Your 2018 Pride fashion guide: Wear your pride
Rainbow, lavender and pink triangle products that let you wear your pride and spread the love.
Inspired by LGBTQ communities around the world, these Pride-inspired pieces also serve as reminders that the fight for tolerance, diversity and equality is ongoing. If you want to make a statement this month, why not wear it? Here's a roundup of some of our favourite rainbowed designs with this very special added bonus: purchases from any of these limited-edition collections you'll also be helping a variety of LGBTQ charities and organizations dedicated to helping queer communities.
All of the pieces in Nike's 2018 BeTrue collection for men and women feature prominent symbols of Pride that have been reclaimed by the LGBTQ community throughout the years: the colour lavender and the pink triangle. The just-released apparel collection includes tees, cushioned running socks, sunglasses, a hat and even a vintage-inspired hip pack, while the footwear collection features the Vapormax Plus, Air Max 270, Epic React, and Zoom Fly.
* Nike is donating a portion of all BeTrue sales to organizations empowering the LGBT sports community.
Nike's BeTrue collection, $22-$255, www.nike.ca
Apple's Pride contribution is an all-new, rainbow band for their Apple watch. The Pride edition woven nylon straps are available in both 38mm and 42mm sizes and are designed to perfectly match the brand's new rainbow watch face.
* A portion of the proceeds from the Pride Edition watch band will go to GLSEN, PFLAG, The Trevor Project, Gender Spectrum, and The National Center for Transgender Equality in the U.S., and ILGA internationally.
Apple Watch Band: Pride Edition, $69, www.apple.ca
This summer, Frank And Oak introduced two gender-inclusive Pride designs to their popular And collection. The Pride-inspired white T-shirt and grey tank top were made by Petites-Mains, a Montreal-based organization devoted to helping women in need.
* $5 from the sale of each item is donated to Montréal Pride.
Frank And Oak Pride Collection, $29.50-$39.50, www.frankandoak.com
Converse has partnered up with pop princess and LGBTQ activist Miley Cyrus for its annual Pride collection. This summer, the iconic Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker gets a bright and bold makeover with various Pride-inspired versions of the classic HI, OX and platform silhouettes.
* All net proceeds of the rainbow-inspired kicks will support LGBTQ+ youth community partners globally, including the Happy Hippie Foundation, It Gets Better Project, Minus 18 and RainbowYOUTH.
Converse Pride Collection, $50-$150, www.converse.ca
Levi's fifth annual Pride collection celebrates inclusivity, acceptance, diversity and love with gender-neutral pieces including a rainbow-embroidered Trucker jacket, sleeveless tees in white and black, graphic logo tees, 501 original cut-off shorts with rainbow details and even a cap and bandana.
* One hundred per cent of net proceeds go to the Harvey Milk Foundation and Stonewall Community Foundation.
Levi's Pride Collection, $25-$168.00, www.levi.com
This summer, Dr. Martens revamps their classic 1460 boot with the colours of the Pride flag in a tie-dye inspired print. But, wait, there's more! Inside you'll find a rainbow-branded sock-liner, and a hidden message on the sole.
* A portion of the proceeds go to the Trevor Project.
Tie-Dye Pride 1460 Boots, $195, drmartens.com
American Eagle's 2018 Pride collection marks the second time the brand has collaborated with the It Gets Better Project, an organization dedicated to empowering queer youth. The collection of tanks, tees, and underwear features bright rainbow colours and slogans that spread love and awareness.
* 100% of those proceeds will be donated to the It Gets Better Project.
American Eagle's Pride Collection, $17-$26, www.ae.com
H&M's extensive 2018 pride collection features a number of 1970s-inspired crop tops, tees, sweatshirts, joggers, shorts and much more. Watch out for ads featuring LGBTQ celebs like Olympic snowboarder Gus Kenworthy, RuPaul's Drag Race fan favourite Aja, musician Shaun Ross, model and activist Gabrielle Richardson and trans pop singer Kim Petras.
* 10% of the proceeds are going to the United Nations Human Rights Office UN Free & Equal campaign. (H&M's site guarantees a minimum donation amount of $350,000)
H&M's Pride Collection, $7-$40, www.hm.ca
Christopher Turner is a Toronto-based writer, editor and lifelong fashionisto with a passion for pop culture and sneakers. Follow him on social media at @Turnstylin.