T O P I C R E V I E W
Natalie H
Member # 48229
posted 08-22-2010 10:27 AM
Hey, I'm a seventeen year old girl, starting my senior year of high school. Lately the idea of dressing up as a guy sounds fun to me. I'm a bit of a tomboy, but the way I dress varies day to day. I don't want to be a guy, just look like one, and not because I feel my gender IS male, just for funsies. Anyway, I'm really interested in going all out, like wrapping my chest and such. I really wanna look like a guy, not just dress like one. I guess that'd make me a 'drag king', huh? But I don't wanna do it every day, just once in a while. Is it insensitive of me to do this? Like is it rude to transgender people? (I'd really appreciate the views of people in this forum that are trans) Also, how can I go about doing this right? Like CONVINCINGLY. Any tips? I don't really know how to wrap myself (never done before this obviously) or even what kinda wrapping I'm supposed to use. Any links and advice would help.
Natalie H
Member # 48229
posted 08-22-2010 08:44 PM
Really? There isn't ANYONE that can give me some tips or links? :-I
polyprotic
Member # 45568
posted 08-22-2010 09:18 PM
I have had my chest wrapped before for a Civil War re-enactment (I chose to be a soldier instead of a belle ). But that's about the extent of my cross-dressing experience. What I did was put on a tight-fitting, wire free sports bra, then had someone else wrap me up with a stretchy ace bandage. The trick is to start lower on your ribs and wrap as high as you can. Mind you if you're fairly large and firm, you won't be able to minimize yourself completely and it might be pretty uncomfortable.
Karybu
Member # 20094
posted 08-22-2010 09:26 PM
There are also lots of resources out there on this topic; googling "chest binding" or similar will net you quite a few good ones. Wearing a sports bra that's a size or two too small may do the trick, you can use an ace bandage, or buy binders made specifically for this purpose. It's also very easy to find tips on cross-dressing by doing a google search. As for offending trans people, I'm cis myself, but I'm willing to bet trans people don't have one opinion on this - like any group of people, "trans" encompasses a lot of diversity. Too, a LOT of people cross-dress, it isn't that uncommon, and anyone who's aware of how fluid gender and gender presentation can be isn't likely to find it a problem.
mizchastain
Member # 32224
posted 08-23-2010 11:03 AM
Don't use duct tape on bare skin. I have no personal experience with that, but I've heard it can take your skin off if you're not careful. With my one or two experiences of male cosplay, I just wore a sports bra a cup size too small and layered a loose T-shirt and an unbuttoned shirt over it, but I'm pretty small up top so you may find you need something with better restraint. If you really want to be convincing, a little makeup helps - it sounds counterproductive, but a layer of foundation slightly darker than your real skin colour and something to make your eyebrows look darker makes a a surprisingly good difference.
Devanie
Member # 46095
posted 08-23-2010 03:33 PM
I don't generally cross dress, but I tend to play young girls in plays. So I had to learn how to bind myself up. I've used ace bandages and a corset type thing... And my friend occasionally crossplays for anime conventions. But, so... we've found that a few really ideas that work for both of us. I sometimes layer two tank tops with those built in bra things on top of each other. It makes me look pretty flat, and then just add a sports bra underneath and I'm set. Or you can do ace bandages. Counter to what Polyprotic said, though, I start from my collarbone/underneath the arm pits and wrap down, then wrap back up with a second bandage. OR you can do what my friend does, and I'm going to try doing. She made a corset type thing. Basically she ripped out part of the leg of a pair of old jeans and then cut holes on the ends and laced a boot lace through them. The jeans are just stretchy enough for breathing room, but they hold down her boobs.
Natalie H
Member # 48229
posted 08-23-2010 07:44 PM
Thanks you guys, very helpful tips. I'm gonna try the sports bras, ace bandages, and jean corset most definitely. Make up wise I can get an eye brow pencil to darken my brows, other wise I think I'd be ok. The big deal about this is I have a pretty defined chest, 38 C's, so I don't think there's been a time since fifth grade that I didn't have my boobs being quite obvious. But with these tips I'm sure to find something that'll work. I could've Googled it, yeah, but I thought I'd try Scarleteen first. It comforts me to know about the first hand experience rather than an anonymous technique. Plus I thought it'd be a good topic to talk about on here. Thanks for all the help!
luanne
Member # 48638
posted 08-30-2010 09:01 PM
It wouldn't be offensive- I'm not TG, but I can't possibly see how someone who is TG and faces gender-based taboos/stereotypes every day would take offense to you expressing yourself in this way.
JB
Member # 36720
posted 08-30-2010 10:02 PM
Just a warning about ace bandage, I'm a 34D and I tried getting wrapped for a play I was in and it was truly awful. I had trouble breathing and I was in a lot of pain. I hope it's different for you because it's a useful technique, but I just wanted to give you a heads up in case you tried the ace bandage.