I'm in the same exact situation. I'm looking for ways to hide just my chest area while at home. At work everyone knows, and things are cool.

For months I have been running around the house in big baggy hoodies.... but getting kinda nervous about when the heat starts to come. Especially with no AC.

And for those who give you crap about not being out or full time or whatever, just don't worry about it. Everyone goes at their own pace.

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Post Merge: April 04, 2010, 11:35:19 AM

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Quote from: K8 on March 14, 2010, 03:00:12 PM
Why are you on HRT and not out?

- Kate

Not everyone has to come out right away. Some of us have to plan things differently.

In my case, I need to get as much electrolysis done as I can while living at my parents house, and can't afford the risk of them kicking me out. I won't be able to pay rent AND continue doing 5 hours of electrolysis a week. Electrolysis is the MOST important thing in my life right now. Freedom can wait.

So yeah, hiding is sometimes out of practicality or strategy, not shame.

Quote from: K8 on March 14, 2010, 03:00:12 PM
Why are you on HRT and not out?

- Kate

I'm sorry.  That was uncalled for.  I know that we all go about this differently and have different situations and different needs. 

I waited to start HRT until I could tell everyone I cared about.  At the time, the most important thing to me was to open up – tell the secret I had carried all these years.  Becoming the person I was meant to be was secondary.

Thank you for the explanations.  Because of what I needed, I didn't understand your needs.



- Kate

[quote author=Valeriedances

Hiding may not work well on the observant. Some people at work knew before my official transition took place, though I told no one ...from breast growth (even though I tried to hide it), softening of skin, and a glow on my face, voice changing/softening, smiling, increase in femininity.

Best of luck to you on your journey.
[/quote]
you describe a MtF transsexual's Second Puberty perfectly..

Quote from: sarahc on March 10, 2010, 03:03:39 PM
Hi,

I am just wondering how did you hide the changes that occured with hrt while at work and initially from friends & family in the summer.

Have many people been successful at this or after a few months on hormones does it become impossible?

It's more difficult to hide the things that haven't changed on HRT when you've been full time for ten years. I don't have any noticable shape which is more evident in the summer. I have a pot belly that looks more male than female and I don't have hips or much of a butt. I'm flat chested and in the winter or spring it's more easy to cover up and hide all the bad points where HRT hasn't delivered!

glitter, you could get a binder if you can tolerate the idea - the Cotton Concealer from Underworks is likely to be the least suspicious-looking and uncomfortable, and also compresses the least harshly so it won't harm developing tissue. Assuming you haven't developed a whole lot, I'd recommend it.

Alternatively, the Frog Bra works well and would feel more appropriate (but you have to layer a bit over it or people can see the line across your back).

A long long time ago when I was in my teens I used to do the baggy shirt thing and thought I was hiding quite effectively. What I didn't realize until years later was just how much of a joke it all was - everybody knew anyway. It was just a waste of time. I should have accepted it and not hidden it.

I am at that inbetween stage where I am out to some people but not others.  I basically live as a woman xcept when I am at work.  I am happy with some people knowing my status but I am not ready to tell others.   I probably won't be fully out until my appearance improves.  I need to allow the hormones to do more work, My hair needs to be longer and I need to lose more weight.   I will know when I am ready and I have built my confidence enough.

Quote from: kyril on April 04, 2010, 05:45:28 PM
glitter, you could get a binder if you can tolerate the idea - the Cotton Concealer from Underworks is likely to be the least suspicious-looking and uncomfortable, and also compresses the least harshly so it won't harm developing tissue. Assuming you haven't developed a whole lot, I'd recommend it.

From a Female to Male perspective it would be very hard to hide female attributes but for a male to female on oestrogen any changes are more limited and not as apparent to others as the individual would actually think.

you shouldn't do that because it is counterproductive if you want them to accept you as female at some point. they are going to find out sooner or later, and trying to avoid it is going to get you nowhere.

I heard through a back channel source that I'd almost certainly be tossed out on my butt if I transitioned where I work, so I will be presenting as male at the office for the foreseeable future. But my manager knows I'm taking estrogen.

Prior to starting HRT, I was experiencing symptoms of andropause such as hot flashes, which went promptly away when I started the meds.

I'm already overweight enough to have smallish moobs, so some attention to detail on my part may help ensure that breast development be less of an issue.