Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Passing => Topic started by: LadyGreen on November 01, 2017, 02:00:56 AM

Title: How am i going so far?
Post by: LadyGreen on November 01, 2017, 02:00:56 AM
I'm very early into HRT but have already socially transitioned and feel great about how i look even tho i do feel i'm rather boyish. Anyway what do you guys think?(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171101/1a60b2b8b5282c0b0322f7f0aba7a46d.jpg)

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Title: Re: How am i going so far?
Post by: Bari Jo on November 01, 2017, 06:01:37 AM
Hi LadyGreen, it's amazing you've only been on a short time.  I don't think you are 100% yet, but close to it.  I can see confidence in your look too.

If I ever pass as well as you do right now, I'd be a happy girl.  You are making the transition seem effortless:)

Bari Jo
Title: Re: How am i going so far?
Post by: elkie-t on November 01, 2017, 06:48:57 AM
I think your haircut looks 'female'. I mean, it's an acceptable one for a guy, but in your case - it doesn't enhance your maleness (maybe something like military-approved cut or just keeping your hair shorter - there are other members here who can offer better advice on hair styles). Your face still looks soft (it will change with time).

Still, my first impression I got was 'rather AFAB than AMAB'. But photos don't give us any insights to your movements, or speech patters, or anything else - that would alter that first impression in a social setting.

I'd say you are 40% there, not 80%, not 95% and not 100. But not 0% either.


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Title: Re: How am i going so far?
Post by: Faith on November 01, 2017, 06:54:49 AM
I did not study the picture, I glanced and read the text. At a glance I saw a girl, I didn't question it. As stated, little things add up so a picture isn't everything.
Title: Re: How am i going so far?
Post by: Jenny94 on November 14, 2017, 07:13:21 PM
QuoteBut photos don't give us any insights to your movements, or speech patters, or anything else - that would alter that first impression in a social setting.

Yes, enormously. Not just in a social setting, but walking down the street, or literally any time someone sees you in real life - and also, things like the shape of your body, your clothing and other things. In fact, those things are much more important in gender recognition than what can be seen from a face photo at a particular angle. I'm not sure about the etiquette of bumping something that's a few weeks old, but I felt the need to say - you definitely look like a girl in your photo, but seriously, "passing" is less than half about the proportions of your face. There's all these photos on ->-bleeped-<- etc. of people saying "16 months into HRT and look what it's done to me!" - and then just a photo of their face. Basically, the whole thing is just a passing competition, and it propagates the illusion that the face is all, when in fact, it's only one of many cues that are used to gender people.

Think of people you only see at a glance, or from the side - you make a judgement of their gender, and having made that judgement already, if you then see their face afterwards, your brain can seriously tell you that this face is female, when otherwise you'd have thought it male - or vice versa.

Congrats on starting on HRT!

J x
Title: Re: How am i going so far?
Post by: DawnOday on November 14, 2017, 07:53:41 PM
In about twelve months when your hair is to your shoulders and you've had your facial hair pretty well done You will look fabulous. Just remember. Everything about this is a marathon not a sprint. Right now a little tweezing of the eyebrows would help.
Title: Re: How am i going so far?
Post by: LadyGreen on November 14, 2017, 08:14:38 PM
I apreciate the advice ladies. I think my voice is a bit of a giveaway and I wonder how my mannerisms are percieved other than walking, i definately dont walk like a dude [emoji16] If your curious this how I'm looking at the moment. Longer hair and a little more on the chest would be great but I'll just have to patient.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171115/d477e07478dedad767d08c8cc08159a6.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171115/aef5d8d10c1479838e90e260b7d6fd9d.jpg)

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Title: Re: How am i going so far?
Post by: The Flying Lemur on November 14, 2017, 08:26:26 PM
I think your hairstyle is really cute.  That was a popular female cut when I was in high school, back in the early part of the 14th century.  (Well, the late 80's.)  :D  Overall, I'd say you're passing well.  I agree that some plucking or waxing of your eyebrows would help.  Can't help with voice or mannerisms given a still image.
Title: Re: How am i going so far?
Post by: Dani on November 14, 2017, 08:29:42 PM
Looking good, LadyGreen.

You definitely have a good start. Keep us updated with your progress.
Title: Re: How am i going so far?
Post by: Allie24 on November 14, 2017, 08:38:34 PM
Voice/mannerisms/facial expressions will always be the biggest component in one's ability to pass. Also, find a style which compliments one's form and does well to emphasize one's feminine attributes.

More masculine clothing can help a lot in this way.

Many here may balk at the suggestion, but hear me out, because if passing is something you strongly desire (with as minimal surgeries as is possible) then understand: it IS possible, but it may require certain "sacrifices." Meaning being femme may not be an option because such styles may contrast too much with and bring out your more masculine features, whereas more masculine styles will do well to bring out your physically feminine characteristics.

If you're looking for an honest response, dressed in the outfit in the full-body pic, I would probably clock you. But perhaps if you wore jeans, a t-shirt and a jean jacket (and they can all come from the women's section if you want), then you'd probably be able to "hide" it a little better. And there being a visible sense of ease in your movements, mannerisms, and vocal inflections will also help you better to pass.

Early in transitioning when everything is forced, no matter how good you look in real life, people will know when someone is trying really hard to present in a way that is not natural to them (yet). If you are familiar with the concept of the "uncanny valley" which is the point in which a human form is both so realistic and yet so artificial in its appearance that it is uncomfortable, it is somewhat similar. Everything you do may be completely on point but because it is not yet natural and a visible amount of effort is put into maintaining it, the dissonance is clearly evident. This can only be fixed with time.

Appearance-wise, consider looking in to how masculine women might dress themselves and see if you can find a style that brings out your female features.
Title: Re: How am i going so far?
Post by: LadyGreen on November 14, 2017, 10:10:44 PM
Dressing more masculine feels like a step backwards, I dress how i feel comfortable and if that means i dont pass and it makes others uncomfortable thats just how it is. I like me and wont sacrafice that just to get aproval of my womanhood from others.

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Title: Re: How am i going so far?
Post by: LadyGreen on November 14, 2017, 10:39:15 PM
It just hit me how ironic it is that i might pass better in my old clothes [emoji38]

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Title: Re: How am i going so far?
Post by: Allie24 on November 14, 2017, 10:51:47 PM
Fair enough. I felt similarly in the beginning, but that changed. Also, as I mentioned, it doesn't have to be men's clothes you wear, just more "masculine" women's clothes. But that choice is up to you.

Whatever brings you the most joy: that is the route you should take.

Go forth, brave soul!
Title: Re: How am i going so far?
Post by: extraaction on November 15, 2017, 06:49:52 AM
I would "clock" you if I scrutinized your appyearance, but walking past on the street at a glance I would see a female
Title: Re: How am i going so far?
Post by: Meghan on November 15, 2017, 08:30:07 AM
It's not bother me when other give me the look. For the past year I already ride the light rail while in En Femme mode with my purse on my side. No one ever said anything, beside I just dress to not impressed any one I do it for me.

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Title: Re: How am i going so far?
Post by: extraaction on November 15, 2017, 08:57:33 AM
I only pass maybe 70% of the time.  It used to bother me, but now I expend my effort on being beautiful instead of passing.  I get clocked plenty but Im prettier than nine out of ten cisgender women.  Distancing myself from "passing culture" was the kindest thing I could have done for myself
Title: Re: How am i going so far?
Post by: Meghan on November 15, 2017, 09:01:28 AM
Quote from: extraaction on November 15, 2017, 08:57:33 AM
I only pass maybe 70% of the time.  It used to bother me, but now I expend my effort on being beautiful instead of passing.  I get clocked plenty but Im prettier than nine out of ten cisgender women.  Distancing myself from "passing culture" was the kindest thing I could have done for myself
I am not worry about passing as a woman at all. I'm just [emoji156][emoji160] for me.

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Title: Re: How am i going so far?
Post by: Charlie Nicki on November 15, 2017, 09:33:30 AM
Quote from: extraaction on November 15, 2017, 08:57:33 AM
I only pass maybe 70% of the time.  It used to bother me, but now I expend my effort on being beautiful instead of passing.  I get clocked plenty but Im prettier than nine out of ten cisgender women.  Distancing myself from "passing culture" was the kindest thing I could have done for myself

I like this perspective!

And to the OP, I think you look androgynous more on the feminine side. Longer hair and done eyebrows will help you a lot.
Title: Re: How am i going so far?
Post by: LadyGreen on December 31, 2017, 02:55:01 AM
I thought i'd add a newer photo(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171231/bf8212c6712814973709c696e6b00f6b.jpg)

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Title: Re: How am i going so far?
Post by: elkie-t on January 15, 2018, 06:44:54 PM
So much better. Totally cute, and girly, no questions asked


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Title: Re: How am i going so far?
Post by: Charlie Nicki on January 16, 2018, 07:34:06 AM
Quote from: LadyGreen on December 31, 2017, 02:55:01 AM
I thought i'd add a newer photo(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171231/bf8212c6712814973709c696e6b00f6b.jpg)

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Cute!
Title: Re: How am i going so far?
Post by: LadyGreen on January 16, 2018, 11:40:56 PM
I'm starting to hear that alot [emoji4]  life is really getting interesting.

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