Blahg.

[Guest Tobiaskun]

I want a more honest opinion with how I pass, I have no real concept on how well I do. I don't bind, which I think hinders me the most, but my unsporting parents right out tell me that I look like a girl. Besides the binding part, I think I look like a little boy. I'm actually eighteen.. (and a half). And I'm super short. The second image is me sitting on my leg, haha.

I seem to pass in public often, and I pass more often when guys are the judges compared to when girls are. Any ideas?

Also, I can't get my hair cut for another three weeks, if that hinders me. I'm not going to change the style though, put more layers in the back, and a tidbit shorter..

So, what does Laura's think? Be honest. I wanna go stealth in college, which is ... very soon! This fall.

[Guest praxis]

Lately I've been pretty conscious of how I recognize male vs female when walking around my university campus. Mainly been thinking about how I can best learn to pass as F. I'm not expert but by your photos you would definitely have me guessing guy or girl? I mean that as a compliment too!

The #1 features that trigger female in my mind are #1) hair and Jeans (or whatever is worn on the bottom half) #2) top (shirt/jacket etc) and shoes. #3) having lived as a man for 30+ years I must admit I don't notice facial features and structure unless having a one to one conversation, so for passing among strangers in public, I dont think its as important. If you show breasts at all and your not overweight I think its a giveaway though. Baggier top? I don't anything about binding, but what about wearing a sturdy, tighter shirt underneath something looser?

I forget their names, but several senior members on this board have emphasized how important attitude is - goes along way (and I don't have it!)

Honestly my very first impression was that you were terrible at passing as F... lol!

[Guest Risu]

Yeah, far as your photos go, from the shoulders up I definitely read you as male. No doubts in my mind, nothing makes me stop and think twice. I see all male.

Family will say whatever they can to discourage us, especially if they're unsupportive. Try not to let them shake up your confidence. I'm not sure why anyone would say that you don't pass based on the photos provided. Maybe try an underarmor shirt which is good at giving a compression affect, though not as good as a binder. It could also be voice and mannerisms playing a role in it for friends who say otherwise. There really is A LOT more to passing than just looks. It's hard to believe but it's true.

Stay confident and don't let what others say get to you. If you have friends who say they still read you as female then press them as to why. It's not the hair IMO, I've only seen young men wear their hair like that in my area and to me it doesn't make you look even the slightest bit feminine.

I totally just see a cute young guy. I'm sure you'll be fine at college next fall and there's plenty of time to figure things out between now and then.

*hugs*

~Jade.

[Guest Sascha]

Hi Tobiaskun!

Honest opinion: I think I would change your hair, shorter, a lot shorter. That's it! *HUG*

[Guest Edu]

Honestly my very first impression was that you were terrible at passing as F... lol!

My first thought was the same. It's not usual seeing someone who passes so well still having doubts and/or asking around here, so the first thought is like "that has to be a MTF passing too badly, a FTM looking like that wouldn't even need to ask". Ain't it fun when the brain puts 2 and 2 together and gets 5?

Looking at the pics, all I see is a guy.

Keep in mind that there are many factors that can't be seen in a picture, such as voice, mannerisms, etc; but on the aspect side, you get a pass without a second thought.

Hugs,

Ethain

PS: Be careful when you start college: you may get too many girls falling for you

[Guest Tobiaskun]

Thanks, everyone! I guess my parents telling me about it really got to me..I was really self conscious for it.

Praxis: Thanks! Because of my parents, I can't bind, so I'm stuck right now.. Uniboob is horror from the sports bra, and i can only wear button ups. I might try that! However, it's getting really warm down here really fast..

Risu: I considered it before, but my parents caught on, and didnt want me to get anything that looked like it could compress. BUt since graduating and leaving is coming so soon, I think waiting will be worth it. I've also noticed my mannerisms take me a long way. Some of my friends say they can't imagine me being female at all, while the ones who say otherwise are fairly unsupportive or distant..

Sascha: I wanted to do it really short, but my dad's in the militry. My brothers have military cuts, and I'm really turned away frm that cut. I want it shorter, but not too short! I want some hair, but not emo.. I'm picky.

Ethain: Yeah, haha. I tend to overthink things, it's my real weakness.

Thanks for all the feedback, my thoughts are totally rebalancing.