For many, clothes (and maybe makeup) are the first step in transitioning to your desired gender and gender presentation. There is no one right way to look/present as a trans guy, so feel free to pick and choose from this page what you believe will best benefit you!
As always, make sure to do your own research to determine what's best for you! This page serves as a stepping stone so you know where to start!
Fashion and Makeup
Clothing and Fashion
At some point, you may have found yourself searching up "pants that make my hips look flat" or "how to dress masc" for tips on how to pass better in your day-to-day life. Fashion is a difficult topic to write about when it comes to passing because everyone has their own unique style. Some people prefer to dress casually, others suit up. Some dress like a 2000s Adam Sandler movie, others prefer frills and bows. A lot of fashion rules are completely arbitrary.
The information provided below should serve as an inspiration for you in choosing what to wear, not a "you MUST wear [X] to pass". The same pair of jeans that makes one guy look flat as a pole may accentuate the hips of another. Work with your body and spend some time cultivating what looks and feels right for you.
What do you like?
First and foremost, what styles do you like wearing? Preppy? Punk? Casual? Most people won't have clothes that only fit one specific aesthetic. It's also totally normal to not know what style you want. Finding your style takes time.
Where do you live?
Clothing tips change depending on where you live. A trans guy living in a warmer climate like in South East Asia that regularly sees high temps and high humidity won't be able to layer clothing like a trans guy in Canada can. Layering can help with flattening some curves, but do remember to dress for the weather.
So... what helps?
You may be thinking "that's all cool and fine, but what do I wear to pass?" That's the tricky part. In doing research to write this article, do you know what the number one tip I found for passing as a guy was?
"Do what makes you comfortable." Yes, really. There is no silver bullet to passing as a man. Sure, some people on the internet say that round glasses frames make you look more feminine or that baggy clothes may help hide your curves, but everyone has such different styles that it becomes difficult to consolidate all the information out there and also not make all trans guys into a monolith.
However, there are a few eternally relevant tips for trans guys to help us pass. Avoiding tight-fitting clothing, layering shirts, wearing sweaters, and getting masculine haircuts are all great ways to start your clothing journey. Secondly, look at the men in your life (or celebrities) who you admire. What kind of clothes do they wear? Can you find versions of those clothing articles that you like and - most importantly - fit you? Copy styles and trends from men you like and eventually over time you'll build a style that is masculine, and, most importantly, yours.
Go on testosterone?
While this is not the section to go into depth on the benefits of taking testosterone HRT, many trans guys report that they started to pass consistently after they began taking T (testosterone). Having facial hair and a deep voice can almost give you a "pass" to style yourself in unconventional or less-masculine ways.
When in doubt, dress like Adam Sandler. Seriously.
Note from Aidrian: I have been out since 2014, so I've had some time to work on my personal style. I lean heavy into "dad" looks, so I wear a LOT of Hawaiian and printed/patterned button down shirts. Sometimes a color blocked polo. Pants are typically blue/brown jeans or black slacks. In the summer I swap those out for earth tone shorts so I can show my calves off. For shoes I wear a lot of tall boots or black sneakers - sandals or breathable sneakers in the summer. I also have a pair of brown cowboy-ish cut boots that I wear to more professional events. I don't really wear noticeable makeup but I'll typically use some concealer, a bit of blush, and a dark blond eyebrow pencil on my mustache.
Binder Size | Chest (Bust) | Rib |
|---|---|---|
XXS | 29" - 30.9" | 25" - 27" |
XS | 31" - 32.9" | 27.1" - 29" |
S | 33" - 34.9" | 29.1" - 31" |
M | 35" - 36.9" | 31.1" - 33" |
L | 37" - 38.9" | 33.1" - 33" |
XL | 39" - 40.9" | 35.1" - 37" |
XXL | 41" - 42.9" | 37.1 - 39" |
3XL | 43" - 44.9" | 39.1" - 41" |
4XL | 45" - 46.9" | 41.1" - 43" |
5XL | 47" - 48.9" | 43.1" - 45" |
6XL | 49" - 50.9" | 45.1 - 47" |
7XL | 51" - 52.5" | 47.1" - 49" |
Improperly binding can have many risks, including shortness of breath, general discomfort, rib pain, long-term damage to the ribcage and muscles surrounding it, and skin irritation. Always make sure to get a binder that is comfortable and fits well.
There are many places online that sell binder or binder-equivalent items. NEVER bind with Ace bandages or duct tape - both of these will cause harm to your chest and may cause complications if you ever pursue top surgery.
Similarly, binders with clasps on the side cause uneven pressure and may result in the aforementioned negative side effects. Binders with clasps in general are not recommended. Zippers on the front or back are fine, but a good binder should look and act like a very tight shirt with no zippers or clasps.
If you go onto a site like Amazon and see a binder labelled something like "FTM binder breast roleplay bra for tomboy elastic woman binder" - do not buy it. Paying a little extra to a reputable company will be worth it in the long term!
Amor Sensory
Who: Amor Sensory is a company run primarily by Andy Amor, an autistic nonbinary artist and designer.
At this moment, it appears there are no products on the website. Check back later.
Gender Bender
Sock Drawer Heroes
Who: Started in 2018 and based in Australia and run by a trans and gender-diverse team, Sock Drawer Heroes are sensory friendly and size inclusive.
Price Range: $47 - $57; sometimes goes on sale.
Check out a review here.
They also have a Pay It Forward Program!
Underworks
Who: Founded over 20 years ago. Not specifically trans-centric (or owned) but offers affordable options and is widely recognized by major organizations.
Price Range: $18.33 - $38.33
Check out some reviews here.
TransTape
Who: Founded in 2017 by Kaiyote Jackson after realizing he was trans, but didn't like the discomfort of wearing binders. TransTape is waterproof, hypoallergenic, 95% cotton, with medical-grade adhesive. Based in Maine, USA.
Price Range: Single roll: $14.50 - $19.99; they offer kits/bundles for more money.
Check out some reviews here and here.
Binders are compression tank shirts aimed at flattening and compressing the breasts to form a flat chest shape. Binders come in a wide variety of colors and nudes. Binders typically either look like half tanks (similar to a sports bra) or a full tank shirt.
It is incredibly important to get a binder that fits you well! A binder that is too small can cause long-term damage to your ribs and lungs, and a binder that is too big won't compress your chest effectively!
Each binder supplier has their own chart for determining which size you should purchase, but Spectrum Binders has a handy conversion method for your general reference. Use a measuring tape or a cord of string to take your measurements. In between measurements? Go up a size!
For reference: "Rib" measurement refers to the circumference of your torso underneath the breast tissue. "Chest (Bust)" measurement refers to the measurement around your torso over the largest part of the breast, typically over the nipple.
Experts recommend not binding for more than eight (8) hours per day. We realize that sometimes dysphoria may get bad on some days and you may fall asleep in your binder. Don't worry, a day or two of doing that won't negatively effect you - but it will if this becomes a repeated habit. If you feel any aches or pains in your chest, take a break for one or a few days!
Binding is not inherently dangerous, when done safely. If you have a binder in the correct size, you don't wear it for much longer than eight hours a day, and you're not regularly being winded while wearing it, it'll be no different on your body than simply wearing an especially tight sports bra.
Though if you do feel any prolonged pain, take a short break.
Yes, we are very sure. Doing it one time, like sleeping in a binder, will not damage you in the long term, but doing it repeatedly will. Improper binding can lead to bruised and warped ribs, compression of the lungs, fluid buildup in the lungs, skin irritation, and muscle pain.
Still unsure about binding with tape/bandages? Check out this Quora chain for more info.
Generally, it is recommended that you do NOT exercise in a binder. Working out in a binder that compresses your chest and lungs during physical activity may lead to shortness of breath, an elevated heart rate, and chest pain. We recommend that during your workouts you wear a tight sports bra or wear a very baggy shirt, if applicable.
For swimming, many binders are built to go in water. As long as you're not swimming intensely, binding while swimming can be safe. Listen to your body!
Binder pros: Looks like an undershirt/sports bra, technically waterproof, can last for many years, provides extra chest support
Binder cons: Need to wash it sometimes, can fray over time, can become loose with wear
Tape pros: Wearable for multiple days, waterproof, don't need to clean them, good for hot/humid climates, good for temporary use
Tape cons: You have to keep buying more, application can be difficult, may be more difficult for larger chests
Believe it or not, you can actually bind with tape - BUT - it has to be the correct kind of tape. As mentioned before, binding with material like duct tape or ace bandages will cause harm to your chest.
Companies such as TransTape have solved the issue of not wanting to wear a binder by making strong adhesive tape that is safe for your body and provides the same amount of compression that any regular binder would give.
Inches
Where NOT to buy binders
Where to buy binders from
Binding with (good) tape
Binding FAQ
Binders
All prices listed are in USD.
Sizing
Binder Size | Chest (Bust) | Rib |
|---|---|---|
XXS | 73.7cm - 78.5cm | 63.5cm - 68.6cm |
XS | 78.7cm - 83.6cm | 68.8cm - 73.7cm |
S | 83.8cm - 88.6cm | 73.9cm - 78.7cm |
M | 88.9cm - 93.7cm | 79cm - 83.8cm |
L | 94cm - 98.8cm | 84.1cm - 88.9cm |
XL | 99.1cm - 104cm | 89.2 cm - 94 cm |
XXL | 104cm - 109cm | 94.2cm - 99.1cm |
3XL | 109cm - 114cm | 99.3cm - 104cm |
4XL | 114cm - 119cm | 104cm - 109cm |
5XL | 119cm - 124cm | 109cm - 114 cm |
6XL | 124cm - 129cm | 115cm - 119cm |
7XL | 130cm - 133cm | 120cm - 124cm |
gc2b
For Them
Who: Run by queer people, for queer people. They are a queer, Black and trans owned and operated business with the mission of supporting queer folks to live authentically and find their voices in a vibrant, inclusive space. According to their site, they use eco-friendly fabrics, dyes, and sustainable production methods.
Price Range: $55 - $64; discounts if you are a member.
Check out a review here.
Spectrum Outfitters
Who: Based in the UK and by a trans man with comfort and safety in mind. Does also ship to the US and Europe. Proudly uses recycled materials to make binders. For every order they plant one tree.
Price Range: $35 - $46; sometimes goes on sale.
Check out some reviews here and here.
KT Tape
Who: Founded in 2008 for athletes (not necessarily trans people) suffering from sports injuries. Based in Utah, USA.
Price Range: $13.99 - $119.99
Check out a review here.
Centimeters
Makeup
Don't be afraid of makeup! Makeup isn't just a thing for girls. The vast majority of men - cis or trans - that you see in movies/TV are caked in it to make them look more presentable/
masculine!
Makeup can be a great tool for pre-transition trans guys to contour their face to a more masculine appearance and experiment to see what works best for them! Trans guys who are already transitioning can use makeup to highlight and accentuate the features they've developed while transitioning!
For reference - "darker contour" here refers to any contour makeup item that is darker than your natural skin tone (such as bronzers). "Lighter contour" here refers to any contour makeup item that is lighter than your natural skin tone (such as highlighters).
Remember! You know your face the best! Buy makeup in shades/colors that work best for you!
Step One - creating a base layer
Start by washing and moisturizing your face. Doing makeup on dry skin will make it look less natural and will lead to your face feeling cakey later. You can shave your facial hair, if you desire, to make a smooth surface to work with.
Primer creates a smooth surface to place the rest of your makeup on. You can apply the primer with a soft brush or your hands.
Then, apply a thin layer of foundation or a tinted moisturizer to your face. A tinted moisturizer will help prevent that cakey feeling later.
Use a beauty blender sponge or any flat foundation brush to apply the layer across your face and neck evenly. Use a stippling (dotted) motion to achieve the most even coverage. Once you have a good base, you can go in again on any "problem spots", like acne or blemishes, if you desire. Leave your base layer on for around 10-15 minutes so it can dry properly before you apply the rest of your makeup.
Step Two - the Jaw
Typically, masculinity is associated with strong, sharp, angular features. This can be a little difficult for those with a round face to accomplish - but it's not impossible. The first step is applying a natural-looking contour to your jaw. Apply a dark powder along the edge of your jaw from the bottom of the earlobe down to your chin. If you want to affect the shape of your face even more, you can continue your contour up to the temple. If you have thick facial hair (specifically a beard), you may want to skip this step.
Step Three - the Cheekbones
As with the jaw, high, angular cheekbones will give a person a more masculine appearance. Begin by applying a contour line from your temple to outside the corner of your mouth, following the natural shape of your face.
If you have noticeable facial hair, follow the natural line of the hair. If you are clean-shaven, suck your cheeks in and follow the definition of the exposed cheekbone.
Be careful not to over-accentuate your cheekbones if you're going for a more natural look. Apply some contour going down from your cheekbone to the chin in an L-shape to create a stronger outline of your face.
cred: Landon Cider, drag king; in exaggerated masculine makeup
Step Four - the Chin
You can use a good contour stick to make your chin more defined, square, and angular. For those of us who have rounder faces, contouring the chin (and jaw) can help your face appear less fat, if that's something you're going for. Apply some lighter contour to the point of your chin and some darker contour around it to make your chin look pointier. You can apply a horizontal line of lighter contour across the bottom of your chin to make it look slightly wider.
Step Five - the (Eye)Brow
To achieve a more masculine look, you'll want to accentuate the brows and bring them down and forward. To do so, you can use mascara or an eyebrow brush/pencil to apply thin, vertical strokes in the shape of your eyebrow. Use these to outline the brow in a thicker, squared shape. Once you've completed the outline to your desired thickness and length, fill it in with the pencil/brush/mascara. The benefit of using mascara on the existing hairs will be that you're bolstering the brows you already have, rather than always drawing them on. Both tactics can be combined.
Furthermore, you can accentuate the brow bone itself. Apply some darker contour along the sides of your forehead along the hairline down to your temple. Apply a little bit of lighter contour just under your eyebrow to give the illusion of a deeper-set brow.
Step Six - the Nose
As with the rest of the face, you'll want to make your nose look more angular and larger. Though for Black people and other folk with naturally larger/wider noses, making the nose more angular may make it look unnatural. Follow your body's guidelines when applying any makeup!
You can apply darker contour down the sides of your nose from the brow bone until you reach the tip. Add some more darker contour to the inner crease of your eye between the nose bridge and brow bone. Apply lighter contour down the straight middle of your nose as highlighter. The wider apart your lines are, the wider your nose will appear.
Masculine contour; cred to u/SSaxonLane on Reddit.
Let the makeup rest on your face for a little while before blending it into the rest of your makeup. Be sure to use a light hand when applying and blending nose makeup - the shape of a nose can really change a face! Continue to apply and blend until you've reached your desired level of nose definition.
Step Seven - Facial Hair
For older teens and adults, facial hair can be a great way to look older and more masculine. Without the use of testosterone, faux facial hair can be achieved in a variety of ways.
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Use an eyebrow pencil or eyeliner to create small, thin strokes in a natural facial hair pattern. Layer until you have the desired thickness.
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A dark gray or brown powder, like eye shadow or other contour, can be used to recreate a five-o-clock shadow look along your chin and jaw.
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Use eyebrow mascara in the shade of your hair to accentuate and define any existing peach fuzz or facial hair you may already have.
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You can also use a stippling sponge with some grease paint or powder to apply in the shape of natural facial hair.
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You can also purchase fake facial hair, though this requires repeated upkeep and application.
There are many different ways to do facial hair! Play around with a couple and see what works best for you. It's easy to take inspirations from male celebrities and drag kings that you may admire. Some facial hair styles, such as muttonchops, may look silly to a modern person, but they do have a very distinct aura of masculinity around them.
Some masculine makeup tutorials
Bibliography
Efe Camurdan. “Masculine Makeup: How to Look More Masculine Using Makeup.” offbinary, March 28, 2023. https://offbinary.com/blogs/articles/masculine-makeup-how-to-look-more-masculine-using-makeup.
Also, all of the videos above.
By continuing to scroll you confirm that you are aged 18 or over. There are educational images of phallic items below.
Packers
Packers are silicone items made to replicate the look of a penis inside a person's pants. They are not sex toys and can be used by anybody to achieve a bulge-ier look. They range in size, material, color, and theme. You can buy a packer from a company, though you can also make one out of some balled-up socks.
How to care for your packer
Thankfully, packers don't require nearly as much care as a 'real' penis. Every few wears - or whenever you notice it starting to smell a little - run it under some warm water with your favorite brand of hand or dish soap. At some point, you will likely feel a little silly while cleaning... all of it.
After the packer has been cleaned, pat dry. Then, grab a little cornstarch in your hand and gently pat it all over the packer. This is to prevent it becoming sticky and attracting lint and dust. It also helps speed the drying process. You only need a very light dusting, you're not trying to fry chicken. Once that's done, you can wear it again or put it away for later use!
How do I wear a packer?
Wearing a packer can be quite easy! If you wear briefs or panties that hug your pelvis, you can simply insert it into your underwear and, assuming you're not engaging in vigorous physical activity, it will likely stay in place.
You can also buy special underwear that has a built-in pocket for insertables (suck as packers). If you're an adult, some adult toy shops will carry them in stock. Online stores such as TomboyX, TransGuySupply, and Spectrum Outfitters all carry them. Most adult toy stores (online or in real life) that have products for trans guys will likely carry packers and packer accessories.
Some examples of packers!
Many packers are inclusive of different skin tones. Courtesy of FTM Pit Stop.
Some packers come uncircumcised for extra realism. Courtesy of Trans Essentials.
Packers also come in fun colors and fantasy shapes! Courtesy of Squidly Co.
Where to buy a packer
BE NOTED! Most of these sites also sell adult toys and other erotic items. You must be 18+ to view them. TGA is not responsible for anything that occurs from clicking any links here. All prices listed are in USD.
Emisil
Who: Based online and founded in 2013. Features hyper-realistic hand made packers and other items for FTM and other trans guys who want realism and function. Every packer is entirely unique.
Price Range: $213.78 - $586.39 per packer
Fantasy Grove
Who: Fantasy toy and packer producer. You won't find many realistic-looking packers here. Some come in animalistic shapes.
Price Range: $55 - $92 per packer
Nox
Who: They are an online toy shop based in Montreal.
Price Range: $53 per packer
FTM Pit Stop
Who: Founded in 2016, FTM Pit Stop is based in Ontario, Canada, and is owned by trans people. They specialize in products for the transmasculine and non-binary community.
Price Range: $79 - $139 per packer
Trans Essentials
Who: Trans Essentials is a subsidiary of Early to Bed which is a queer woman-owned feminist erotica shop in Chicago that has been serving the needs of the trans community since 2001. Most of their shop is based online, but they have a physical shop in Chicago!
Price Range: $15.95 - $100 per packer
Squidly Co.
Who: Squidly Co. was founded in January, 2023; the website founded in March of the same year. Both owners of the company are trans and are on the autism spectrum. No nude packers, they're all fantasy colors/shapes. Unfortunately one of them appears to have a "deep interest" in AI, so proceed with that in mind.
Price Range: $35.50 - $59.50 per packer
Twilight Meadow Creations
Who: Founded in early 2019 in Sweden by a queer multidisciplinary artist working out of their small kitchen. TMC is now owned by a queer couple. All products are artisanal and handmade.
Price Range: $50.17 - $65.22 per packer; priced on the site are in Swedish Krona.
Stand-to-pee (STP) devices
Stand-to-pee devices (STPs for short) are very similar to packers, but they have a faux urethra running down the middle out the tip and a cup where the scrotum is. Very simply, they're used to help someone who normally would not be able to pee standing up, pee standing up. Even outside of trans* contexts, they're very useful for camping trips or any time you don't want to sit on the porcelain throne. Not every STP can be used as a regularly wearable packer, but there are many that can be built that way.
How to use a STP
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Pull your pants and underwear down. If you're flexible enough, you can shimmy the shaft through the hole in your underwear.
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Cup the opening of the STP against your vulva so that there's a firm seal. You're going to want to make sure as much urine goes into the hole as possible and not down your leg.
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Release the flood.
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Rinse the STP with a little warm water and soap. Pat dry.
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If you're in a public restroom and can't wash the STP at the sink, it's okay to just stick it in a Ziploc bag or wrap it in some toilet paper in your bag. Your safety is more important than some germs you can clean later.
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