As a trans guy, I’ve come a long way in my presentation. The key to successfully dressing like a man is to wear men’s clothing. One of the main problems that trans men face when attempting to “pass” is that men’s clothing does not fit them. I’ve learned all kind of tricks in my years. For example: I’m a smaller guy and have opted for clothes in the boys’ section before. Boys’ clothes are much cheaper, anyway! Here’s a list for trans men to consider before they go shopping for clothes.

1. Wear What Makes You Comfortable

Don't feel like you have to wear something because it’s “fashionable” or other trans guys are wearing it. Wear it because you looked at it and thought, Yes, this is the man I want to look like!

2. Pants

Something as simple as the cut of your pants can make a huge difference in downplaying or emphasizing your physical attributes. Wear flat-front pants to reduce the appearance of hips and thighs. Pleated pants will emphasize feminine curves and residual body fat on the hips and thighs. Personally, I think pleated pants are hideous. Avoid pants that are tapered to the ankle. Make sure that jeans do not cling to your ankles because this will make you look very curvy.

3. How They Fit

Before I took hormones, I used to pull my pants down so that they rested about two to three inches below my belly button (this reduced some of my curves). Try finding a pair of jeans that aren’t skintight but that sit comfortably at your waistline. Skintight pants will emphasize curves, and pants that are too baggy will do the same. Just follow your own shape. 

4. Shirts

For pre-op trans guys, changing the appearance of your chest can be a daily battle. Patterns of shirts can help! When a pattern is highly symmetrical, it can make your curves and bulges more noticeable. Symmetrical-pattern shirts highlight the curve of a binder or chest more so than if you were to wear a patternless or asymmetrical-pattern shirt. When a pattern isn’t unchanging, a slight bump due to a chest will be less noticeable, as the pattern will cover it up.

5. You Even Lift, Bro?

A properly fitting shirt can give toned arms to anyone. You want a shirt that’s snug through the arms and shoulders, and looser, but not oversized, in the midsection.

6. Shoes

I greatly advocate boots, especially ones with thick soles that can add height. For a lot of guys, it is really important to be perceived as tall because height does help you pass. All boots, unless they have fur, tend to have a more masculine cut. You may even find women’s boots that suffice.