Fashion Tips for Trans Guys

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!

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 Fred Durst, 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 country like Thailand that regularly sees high temps and high humidity won't be able to layer clothing like a trans guy in chilly 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. Layer 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 or Jimmy Buffet. 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.

Some fashion inspiration from real trans guys