story by Lauren Nettles | photos courtesy of Katie Cooper
It’s frustrating not being able to fit into clothing you better identify with. I shouldn’t have to buy clothing from the little boys section just for a decent fit.
Like many of us, The Button Brigade’s founder, Katie Cooper, is frustrated with product gendering. “One time, I was trying to buy a bike, and my only options…were purple and pink. That’s not what I want!” she says. Many of us are familiar with Katie’s story—limited colors and fit issues are just the beginning of the challenges to finding products and clothing that make you look and feel like yourself.
And so, The Button Brigade was born. These button-up shirts are made with all body types in mind, regardless of your gender, so you can express yourself, feel confident, and be comfortable with who you are. “It’s frustrating not being able to fit into clothing you better identify with,” says Katie. “I shouldn’t have to buy clothing from the little boys section just for a decent fit.”
The Button Brigade’s button-up shirts will feature more buttons on the front to combat gaping between button holes and an adjusted sizing chart and tailoring that accommodate a wide range of body types. “They’re very gender neutral,” Katie says. “The fit is amazing, and I’ve handpicked the fabrics myself.” Katie is also extremely conscious of how The Button Brigade’s shirts are manufactured; she’s working with in-state makers to provide some of the best hand-crafted apparel available.
The Button Brigade is about even more than incredible, ethically-produced, gender- neutral button-ups. “It’s also about creating a community, giving back, and supporting that community,” says Katie. “We give back 10% of all of our profits to LGBTQ+ organizations making a difference.” She will be giving back to specific projects hosted by these organizations. “We want to see real change happen, and we want our customers to be a part of that change,” she says.
Katie is thrilled to be starting this project in Memphis. “Bringing something new to Memphis is really exciting,” she says. “I want to generate awareness in the South about fitting in that gender-neutral category, and I’m hoping that I can be a role model to other queer people trying to create a small business in the South.” The Kickstarter for The Button Brigade launches on March 20, 2018. To support the project or learn more, visit thebuttonbrigade.com.
