I want to start hrt soon but don't want to be one in one of those award stages where I'm neither male nor female based on my position so does anyone have any thoughts on how to be the woman I want to be outside work but to save my job until I can convenience hr to let me go full time female to stay there. My dress code is casual so it makes it a bit easier. If I had a lower position this wouldn't be an issue but I don't want to go backwards on the corporate ladder to become a woman though.

So far I'm growing my hair out and styling it more masculine (as possible for that award spot in hair growth) and the office is cool enough I can wear baggier clothing or a light coat to hide what I don't want to show as much. Just wondering if there are any other tips to help make this a bit easier since I know even a sports bra can only hold back so much and I don't want to do anything like binding that may hurt new growth.

It's unlikely you will have to worry about trying to hide any feminisation of your body for at least six months. The changes are gradual and most people are pretty oblivious to that. If you are growing your hair out it might be a different story but if you are in a casual work place that shouldn't matter either. Binding developing breasts is not advisable, it won't be comfortable and you may cause dome damage. I would wear a slightly tight tee shirt under a baggy shirt, that usually did the trick.

Thank you Ms Grace. I read a few places sports bras but I like the shirt idea as well. We have quite a few men with long hair here and as long as I keep it kept and tied back it won't draw any attention and can wear it more feminine when outside work. One thing I like about this place is they are OK with trans and even support the local pride but still want to maintain a professional cis outlook to the rest of the city since its a very very religious state that is only in recent years not excommunicating anyone whom looks or acts non cis.

Hi Releca,

I would second what Grace said, both about the visibility & about the effects of binding.

I have been wearing size "S-junior" nylon/spandex tank tops under my work shirt for months without anyone noticing the C-cups on my 5'11" 170lb frame.  I have been told by a couple of colleagues (who know I am trans) that anything that might be noticeable is assumed to be the normal "manboobs" common to most 40-something-year-old men.  Both of them only see me as male even though they know I am trans and have met me outside of work.  That said, Philadelphia does seem to be a bit more trans-friendly than most places.

I did try to wear a compression vest once.  I didn't last more than 2 minutes before my dysphoria spiked so much that I almost ripped it off.

Sports bras are still bras.  They do a good job of containing what is there so that it does not move much, but do maintain something of a feminine shape while doing so.  This observation was brought to my attention by a couple of transmen who were less than enthused about sports bra's effectiveness.

Hope this helps.

Be well,

Tessa


Edited for spelling.

Thanks Tessa for the idea of spandex that is wonderful. Would have never thought of using something like yoga clothes spandex bottoms could be useful as well. Do you have any recommendations for national chains or online stores. I'm in utah and I'm sure you know its reputation. Also it seems we have similar frames I'm an inch shorter than you same weight and about a decade younger.

I agree with both of you on binding that is definitely a big no no in my book since I work with a trans male and he hates his so bad. I do give him back rubs from time to time just to make it bearable for him and with my back hurting regularly anyway I fear that like a plague. I do have a female friend whom suggested baggy clothes and a hoodie all year but our summers get into the 90's and 100's (32 to 38 c) and I'm not sure I can sweat that much.