The Official 'Do I pass?' topic (Ver 5.0 - in 3-D)

[nyrangers30]

7.5 months on T, how well do I pass?

[hardyboy]

@Blake: I think you pass pretty dang well! You look like an average 18-19 year-old dude. Cool watch!

[IAmChris]

I can't work out how to embed a photo in a post, so have uploaded it to Flickr...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/133108491@N07/shares/3667y4

I'm pre-T but quite often get read as male. I would be interested to know how old people think I look though. A friend got asked if I was her son the other day - don't think she was best pleased!! I don't have much luck passing in the work world, or where I'm expected to be older, as I'm clearly not a cisgender adult man. Any suggestions or tips for passing better would be appreciated!

[Mariah]

Chris it's actually really easy to post a photo on here. When you make the post You click on the insert image option. Between the ING bracket tings you place the link to the photo online. It's pretty much that simple. Generally you want the bbcode address for your picture. Hugs
Mariah

[IAmChris]

Thanks, I tried that Mariah, but I couldn't make it work. I did read afterwards somewhere though that I can't post pictures until I've made a certain number of posts, so I guess that is why.

[Mariah]

You will get their soon Chris. 15 posts opens many things up for you. Hugs
Mariah

[Bimmer Guy]

I can't work out how to embed a photo in a post, so have uploaded it to Flickr...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/133108491@N07/shares/3667y4

I'm pre-T but quite often get read as male. I would be interested to know how old people think I look though. A friend got asked if I was her son the other day - don't think she was best pleased!! I don't have much luck passing in the work world, or where I'm expected to be older, as I'm clearly not a cisgender adult man. Any suggestions or tips for passing better would be appreciated!

Chris, I think you pass well.  I think you will "seal the deal" if you make sure that your shirts are not clinging to your chest.  I was always conscious of this, looking down to check it was not against my chest.  It becomes second nature.  Be conscious of the fact of not hunching over like a lot of guys do.  It is not good for the shoulders and if you can hide the chest well, it is not necessary.  What helps is a looser shirt or just making sure that the fabric of the shirt isn't the type that get hung up against the body.  Also, getting the binder that flattens you the most and is made of a fabric that shirts don't cling to.  For example, the tri top or 997 from underworks.

Your face and body shape is very helpful to passing.

[IAmChris]

Chris, I think you pass well.  I think you will "seal the deal" if you make sure that your shirts are not clinging to your chest.  I was always conscious of this, looking down to check it was not against my chest.  It becomes second nature.  Be conscious of the fact of not hunching over like a lot of guys do.  It is not good for the shoulders and if you can hide the chest well, it is not necessary.  What helps is a looser shirt or just making sure that the fabric of the shirt isn't the type that get hung up against the body.  Also, getting the binder that flattens you the most and is made of a fabric that shirts don't cling to.  For example, the tri top or 997 from underworks.

Your face and body shape is very helpful to passing.

Thanks Bimmer Guy!

I have actually started wearing slightly smaller/more fitted tops than I used to, as I think they look better than something baggy and I actually seem to pass better. Agree that the one in the photo isn't perfect though - perhaps I need to find more of a middle ground.

Hunched shoulders are something I've become really aware of recently, I didn't realise how awful my posture was until a friend started commenting on it. I now make a real effort to stand up tall and with my shoulders back and, surprisingly, I now pass a lot more often even though I'm not trying to hide my chest. Perhaps it's a confidence thing

Thanks for the binder recommendation, I've never actually worn one. I do a lot of sport and so tend to rely on just a sports bra as I don't want to restrict my self at all and do any damage... I do want to try binding though, even if only to get rid of the visible sports bra lines.

[Sir Real]

nyrangers - You look like a guy to me.

Chris, this might just be me, but I don't think your chest looks bad at all. You don't look outside the bounds of a regular guy to me. If that's you in a sports bra, I think you'll be fine.  Overall you have a masculine face and body shape and just look like a guy. I think the only thing could potentially throw me off is your hair.  If I cover your forehead, you pass completely to me. It's not that your hair style is feminine, it's not, but it can be.  So the hairline gets a bit more attention as my brain does that weird automatic search for clues. If that makes sense.

[IAmChris]

Thank you Asa, this thread is a great confidence booster

[Bimmer Guy]

Hey, Chris.  I know what you mean about wearing more form fitting shirts.  I always did the same (I am post top now).  I see nothing wrong with what you are wearing, I just noticed how the shirt was caught up on the one side, so I just went on a ramble about binders and such in general. 

If a sports bra suits you, then stick with that.  I found for me when wearing a sport bra that the type that has the smooth surface (nylon?), would keep the shirt from clinging to my chest.  You are also making a good choice in not being physically active in a binder.

[Sir Real]

New glasses.  What do you all think?

[JesseO]

Hello,

I am about 5 years on T, but I still get misgendered quite a bit.  I would say at least a few times a week.  Any tips?

[disturbedraccoon]

Hello,

I am about 5 years on T, but I still get misgendered quite a bit.  I would say at least a few times a week.  Any tips?

I think it's the eyebrows? Try making them look fuller.
----

I'm pre all the things. Something is...off...though...yes?

[Bimmer Guy]

Hello,

I am about 5 years on T, but I still get misgendered quite a bit.  I would say at least a few times a week.  Any tips?

Well, although I love the glasses, they are rounded, which makes a face more feminine.  The standard (as I'm sure you know), is to go square/rectangle to make a face look more square (masculine).

That's all I can come up with to explain it.  You are a handsome guy!

P.S.  I like your haircut.  I have the same one!  ha!

[Fids]

JesseO - You look like a guy to me, it's only when I go out of my way to think about the fact that you're trans that I do a double-take. If I had to nit-pick, I'd say your eyebrows look a little bit thin to me. I assume your voice is nice and low after 5 years on T? Are you still using female inflections, maybe? I also believe that the glasses may be feminizing your face to look a bit rounder. Sorry, I'm kind of at a loss, you look like a pass to me!

DisturbedRaccoon - Again, I kind of have to think about the fact that you're trans to see the more "feminine" features. Maybe I'm too hung up on eyebrows - they look pretty averagely full - maybe it's just the angle, but they seem a bit arched? Like the hair, by the way.

Now for my pictures - I can't tell whether or not I pass, as no one has been gendering me at all recently. (Please don't quote my pictures, I may delete them later)

[JesseO]

Hmm. I know the glasses rule.  I actually thought about getting new glasses (I've had the same for quite a while) but both times I went the optometrist (two different ones) talked me out of it because of "how well the glasses suited my face".  I usually get misgendered before I speak, so I'm not sure it's the way I speak.  I never do anything with my eyebrows...this is about as thick and bushy as they get. How would you suggest making them appear fuller without it looking like I'm wearing makeup (which won't help)?

[Wolfy]

7.5 months on t. how am I looking? my profile picture was like 2 months on t btw.

[Marly]

If I may say, I see a nice looking young man

[April_TO]

Hi

I believe a brow powder would give it more realistic appearance if you plan to make your brows more fuller.
I think you are a good looking gentleman regardless xo

April

Hmm. I know the glasses rule.  I actually thought about getting new glasses (I've had the same for quite a while) but both times I went the optometrist (two different ones) talked me out of it because of "how well the glasses suited my face".  I usually get misgendered before I speak, so I'm not sure it's the way I speak.  I never do anything with my eyebrows...this is about as thick and bushy as they get. How would you suggest making them appear fuller without it looking like I'm wearing makeup (which won't help)?