Dealing with clothes

[arice]

Yeah, my family had a secret theory for a very long time that I was a lesbian, because I was gender non-conforming. I had long hair, but I was a tomboy / grunge in my teens and 20s, then I tried to play proper female in my 30s, but it never felt convincing to me... which is why I have all these very female office clothes. But I'm definitely not attracted to women, always to men. I only figured it out at last in my late 30s that I'm trans. My dating life has been a disaster the last few years, but that's another story.

I had pretty much figured out that I was a gay guy trapped in a female body in my late teens... I just didn't think there was anything I could do about it (I love my family but they definitely contributed to that attitude) so I decided I better just suck it up and keep passing as a straight chick... not that I was terribly convincing at it... I was also pretty open about the fact that I was a "guy who happened to be female". Seriously I have no idea how anyone who knows me can claim to be surprised...
I was also very grunge back in the day... and never really outgrew it.

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[patrick1967]

I used to joke about the "gay guy in my head" Glad to hear I am not the only one using the phrase

[Hughie]

I had pretty much figured out that I was a gay guy trapped in a female body in my late teens... I just didn't think there was anything I could do about it (I love my family but they definitely contributed to that attitude) so I decided I better just suck it up and keep passing as a straight chick... not that I was terribly convincing at it... I was also pretty open about the fact that I was a "guy who happened to be female". Seriously I have no idea how anyone who knows me can claim to be surprised...
I was also very grunge back in the day... and never really outgrew it.

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I've written fiction for many years, usually with gay male characters. It only clicked recently that it was because I understood and identified that way. My subconscious was way more with it than me.

I also felt like I was pretty lame as generally passing as a chick, not behaving how I 'should', not that I particularly cared too. Going family theory since I was a kid was that I was some kind of eccentric.

I'm still pretty grunge too, lol. Except I have to clean up for work.

[KarlMars]

I used to joke about the "gay guy in my head" Glad to hear I am not the only one using the phrase

I often told jokes that I was a male in a woman's body, but I don't know if anyone I told took it seriously or not. I even used to assume that all women hated being female and secretly wanted to be men.

[arice]

I often told jokes that I was a male in a woman's body, but I don't know if anyone I told took it seriously or not. I even used to assume that all women hated being female and secretly wanted to be men.

I wasn't even joking when I told people that. Other people even called me on it. Yet, no one ever said "I think you might be transgender"... I think it was so far off most people's radar until recently that it never occurs to most people.

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[CMD042414]

I can't give much advice on transitioning your clothing because even pre T I was always a masculine, butch lesbian and had been wearing men's clothes exclusively for 14 years or so. But I want to throw in Target as a place to shop. And places like Marshall's, TJ Maxx, Ross etc. These may be regional and geographical depending on where you live though.

Have you ever walked by a mannequin in a store window, usually a menswear one, that had on a outfit that made you think, this has to be marketed to gay guys? The great thing about today's men's fashion is skinny and slim pants are in, form fitting blazers, V necklines, form fitting shoes, etc. You can blur those lines easily. Look at high profile athletes such as Can Newton, Russell Westbrook, and Odell Beckham Jr. I am very into men's fashion. I have a budget and I bargain shop. Secondhand, thrift you name it. I'm very masculine but I rock tightish pants and form fitting shirts to show off my muscular frame. When its warm I wear an ankle length pant with no socks. In the winter cable knit, cowl neck sweaters. That sort of thing. But if you shop smart you can achieve a unisex, gender neutral style. Use that to transition your wardrobe.

[KarlMars]

I can't give much advice on transitioning your clothing because even pre T I was always a masculine, butch lesbian and had been wearing men's clothes exclusively for 14 years or so. But I want to throw in Target as a place to shop. And places like Marshall's, TJ Maxx, Ross etc. These may be regional and geographical depending on where you live though.

Have you ever walked by a mannequin in a store window, usually a menswear one, that had on a outfit that made you think, this has to be marketed to gay guys? The great thing about today's men's fashion is skinny and slim pants are in, form fitting blazers, V necklines, form fitting shoes, etc. You can blur those lines easily. Look at high profile athletes such as Can Newton, Russell Westbrook, and Odell Beckham Jr. I am very into men's fashion. I have a budget and I bargain shop. Secondhand, thrift you name it. I'm very masculine but I rock tightish pants and form fitting shirts to show off my muscular frame. When its warm I wear an ankle length pant with no socks. In the winter cable knit, cowl neck sweaters. That sort of thing. But if you shop smart you can achieve a unisex, gender neutral style. Use that to transition your wardrobe.

Do you think the V necks are feminine or less masculine than crew necks or collars?

[CMD042414]

Do you think the V necks are feminine or less masculine than crew necks or collars?

I think traditionally they are. A v-neck, especially a deep one, is associated with femininity and particularly, effeminate gay men. But the metrosexual/hipster and even muscle guy fashion trends in menswear have brought them over to the "manly" side. Even though among cis guys the styles I just mentioned are considered not macho at all. But you know how that nonsense goes.

I personally hate a v neck tee on me. Loathe them. And I can't tell if it's because I think it looks effeminate or not. I also associate them more with gay men and I am straight so maybe that's it. I wear v neck sweaters but only over top of a button down shirt. I have good muscle tone but I'm not defined because I love cake. If I were defined I'd probably live in v neck tees.

[Kylo]

Yeah, my family had a secret theory for a very long time that I was a lesbian

Same here, but then I did have several lesbian friends they knew about, suppose I didn't do much to dispel that idea. I could never abide the term lesbian being applied to me, though. I don't even like the sound of the word, to have it applied to me used to make me angry.

One thing I did do was avoid dressing like those lesbians, though. Looking back on it, I dressed so neutral people didn't really know what to think of me. I don't think I've ever been called a lesbian by the way I dress. Which is odd, because the last time I wore a dress I was a kid. Suppose things like suit jackets and a lot of black sweaters and stuff don't make people think much of anything. Sometimes I did actually wear things that hugged my figure provided they were dark. I think I must have confused many people.