For Every Body: UnderDare Makes Shopping for Gender-affirming Undergarments Accessible and Inclusive

Marcy Darling’s son came out to them as trans-masculine when he was 11 years old, but when he was ready to start wearing binders, she quickly realized finding them was not an easy feat.

The only places to shop were online and often overseas, meaning finding sizes and trying them on were not an option. In a search for any in-person stores in the U.S., she only heard whispers of places in other major cities like New York and Portland, but nothing was for sure.

That’s when the idea for UnderDare blossomed. On the lower level of their shop, there was enough space to turn a small corner into an in-person store for people to find and try on gender-affirming garments. After setting up the place and using their personal credit to purchase the inventory, UnderDare officially opened in March of 2024.

“I know I need to open this door because everybody I talk to starts crying when I tell them what I’m doing,” Darling says. “There are people I know that are older than me and younger than me, that are like, ‘I’m so proud of you,’ but I’m just doing what has to be done, right? Nobody else is doing it.”

UnderDare brings the first in-person shopping experience for gender-affirming undergarments to the Twin Cities. The shop offers a safe and private space for the trans community of all ages and provides sizes ranging from XXXS to 8X.

The store carries an extensive stock of products including binders, tucking boxers and leggings, foam and silicone packers, bra buds, trans tape, shapewear, corsets, beard balm and oil, scar salve and strips, non-hormone interfering face wash and resource books for both parents and kids. She also has items available for try-on that can then be specially ordered or ordered online once someone knows their size.

Darling says she is also a resource for people still learning the ropes and for allies so their trans friends don’t have to be their only source of information. Part of their learning process with their son and opening the store was doing research and “learning a new language” of sorts.

“Somebody asked me if I felt weird about doing that and I’m like, ‘No, I am a resource,’ and I think that I can be a resource for allies as well as trans folks,” Darling says. “I’m so okay with that because the more you know, the less you’re going to be weirded out or afraid, or the more you can pass on, and the more ‘normal’ it is, whatever normal is.”

It runs on appointments only due to the space being small and also to keep the address of the store private for shoppers’ comfort and safety. Darling also does pop-ups at community centers or even homes to educate and bring their stock for people to try on and buy.

Since Darling took out personal credit to stock UnderDare, their goal for 2025 was to have the store be self-sustaining by the end of the year. Darling was already able to meet that goal, being able to pay the rent and bills on time and seeing an upward trend for the rest of the year.

“I had a really good January and February, which is weird for when it’s really cold, so that means that the word is getting out there better,” Darling says.

The space is filled with colors and random items to create a comfortable experience, especially for neurodivergent people. Shopping for intimate items and the experience of trying things on can be really difficult for everyone, especially trans and nonbinary people. Darling aims to cultivate a comfortable and enjoyable experience through laughter and what they call their “ADHD superpowers.”

“When I was younger, the community that always had time for me and always accepted me was the community I didn’t know I was actually a part of, the queer community,” Darling says. “It’s always been my community and it’s the community I feel the safest and most real in, and I think that really comes through.”

Despite only being a year in, Darling has many goals for the future of UnderDare, including UnderCarriage, which is a shuttle bus that can take UnderDare’s products to rural places. She also hopes to be at county Prides this year, continue their personal and community pop-ups, and continue to build awareness and fundraise to make these goals happen.

A longer-term goal is to eventually create a sliding scale for payments so price isn’t a barrier. Darling says binders that she carries range from $45 to about $70, but she also has a pre-owned section (aka a “past lives section”) that is between $5 and $25.

“Somebody that doesn’t have a lot of money shouldn’t have to have a used binder. That shouldn’t be your only option, is what I believe,” Darling says. “That’s not the vibe that we should be putting out there.”

What started with supporting their son has blossomed into creating a space for trans people and trans youth to feel comfortable and safe trying on, buying and exploring gender-affirming undergarments and products. Darling created a much-needed space for the trans community and hopes this helps alleviate fears and hurdles around shopping for these products.

“People come in and they’re super grateful … and they leave and they’re so happy. How can that be a bad thing?” Darling says. “At this point, UnderDare can’t go away, it’s too important.”

UnderDare
www.underdare.me