care, and with openness to continue to evolve to support our community. Gender equal shopping is personal to us. This has always been a part of our brand DNA.

In your own words, what does “LGBTQIA+ safety and support” mean specifically?

It’s heartbreaking when it’s not a safe option to fully express yourself on the outside, and we know that’s the case for many in the community. Being a brand that provides a safe space for our community to come together and express themselves through fashion, and supports our customers in feeling confident in who they are and authentically expressing their individuality, that is what providing safety and support to our community means to us.

Who are some of your LGBTQIA+ heroes?

Great Question! Alok Vaid-Menon for their fearless fashion and work as an educator, artist, and voice in moving the fashion and beauty industry beyond the binary. 

Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera for their tireless activism and support for LGBTQIA+ rights.

If you could give LGBTQIA+ youth one message, what would it be?

The external noise doesn’t matter. Focus on who you are and what matters to you, and makes you happy deep down, for you.

Tell us about a time when you felt like the work you do really mattered or made a difference?

We love hearing from our customers how affirming it is to see the range of models - body types and gender-expressions - on our website and social media, and to see people that look like them in a brand. We receive emails and DMs from followers about how they finally feel excited to put on their underwear or clothes in the morning, because they feel affirmed wearing Play Out. It’s the reason we keep doing what we’re doing. We’re honored to be a part of that journey for so many people.

Why do you feel it is important for your brand and others to publicly stand in support of LGBTQIA+ people?

This isn’t a choice for us, this is who we are. More and more, consumers truly want to support brands that align with their values - and this is more than simply displaying a rainbow flag. This is in providing safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ employees at the office, to providing inclusive health care, to donating to LGBTQIA+ causes and nonprofits. 

Anything else you would like to share with the .gay audience?

We’d love to offer ohHey.gay readers a special Play Out discount! Use code HEYGAY for 25% off their first order in 2023. We appreciate you!