Male clothes shopping...

[Xhianil]

I have to go shopping soon, i only have 2 pairs of pants i can wear and 3-4 shirts plus i winter jacket i wear all the time to cover my form, i absolutely hate going, especially since I'm forced to buy clearly male clothes, it makes me want to cry.

Does anyone else feel like this? How do you get through it?

[TerriT]

Yeah, I haven't bought any male clothes in a while and the last things I did buy are all pretty andro or skew female. I guess that's my way of dealing, just buying gender neutral styles as much as possible, although I've been building my guy mode wardrobe in that direction for years. Why do you have to buy clearly male clothes? Do you have to wear suits or something?

[Xhianil]

Not suits, just clearly male clothes.

I can't post why on the forum sadly.

[jamielikesyou]

Add color, find items that fit a little more form fitting than usual, change it up a little. Softer fabrics, patterns, layers, lots of ways to deaden the uggh of it. I had to buy some winter wear and I tried to go as androgynous as possible. Add a ladies item or two.  You'd be surprised with what you can add and not have anyone aware of it.

[anjaq]

Once I came out to myself all I could bear buying was androgynous clothes tending towards more feminie styles (softer fabrics, velours, colors, cuts that give more waist). I never had that much clearly male clothes anyways given that jeans and t-shirts are often considered neutral. So I am not sure, I guess if you are in that place that totally sucks because you seem to be stuck in a situation that requires you to play guy a lot, so I guess all you can do is get over with that - I am not sure what is harder - to pretend to be a guy and wear these things or to go and buy them - I guess buying them would be less of an issue compared to having to wear them? For me it would be like that - one bad thing compared to a even worse thing makes the bad thing easier. Not the best advice, I guess. But the best of course would be to change your situation that demands such stuff of you...

[Midnight_Nicole]

I have to go shopping soon, i only have 2 pairs of pants i can wear and 3-4 shirts plus i winter jacket i wear all the time to cover my form, i absolutely hate going, especially since I'm forced to buy clearly male clothes, it makes me want to cry.

Does anyone else feel like this? How do you get through it?

Ive never been "male shopping" since I always have dressed androgynous for the most part, other than some hand-me-downs from my brothers. I'm only 5'7 and 120 lbs and all my brothers (6 older, 2 younger) are all over 6' and weigh more so they're all too large for me anyway. But I where girl jeans but I do hate male shirts which I generally have to wear :/

[Xhianil]

Problem is i can't dress androgynous, i would if i could but i can't...

[Ltl89]

I've always tried to make the best of it.  Until I put on a little extra weight, I used to wear guess or armani.  Hey, if you git to wear the clothes try to be stylish.   Nowadays it's all formal (yet stylish) office clothing for me, but it'll change soon. Still women always complement my fashion sense, go figure.

Do you need something formal or can yiu get away with a little flair.  I mean it sucks dressing male, but a purple designer shirt is probably more comfortable to wear than ed hardy, lol.  It all depends on why you need the clothes and what you feel you can get away with.

[KabitTarah]

I have a ton of old "boy" clothes that I wear now. Lots of them didn't fit well before I lost the weight.

Pants are the biggest problem. I buy them quickly, at BJs. I also ordered those Levi's 510s and want to get a few more pair of those, they're nice and tight... weird - I hated tight clothing until I came out... but I also hated showing my body in any way.

[Megumi]

I hate it. But I see it this way. Its a necessary evil. I can't come out at work yet but I still have a dress code to follow. I've been straying away from dull dark colors and wearing polo shirts that are bright. I had to buy a new pair of man pants the other day and it really bumped me out as I'd rather dress like all of the others girls here at work. The pants were needed as they'll help hide my first foray into my transition while at work.

[Kaylee]

I started building up a fem clothes collection with boot cut cords from M&S, no one clicked in the slightest (one of my friends actually joked that we had the same trousers on, and was jokingly angry that I was a 10 to her 12!  )

[KabitTarah]

I started building up a fem clothes collection with boot cut cords from M&S, no one clicked in the slightest (one of my friends actually joked that we had the same trousers on, and was jokingly angry that I was a 10 to her 12!  )

Lucky
I really want to try on some size 16 jeans and see just how poorly my hips fit. I'm pretty sure I can swing that waist size now (might be tight). I'm a 38" waist, but I can go 36"

It definitely requires getting over my hangups over visiting the changing room at Kohls (or wherever).

[Yukari-sensei]

I sympathize. It's always a ticket for instant sadness. Especially when I get invited out by family and we walk into the mens section "for me". Making it worse is the fact that I already am uncomfortable because I'm already taking steps to not be an "embarrassment" to them. My mother goes out of her way to buy and send me male clothes whenever she sees me... that and to lecture me on how much my grandparents would be disappointed in what I'm trying to do. And this is when I'm already trying to dress at least androgynous for her sake when I see her... Don't know if it makes me more angry or sad, I just know it upsets me.

[KabitTarah]

I sympathize. It's always a ticket for instant sadness. Especially when I get invited out by family and we walk into the mens section "for me". Making it worse is the fact that I already am uncomfortable because I'm already taking steps to not be an "embarrassment" to them. My mother goes out of her way to buy and send me male clothes whenever she sees me... that and to lecture me on how much my grandparents would be disappointed in what I'm trying to do. And this is when I'm already trying to dress at least androgynous for her sake when I see her... Don't know if it makes me more angry or sad, I just know it upsets me.

I don't think anyone in my family is looking forward to Christmas right now. (Well... I am, but my endo appointment is on the 26th! - AA's only for a while) I'm VERY curious at what I might get and what those gifts might say to me. I'm not eschewing anything male yet, but I'm pretty well set for men's clothing -- unless they want to get me more Levi's!!

(I'm sure the kids will be getting excited soon, too).

[KarynMcD]

Not suits, just clearly male clothes.

I don't understand why you can't buy womens pants. What are clearly male pants?
There are plenty of womens pants that look like mens. You'll just likely end up with really small pockets when buying womens.
Look for pants labeled "bootcut." They will have the legs that are the closest to mens style.
"Trouser" may be too wide and "straight leg" may be to narrow and of course avoid "Flare" and "Skinny."
Avoid ponte and rayon fabric. Ponte may be too heavy and Rayon may be too flowy.

[suzifrommd]

Does anyone else feel like this? How do you get through it?

When I lived as a man, I HATED shopping. I got to know what brands fit well, and when I needed to get clothes, I walked right to that section, bought what I needed and then walked out again.

Now I love shopping, find it relaxing and enjoyable. One of the total surprises about my transition.

[Yukari-sensei]

I don't think anyone in my family is looking forward to Christmas right now. (Well... I am, but my endo appointment is on the 26th! - AA's only for a while) I'm VERY curious at what I might get and what those gifts might say to me. I'm not eschewing anything male yet, but I'm pretty well set for men's clothing -- unless they want to get me more Levi's!!

(I'm sure the kids will be getting excited soon, too).

Congratulations on your upcoming appointment!

You happened to bring up another concern of mine... How fast are these hormones going to work?! I have my first HRT session on the 21st, a family gathering in San Antonio this Christmas season, meaning a 4-5 hr roadtrip with my wife, sister, future brother-in-law, and mother.

For that matter I get the repeat extended performance in May for a family vacation in DC in May! For my mother I have to present as male... what kinda male will I look like this vacation? For that matter, why do I have to do that for her!

[Sammy]

You happened to bring up another concern of mine... How fast are these hormones going to work?! I have my first HRT session on the 21st, a family gathering in San Antonio this Christmas season, meaning a 4-5 hr roadtrip with my wife, sister, future brother-in-law, and mother.
For that matter I get the repeat extended performance in May for a family vacation in DC in May! For my mother I have to present as male... what kinda male will I look like this vacation? For that matter, why do I have to do that for her!

Well, as usual "your mileage may vary", but dont expect much within the first two months, except for skin getting clearer and softer, plus breast pains . Nobody will pay attention to Your skin unless You are asking for it.
As for May, which would be like 7 months from the starting date... thing might start to get interesting. I dont know how receptive Your body will be with Estrogen, but within 7 months You will be starting to change. Perhaps, somewhere within that period - closer to 6-7 months mark the things might spiral upwards a bit - whether You might reach the male failure point... again, You will never know beforehands as YMMV . It has been 5 months for me and yesterday my female friend told me that one of her friends (I met her only once and very briefly) thought that I am gay. Before my transition, nobody ever had such idea .
I have a sort of monthly timeline threat in my blog (the icon with address is just under my profile picture), so You can get approximate idea how this goes (we are within the same age group, but we might still have different genetics).

[KabitTarah]

Well, as usual "your mileage may vary", but dont expect much within the first two months, except for skin getting clearer and softer, plus breast pains . Nobody will pay attention to Your skin unless You are asking for it.
As for May, which would be like 7 months from the starting date... thing might start to get interesting. I dont know how receptive Your body will be with Estrogen, but within 7 months You will be starting to change. Perhaps, somewhere within that period - closer to 6-7 months mark the things might spiral upwards a bit - whether You might reach the male failure point... again, You will never know beforehands as YMMV . It has been 5 months for me and yesterday my female friend told me that one of her friends (I met her only once and very briefly) thought that I am gay. Before my transition, nobody ever had such idea .
I have a sort of monthly timeline threat in my blog (the icon with address is just under my profile picture), so You can get approximate idea how this goes (we are within the same age group, but we might still have different genetics).

Ah... one of my biggest concerns, too. I plan to start E in May/June to get the bulk of the summer out of the way. Two things could screw me up -- a very warm fall/winter (Rhode Island... it's a crap shoot) or very quick, noticeable (boobs) changes. The latter is the bigger concern - I have a bit of gynecomastia, I'll be starting AAs early on, and my family runs big. I know one never knows... but . . . .

On the other hand, I don't care. I want to be out. I just would like some prep time first!! I also had a VERY awkward conversation at work today I'm sure I'll discuss it more elsewhere.

[Yukari-sensei]

Well, as usual "your mileage may vary", but dont expect much within the first two months, except for skin getting clearer and softer, plus breast pains . Nobody will pay attention to Your skin unless You are asking for it.
As for May, which would be like 7 months from the starting date... thing might start to get interesting. I dont know how receptive Your body will be with Estrogen, but within 7 months You will be starting to change. Perhaps, somewhere within that period - closer to 6-7 months mark the things might spiral upwards a bit - whether You might reach the male failure point... again, You will never know beforehands as YMMV . It has been 5 months for me and yesterday my female friend told me that one of her friends (I met her only once and very briefly) thought that I am gay. Before my transition, nobody ever had such idea .
I have a sort of monthly timeline threat in my blog (the icon with address is just under my profile picture), so You can get approximate idea how this goes (we are within the same age group, but we might still have different genetics).

Wow! Transition has been going good for you I can see! I hope mine goes as well.

Personally, I'm scared of my genetics. In my family, on BOTH sides, a C cup is considered small... in fact I think all the girls in my family are D and up. God forbid I take after mom completely! Those will give back pain! ... I really hope I don't have to bind them just to enjoy time with my family... and I really hope I will not have to forsake the pool too.