I started doing this at work when I first started identifying as trans. No one at work noticed. I went from wearing short sleeve tanks to wearing button down shirts and binding. It's a big change. I don't think most people really care that much what other folks do as they are involved with themselves.

--Jay

Quote from: lxndr on November 16, 2014, 10:24:34 AM
I've always dressed "manly" so I've never had to take that step into wearing men's clothes, so the whole issue of it seems a little weird to me, because it's just not something I've faced.

I've always lived by the mantra of "it's better to be hated by someone else than to hate yourself" though.

This.

The first thing I'd do though is to cut out the skinny jeans........ thats nothing to do with male-ness or not... I just hate skinny jeans.  Never put them on... Never plan to.  Gross.

I took a friend along with me when I decided it's about time I visit the men's section. I was feeling quite overwhelmed and had no idea how I wanted to dress, so having someone with me was definitely very helpful. Also it didn't seem like people were giving us a second glance, I don't think it's uncommon for females to shop in the men's section, but then that also might depend on what you're buying? Doubt people care too much though.

Quote from: Frank on November 16, 2014, 06:10:54 PM
As far as actually dressing though, observe the men around you. What are they wearing? What age set generally wears that? What group subset wears that? For that last question I mean, if you copy that group, are you going to look like a thug or a hipster? Do you really want to look like a thug? Just be attentive.

I've gotten much more attentive to what guys wear now that I've actually decided that I want to dress like one..

Quotehttp://I've gotten much more attentive to what guys wear now that I've actually decided that I want to dress like one.

This. Although I've worn men's clothes all my adult life, until I decided to transition, I never cared that much about what I looked like. Now I have a lot more interest in how I look, and in being at least somewhat in fashion.

I've found men's style websites to be really helpful for finding out what I like and getting ideas about what might work for me -- The Art of Manliness is one good one, Fashionbeans is another; they have -- literally -- a hundred articles on men's fashion basics.

People aren't going to look at you weird for being in the men's section, unless you are the one acting like you shouldn't be there. If you're looking around paranoid like, yeah people will notice. If you just walk in like you belong, people won't pay attention, especially at big stores. If you don't act like its anything weird, neither will they.
If you are still presenting female and not out, make up a story about why you're there first. "I'm shopping for my boyfriend/brother/cousin for his birthday/Christmas/whatever." Already having a back up story will make you feel more confident, but honestly, I've never had anyone ask.
As for what to wear, I started with a pullover and a button up shirt that I wear over my more feminine clothes. The only reaction I got from my family, who I wasn't out to, was "that's a nice shirt." It made me feel more masculine without broadcasting "I'm trans!"

I am having this problem too. At the Walmart by me there is a line that separates the women's and men section. I held my breath and stepped over the line. it actually helped haha. say its for someone else if your not comfortable.