Dirt Squirrel: Providing Style and Comfort for Every Occasion

When Wade Hopwo and Daniel Lypchuk founded the LGBTQ clothing brand Dirt Squirrel, they decided to level up the underwear game and help others along the way.

With the hopeful return of Pride events just around the corner, Dirt Squirrel is on hand to provide customers with all the essentials. From a bold underwear collection that is comfortable and form-fitting, made from premium fabrics such as bamboo fiber, to premium, casual apparel that includes sweaters, T-shirts, crop tops, hats, and accessories, Dirt Squirrel items are sure to make a statement wherever you go. Who can resist eye-catching prints and cheeky slogans?

Hopwo took some time to talk more about the brand with OFM, as well as navigating through the COVID pandemic and breaking into mainstream culture.

You founded the brand in 2013 with your now ex-boyfriend, Daniel. Why did you two want to venture into business together?
At the time, our relationship was budding. We were both in our final year of university, and we were taking a break from working on our final projects. One of these projects required students to essentially create the foundation of a business, so it was ready to launch and put into motion. Over a Skype call, we started discussing the final project and began daydreaming, imagining what businesses we would like to create and bring to fruition. The dream started to look like an exciting, attainable reality, so what began as a final project became the template for our future company and livelihood, Dirt Squirrel.  

What kind of items is Dirt Squirrel known for?
We are best known for our bamboo fiber underwear. We started the company with the intention of creating underwear that provided ultimate comfort, durability, and wearability for everybody, while also remaining eco-friendly. Bamboo fiber is known for its moisture wicking, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and hypoallergenic qualities, which makes our underwear perfect for sweating during exercise, running errands, workdays, or simply lounging on your favorite couch. Our snapping, or “thworping,” bamboo hand fans are also incredibly popular accessories, but the new frontrunners are our oversized, embroidered, terry cotton sweaters, the witchy one being a personal and crowd favorite. 

How would you say Dirt Squirrel stands out from other small, LGBTQ-owned businesses who sell similar products?
A lot of other LGBTQ businesses focus on having a million different, provocative designs; busy patterns; and loud, graphic prints on average fabrics. Instead of doing this, we have focused on perfecting our patterns for a fit that is to be desired by men of all sizes and shapes. For example, the use of premium, bamboo fabric with our underwear will also make all the difference for comfort. 

We believe that true, classic, and sexy style is found in the basics, and because of this, we provide our Dirt Squirrel cuts in an assortment of eye-catching, impactful colors that can also be bundled together in personalized multi-packs at a discounted price. This gives our customers the opportunity to save and having to choose between their favorites at checkout! 

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted millions of small businesses around the globe. How has Dirt Squirrel been navigating and staying afloat?
We genuinely thought that keeping our business alive through our breakup was going to be the ultimate challenge, but clearly, COVID had different plans. To say this past year was challenging would be an understatement. While it has been very testing and taxing, it has also had some silver linings. It has given us the opportunity to take a breath, step back, and look at areas we can improve and evolve. It has revealed areas we can focus on and new projects we can be passionate about. This new energy has been a big factor in driving us forward and keeping us afloat.

Before we wrap up, what’s next for Dirt Squirrel? Anything else you would like to mention or plug?
We recently launched a rainbow Pride collection including a sweater, tee, long sleeve, fan and hat. Partial proceeds of these items benefit a Vancouver community group called Rainbow Refugee that supports people seeking refugee protection in Canada because of persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression (SOGIE), or HIV status. 

We are also pretty obsessed with our metal straws and new packaging, which can be seen on our website, DirtSquirrel.com. If you fall in love with something while browsing our site, feel free to use the code: OUTFRONT for 20 percent off your purchase!