By far, the worst part of my transition has been rebuying my entire closet >.<;
Before I realized that I was trans, I went through a really...really girly phase; push-up bras, ruffles, glitter, and everything.
Obviously, I've been throwing all of that stuff out, but somehow, it always seems to come back.
I swear to God, I feel like my washer has been puking up stuff from five years ago, and then I throw it out and three days later the trash fairy has brought it back...But that's all beside the point.
The fact is that as much as I hate redoing my whole closet (Because of the cost, not to mention the awkwardness of going to the men's changing room and being turned away because I look like a girl, and getting the security called on me when I go to the women's changing room because I have a beard and then have to flash my ID out, along with the fact that most men's clothing doesn't even 'fit' me because of my curves and because I'm too short) the fact of the matter is that I do actually enjoy collecting more manly clothes.
Ever since I began doing this, I've realized that my taste in clothing has began to change drastically.
I've taken to actually wearing 'real' clothes; instead of stupid graphic Tee's with lame jokes and badly drawn animals, I've taken a shine to cardigans, sweaters, sweater-vests, and so on and so forth. I feel like my sense of style has really changed.
What about you guys,
How has your style changed since you began to transition, or maybe your style hasn't changed at all?
...And now, I am in desperate need of a peacoat that looks like this...
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/431346_378701472225832_411685955_n.jpg)
...Also, fashion dreams?
What do you dream of owning, or dream of looking good in?
Not to mention fashion idols (I would give my soul to look that good in a peacoat, good God)
Go to a nice thrift store because buying a single set of clothing at Wal-mart can cost a hundred bucks, forget restocking a whole wardrobe. They should have nice things like button-up shirts, slacks, coats (including peacoats depending on stock), and jeans for $3-$5 apiece.
My personal style when I was younger was terrible, because I let family dress me and even when they bought me male things, it was like a hawaiian polo lol. In high school I noticed my young history teacher (like 22) looked nice and respectable when he wore button ups with the sleeves rolled to his elbows and presto. My style emerged. It's most definitely an improvement.
I am kind of in the same spot as you, my closet currently contains female suits (including skirt suits), dresses, etc... ah, at least in my girl jeans I don't have to show my legs. I've been running out of guy clothes to wear but I just haven't felt too motivated to go clothes shopping.
I want to have some casual clothes, like jeans and tee's with some button up to hide my chest, but I also want "smart" looking clothes. I have bought two pairs of khakis to wear to work on more casual days, and one polo which I haven't worn yet. There's a lot of guys at my school who really have the smart look down, so I would like to pick up whatever they're wearing (nice dark jeans or slacks, button up shirts with vests or sports coats).
My fashion dream? To look as badass as Russell Means:
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1337.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fo665%2FLearnedHand1%2FRUSSELL-MEANS_zps1182243a.jpg&hash=19f0ebee19bc1789439856edd593fe311dd5d652)
Quote from: Frank on January 15, 2013, 06:27:30 PM
Go to a nice thrift store because buying a single set of clothing at Wal-mart can cost a hundred bucks, forget restocking a whole wardrobe.
I agree about the thrift stores, but what Wal-mart are you going to? :o
Shop sales too. I buy a lot of clothes at old navy and a few days ago I was there and they had shirts there for $3-6. Which is great. Also, you have to take time to build a wardrobe unless you do have hundreds to spend. Places like Cotton-on are good. Of course I'm assuming you're in the US and have access to these stores. Most stores have sales. You just have to watch out for them.
Sales are definitely good. :) It can be expensive to buy brand new clothes [one outfit from Wal-Mart cost me ~ $80 and I went for cheap things]. But I currently don't have to worry about restocking since I haven't come out to my parents and I don't have all that many girly clothes except for the work shirts.
Anyway, I want to look good in the coat that Neo has from The Matrix. And the stuff Loki wears.
I've definitely noticed that I am moving away from the graphic T's now- more towards polos and shirts like that. Not out to everyone yet, so I've still got some girly stuff stashed in the back of my closet. I also have worn boot cut jeans for quite a while and I'm moving more towards straight cut or relaxed jeans when I can find ones that fit. Not too much of a change, but a bit.
Being a teenager, I'd love to be able to wear the kind of stuff most teenage guys wear, but my body just isn't built for it, at least right now :/ too much butt and thigh.
Pre-transition I wore really baggy clothes. Now I don't.
ALSO! If you're going to be throwing stuff away, might I suggest donating it if it's in decent condition? Also, I know some LGBTQ youth centers that have been looking for business-y type clothes (business casual) to provide LGBT youth for job interviews. I can give ya the information if you (plural) want to donate work clothes.
Quote from: Nygeel on January 15, 2013, 07:21:00 PM
ALSO! If you're going to be throwing stuff away, might I suggest donating it if it's in decent condition? Also, I know some LGBTQ youth centers that have been looking for business-y type clothes (business casual) to provide LGBT youth for job interviews. I can give ya the information if you (plural) want to donate work clothes.
I am not out at work yet, so I am still holding onto my clothes, but you can PM me the info so I can donate my suits once I do come out.
Quote from: Frank on January 15, 2013, 06:27:30 PM
Go to a nice thrift store because buying a single set of clothing at Wal-mart can cost a hundred bucks, forget restocking a whole wardrobe. They should have nice things like button-up shirts, slacks, coats (including peacoats depending on stock), and jeans for $3-$5 apiece.
My personal style when I was younger was terrible, because I let family dress me and even when they bought me male things, it was like a hawaiian polo lol. In high school I noticed my young history teacher (like 22) looked nice and respectable when he wore button ups with the sleeves rolled to his elbows and presto. My style emerged. It's most definitely an improvement.
I've done plenty of the thrift store stuff, and I don't have much of an issue with them, except that my store of choice closes at 5:30 (DI, not that many of you will know what that even is) But a hundred bucks for a single outfit? o.o; Seriously, whoa...I buy from clearance or sales at Walmart. It's very unlike that I buy a full outfit there. Although, sometimes it is nice to have a new outfit, rather than one that was donated. I have literally found a used tissue in a pair of thrift pants once. Not pleasant.
Quote from: Darrin Scott on January 15, 2013, 06:45:19 PM
Shop sales too. I buy a lot of clothes at old navy and a few days ago I was there and they had shirts there for $3-6. Which is great. Also, you have to take time to build a wardrobe unless you do have hundreds to spend. Places like Cotton-on are good. Of course I'm assuming you're in the US and have access to these stores. Most stores have sales. You just have to watch out for them.
I wasn't intending to buy everything at once. Oh heavens no xD I'm not made of money, this process has taken years, especially because I hate buying clothes...generally speaking, since I'm slow with decision making. I've never heard of Cotton-on, but I do like Old Navy, they're sales are nice - and I buy a lot of accessories from them (Just got a scarf for $10 and a pair of gloves for $3)
I've always worn boys' or men's clothes, it's just that pre-transition I picked out sizes that were huge on me. After starting to transition I replaced my shirts and pants with ones that actually fit. I had to get XS and S shirts. I thought since I'm 5 feet tall I would be a solid S forever, because well, 5 feet tall is small... nope. Time passed, and I kept buying small shirts and wondering why they weren't fitting. It finally hit me that I'm supposed to be wearing M now. So... I've got a crapton of T-shirts that don't even fit me and not much else in my wardrobe as of late. Lately I'm watching thrift stores and eBay like a hawk.
I don't really have much of a style. I've always just been a jeans and T-shirt kinda guy. (Or cargo pants/shorts.) I'm fine with it.
I never had that many clothes to begin with.. The feminine things I had, I gave away. I still don't have a lot of things, and nothing fits right, nothing looks masculine enough on me... I feel like it will always be that way. It sucks.
I've always worn men's clothing. The last time I can recall wearing something female was to Church when I was 13ish.
I shop at Goodwilly's and Salvation Armani a lot. I also hit JCPenny's hard when the Seasons change. They always have big sales going on.
As far as style...meh, I go for comfort. Most of the year I wear Puma sneakers, cargo shorts, basketball mesh type shorts, hoodies (I probably have 20 hoodies in the closet), polos, Superhero or tv show graphic T's, and baseball caps. When it's cold out I wear baggy jeans or cargo pants.
At the end (?) of the winter there are winter sales in so many places.
I never really worn female clothes before, just andro. It's not a big change for me in style, I grew out the punk style I guess :D
Nice thing about boy clothes is you don't need to go too crazy. I would start by getting standard stuff before going extravagant, even as an MTF I wanna look hot but finding my style is not something that happens over night.
But for a guy, a t-shirt and jeans is kind of universal ya know. A nice coat is also a must~ I find a good masculine leather jacket to be neutral in the beginning. Even if it doesn't match you 100%, their shoulders make people look more masculine and broad.
I wore girl's clothes with sort of an androgynous feel-- jeans (but not boy jeans), t-shirts, etc. I wore these "t-shirts" to work (I don't know scoop neck thingies-- I can't wear those at all, even though I am not out at work). I feel very dysphoric in girl's clothes, except sort of the sweat pants stuff that I wear around the house. I can't wear t-shirts at all, because I'd have to bind.
I went and got most of it at the thrift store. I can buy 5 shirts for $20 or something (Now I have short and long sleeve button downs). Size 20 hefty boys fits better so I got a couple fo those pants new. I also got a couple jackets new. It hasn't been too crazy, but I have spent more in clothes, even with the thrift store than I have maybe in 10 years altogether.
I've also bought more underwear.
I always wash stuff from the thrift store first.
I don't have anything for going out and looking nice. Not too much need though.
At least I plan on getting somehting for looking nice.
--Jay
I started buying pretty neutral clothing a couple of years before I started transitioning, so it was a gradual change. When I wore female clothing, I'd wear whatever was on sale that wasn't too "girly". When I went more neutral, I moved towards tees and hoodies, which I still like. I'm starting to gravitate more towards wanting knitted sweaters and stuff, but am holding back until after top surgery, since it still doesn't look too good on me.
I've been considering lately just going Steve Jobs and wearing the same outfit every day. For my summer (well, actually mid April-end of October) job we have to wear khaki shorts/pants and I like the cargo ones best, so for work I bought several pairs of khaki cargo pants and several pairs of shorts. They're just so comfortable that I wear them with white sneakers pretty much all the time now except at my "real" job when I have to dress nice and try to stay basically gender neutral (I change pretty much the second I get home, though. I hate being dressed nice). I also really like the look of plain black t-shirts with that and they're really cheap, so I've been wearing that combination a lot, although I mix it up with some graphic ts and sometimes I'll wear a fleece vest (great for chesticle camouflage). I did try to get a little more adult for awhile and wear polo shirts or button up shirts, but they're just not me. Maybe I'm just not enough of an adult. And that's fine with me.
Quote from: Devin87 on January 16, 2013, 07:52:01 PM
I've been considering lately just going Steve Jobs and wearing the same outfit every day.
You'd have to get one of those mock turtle necks. It's actually a nice look, rather androgynous.
--Jay
Huh, I just realized how unconventional my wardrobe came about to me. I lived with my uncle for a few months after I came out two years ago (not to my mum, just to myself and friends, I wasn't kicked out or anything), and he gave me the clothes that didn't fit. I think I got about five shirts and a pair of black jeans that were too small on him, but a little too big on me. And to get rid of all my "girly" clothes, I gave them all to an MtF friend of mine who needed clothes. I'm supposed to be getting suits and stuff from another MtF friend of mine that just has bagfuls of them. She doesn't want to throw them out because they're expensive, and she wants to know they'll be used.
My mum's actually gotten mad at me because I don't wear "girl's" clothes anymore. We used to always share back and forth because we're both tiny, though she's tall (about five inches D: ). Not too long ago, she had gotten a bunch of clothes from a friend and as she was going through it all, she said this; "If you wore girly clothes, you know you'd have a WHOLE wardrobe!" I kinda just sat there awkwardly. But, yeah, I'm not really sure how to get guys clothes since most of mine have either been given to me or bought for me. I'm hoping once I have a job I'll be able to buy fancier clothes instead of the kinda skater look I have now.
I want to one day look like David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor <3
My schools crazy strict dress code turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Because girls plain collared shirts are hard to find, I've been able to stock my closet with an almost completely male wardrobe of polo shirts and button downs, and plain jeans. Everything feminine I had, I was no longer able to wear due to dress code rules. And what feminine clothes were given to me that were code approved, I snuck into the bins of 'unacceptable' clothes and packed way for good.
And as long as I go shopping with my dad, he doesn't care at all what I want to buy, as long as its cheap. XD That's how I got my fancy suit vest and ties.
I just got back from my first time shopping in the men's dept...all by myself! Only Target but I was rather proud.
I'm pretty small and had good luck going through the clearance racks, where you tend to find size extremes. Lots of good small stuff in there. I also splurged a teensy bit on a nicer men's casual jacket. I figure in a pinch I can use that to cover some of the more girly tops from my wardrobe when I run errands, etc. I'm short on cash so it's going to take a long time to fully transition the wardrobe I think.