Does anyone else,

[Fie]

Feel like a pervert when they go shopping for boxers/briefs =(? I went yesterday to pick up some briefs and I found it to be fairly uncomfortable. I'm not passable right now, other than the somewhat flattered chest, I still have long hair and purse in hand, so I knew to everyone there I didn't belong. The other thing is, I find mens underwear to be the most expensive things in the world, so, because of my waist size, I shop in the "Boys" section and buy those three packs that are only like 10$ plus I like the funky colors x) But I just found it so awkward, every time someone would walk by they'd give me  questioning look and it threw me off a little. I just kept thinking to myself, "I belong here. I have a right to be here." but I dunno. Has anyone else experienced this? I think the more I begin to transition and look more masculine, the less awkward it will be, but as it is i'm a bit nerve wracked, not that that will keep me from going back!
Also, what do you guys prefer? Boxers or boxer/briefs?
To me briefs are just to similar to women's underwear IMO. I like boxers because they are loose, but it's hard to wear them under some of my low rise, tighter, jeans, so I ended up buying some boxer-briefs in order to give them a try.

[cynthialee]

You look like a woman and you are buying mens clothing....? Yeah you look like a million other women who have to buy their men clothing.
No one thinks twice about a woman buying mens clothing. Odds are folks will assume you are buying for your son, husband or brother.

[Sharky]

I work in a department store. Women buy mens clothes all the time. Men buy womens clothes all the time. No one knows if you're buying it for yourself.

[Shang]

I prefer boxer-briefs or briefs, though both would be more comfortable if I had something to pack with.  Anyway, I used to get embarrassed walking into the men's section and then I noticed there were other women in the section so I quickly got over it.

[tvc15]

Yeah, absolutely. It does feel awkward. But cynthialee is right--every time I'm in the boys' or men's sections there are plenty of women around too. Just try not to let it get to you; nobody is judging. And if they are, well, they're just strangers at the store, and you'll probably never see each other again.

Of course, I don't really practice what I preach... Like you, I don't pass because of my hair (unless I'm hanging out with a guy friend who also has long hair, and then people assume we're a couple of hippie dudes, and, well, I'm not about to go shopping for skivvies with him). :p Luckily, I had a JC Penney gift card, so I used it to buy some boxer briefs on the internet. And yeah, they really are expensive. For three pairs of underwear it was over $20, and those were the cheapest I could find. That's a bit different from walking into Target and getting a ten-pack of women's underwear for five bucks. Haha.

They really are important to have though, so go forth and claim them as rightfully yours :p Even if nobody else is going to see them, it helps a lot with self-confidence!

[kyril]

I used to have issues buying underwear of any sort - I felt pervy in the women's section, and kind of ashamed/frightened in the men's. To be honest I still kind of feel that way. I wear the same underwear until they literally have holes in them, just o avoid having to buy more. It's almost worse now that it's obvious I'm shopping for myself. Not sure what to say, except you do what you have to do.

On style: I love boxers in theory but they don't work very well - anything less than knee length tends to crawl up and bunch up around the top of my inner thighs. It's trunks for me...and they don't feel even remotely like women's underwear. Not even like women's briefs (which I haven't worn since I was a kid). The material's different, and the sizing/spacing's different.

[ilanthefirst]

I've felt like a creep when buying women's underwear but not when I shop in the men's section.  Unfortunately, I'm also small and save money by buying boys' underwear, and I do feel like a creep shopping in the boys' section, because of my age.  The last time I went to the department store to get pants, I brought an understanding friend with me, but I don't think I'd want to buy underwear with her.  I get my underwear on the Internet for cheap.  http://www.hanes.com/ has a huge sale on underwear twice a year, and I stock up then. 

Oh, and I like boxer briefs.  I actually prefer the boys' ones because they don't have just enough room in the crotch, rather than too much, so they don't ride up on the thighs.  I have a hard time finding actual men's underwear that doesn't want to migrate to my natural waist, because I like to wear everything low on the hip, so getting boys' sizes also helps with that, because it can't go as high in the first place.

[Fie]

Thanks guys, I'm glad to know I'm not the only only who feels like a pervert. I think it's heightened cause I'm in the little boys section, but like Kyril I often feel that way in the women's section too. I find La Senza girl to be the most terrifying place in the world, even before realizing my true gender.

Anyways, wore my new boxer-briefs today. I dunno if I like them more than my boxers or not lol. I've never felt uncomfortable with boxer's on, even the odd time they bunch up (which doesn't seem to happen that much, maybe it's cause I wear tighter jeans?" but in any case I figure it's good to try different types and see what's the comfiest =) I have a question about the opening in boxer-briefs. On the ones that I bought, it seems very awkward simply because of the positioning... what exactly is this opening good for o_O? I mean maybe it's just the boxer-briefs I bought but I can't even see it being helpful for like going to the bathroom. I've also heard it's helpful for keeping a packer in place? That confuses me too cause the first bit of fabric goes right over the crotch area to the groove between my thigh and genital area, so how on earth would one position a packer in their? o_O Sorry if these questions seem dumb, I just don't have any bioguy friends who I could ask about this kind of stuff =/

[jacob.ayden.averi]

I find it really comfortable in the guy's sections...I literally freak out a little even walking through the women's. Kind of like, "Ew, bras!" Like an immature little boy, haha. Which in some ways I am.

[A]

Oh, men's underwear are more expensive ? I've always thought women's were much more. Are you sure ?

And about it being uncomfortable, I've the right "parts" and think they are too, so I tend to search for the Snob brand boxers that don't have a "bag" for the "pack". You may want to do the same, but as they're pretty big, I doubt they'll fit. I mean, I'm a guy and boys' undies fit me better, and the Small ones are too big x).

Anyhow, it's normal not to feel very comfortable with them, as they're all made to support male genitalia, which you have yet to have. Compare it to me trying to put on a bra without stuffing it - it may fit but it sure won't be comfortable.

[sneakersjay]

I'm still looking for my perfect boxer briefs.  I've bought and tossed more underwear in the last 2 yrs.  No more tighty whities!! (those were necessary for packers).


Jay

[Fie]

actually I feel super comfortable in male underwear XD The hole in the front was just really confusing simply because of how it sits on my body (it just seems to have been sewn up in a very impractical way). But yeah no my boxers are the comfiest things in the world and I feel so confident when I have them on, But sometimes they get a bit uncomfortable under my tight designer jeans (which Im particularly attached to) so I wanted to give boxer-briefs a try cause they don't seem to bunch up as much =)

[Kareil]

I must be the only one that can't handle the way boxers and boxer briefs (and even most boyshort style things intended for women, unless they're really tight) ride up and hurt!  I feel so "mom still buys your underwear and probably washes it too" pathetic sticking to briefs, but they're the only things that don't.  Silk boxers for PJs are great, but have to wear some other underwear under them...stupid female anatomy, why does it have to try and inhale my underwear just to make me uncomfortable?

I felt weird shopping in the guy's section at first, too, yet it doesn't feel weird buying *socks* there, which I've always done.  And then I remembered that the last time my dad needed socks, he sent me out for them, and he doesn't normally buy his own underwear or jeans, either.  Just felt less unusual shopping for him with my mother there too, for some reason.  Maybe part of the reason men's sizes are more standardized than women's are because they're not shopping for themselves as often, and so aren't going to be trying things on in the store as much to see if it fits.

[kyril]

Kareil - no, you're not the only one. I wear (minimalist) women's underwear under my men's, first of all because the men's are so terribly expensive and I don't want to get the...female goo...on them, and secondly because it helps protect the sensitive parts. It also conveniently provides a protective layer between me and my packer.

And I could never tolerate boyshort-style underwear for women either, although for a different reason: the bloody seam is in exactly the wrong place. No idea who thought that design up.

[Alessandro]

I like briefs or boxer briefs.  I have that problem with boxers riding up the leg.  I like designer.  I don't feel at all phased by buying myself men's underwear.  I felt much worse in a women's section.  Bras always made me feel embarassed even before I knew I was trans.  Now I try to avoid looking at bras ever  XD

[Crypt77]

I know more women buying men's clothing than men buying men's clothing. If you spend time in any department store you'll realize that there's more women in the men's section trying to look for clothes for their sons, husbands, boyfriends, etc.

[tvc15]

I dunno, boxer briefs are just about my favorite thing in this world, and I don't even pack. They feel plenty comfortable to me. It's probably different for everyone, though.

Guys can use the opening to pee without having to pull their underwear all the way down Butters-style. However, a lot of them don't use it (or know what it's for) and find it annoying.

[cynthialee]

I dunno, boxer briefs are just about my favorite thing in this world, and I don't even pack. They feel plenty comfortable to me. It's probably different for everyone, though.

Guys can use the opening to pee without having to pull their underwear all the way down Butters-style. However, a lot of them don't use it (or know what it's for) and find it annoying.

cause you can only get a teeny weeni through that underwear hole, if a dude is hung larger than a gerbil that hole is useless

[A]

Whatever the size of the hole : I think it's pretty useless.

[Aegir]

If you're not passing you're buying for someone else, and if you are passing, don't feel bad! Lots of small guys have to shop in the boy's section. Maybe even Tom Cruise