At what point is my bare chest inappropriate?

[Violet Bloom]

  While this has some relevance to the forums my question is also in general.  Having been on Estrace for seven weeks there is clear change to my chest, although I won't have anything on most middle-aged men even for some time to come.  I've observed that many pre-HRT MTFs have posted shirt-less pics, and men can have quite sizable moobs with or without some gynecomastia and nobody bats an eye.  FTMs also get to freely display post top-surgery pics even though it's the same skin and nipples that would have been part of complete breasts shortly before.

  Both my brothers have moobs and on the one they actually look like fledgling female breasts.  No one says a thing to them about it if they're shirt-less in public.  In my city it is legal for women to go top-less, although it is rarely practiced because it draws too much unwanted attention.  If I grew fully-developed breasts but was still legally male at the time I think it would cause quite a stir to go bare-chested.  I can guarantee no one would notice me right now, but how early in development does it cross the line?

  So what's the deal - When is it a breast and when is it not?  What is supposed to be inappropriate?  If a woman is completely flat-chested, whether cis or not, does it still count if you know they are female?

[Carrie Liz]

If you ask me, the whole concept of anyone's chest being "inappropriate" is complete bunk. And the law agrees, since basically declaring boobs indecent exposure while bare male chests aren't is pretty discriminatory. (Women have won cases on the right to be topless in public.)

Really, it's just an issue of boobs being seen as sexualized objects because of our male-centered society. So basically, if guys could be turned on by it, it's considered obscene, if not, it's not. I call shenanigans on that, but whatever.

If you want a straight answer, I'd say that it's somewhere between the Tanner III and Tanner IV stage is where it would probably be seen as inappropriate, since that's the stage where soft tissue starts growing in and they start taking on an actual round boob shape rather than the flat limp moob look.

[Gina_Z]

I can't relate at all. When I first went through puberty, I found myself looking at females. Their curves. Legs. Rear ends. Cleavage. I blame biology. Society had nothing to do with it. It had to do with visual cues and procreation. Even now, when I see gorgeous boobs, I get a kind of brain freeze. Stunning! I would probably put naked breasts in the same category as naked genitals. I think that's a reality. Bare boobs often have the effect of making a woman overly attractive. They're designed to do that. 

[Kelly-087]

after while I just kinda naturally got freaked out about being topless.

Before it was actually a question or concern.. I have pretty significant development I'd say~

It just depends. But my answer would be.. once you start to develop buds. And it will be painfully apparent when you do, this might be the time that you always keep covered.

[Violet Bloom]

  It's funny that there's some sort of majority-rules thing about it because I happen to find A-cup and below to be very attractive on a women.  They could be completely flat-chested and I'd generally still like it.  Since a societal majority wouldn't agree with me I don't know what I'm supposed to think.  If an AA or AAA-cup women goes topless does it get noticed or frowned on?  Does it depend on how feminine they are perceived to be?

  The trouble is that law or no law there are always localized rules or societal standards put in place and I don't know what is supposed to run afoul of them.  Ya, it's all silly and unfair but I want to know at what point I start getting into trouble, this website's public area included.  If I'm doing garden chores in the hot summer sun and feel like taking my shirt off I'm certainly not expecting to be viewed in a female sexualized way, especially if I've just got some puffy areolas, but some other people might see it that way.  My neighbor with two young children may eventually raise hell even if they don't know about my transitional state.

[Jamie D]

Somewhat tongue-in-cheek, post your booblet pics, and if they get taken down, it's time to cover up.  A lot has to do with how you carry yourself and present.

[Gina_Z]

Violet, I agree. A-cup boobs can be very attractive.

[Violet Bloom]

Since you are in Canada Violet, I'd guess it's not really an issue this time of year...

  It's sort of amusing and depressing at the same time that when my house gets chilly and I'm changing clothes my nipples and areolas shrink back like as if none of this estrogen thing ever happened.   Maybe I need to move to the Arctic until I'm ready for fulltime?

[Violet Bloom]

Violet, I agree. A-cup boobs can be very attractive.

  I can never compliment a women on it though because they always get super self-conscious about it and try to reverse it on me saying I mustn't like boobs then.  Can't win.

[Allyda]

I've never been a fan of large breasts. I feel a woman is very attractive with A or B cups, and quite frankly since I just started hrt I have some time yet before I have anything to worry about. However I'm hoping mine don't get any larger than a B at most. However we don't get to decide that -nature does, so I'll just have to wait and see and be happy with what nature gives me.

As to when it is inappropriate to go topless, I have to agree with others here: When you painfully notice growth, as one put it, it might be time to start covering up.

[noleen111]

after while I just kinda naturally got freaked out about being topless.

I am 3 years into HRT and have D cup breasts and I have never got to this stage, I don't mind being topless. I often sun tan topless, as I don't want tan lines when I wear stringy tops. I have never being to a nude beach yet, but after SRS I would like to visit one.  Maybe I missed my calling in life lol.. I could have being a stripper lol.

When a bare chest is inappropriate ?

I think when you got breast buds, as I think that when your nipples start to look like female. If you are going to a nude beach or a beach wear topless sun bathing is allowed, then it does not matter.

[Ashey]

I have A-cups and puffy nipples.. it's enough to make me reflexively put my arm over them if I'm shirtless and outside my bedroom or bathroom. That's the indicator for me.

[Paulagirl]

Please!!! I have to ask. You're mtf, why in hell would you want to go shirtless in public at ANY point in transition? I know that the last decade has made it trendy for GUYS to take off their shirt on any occasion. I drive down my street and want to puke on the guys that don't (99%) have perfect figures, and are swinging around their muffin tops like they're showing off. All summer I should carry a supply of cheap T shirt to hand out to idiot males who think anytime is shirtless time (usually while there are also wearing a wool toque?)
Until you can do amateur night at the strip club, keep your shirt on!

[Thylacin]

Please!!! I have to ask. You're mtf, why in hell would you want to go shirtless in public at ANY point in transition? I know that the last decade has made it trendy for GUYS to take off their shirt on any occasion. I drive down my street and want to puke on the guys that don't (99%) have perfect figures, and are swinging around their muffin tops like they're showing off. All summer I should carry a supply of cheap T shirt to hand out to idiot males who think anytime is shirtless time (usually while there are also wearing a wool toque?)
Until you can do amateur night at the strip club, keep your shirt on!

Sometimes, it's just more comfortable to be shirtless.

[FalseHybridPrincess]

I actually agree with Paula...

[Paulagirl]

Sometimes, it's just more comfortable to be shirtless.

Society's rules, decorum, and common sense were not put there for your comfort. You want to be a girl, and we can assume you are old enough to consent to transition. NO genetic girl that age would be caught dead in public topless. Transition is hard enough. If you want to play both sides, it's going to be way harder.

[stephaniec]

I actually agree with Paula...

me too

[GendrKweer]

Please!!! I have to ask. You're mtf, why in hell would you want to go shirtless in public at ANY point in transition? I know that the last decade has made it trendy for GUYS to take off their shirt on any occasion. I drive down my street and want to puke on the guys that don't (99%) have perfect figures, and are swinging around their muffin tops like they're showing off. All summer I should carry a supply of cheap T shirt to hand out to idiot males who think anytime is shirtless time (usually while there are also wearing a wool toque?)
Until you can do amateur night at the strip club, keep your shirt on!

ahahaha! exactly.

[Sarah Louise]

To me, it would be as soon as you start hormones.

Most women don't go topless, except at a topless beach.  If you consider yourself to be a woman, act like a woman

[Allyda]

To me, it would be as soon as you start hormones.

Most women don't go topless, except at a topless beach.  If you consider yourself to be a woman, act like a woman

Well said. Now that I've started you'll never catch me topless.