Trans Guy Tips #5; Dressing Good
Today, we're going to talk about basic fashion, and some things trans guys specifically need to know when buying a new wardrobe.
Some of these rules can always be broken, it's your body and your choice what to put on it!
However, this is a guide for passing better, so feminine and androgynous looks will not be covered here, only the traditional masculine. I will most likely make a guide out on dressing that way later.
1. Match colors, but don't be afraid to throw in some accent detail colors! Usually when you think of fashion, you think of making everything match, however some things will go better with some contrast rather than plainly matching!
As long as it still has some similarity, it doesn't have to be the same.
The most basic rule you need to learn dressing as a man, is that you wear your belt to your shoes.
If your belt is brown, so should your shoes be.
If your belt is black, they should be black.
Usually most fashion rules can be broken, but this one seems to be very important, as it can throw off the whole appearance of an outfit to have mismatching shoes and belt.
2. Use what I call the finger trick.
When selecting a shirt, specifically a dress shirt, put your fingers in the collar between your neck and the collar.
If you can comfortably fit two or even maybe barely three fingers in there, then that's a perfect fit shirt around your neck.
If you can fit four or more fingers, it's loose and will make you look baggy and overweight.
If you can fit only one, or feel any pressure on your throat, you need a looser shirt because it's too tight.
3. Somewhat similar, but when buying pants, this may be the most important thing of all.
If you get the right set of pants, it can disguise even the biggest of curves.
You want to get what's known as a straight-leg jean pant, you can make it a cargo pant if you wish, either one looks very masculine and good.
I would usually recommend bootcut pants if you wear longer shoes, like boots, or combat boots, or anything you need to tuck the jeans into.
Always get pants that don't feel constricting, and always get them where they fit comfortably with a belt, but don't need a belt due to fitting good already.
But straight-leg type is so important to go for, it's one of the things that makes a boxy figure like a cis man's.
4. I'm not sure if this is obvious or may come as a surprise to some people, but even if you like dressing femininely, if you wish to pass, I would suggest always shopping in the men's section.
They have shirts and pants and everything else under the sun that shaped specifically for men's bodies, making yours look even more like a cis man's, which is very gender affirming. Also women's jeans are made to support the butt and make you look feminine and curvy, while men's are designed to be straight, boxy, and comfortable, usually with deep pockets too!
5. Similar to the matching rule before, you can match a busy pattern shirt with a plain pair of pants, or busy pattern and pants with a plain shirt. However if you put too many busy patterns, or too much plainness, either way makes you look not as good.
Try to balance the detail with the simplicity.
6. Overall the most masculine thing you can wear especially pre-t, is either a formal or casual suit.
You can even wear just a dress shirt with a tie or bow tie, with some dress shoes and pants, and you're good!
This just generally makes you look super masculine and it's hard to mistake.
7. if you're like me, where you like to dress flamboyantly, but you're also super dysphoric about it, wait until you get testosterone therapy.
If you end up having it and you start seeing positive effects before dressing femininely, it's great!
I did this and now I feel totally comfortable with it, as no one ever misunderstands me even if I wear the most feminine things ever.
So if you're going on t, feel free to dress more extravagantly during because you will pass even so!
8. Another way to check shirts that are long sleeved, particularly dress shirts, is to tuck it in like usual, and then lift up your arms really high like you're reaching for something.
If it untucks or lifts the fabric in an unflattering way where your armpits look huge, it's cut wrong and is not something you should buy.
9. This may be surprising to some, but yes, cis men will wear feminine designs on masculine outfits.
I can't count the number of times I've seen men wearing bright pink suits. Other times there's been crop tops, painted nails, hair done, everything.
So if you really like that button up with the flowers on it, but are feeling hesitant due to the feeling that people might judge you, don't worry!
Maybe some will, but a lot of people wear unique clothing, and no one will be as bad as what your thoughts say to you.
10. I have somewhat of a warning, as good and fun they are, t-shirts can be very revealing when it comes to showing your chest, even through your binder! Something about them isn't cut quite right, even if they come from the manliest man's site or store.
If you still wish to wear t-shirts like I do, I would recommend getting a short-sleeved or long-sleeved Dickies button up jacket/shirt that you wear open over it. Or any jacket thing, really. This covers your chest completely and negates that effect.
11. This is sort of more hygiene base but still has to do with getting dressed. Always use men's soap, and men's cologne, and men's essential oils, and men's lotion, if you have them.
Also use some aftershave, it's helpful if it has lotion mixed in and moisturizes as well.
You can even shave even if you're pre-t, due to it making a clean feeling due to there being no feminine peach fuzz on it. This can help support dysphoria relief, as well because it feels like you're shaving a beard, at least until it comes in.
When your moustache and beard do come in from testosterone, if you take it, make sure to oil it lightly with natural oils like argan oil or coconut oil, the stimulates hair growth and follicle health.
And I would recommend shaving just once as it starts developing, so it develops thicker, stronger, and more handsome.
12. If you're planning on going on t, buy at least some of your clothing a size or a few sizes up, or getting a duplicate that's larger.
You will grow, so if you buy all your clothing in a smaller size, you'll probably end up unable to use any of it.
13. Always position your belt buckle in the center of your stomach, the way you can tell if it's positioned right is if it lines up with the buttons of your button up perfectly.
14. When wearing a suit try to always keep the bottomless button unbuttoned. That button isn't actually there to be used, it's meant to be unbuttoned and it makes it look so much better.
The reason it looks so much better is because it makes it flattering and thinning. If you button all the buttons, it will make you look heavy due to it tightening around your waist and stomach.
15. You should always have at least two pairs of dress shoes. one pair that's black, and one pair that's brown. Same with belts. It's also recommended for summer that you keep one pair of masculine flip flops or sandals or sneakers around.
16. This is more of a suggestion than anything, however it's manly as fuck, and people love it.
If you carry a work knife, a pocket watch, a small portable multitool, and a handkerchief.
Possibly even a pen and small notepad with you at all times.
This may seem odd at first, but it's what men used to do constantly in the older days.
These items can come in very useful. A work knife can open packages, open letters, be used in place of scissors occasionally, and even used to defend yourself and others.
A pocket watch is just fancy and shows you're always trying to be on time.
A multi-tool shows you're ready for any task, and it can be a lifesaver in many situations!
Meanwhile a handkerchief is important, because if you ever come across someone crying, or someone wounded, you can lend them or give them your handkerchief, which is a very gentlemanly thing to do, and it can help you pass better, as well as it just being a kind thing to do for someone.
The pen and small notepad is always good to carry on you regardless of any gender, due to you needing to write things down often.
17. Ironically, although socks with sandals seems to be a fashion 'no-no' to most people, I quite like them, and it seems like I pass better with them.
Men tend to wear those slip-on flip flop things, and when you wear socks with it it makes you look very masculine, even if it may look silly to some.
Personally I like it a lot.
18. If you do wish to do makeup & nails, I would suggest doing it as black and gothic as possible, as that's the most common style guys do it as, and if you do it in a certain way, it can come out looking way masculine.
And that concludes my fifth part of this Trans Guy Tips series!
Thank you for reading, and I hope anything I said helped!
