“Clothing is one of the most powerful tools we have.”

Finnegan Shepard, who is trans, underwent top surgery in April 2020. During the healing process, he began searching for a swimsuit in which he could proudly show off his new masculine chest. But the options he came across online were less than satisfactory. “Everything was really Pride-branded or super-functional, [and made it look] like I wanted to go rock climbing,” says Shepard, who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and was, until 2018, a graduate student focusing on political philosophy and creative writing. The swim trunks he had in mind were stylish and flattering, with extra room built in through the seat and thighs.

Read the rest of the article in the Guardian here.