IT should have been an exciting day – but shopping for a suit for his brother’s wedding was a “horrible experience” for Sam Henderson.
His struggle to find a suit that fitted has now inspired a new fashion project designed to support the trans and non-binary community.
The project, called Nip & Tuck, has been launched by Stirling-based charity Coorie Creative to respond to the issues trans and non-binary people face when trying to find clothes that fit well.
It aims to empower them by showing how they can alter and adjust their own wardrobe.
The project is led by Henderson, who said he had a “horrible experience” when trying to find an outfit for the wedding of his brother, Glenn Roberts.
“I was measured and made to try on suits on the shop floor,” said the 22-year-old.
“I knew that I didn’t want a feminine shape but they altered the suit to match my physical dimensions rather than tailoring it the way I wanted, leaving me with lots of extra fabric.
“Luckily we were able to change the overall look of the outfit just by moving some buttons.
“I know how much that small change boosted my self-confidence and I’m determined to share that joy as far as I can through these workshops.”
Six trans people aged 16 to 25 are currently attending the eight-week programme in Coorie’s Stirling city centre studio, where they are learning how to alter a variety of items of clothing from trousers and tops to dresses and skirts.
Henderson added: “As well as addressing a very real issue for the trans community, the course has the potential to help all people with non-standard body types who want to feel good in their clothes.
“We already have a waiting list for our classes and are looking to expand our programme of sewing classes for people who, for whatever reason, find it difficult to find clothes that fit well.
“Whether it be someone recovering from breast cancer or someone who is gender transitioning, we want everyone to be happy with how they look. We’re also working on compiling a style guide with top tips on altering clothes at home.”
Coorie Creative director Mairi Breslin said: “We run a variety of creative workshops and many of the people attending these classes are young people who do not conform to gender norms.
“They are repeatedly telling us that they find it very difficult to find garments to wear that fit with their identities as well as their developing body shapes, especially as our local area has limited retail opportunities for specialist shopping.
“As well as learning sewing skills, Nip & Tuck is about giving socially isolated young people a chance to come together with others to form a community of like-minded individuals.”
Nip and Tuck is just one of the programmes that the charity offers. Coorie Creative also runs crafting workshops for people who are socially isolated, those who are blind and trauma survivors.
Nip & Tuck is currently open to all transgender/non-binary people aged 16 to 25 living in Stirling or Clackmannanshire.
