FTM: How to pass pre-T

[Viktor_01]

For the past year I have worked on trying to pass as male, with little success. For example, I have had my hair cut short (men's style), I've gotten new glasses (men's), I bind, and I pack.
I'm guessing it's mostly my face that makes me look less masculine. I have a somewhat long and skinny face, and if I try to look at myself objectively I tens see myself as a gangly teenage boy at best (I'm 37/F) .
Do any of you have suggestions on how to pass as male? I'm so sick and tired of being called "ma'am".
On a side note, I live in a hot climate, which doesn't give me much choice for clothes. At the moment I mostly wear various types of shorts and t-shirts.
Any and all advice more than welcome!

Also, what would you guys recommend regarding earrings? I Would like to keep using my thin, small gold hoops, but I am very willing to change style/type.

[Elis]

I think if you want a more masculine haircut an undercut with a quiff works better IMO than something with a fringe on the face or medium length. The shaved sides makes your face look less round and the quiff gives the illusion of height.

As for clothes tight tshirts help; ones that hug your Bicep ti give the appearance of muscle.  Don't wear anything baggy or too big. Even if it's slightly too big it'll give the appearance of you being smaller. I find baseball type tshirts also look good as the contrasting colour on the shoulders gives the appearance if your shoulders being broader than they actually are.

Properly fitted jeans are a must. And having them the slim straight type. They're in between skinny and straight legged jeans so don't look flare -ee. Make sure that the length and width are exactly right. That the jeans don't bunch up at the bottom and it's tight around the crotch area.

As for earrings I have a pair that look like ear plugs which look pretty masculine. But I think any black type earrings would work.

[FTMax]

It is hard to give feedback without seeing a picture.

[Ryuichi13]

I've worn gold-toned men's earrings for around 2 and a half years.  These are similar to what I'm currently wearing.  I got them at a kiosk at the mall.



I have three holes in my left ear and one in my right.

Ryuichi

[CodexUmbrae]

I think, probably the earrings have something to do. I've found out that shirts are, in general, better than t-shirts, but it comes to tastes I guess. Maybe analise your mannerisms, the way you talk, the way you walk. Maybe there are not helping.

But, if you wear men clothes and have a passable voice and move like a guy, it probably is your face or your body shape itself, and it's possible that you can't do too much without T. But I don't know how you look so I can't tell.

About the face, I've read that some guys use some kind of make-up to make their faces look a little more masculine, so you could look for that.

I don't have really much advice, 'cause somehow I pass without making much (my hair is kind of medium-long (I'm going to cut it again soon), I have a round baby-face, I'm roughly 5', I bind but probably not that good...). Usually as a 10-13 y/o boy, but that's something and it doesn't piss me thaaat much. What I could say, instead of loking for the malest (?) cut out there, look for something to make your face look more masculine.

Good luck.

[Viktor_01]

Thanks to all of you for your input. I really appreciate it, and I will definitely keep your suggestions in mind.

[Peep]

Asymmetry might help with the earrings? in my experience cis guys are more likely to just have one ear pierced -- if they have two piercings it's on the same ear etc. Maybe add another or take one out?

I don't know if earrings are what's throwing it though -- especially with people who don't examine you closely, like cashiers, busdrivers etc. I don't think they'd notice small hoops.

[BabyBoi]

I think if you want a more masculine haircut an undercut with a quiff works better IMO than something with a fringe on the face or medium length. The shaved sides makes your face look less round and the quiff gives the illusion of height.

As for clothes tight tshirts help; ones that hug your Bicep ti give the appearance of muscle.  Don't wear anything baggy or too big. Even if it's slightly too big it'll give the appearance of you being smaller. I find baseball type tshirts also look good as the contrasting colour on the shoulders gives the appearance if your shoulders being broader than they actually are.

Properly fitted jeans are a must. And having them the slim straight type. They're in between skinny and straight legged jeans so don't look flare -ee. Make sure that the length and width are exactly right. That the jeans don't bunch up at the bottom and it's tight around the crotch area.

As for earrings I have a pair that look like ear plugs which look pretty masculine. But I think any black type earrings would work.

I totally agree with you.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

[Viktor_01]

This topic is starting to get a bit old, but I thought I'd post a picture of myself that might spawn more suggestions.
Also, sorry for looking so extremely cheerful in this photo.

[MeTony]

Hi Viktor.

I believe a different hair cut could do the trick.

Somehow your hair looks female. Try combing it differently.  Have you tried using waxe in your hair? Look at fashion magazines and see the male hair cuts, try something from there.

I have short on top and shaved sides. But not everyone is comfortable with almost no hair.

Tony

[James80]

I don't want to be a jerk, but something about your jawline reads as feminine to me. More so than the hair cut. If you plan to go on T eventually, that will probably sort itself out, plus...well, stubble. Can't go wrong there.

I just got rid of most of my hair - went from 90s soccer coach hair to a crew cut. I hate the way it looks, but I also think I pass more often/consistently. I'm planning to keep it this length until I get facial hair. Then I'm growing it back out to the length of most of the professional guys I know.

This is the resource I used to try and find a more masculine cut: http://www.manlycurls.com/2013/07/military-haircuts-men-short-hairstyles-guide/

Best of luck!

[Contravene]

I think your face is masculine enough. I agree that a different haircut might help though. Other than that, letting your eyebrows grow out a little thicker would help masculinize your face more and since you live in a warmer climate and wear shorts a lot, growing out your leg hair will help people read you as male too.

[Viktor_01]

Thank you for your suggestions, everyone. Much appreciated!

[The Flying Lemur]

One trick I've heard (but which doesn't work for me) is to wear your pants low, over the broadest part of your hips.  This is supposed to minimize an hourglass figure.  If you try this, do make sure your shirt is long enough to cover your butt when you bend over . . . or you'll be showing some serious underwearage and/or plumber's crack.   

[MeTony]

One trick I've heard (but which doesn't work for me) is to wear your pants low, over the broadest part of your hips.  This is supposed to minimize an hourglass figure.  If you try this, do make sure your shirt is long enough to cover your butt when you bend over . . . or you'll be showing some serious underwearage and/or plumber's crack.   

I have that problem. I have no butt to talk about. All pants fall down low on my hips. And if I bend over I show way more than intended. Maybe I need smaller jeans.

[Kylo]

Personally I've done away with earrings, when passing was important.