How to Express Yourself With Gender Affirming Fashion: Educational Panel With Workiva

For many people, getting dressed is simply part of the morning routine. For transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse people, it can be something much more: an opportunity to express an identity that doesn't always fit neatly into society's expectations.

To celebrate International Non-Binary People's Day, Workiva's Rainbow Business Employee Resource Group (BERG) hosted a panel exploring Gender-Affirming Fashion. Rather than focusing on trends or rules, the discussion centered on a much more personal question:

How do you bring your internal sense of self into your outward presentation, especially when there isn't a roadmap to follow?

Moderated by G. (Glow) Lowe from rainbow BERG by Workiva, the conversation brought together three panelists with different backgrounds but a shared belief that fashion can be a powerful tool for self-expression, confidence, and affirmation.

Meet the Panel

G. (Glow) Lowe, Moderator & Organizer

Glow describes themselves as a "recovering American" who moved to Amsterdam in 2017 before joining Workiva in 2021. What began as coming out as both genderqueer and neurodivergent during onboarding soon evolved into three years leading Workiva's Rainbow BERG, alongside serving as the local lead for Out in Tech Amsterdam.

Although deeply involved in advocacy and community building, Glow admitted that fashion remains something they're actively figuring out. That curiosity made them the perfect moderator, approaching the conversation not as an expert but as someone genuinely looking for guidance on expressing their identity through clothing.

Rae Hill

Rae Hill is the founder of Origami Customs, a Montreal-based company that has spent more than 15 years creating custom, gender-affirming swimwear and undergarments for trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people around the world. In addition to designing garments, Rae is an educator, consultant, and advocate whose work focuses on making gender affirmation more accessible through inclusive design, community partnerships, and education.

Throughout the panel, Rae brought both professional expertise and lived experience, sharing practical advice on building a wardrobe that feels authentic, the importance of gender-affirming undergarments, and how community support can make self-expression more accessible.

Sheen Hui

Sheen Hui is a non-binary, agender marketing and branding consultant based in London, with experience across the renewable energy, climate tech, and technology sectors. Originally from Singapore, Sheen has lived, studied, and worked across Asia, North America, and Europe, bringing a global perspective to both branding and identity.

Outside of work, Sheen volunteers with organizations including the Wicked Queer LGBTQ+ Film Festival in Boston and the Imperial APAC Alumni Network in London. A self-described "casual fashion enthusiast," Sheen approaches clothing with curiosity rather than rigid rules, encouraging people to focus less on gendered expectations and more on discovering the colours, textures, and silhouettes that genuinely resonate with them.

Ærin Salvo

Ærin Salvo is a Gen X trans woman, technology leader, and creative based outside Atlanta, Georgia. After beginning her transition in 2022 at the age of 46, she has continued building a career spanning more than two decades in software engineering and professional services, while also pursuing creative passions including fiction writing, fine dining, and visual arts.

Fashion has long been one of Ærin's favourite forms of self-expression. She describes her style as editorial, using clothing to intentionally communicate who she is, whether she's dressing for a formal occasion or a casual day out. During the panel, Ærin shared thoughtful insights on overcoming self-doubt, navigating shopping anxiety, and developing the confidence to dress for yourself instead of for other people's expectations.

Fashion isn't about fitting into a gender. It's about feeling like yourself.

The panel agreed that gender-affirming fashion has very little to do with following traditional ideas of masculinity or femininity. Instead, it's about choosing clothing that reflects your authentic self.

For Sheen, who identifies as non-binary and agender, clothing isn't about fitting into a particular category. It's about allowing their personality to shine.

For Ærin, fashion became one of the earliest and safest ways to express her identity, long before she began her transition. Even today, every outfit communicates something intentional, whether she's dressed for an event or simply running errands.

Rae explained that affirmation can happen both publicly and privately. While outer clothing can help someone communicate their identity to the world, gender-affirming undergarments often provide an equally important sense of confidence for people who may not yet feel safe expressing themselves openly.

There's no roadmap, and that's okay

One of the biggest takeaways from the discussion was that there isn't a single "correct" way to look non-binary, trans, or gender-diverse. Without an established template, many people begin by imitating someone else's aesthetic before eventually discovering what feels authentic to them.

Instead of asking "How should I dress?" the panel encouraged asking questions like:

• What colours make me feel confident?

• What fabrics feel good on my body?

• Which silhouettes feel the most like me?

• What outfits make me forget I'm wearing them because they simply feel right?

Personal style isn't discovered overnight. It's built through curiosity and experimentation.

Give yourself permission to experiment

Finding your style often starts with trying things that might not work or be quite perfect.

The panel encouraged treating clothing as clothing, rather than assigning gender to every garment. Thrift stores, secondhand shops, and tailoring were all talked about as affordable ways to experiment without making expensive commitments.

Sometimes discovering what doesn't feel right is just as valuable as finding something that does.

Confidence grows with practice

One of the most memorable ideas came from Ærin Salvo, who described developing an "I don't give a flip" muscle. Every time you choose authenticity over worrying about what strangers might think, that muscle gets a little stronger.

The panel suggested asking yourself a simple question whenever self-doubt creeps in:

Do I actually dislike this outfit, or am I worried about someone else's opinion?

Learning to tell the difference can be incredibly freeing.

Shopping doesn't have to be intimidating

Shopping can be stressful for many transgender and non-binary people, particularly when changing rooms or gendered clothing sections don't feel welcoming.

The panel shared practical advice, including:

• Shop with a trusted friend.

• Use online retailers with flexible return policies.

• Try clothing subscription services that let you experiment at home.

• Remember that tailoring can dramatically improve the fit of clothes you already own.

Perhaps most importantly, they reminded attendees that everyone struggles with clothing fit. It's not a uniquely trans experience.

Community makes everything easier

Fashion becomes much less intimidating when it isn't experienced alone.

The panel encouraged people to connect through LGBTQIA+ centres, clothing swaps, university groups, online communities, and local organizations where they can exchange advice, discover affirming brands, and learn from people who've walked similar paths.

Rae also shared how Origami Customs' Community Program distributes approximately 4,000 free gender-affirming garments every year through healthcare providers, universities, and community organizations across five continents, helping reduce financial barriers to accessing affirming clothing.

Authenticity can be loud or quiet

Not every environment feels equally safe. Whether navigating work, family gatherings, sports, or formal events, the panel emphasized that authenticity exists on a spectrum.

Sometimes expression comes through a bold outfit; sometimes it's a binder, gaff, or compression garment worn underneath. Sometimes it's jewellery, a pin, colours that carry personal meaning, or subtle details only other queer people might recognize. These quiet signals often help LGBTQ+ people recognize one another, creating moments of safety and connection in everyday life.

Supporting young gender-diverse people

They also answered thoughtful questions about supporting children and teenagers exploring their identities. The panel encouraged allowing children to browse every section of a clothing store without imposing gender expectations, instead focusing on comfort, colours, textures, and the things that genuinely excite them.

For teenagers experiencing dysphoria or shopping anxiety, online shopping, LGBTQ+-friendly environments, and access to affirming undergarments can make an enormous difference.

Fashion is a lifelong conversation

Perhaps the most reassuring message of the event was that personal style isn't something you eventually "finish." It changes alongside your confidence, identity, interests, and life experiences.

There is no final destination, and there is no universal blueprint for gender-affirming fashion. The goal isn't to dress like someone else. It's to feel more like yourself.

Whether that starts with a thrifted jacket, a perfectly fitted binder, a favourite piece of jewellery, or simply wearing the colour you've always loved but never felt brave enough to buy, every step toward authenticity is worth celebrating.

Thank You for Joining the Conversation

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for this discussion, whether you attended live or are watching the recording afterward. We also want to extend our gratitude to Workiva and the Rainbow Business Employee Resource Group (BERG) for bringing this panel together in recognition of International Non-Binary People's Day and for creating space for conversations like these.

And, of course, thank you to our moderator, G. (Glow) Lowe, and the other panelists, Sheen Hui, and Ærin Salvo, for sharing their experiences, insights, and vulnerability.

We hope this conversation leaves you feeling inspired to experiment, embrace your own style, and remember that there is no "right" way to express your gender. The most affirming wardrobe is the one that helps you feel most like yourself!