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Binding
Packing
Urinary Devices
Shaving
Clothing

Binding

There are many different ways to make your chest appear flatter without having surgery. Here are a few of the more common products and methods used. If you bind, try to do so safely and carefully. Binding is uncomfortable for most people and in some cases can be extremely painful. If it is very uncomfortable for you, try to bind only when absolutely necessary. Binding commonly leads to the breakdown of breast tissue, development of stretch marks and increased acne on the chest and back. Many people have also complained of increased back pain and shifting rib cages as a result of prolonged binding. Here is a picture of my chest after four years of daily binding. Before binding my chest was approximately a 36C. The pictures on the left are of my chest unbound after about 3 years of binding, for comparison with the later photos. Thank you to all of the guys who sent in pictures for this section.

ACE Bandages

Sports Bras

Cost:	$10 - $50
Pros:	available at department and sporting goods stores can pass as "just a bra" if you don't want people to know you're binding relatively comfortable
Cons:	not the most effective at flattening sometimes creates a "uni-boob" effect straps can be a giveaway
Comments:	Try to select a style that has high lycra or spandex content, these generally offer the most compression. Most sports bras sold in stores only contain up to 20% lycra/spandex, but more aggressive models are sold online. Straps can be pretty visible depending on what type of shirt you wear. Wearing an undershirt may cut down on that.
Photos:	Title 9 Frog Bra
Links:	Frog Bra from Title 9 Sports

Compression Shirts/Vests

Cost:	$20 - $100
Pros:	great compression several styles available
Cons:	expensive only available online can be difficult to size some models tend to roll up over the stomach
Comments:	Some compression garments are designed specifically for trans guys, while others are designed for men with gynecomastia (male breast enlargement) or for post-surgical binding. If you're having a hard time putting your compression shirt on, try stepping down through the neck hole rather than pulling it on over your head. If your binder keeps rolling up over your stomach, you can just fold it up over your chest and safety pin it in place. This also offers an additional layer of compression across your chest. I permanently modified my binders in this way with a little cutting and sewing. Photos and instructions for modifying compression shirts
Photos:	Underworks Double Front Compression Shirt T-Kingdom Binder (with unbound comparison) Morris Designs gynecomastia vest (with unbound comparison) Native compression vest
Links:	Underworks- makers of the tri-top and double front compression shirt Morris Designs- gynecomastia vests GC2 Compression- good priced binders, not the most compression Make Me Heal support and compression garments T-Kingdom- binders specifically designed for tomboys and FTMs Native- this is a Russian site (search for "compression vests for men") Gallery of binding photos- various models, mostly Underworks

Waist Trimmers/Back Braces

Cost:	$5 - $20
Pros:	inexpensive available at department and sporting goods stores lots of compression
Cons:	hot and sweaty can result in chafing and/or blistering skin thick enough to be seen and felt under shirts back braces tend to slip down
Comments:	Most back braces are made of fabric/elastic and found in the first aid section of pharmacies or department stores. Waist trimmers are made of neoprene (wet-suit material) and are usually found mixed in with jock straps, compression shorts, etc in department and sporting goods stores. They are supposedly designed for weight loss. I guess the logic is that if you're wearing one you'll sweat the weight off in that area. It helps to wear a tight undershirt or sports bra over the binder to smooth out the seams. I used them exclusively for many years before discovering Underworks binders, and they worked well for me. I attribute most of the breakdown of my breast tissue to this binder. They were pretty unbearable on hot summer days, though. Trim the waist trimmer so it is the right length to go around you either one, one and a half, or two times. One time will produce a slimmer effect but if you need the extra compression you might want to go around twice. Wrap the non-velcro end around your chest, tucking your breasts down and toward the sides as you go. Hold that end in place and wrap the other end around to the other side and fasten the velcro under your arm (it will be well hidden there). If you're only wrapping it around once, you should start with the velcro right under one of your arms and only wrap the non-velcro side around.
Photos:	Neoprene waist trimmer Putting on a waist trimmer

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Packing

Not every guy feels the need to pack, and I don't think it makes much of a visible difference unless you're wearing really tight pants, dress pants, a swim suit, or walking around in your underwear (like in a locker room). There are two basic types of packing, hard and soft. Products that are designed for both generally end up being too bulky and uncomfortable for daily packing, and too soft or floppy to use for penetration. Some packers are equipped with a spoon or funnel shaped end piece and a tube running through the shaft of the penis and can be purchased pre-made or if you are handy you can make your own by modifying a cyberskin type packer. See also: urinary devices.

If you're wondering about exactly where and how to position your packer inside your briefs, a good rule of thumb is that the penis should come out at about the place where you can feel your pubic bone. But everyone is built differently so you might have to play with that a little (no pun intended). One way to figure out if you've got it right or not is to check out men's underwear ads.

Styles of soft packs:

Condoms and hair gel

Cyberskin-type packers

Soft silicone packer/Mr. Right

Prosthesis

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Urinary Devices

Here are a few different devices which enable someone who hasn't had any type of genital reconstruction surgery to urinate while standing. Like packing, not every guy finds it important to stand to pee. There are also plenty of non-trans guys who routinely sit to pee, so don't think it'll set off all kinds of flags in the men's restroom if you do it. No one's going to care. Still, sometimes it's helpful to be able to stand, like in a crowded or dirty public restroom, or in restrooms where the stalls don't have doors.

With any urinary device, it's a good idea to practice at home before trying it out in public. The shower is a good place to try new methods out if you're worried about making a mess. Also, just because one method doesn't work for you doesn't mean something else won't. Keep trying different systems and you will probably find something that suits your needs. Something to keep in mind when using any method of standing to pee is that the worse you have to go, the faster your urine will come out (and with more force), and that makes any method less reliable. So if that's the case you might want to just suck it up and sit down in the stall. Most of these methods will work best if you don't use a whole lot of force, so just try to relax and let it flow naturally.

You might be debating about whether or not you should be using the men's room. Chances are if you're passing well then you've probably experienced some sort of hassle in the women's' room from ladies who see you as a guy anyway. It's really not a huge deal... all you have to do is walk in and head for a stall, close the door behind you and do your stuff. In general, guys don't talk to or look at each other in the bathroom.


If you're not sure where your urethra is, here is a diagram.

Plastic Disk	This is an old-school method that actually works better than you might think, though you do have to drop your drawers lower than you might be able to pull off at a urinal. The idea is to take the lid from a coffee can, Cool Whip container or something else about that size, and trim off the edges so you have a flat, flexible plastic disk that's about 5" or 6" in diameter. You'll want to sand down the edges so they're smooth. Fold the disk into a kind of taco or funnel shape, and hold the wider end against your body. It works on the same principle as the pStyle or other similar products, though it's not as comfortable or fool-proof. I'll try to get a picture up sometime soon. One great thing about this method is that when not in use the disk takes up practically no space and can easily be slipped into a pocket without creating a conspicuous bulge. Cost: free
Medicine Spoon	Another do-it-yourself option. Medicine spoons are available everywhere, pharmacies, department stores, dollar stores, etc. They're designed for measuring and dispensing liquid medication. Cut the closed end off at an angle to allow the urine to pass through. Position the mouth of the spoon over your urethral opening, which is located between the dick/clitoris and vaginal opening. The end of the spoon should point down at about a 45 degree angle. Apply just enough pressure to maintain a seal, but not so much that you restrict the flow. It may take some time to find the correct placement for your body, this type of device does not work for everyone. Cost: $1 - $3 The Travelmate is similar to a medicine spoon but more comfortable and reliable, while still being inexpensive. Cost: $6.59
Packers	There are several styles of packers that are equipped with a receptacle and tubing for urination. They work on the same premise as a medicine spoon but have a flexible tube that runs through the shaft of the penis. If you're crafty you can try to make one of these on your own. Buy a medicine spoon like this or this, drill a hole in the end and attach it to tubing you can buy at the hardware store with two-part epoxy. Cyberskin packers are easy to slice through. Heat up a screwdriver on the stovetop and you'll be able to push it right through to make a hole for the tubing. Costs: Homemade: $20, Pre-made: $50 - $70 Mango Products- also featuring the MetaMango for guys who have had metoidioplasty DJ Knows Dicks
The Whiz	I've heard some great reviews about this product in terms of ease of use and reliability. The only drawbacks seem to be that it's brightly colored (hard to conceal in a public restroom) and a little bulky. Reasonably priced, but this company is based in England so be prepared for hefty shipping costs if you're ordering from elsewhere. Cost: less than $20 The Whiz
Others	Check out Hudson's Guide for a more extensive listing of available products.

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Shaving

Here are a few quick tips on shaving from my own experience, a quick web search for "male shaving tips" or something like that will turn up a lot more. Anyway, here you go:

Clean shave with a razor
Keep your blade fresh, replace it once it starts to dull. Wash your face with warm/hot water and an exfoliating scrub right before you shave. Keep the blade of your razor in hot water while you lather up your face. Rub the lather into your face, try to make sure the hairs on your face are standing up. First time through, shave in downward strokes. Use long, even strokes, and rinse the blade between strokes. For lots of guys, that will be enough. Remember that the more times you shave over the same area, the greater the chance of cutting or irritating your skin. If you need a closer shave, you can lather up again and shave upward, against the grain of your facial hair. If you have a particularly thick beard, you have been shaving for long enough to know how to do it and you're probably not reading this section. Once you're happy with your shave, rinse off, towel dry and apply some non-alcohol based aftershave (a little goes a long way here).

Product recommendations:
Tom's of Maine Conditioning Shave Cream
Lush Cosmetic Lad Moisturizer/Aftershave

Shaving links:
7 Tips for a Great Shave

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Clothing

I'm not getting in depth about clothes here, because the most important thing is to dress in a way that you like and that makes you feel good. However, there are some issues that seem to come up for a lot of guys, so some of this may be helpful.

A little info on sizing, based on US sizes:

Shoes- Men's shoes generally run one and a half to two sizes smaller in men's than in women's shoes. For example, if you're a 9.5 in women's shoes, you're probably a 7.5 or 8 in men's. Men's shoes also run a size wider than women's, but you can sometimes find sizes in narrow widths if need be. If you wear anything smaller than a 6 you will probably have to shop in the kid's sections or at specialty stores online.

Pants- Men's pants are sized by the waist and the inseam. A pair of pants that measures 38x32 would have a 38" waist and a 32" inseam. Many stores carry inseams down to 30" and waists up into the 40s in the store, with smaller and larger sizes available online.

Dress Shirts- Dress shirts have two measurements, neck size and sleeve length. A tag that reads 15 32/33 means the neck size is 15" and the sleeves are 32" to 33" long. Many department stores have staff there to help you find a good fit, but it is easy to take these measurements at home if you have someone to help you.

Resources:
How to Measure Your Neck Size and Sleeve Length- fitting yourself for dress shirts
Short Shrifted- a clothing and style resource for short men
Tie-a-Tie.net- Directions and tips for several different knots, including bow ties

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For More Information:

Hudson's FTM Resource Guide

FTM Passing Tips Site

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