So, I got my binders yesterday, and while they do help immensely, I still have a big chest (DD/DDD), and they're still somewhat noticeable (from the side, especially.) I knew an FTM on here that wore button up shirts, and that helped a LOT (he was also DD), but that was when it was cooler, since they were long sleeved.  Right now, I'm wearing a 2X t-shirt in the hopes that it'll be loose enough to mask them, but they're still there, of course.  Not as bad as when I wear a large, however.

Any of you guys found that certain kinds of men's clothing help make you look flatter when worn atop a binder?  Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

I have a much smaller chest so please tell me if my advice is actually crappy, but something I started doing because of hot flashes was wearing a hoodie but rolling up the sleeves. Of course that isn't practical in warm weather, but perhaps (if it fits your style) you could try adding a sleeveless hoodie type thing as a top layer. One of my FTM friends does that.

Wearing shirts with patterns always helps no matter your chest size. It's particularly helpful if you can pinpoint specific parts of your chest that are problematic and looking specifically for something patterned in that area for me that's the edges of my chest closer to the armpits, so I go for shirts with larger graphics on them rather than smaller graphics that only cover the middle. Also it may be a good idea to avoid stripes- the regular, straight lines can be an obvious tip-off that something isn't flat depending on how the shirt fits. You can try them if you want but I think stripes can be a bit tricky.

Quote from: CursedFireDean on April 10, 2015, 08:47:28 AM
I have a much smaller chest so please tell me if my advice is actually crappy, but something I started doing because of hot flashes was wearing a hoodie but rolling up the sleeves. Of course that isn't practical in warm weather, but perhaps (if it fits your style) you could try adding a sleeveless hoodie type thing as a top layer. One of my FTM friends does that.

Wearing shirts with patterns always helps no matter your chest size. It's particularly helpful if you can pinpoint specific parts of your chest that are problematic and looking specifically for something patterned in that area for me that's the edges of my chest closer to the armpits, so I go for shirts with larger graphics on them rather than smaller graphics that only cover the middle. Also it may be a good idea to avoid stripes- the regular, straight lines can be an obvious tip-off that something isn't flat depending on how the shirt fits. You can try them if you want but I think stripes can be a bit tricky.

Hoodies helped me even before binders, so I may try out the sleeveless thing!

Most of my shirts have graphics on them, of varying sizes.  The problem is that they get distorted because of my chest, and it gives it away.  Since I just got my binders yesterday, I won't knock the idea until I try it, however!

Quote from: ReubenIsTheName on April 10, 2015, 08:53:16 AM
Hoodies helped me even before binders, so I may try out the sleeveless thing!

Most of my shirts have graphics on them, of varying sizes.  The problem is that they get distorted because of my chest, and it gives it away.  Since I just got my binders yesterday, I won't knock the idea until I try it, however!

If you can find shirts with graphics that are more abstract or not recognizable shapes/characters, that could help out with the distortion. But it may be easier to try to find some shirts that have like chaotic or busier patterns. Experiment with different patterns and such?

Button-up shirts made from a fairly stiff fabric are the best thing I've found -- patterns help, but not as much as a fabric that's stiff enough not to cling or drape, but just sort of hang. Also, a vest can help -- for summer, something along the lines of a photographer's vest? (Also, the pockets are nice.)

Strategic layering! I'm a full B.

Skin > Binder > Tanktop (tucked in) > T-shirt > Top layer (weather permitting)

The tanktop is crucial for me. It smooths out any weird lumps and covers up the line of the binder. Even if I end up wearing my more comfortable binder multiple days in a row, wearing the tanktop tucked in tightly enables everything to stay flat. I've found it helps to play with it a little bit so that it's higher in the front and lower in the back (get the top of the collar as close to your neck as possible) to provide as much material as possible where you actually need it.

I don't actually go up in t-shirt size at all. I'm a guy's small or medium depending on the material. My limiting factor for sizes of things tends to be my shoulders though, and not my chest.

I'm DD/DDD, as well.  My uniform has become a tank top or t-shirt with a short-sleeved button up over that.  I leave the button-up shirt unbuttoned, which really helps to de-shape my torso and keep me cooler.  I have always run hot, but now that I'm on T, I feel like I am 20 degrees warmer than everyone else (and that's when I'm NOT having a hot flash).  When I walk to and from work, I stash the button up shirt in my Timbuk 2 bag (which also helps push down the chesticles so they are not as obvious!).  I have a small desk fan pointed at my face all day at work to help keep me cool, too.

Also, what Dean said about patterns is very true. Anything that leads the eye away from the chest or disguises/covers any weird lines is excellent.

Just make sure the shirt is cut well. Despite the binder getting me very flat on the chest and being able to pull it down over my hips, a lot of button-up shirts just don't sit well on me because of the slight hip flair that doesn't get taken into account when designing clothes for cis-guys.

I agree with everyone who suggested patterned shirts. They help from the front quite a bit.

Also, this is rather cliche, but confidence can play a big role as well. I never would have believed this until I experienced it myself. If you're self-conscious about your chest, tugging on your shirt, and hunching about, it's going to draw more attention to it. Prior to surgery I was unable to bind as I injured myself doing so, and I have a C cup, so I wore a sports bra from May 2013-March 2015. And yeah, you could see that there was a lump there. I looked like I had some thick manboobies lol. For a while I was terrified that it would out me/arouse suspicion/make me a target. But none of that really happened. I started my new job right in the dead of summer, and I literally could only wear these loose/thin shirts that made the chest quite apparent with the bra otherwise I'd probably have gotten heat stroke. I was convinced it would be an issue and that people would notice, think I was female, or ask questions. None of that happened, it was a complete non-issue.People said things that were strictly penis-related, as if I had one, and made reference to my upbringing as if I was cis male. When I did out myself to a girl I liked, she said "but you don't have boobs?" and poked my chest. o.O She didn't even realize they existed until she touched them. And there's one girl I spent like 30 hours a week with, and have for the last 8 or 9 months, and she only noticed that I was wearing a bra when I had no choice but to change into this white shirt after an incident...she began to laugh hysterically and said "is that a bra? Why do you have to wear a bra? omg take that off they can't be that big." That's after hundreds and hundreds of hours in close quarters with this woman, doing all sorts of activities with her, hugging her, being pushed by her (lol), etc. The only time I ever had anyone comment on my chest was in airport security where twice I had officers think the lump was "suspicious" and quickly pat it down.  This was in redneck American cities and no one ever gave any indication that they thought I was trans even after patting the chest.

I like to share those stories because I know how it feels to be a big guy and to feel like you have these mountains to hide, and to sometimes go to the point of making yourself uncomfortable in order to do so. My advice is find shirts you like, whether they're buttoned, patterned, whatever, and then just let it go from there an try not to stress over anything that may be visible to you. Chances are no one will notice or care.

My biggest problem is the 'work uniform' of a navy blue T shirt. It shows every little bumps and curl. Button shirts do help,but only as a top layer. Patterns take your eye all over and disguise well but most patterns have other flaws. Pockets with little things in them help as it gets blamed on the pocket contents.

I find that wearing a tank top or muscle shirt under my binder helps compress me more, and shirts with graphics on it (like band shirts) help camouflage anything that would be unwanted. I have this one particular striped pull over hoodie that does a lot of wonders for me as well.