Subtle Behaviour & Appearance

[VisorDown]

Since just before Christmas I've been changing the way I look from blatantly female to increasingly masculine. I have to say, so far the best feeling is not being able to feel hair past the back of my neck.

But I've been wondering what other ways I could change myself -- maybe things that are more subtle rather than obvious.

Does anyone have any general suggestions?

Thanks,
Alaric

[Elis]

For me (I live at home with my dad and not out) I bought some boxer briefs, got some male clothes for when I go out and wear a binder. Not extremely subtle, but makes me feel more comfortable.I also got my haircut to that of a mans, use pomade and use thickening smampoo and conditioner as I'm pre T so have thinner hair than a guy with T. Makes a slight difference to the texture of my hair and makes me feel less dysphoric. I also wear a binder (underworks tri top, no where near as tight as other binders) and my packer when I sleep, which also helps.

[FTMax]

I agree with Elis's binder and packer suggestions. Shorter haircuts.

You could shave your face. It doesn't seem to do anything if you don't have facial hair, so it would be more for a manly pastime. 

Stop shaving body hair? Legs, armpits, etc. Pick up some male clothes.

For subtler things, be more conscious of your body language and alter it to be more like a cis-guy. The way you sit, the amount of space you take up, the way you walk down a sidewalk -- guys and girls are very different. Watch some guys and mirror it.

[VisorDown]

Hey guys, thanks for the suggestions!

I got my hair cut short although it's getting a bit long again. I can't spike it like I want to because it always ends up a bit floppy and curling. That I never used to do anything with my hair besides brush it before is making it difficult to shape now. It's been a month and I still haven't really got the hang of it! I might just slap a whole tub of wax in, get a vaccuum cleaner to suck it up straight and let the wind blow it down again.

I know what a binder is, but just to be sure: a packer is a package, right? Male-shaped anatomy...? I'm guessing from the context a little bit. What binder and packer do you use, if you don't mind me asking?

The part about briefs sounds good, but my dad tends to do all the washing so he'd pick up on that straight away. I do wear women's boxers and have for a long time just because I don't like much other than.

Ahh, I never shaved my legs or pits anyway, Max! Tried it before, didn't really care for it though so I just let it grow. I do have some male clothes though. Some I pinched from my brother, others I bought myself. I was practicing my walk earlier today because I read that men tend to have long strides whereas women walk with their legs close together, and I was lengthening my stride a bit but it felt a little bit awkward. I do tend to slouch or sit with my legs pointing off in random directions. Sometimes they end up crossed at either knee or ankle out of habit but then that feels weird as well.

Alaric

[FTMax]

Hey guys, thanks for the suggestions!

I got my hair cut short although it's getting a bit long again. I can't spike it like I want to because it always ends up a bit floppy and curling. That I never used to do anything with my hair besides brush it before is making it difficult to shape now. It's been a month and I still haven't really got the hang of it! I might just slap a whole tub of wax in, get a vaccuum cleaner to suck it up straight and let the wind blow it down again.

I know what a binder is, but just to be sure: a packer is a package, right? Male-shaped anatomy...? I'm guessing from the context a little bit. What binder and packer do you use, if you don't mind me asking?

The part about briefs sounds good, but my dad tends to do all the washing so he'd pick up on that straight away. I do wear women's boxers and have for a long time just because I don't like much other than.

For the hair, if it wouldn't get you in trouble and you feel comfortable doing it, buzz it. Even before starting hormones, I never got misgendered after I shaved my head. You could always pretend to get gum stuck in it or something if you think dad would be suspicious 

I have an Underworks 997 (full tanktop) and an Underworks tri-top (half-shirt). In my opinion, they are the best binder you can get for the price. There are a lot of other styles and companies out there though, so I would strongly recommend reading some reviews from people that have similar bodies to yours. Different body types have different successes and issues with different binders.

I have a Mr. Limpy extra-small packer in my skin tone. I believe it's somewhere around 3". I actually own 3 of these, and I'm in the process of modifying one into a stand-to-pee device. I think it's comfortable and easy to pack, but you can get a basic bulge with a rolled up pair of socks. Experiment with that and see if you like the feeling, and then spend money on a packer if it's something that you want.

You could always pretend to develop teenage girl sensitivities and insist on doing your own laundry if you wanted to get briefs or boxer briefs.

[Elis]

For the hair, if it wouldn't get you in trouble and you feel comfortable doing it, buzz it. Even before starting hormones, I never got misgendered after I shaved my head. You could always pretend to get gum stuck in it or something if you think dad would be suspicious 

I have an Underworks 997 (full tanktop) and an Underworks tri-top (half-shirt). In my opinion, they are the best binder you can get for the price. There are a lot of other styles and companies out there though, so I would strongly recommend reading some reviews from people that have similar bodies to yours. Different body types have different successes and issues with different binders.

I have a Mr. Limpy extra-small packer in my skin tone. I believe it's somewhere around 3". I actually own 3 of these, and I'm in the process of modifying one into a stand-to-pee device. I think it's comfortable and easy to pack, but you can get a basic bulge with a rolled up pair of socks. Experiment with that and see if you like the feeling, and then spend money on a packer if it's something that you want.

You could always pretend to develop teenage girl sensitivities and insist on doing your own laundry if you wanted to get briefs or boxer briefs.

As I said earlier get a underworks tri top, it's very comfortable to sleep in. I also use a Mr Limpy packer although mine is a 4 inch one. Make sure to get nothing bigger than 4 inches as that's the longest an average cis guy has. I bought mine from a sex shop website as it was a pound or so cheaper than buying it from an ftm website (they do ship it to you in discrete packaging and it won't say who you bought it from on your card statement ). I also bought an stp and use it when no one's around and bought that from tranzwear at around £22. It's just a Mr Limpy with a tube through it and it's very easy to use and helps with my dysphoria, more so than my packer.
I agree with ftm max about the laundry. My dad and brother did see them, made a snide remark here and there and then forget about it. My dad doesn't say anything abouy my clothes anymore or my hair, so that may be what will happen with your parents. I thought it was going to be worse than it was in terms of the reactions I'd get.