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Your dressing sense goes a long way towards people creating a certain image of you. It sounds clichéd but it’s true. Saying that you are essentially the clothes you wear would be probably going too far! But still, the clothes you choose to wear define your personality. As a FTM transgender guy, you can use your fashion sense to your advantage. The way you dress is very important for projecting a strong male image.

You are out there in the open now, eagerly waiting for the world to embrace your beautiful manhood. And that world, in evaluating your charisma as a man, is going to constantly check out what you are wearing.

However, the whole experience of buying men’s clothes can be intimidating for a FTM transgender guy. It’s a whole new experience for you. If you have a small body or big hips for instance, then you would think finding the right male clothes that would fit you well is even bigger a challenge.

But with a few tips and tricks, you will be ready to embrace your masculine self! And not just get by but perhaps come out with flying colours!

Buy Clothes that Fit You Well

This is the most basic and common-sensical tip for anyone. But still, people fail to follow this simple adage.

Many FTM transgender guys commit the cardinal sin of buying baggy, oversized clothing. They have the perception that bigger and looser clothes would somehow make them look bulkier and more manly. Nothing can be farther from the truth. Clothes that literally hang on your body just make you look boring and old.

So, it is important to buy clothes that fit you well. Not too tight but not overtly loose and baggy either. It has to complement your body.

This becomes even more important while you are shopping for jeans or trousers. Jeans too tight on the waist would look awkward and would also make you immensely uncomfortable while you are sitting down or simply moving around. Jeans too loose would also be totally unflattering to your body.

Well fitted clothes give the impression of a confident personality. As a FTM transgender guy, it is super important to appear confident and articulate. On the contrary, ill-fitting, baggy clothes give the impression of someone who doesn’t take care of themselves.

Remember that as a FTM transgender guy, perception goes a long way towards people accepting you in your manly image. And well-fitted clothes help create that perception.

Do not be Conscious about Your Size

Do not stress over your body supposedly not fitting a generic male body parameter. Rather, dress according to your body type and you are bound to look good.

If you have a somewhat smaller body, do not get conscious of it. Just look for clothes in the boy’s section. Well-fitted clothes give the impression of a fit, toned body, irrespective of one’s body size. So, if you are very small size, do not get obsessed with getting bigger. Just find the right clothes that complement your body type.

If a FTM transgender guy has bigger hips that can also become a cause of concern while shopping for male apparel. Men’s trousers usually don’t have room for big hips. But it’s not impossible to find one that would sit well on your hips. So, no matter what, do not get conscious about your size. Always buy clothes that fit you well, even if that involves putting in a bit of extra hard work!

Just remember that if you buy trousers with the right cut, you can minimize the appearance of a heavy waist. Taper cut pants are also a suitable option for a FTM transgender guy with larger thighs.

Yet another trick is to move a size or two up with the waist but opt for a trend like skinny fit. This would make the trousers sit beautifully on your legs while hiding your waist.

So, whether you are a small guy or unusually big by general standards, do not get nervous and do not lose confidence. There are all sorts of sizes available these days. As long as you don’t get obsessed with the idea of forcefully trying to change your size or body type, you will be fine.

Your Clothes Should be Your Personal Statement

Now, everyone is unique. And that is precisely why no two people look the same, even if they have put on similar-looking clothes! As a FTM transgender guy, do not feel compelled to copy the fashion choices of cis guys or anyone else, for that matter. Create your own fashion statement.

Have fun with what you wear. If you like colours bring on the blues, reds, pinks, whatever! If you are enamoured by anime, video games, let your t-shirts showcase that side of yours. You don’t have to resign yourself to wearing boring whites and greys just because you want to project a certain male image.

As a FTM transgender guy, you are certainly projecting a male image. But one that’s uniquely you. And the man who is not afraid of being himself takes up his sexiness quotient by a few notches!

So just remember that your sartorial choices should be an extension of your personality.

Use Clothes with Patterns to Your Advantage

Now, this is a practical necessity.  As a FTM transgender guy, it is important to hide or camouflage any bumps on your chest. So, you have to super careful while wearing t-shirts with patterns or stripes.

A golden rule to follow in this case is: the more random or asymmetrical the pattern is, the better it is. A random or asymmetrical pattern with help you camouflage the bumps in your chest area better. When the pattern is not symmetrical, the human eye gets somewhat confused. Such a pattern would then not draw overt, exclusive attention to your chest area.

So, buying clothes with patterns is great. But you have to be careful as to what kind of patterns are these and if you can use the design to camouflage any bulge on your chest.

Check Out What FTM Trans Icons are Wearing

Now, this is an exercise that can be both fun and inspiring! You can check out the profiles of FTM trans icons on social media sites like Instagram and check out what they wear, how they carry themselves.

As a FTM transgender guy, following a celebrity who has probably had the same share of struggles as you can be a major confidence booster. There are times when we need role models to fall back on not because we are not sure of ourselves but simply because we perhaps need a new perspective to look at our own self.

A FTM transgender guy is someone who is transitioning from female to male. People who are assigned female gender at birth but they strongly identity with the opposite gender are FTM transgender. They usually choose to undergo medical transition at some point in time. But there is no clear cute norm with regard to that. There are some who skip medical transitioning altogether.

Irrespective of whether they have undergone medical transitioning or not, it is very important for a FTM transgender guy that society perceives him as a man. If that does not happen, it can aggravate the feelings of gender dysphoria that already exist in him. And this is not good for his mental health. It is also important from a romantic point of view since sexuality is deeply connected to a person’s gender identity. So, if he wants to join a trans dating site or a FTM dating service, it is important that he is confident of his manly image.

For guys who choose to undergo the Hormone Replacement Therapy, it is relatively easier to pass off as a man. They usually get bi-weekly injections from the doctor. Besides, there are numerous other ways of getting injected with hormones; it can be through gels, patches and many other ways. Some FTM trans guys will also get testosterone treatment which will work on their faces in a way that gives them a more masculine appearance. It would also make their voices somewhat heavy and manly.

Then, there are some who would choose to go even a step further and undergo chest reconstruction surgery. This surgery specifically flattens out the chest area to give the chest a masculine appearance. Then, there is the bottom surgery performed in order to remove the vagina and create a penis for the transgender man.

However, there are some who choose not to have these treatments for certain reasons. And for such trans men, passing as a man in public might be a bit more challenging. Then most FTM trans guys start coming out even before medical transitioning. This is important because you can’t just wait for the treatment to show effects and then come out. You got to tell society that you are a guy even before.

The whole process of coming out as a man publicly can be quite intimidating for a FTM transgender guys. But with certain tips, you can conveniently pass as the guy that you already are.

Use a Binder

The biggest source of gender dysphoria in FTM transgender guys is the chest area unless they have had the top surgery, of course. So as a trans man, if you haven’t had the top surgery yet and want to flatten out your chest area, the best option for you is to buy a medical binder.

Medical chest binders are easily available online and come in many different styles. There are also plenty of commercial chest binders available in the market these days. It is important to buy the right size though. If you bind your chest using a binder that is a bit too small, it might create difficulties in breathing and you will end up having pain in your shoulders and back.

Trans men who don’t quite want to go for a medical binder can also bind their chest using a sports bra. In fact, using a sports bra is quite a safe way to bond your chest with minimal risk of side effects or injuries. Some FTM trans guys would also use layering to bind their chest using a shirt or bra layering.

However, according to experts, you should not wear binders for longer than 8-12 hours. Also, you should avoid sleeping while wearing your binder. It is also important to have a day off in between once in a while. You have to make sure that you aren’t binding everyday in order to avoid any side effects.

Following these tips, you can happily use a binder to flatten out your chest area. And this will certainly increase your confidence and make people notice you as a man when you are out there in public.

Make use of the Packing Technique

Now, packing is a technique that trans guys make use of to give the illusion of a penis. It basically involves putting something in your pants to mimic the appearance of the bulge created by male genitalia.

Packing is a great way to enhance the self-confidence of a FTM transgender guy who hasn’t had the bottom surgery as yet and increases his chances of passing as a man. After all, sexuality is a very important part of your new gender identity. So, it is natural that you want to simulate the whole experience of having male genitalia.

These days there are so many commercial packers available online. These packers come in different materials and varieties including silicone. And the best thing is they are more or fewer replicas of male genitalia. However, for a trans guy who is new to the whole experience of packing, it is best to try a simple technique first. He can just use a rolled-up sock and place it properly at the right spot inside his pants. It’s way cheaper than using a commercial packer and he can try it out and decide for himself if he likes the whole experience or not.

Learn to Project a Masculine Appearance

This is the key to passing as a male in society. With pro masculine body language, your chances of passing as a man increase dramatically.

The first step of building this masculine image of yours as a FTM trans man is to get used to wearing a man’s clothes. When it comes to clothing, everyone has a different approach that suits them. Some trans guys like to go with oversized clothing to get that super manly look. If you perhaps wear a shirt size larger than usual, your shoulders might look bigger and slightly bulkier. But there is no rule really. Well, fitted clothes can also give the impression of a chiseled, toned masculine body.

The important thing is to find men’s clothes that go with your personality and eventually develop your own style. Once you start getting used to male clothing, behaving as a man will also start coming naturally to you. You can also check out profiles of trans guys on transgender dating websites and see what they are wearing.

Now again, there is no manual really that can teach you how to behave like a man. You just have to closely observe men in public places – the way they walk, the way they sit, how they move their head while talking, the tone of their voice while they are speaking. You can also interact with other trans men through a transgender forum and take their advice.

To begin with, one thing that a FTM transgender guy can focus on is sitting. Generally speaking, men tend to literally spread their legs wide apart while sitting. They sit in a very authoritarian position taking up a lot of space with legs as wide as possible. So, this is something that you can begin practicing as a trans man. It is easy to remember and also simple to practice.

Do not feel compelled to fit into a Box

As a FTM transgender guy, the way you want to protect yourself is totally your call. It depends on your personality and orientation. Many trans men have fluid general identities, that is they are Pansexual. Now Pan Sexuality can be defined as a sexual or romantic attraction towards anybody irrespective of their gender identity.  So, if you classify yourself as a pansexual trans guy, then you lay down your own rules. You don’t necessarily need to then get into the entire masculine discourse of heterosexuality.

A FTM trans guy can also prefer to date gay men. Or he may prefer to go the cis guy way, dating heterosexual women through a transgender dating site or a transgender dating app. So, one has to understand that even as a FTM transgender guy, one can have fluid gender identities and that’s totally cool. The way a trans man wants to project himself is totally his call. He might just want to meet single women through FTM trans dating site or a transgender dating app or he might just want to date gay men.

Get Inspired from the Lives of Well-Known Trans Men

There are so many trans men icons who have fought societal prejudices and stereotypes to emerge a winner and live a successful and fulfilling life. If you want happiness, you have to go through the grind and find it out. You just can’t run away from problems and struggles. A FTM transgender man can take inspiration from the lives of famous and successful trans men. This will do wonders to his own image as a trans man and show him the way forward. You can go through a transgender blog to gain insight into the lives of famous trans men.

So many movies have been made about the lives of trans men. There are also movies starring trans men. Most of these movies depict the problems faced by transgender youth. These offer a realistic peep into the world of trans men.

There was the iconic movie ‘Becoming Chaz’ that was released in 2011. This movie was based on the life of Chaz Bono, the son of Cher, who has also penned down a book on his multiple experiences as a transgender man.

Then there is the 1999 movie ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ based on the life story of Brandon Teena, a young trans man who was murdered in 1993.  And it’s so important to mention the contribution made by the legendary Buck Angle in the field of trans awareness. He is a filmmaker, speaker and advocate. He also stars in a documentary made about his own life.

Then there are other famous movies incorporating trans issues such as Just (2002), Call me Kade, Boy I Am (2006) and About Ray (2015).

As a trans man, it is very important to know all about various issues faced by transgender folks and how so many trans heroes have fought out these issues. As a FTM trans guy, you can also join an online transgender forum and communicate with other trans men.

All this will increase your awareness of trans issues and strengthen your identity as a trans man. Knowing that there are so many like you who have fought societal prejudices and emerged a winner, you will no longer be afraid to live out your identity.

If you are a FTM transgender guy looking for love, you got to check out a trans dating site or a transgender dating site. Once you’ve figured out which transsexual dating site serves the best purpose for you, the next step is to then get registered on that site and start communicating with potential love interests. As a trans guy, you are also vulnerable to threats and abuse online. In order to address this issue and have a secure internet network, you must consider looking for the best VPN service around. A Virtual Private Network service can ensure a fully private connection.

Being a FTM transgender guy is not that easy. Transitioning is such a challenging process and it saps so much of your physical and mental energy. While you are transitioning and even after that, your mind is preoccupied with the procedure. It’s like you whole word has turned down upside down. You are excited, confused, exhilarated, euphoric, scared, everything in one go. It is natural that when your mind is a site of such conflicting emotions, it is difficult to give your 100 percent to dating and relationships. But that aspect of your life is also important. Everybody needs a partner for their physical, mental and emotional fulfilment.

As a FTM transgender guy, it is important to keep certain things in mind before you start dating someone. Whether you’ve met them through a trans dating app or a trans dating app, it’s important to make sure that your concerns about your own life trajectory do not interfere with the course of your dating and relationship.

Here are a few tips that will help you navigate the complex waters of dating and a relationship as a FTM transgender guy.

Do Not Let Your Transitioning Process Overtake the Relationship

For a FTM transgender guy, transitioning is mentally and physically demanding. It can be very intense and can leave him with little or no energy to concentrate on anything else. But he has to be really tough and tell himself that his relationship is also a priority and he will give full attention to it even during transition.

A FTM transgender guy is very lucky if their partner is compassionate and understanding. But one cannot take undue advantage of that understanding. You have to realize that it cannot be always about you and your issues. A relationship works well only when it is about both individuals. Even during transitioning, spend quality time with your partner. Pay attention to their life, goals and achievements. All your conversations cannot be centred around the issue of your transitioning and identity. If that is your only topic of conversation, your partner will feel neglected at some point in time. And the whole relationship would become a drag and a burden.

So, create some boundaries and respect those. Maybe your partner had a super exhausting day at work. Maybe, they just need to relax a little and hear some kind and loving words from you. So be considerate of their needs and behave accordingly. Converse on some lighter topics to lift up their spirits. Just watch a movie together or listen to some music. Your partner has invested a lot in this relationship and they are as concerned about your transitioning as you are. But you have to remember that their needs and desires are also important.

So as a FTM transgender guy, just try to create that fine balance. Don’t get over obsessed with your transitioning woes. Have empathy and understanding for your partner, just like they care for you and your life.

Avoid Over the Top Masculine Behaviour

Some FTM transgender guys get really conscious about their masculinity. They want to fit as well as they can into the societal normative framework of masculinity and in order to do so, they often resort to stereotypical masculine behaviour. Resist the urge to do so.

Exhibiting over the top masculine behaviour like shouting at your partner or trying to dictate terms to them or refusing to do households chores can actually backfire and eventually ruin your relationship. Masculinity is attractive only as long as it is balanced and rooted in rationality. In this modern-day and age, nobody wants to be with a guy who is over-aggressive, ruthless and gets into a temper every now and then.

When you are in a relationship, it is equally important to lay bare your vulnerabilities. The tough guy act doesn’t always work. If you are overwhelmed, it’s alright to cry in front of your partner. If you have said something wrong to them or done something wrong, it’s alright to apologize. All these things will not make you any less of a man. On the contrary, your partner will respect and love you even more for being the kind and compassionate guy they always dreamt of.

Times are changing fast and so is the definition of a real man. A real man of the 21st century is gentle, kind, considerate and is not afraid to show his vulnerable side. He is as tough a soldier when it comes to protecting his partner or lover and taking care of them. But in his day-to-day demeanour, he is gentle and loving, not imposing. Once a FTM transgender guy understands all this, he will realize there is no need to resort to over-the-top masculine behaviour.

Join a Transgender Forum

A transgender forum is a valuable resource dedicated to the trans community. It has a lot of information and views on typical issues faced by transsexual people across the world. So, a transgender guy just about to start his dating life should definitely consider joining a transgender forum.

A transgender forum can also connect him with other members of the trans community. As a FTM transgender guy, you can always learn from their experiences. You can also read some specific articles on transgender dating written by experts. Alternatively, you could also go through a transgender blog that will again offer you valuable insights into the world of trans dating.

Before you join a transsexual dating site or a transgender dating app, it’s better to be equipped with some basic knowledge of how you should go about communicating with a potential love interest. The internet these days has a plethora of valuable resources that can be of valuable help to a FTM transgender guy looking for a potential date.

Communicate Your Concerns

Whether you’ve started seeing someone through a transgender dating app or a trans dating site, it is obvious that as a FTM transgender guy, you have some concerns. Feel free to share those concerns with your partner.

You have some emotional concerns with regard to how your partner perceives you, how they view your transitioning and if they judge you for being a FTM transgender guy. You might even feel awkward about sharing such concerns with your partner. But it’s absolutely fine. When you are in a relationship with someone, you have the full right to know if they are comfortable with your individuality and identity.

Unfortunately, society doesn’t judge transgender people very kindly. So, it is obvious that as a FTM transgender guy, you have some apprehensions about whether your partner is really comfortable with your identity. Just talk it out. Talking about these things will make your relationship even stronger. Or in the worst-case scenario, you will realize that you are not with the right person before you go too deep into the relationship. Both ways, you will benefit.

It is also important for a FTM transgender guy to communicate his sexual concerns to his partner before they decide to take the relationship to the next level. Tell your partner candidly about things that you are comfortable about and those that you are not so comfortable about in a physical relationship. If there are certain body parts you don’t like being touched, just tell them categorically.

Whether you’ve met someone through a transsexual dating app or a transgender dating site, it’s important to have an honest conversation with your partner before the two of you decide to go physical.

If It Doesn’t Work, Just Walk Away

Not all relationships are meant to work. Let’s accept it. Finding love often involves a series of hits and trials. So as a FTM transgender guy, if you’ve tried your best to make the relationship work but it still isn’t, then it’s perhaps better to quit.

Quitting can be very painful, especially if you have so many fond memories with the person concerned. But when a relationship turns toxic and abusive, there is no other way out. Some relationships start out very well but turn toxic down the road. There are others where you get warning signs from early on that this is not going to work for you. Whatever be the scenario, it’s better to just leave when you realize that a relationship is becoming a source of agony and pain for you.

At the end of the day, your peace of mind and mental health is most important. While a good relationship can do wonders for your emotional and mental health, a bad one can ruin you mentally. As a FTM transgender guy, you already have a lot to cope with. Maybe, you are still trying to sort things out with your family. Not all your friends have accepted your new identity yet. So in between all this mess, you really don’t want to suffer a toxic and abusive relationship. And you don’t deserve that either.

Buck Angel is an icon of the transgender community. He born June 5, 1972, San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California and named Susan. Angle is an adult film producer, motivational speaker and founder of Buck Angel Entertainment. A transgender man, he received the AVN Award as the Transsexual performer in 2017. Buck Angel had not had any genital surgery and still had a vulva.

A short time later, Angel started concentrating on his physical appearance and scanned for a specialist that managed abdominal area adjustments, to expel his bosoms. Bottom surgery was another perspective he was hoping to change since he needed to acquire a natural penis to fit the male pattern. In any case, he immediately understood that there was not adequate innovation to make what he wanted. Blessed messenger bit by bit presumed that he didn't require a penis since it isn't what characterized him as a man. He figured out how to cherish his body, and he came to be happy with what he was given. Presently—following his new philosophy of the male body—he started a fiery regimen that comprised of five-days seven days exercises and of for the most part practicing good eating habits.