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My boyfriends progress

Started by LittlemissSunshine, July 18, 2011, 06:28:34 PM

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LittlemissSunshine

Sorry if this doesn't go here. But just want to sorta share how proud I am of my man in his transition.

He just bought his first binder (from underworks) and he looks amazing  ;D. Only thing is he has slight anxiety about his lumps showing they are sorta there but only if your staring at them side-on and probably more so in his mind. Just wanted to get advice from anyone who's had to help "style" their guys wardrobe to help cover little indiscretions that binders cause ( e.g. small mounds, etc). I got him into a dark button up shirt with a slight military style to it and I thought it worked really well, is that a good style to get him into.

Is there any way I can help make him pass with more confidence ( he still needs his hair sorted, but is waiting for the right time). He has the guy jeans down to a tee along with packing, his walk is almost there he wasnt the most feminine walker before hand anyway...

But yeah this is mostly just to say how glad I am that he's finally managing to express himself.

Sorry if it makes no sense what so ever.

Rose x
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Wolfsnake

Congrats to him for taking steps to be more comfortable, and congrats to you for being an awesome and supportive partner. He is damned lucky to have you.

First off, it's important to remember that the way you (him, you, anyone) dress should be the way that makes you comfortable--not necessarily the way that you think will get other people to see you a certain way. I don't bind tight every day and I don't wear all men's clothing every day. What matters is that I am confident in my own identity. If other people don't get it, that's their problem, not mine.

That being said, I got some fairly large lumps to cover up, and I do prefer to minimize the femininity of my body. What I usually do is layer up. For casual wear, I get some comfy men's shorts or jeans that are loose enough that they don't look tight in the thighs (like women's jeans), then a t-shirt and a button-up shirt (like an oxford) open over the t-shirt. You can also layer an undershirt below the t-shirt to smooth things over even more. I usually wear loose shirts because I lost weight and everything I own is now voluminous, but when I wear a smaller, closer-fitting tee, I find that tucking it in helps flatten the look of my chest. Leaving the button-up shirt loose and untucked helps hide curves at the hips and waist as well as the chest. In addition, vests are very nice for hiding curves. I love a pinstripe vest over a close-fitting tee shirt and skinny jeans personally, but I go for a more androgynous look than a lot of guys are comfortable with.

Less casual wear can be dress shirts or a nice polo buttoned up over a binder and undershirt. The undershirt smooths down curves. Going up one more notch, there's always the suit (which can be dressed up or down depending on the shirt, pants, tie, lack of tie, or even pocket square and ascot you choose). Go for single-breasted and try to find a style and cut that hangs well. I'm a fan of the three-piece myself, especially with skinny jeans instead of slacks and a casual shirt under the vest, since I love vests and they add another layer of chest-hiding goodness, but they aren't always appropriate. Here is a good guide for choosing suiting to minimize the feminine figure: http://www.ftmguide.org/suits.html (that whole site is worth reading, btw).

As for accessories, I would go for baseball-style hats, trilby/derby type hats, knit hats, men's style belts (webbing or leather, with a masculine buckle or D-rings), and large watches/wide leather wristbands.

Shoes are up to you--converse, combat boots, oxfords, running shoes, and nice leather flip-flops are all fairly manly and "in."

I get all of what I wear from thrift and consignment stores (well, except the binders). It's a great way to try out styles for cheap. I like to think of myself as the king of the $10 outfit.
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spacial

Good news for both of you.

If I may suggest, take it one step at a time. There's a load of different things you can try. But the key is, to try each and see how it makes you both feel.

Though remember, this is for you. The world can and will, think what it likes. You don't need anyone's permission to exist.
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justmeinoz

Being a lot older, all I can offer is congratulations to both of you for being together through this.

The other posters have pretty well covered the clothing aspect, and my ideas are all MtF and a different generation.   Sounds like you are on the way to a style that works.

Karen
"Don't ask me, it was on fire when I lay down on it"
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Sage

"Be whoever you are, but be loud. Be completely fearless when you do it. That's the big thing. Just be a fearless person. A fearless artist, a fearless accountant. Whatever you want to be." - Gerard Way, My Chemical Romance

私は死にかむ。
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LittlemissSunshine

 ^-^ Thanks guys
Wolfsnake thank you for going to all that trouble :) it is very well appreciated. When we're both in tonight I'll show him the site you've linked in your post. Can I ask if there's a particular way you bind yours to make them less obvious, just my bf is sorta new to the binding scene. As for the idea of the shirt over an under t-shirt I personally think that style really suites him. His accessories are already quite masculine (apart from his engagement ring - we need to update it soon, but it isnt girly its jsut a simple white gold band ring)
Spacial thank you for your words of wisdom, I do sometimes feel like I am forcing him too fast and do have to remember its his comfort that comes first not my excitement.
Karen & Sage thank you both for your well wishes trust me they do not go without a big grin :D xxxx

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Wolfsnake

No problem!

As for binding, I use sports bras at this point (I like the Frog Bra by Title Nine, but they may not have any in production nowadays), because I'm not out and I'm waiting on investing in a real live binder until I've started on T. There are a ton of threads on binding in FTM gear if you wanna check that section out. For basic binding I usually use one bra, shove the breast tissue to either side, and then dust in between with a big pinch of cornstarch to cut down on itching. I get reasonably flat, but I don't pass at all (yay high-pitched voice and curves...), so I'm not concerned about perfect flatness yet. Sometimes I wear two sports bras, one back-to-front, and that gets me a little flatter, but it makes my shoulders tired and sore after a few hours. Milage varies with chest size and comfort level.
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wheat thins are delicious

Something that helps my anxiety as far as feeling their are small bumps even when bound is that most guys have some sort of bumps on their chest area, they may be developed pecs or fat but most guys have them.  The more I tell myself this helps and also the more I pass helps relieve my anxiety about this.  Also adjusting anytime I'm in a private area (bathroom stall, bedroom, car) helps me feel newly flattened and good. 


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