Passing Tips for Trans Girls
For many trans women, passing is a crucial goal, But what exactly is passing? It is when a trans woman is perceived to be a cisgender woman by other people.
In other words, if you are a trans woman walking down a road, people will not know your gender identity.
Passing is a complex topic and there are many pros and cons associated with it. It is important to understand that it is your choice- whether you want to pass or not.
Not passing does not make you any less of a woman; every trans woman is a woman. Passing is nothing but a way to conform and ensure that you don’t get unnecessary negative attention from strangers.
For many, passing is also a way to ensure that they remain safe and secure in spaces that are not queer-friendly.
Others may feel that their gender identity and transitioning are personal, intimate topics that strangers need not know about. All of these are valid reasons for passing. This article looks at some tips that can help you pass more seamlessly.
Hair
Firstly, hair is a very important part of transitioning, especially if you are a trans woman.
It is important to have long, luscious hair when you are ready to pass as a woman.
To ensure this, leave your hair alone. This means, no cutting, bleaching, coloring, or treating it with heat and chemicals.
All of these can cause substantial damage to your hair, which you want to avoid when you are growing it out.
Take good care of your locks by remaining hydrated and taking adequate vitamins. While it grows out, try wigs and extensions. This way, you can avoid the awkward length phase and the attention it might bring forth.
Skin
The fact is that, male skin is very different from female skin. As you are born into a male body, be prepared to put in a lot of effort to tame your skin.
Thankfully, as soon as you get on hormones, you will notice that the skin begins to soften to a certain extent.
There are other things you can do simultaneously to further nourish your skin- hydrate, moisturize, and find a skincare routine that works for you.
Exfoliation is a non-negotiable step if you are still shaving your face, have dead skin, acne, or rough patches. This will allow your skin some space to regenerate.
Face
When it comes to shaving your face, always choose a men’s razor as it works more effectively for a close shave... or one of our IPL hair removal handsets.
However, it is more about facial positioning. Keeping your brows slightly raised can make your upper region seem more rounded, which is an easy way to feminize your face without surgeries.
Spend some time in front of the mirror and try to determine what facial expressions and formations make you look more feminine.
Makeup
For trans women, less makeup is more when passing.
The goal should be to blend in and not stand out. Subtle, everyday makeup looks are recommended because that’s how most cisgender women look every day at office or at school.
For special occasions, you could try something different, but otherwise, subtle makeup that softens your features should be the goal.
Clothes
Once you transition, you obviously start experimenting with clothes. However, when dressing up, it is crucial to get a sense of the setting and the context.
Wearing a cocktail dress to your workplace would obviously raise a few eyebrows and thus, is not the best idea if your goal is passing.
If you want to express your personal tastes and personality through your dressing, you should. However, to blend in, pick out a few basics that are currently trending among women in your generation.
One effective technique is to carry a notepad wherever you go and jot down your ideas whenever you spot an outfit that you like.
Note down what your classmates and colleagues are wearing and try to emulate that, while adding your own personal touch, if expressing yourself through clothes is important to you.
Like today, many women are turning to comfy leggings and basic white shoes.
So, if it is very important for you to blend in at specific events, this is a great outfit idea.
Body
There are two aspects to take into consideration when working on your body to blend in- silhouette and movement.
A person who is born male usually has wide shoulders and their hips are narrower.
On the other hand, cisgender women have wider hips, narrow waists, and bigger bottoms. While there are many unsafe and painful surgery options to resolve these, how you dress also makes a difference.
Add more shape to your body by wearing push-up bras and a-line or flared skirts to create an illusion of wider hips.
It is also a good idea to work on your feminine postures. While there is no one way to be feminine, some postures do help.
Sit straight and avoid slouching, move with more fluidity instead of taking terse steps, cross your legs when you sit, and practice your movements in front of the mirror to see what feels more “feminine” to you.
Move freely with your arms flailing a little and a bounce in your step.
Voice
For many trans women, voice is a sensitive topic. The reason is that hormones have no effect on your voice.
As a result, you are stuck with your male voice. Thankfully, there are ways in which you can work on that.
Surgery is always an option, although it is very expensive and comes with many risks. Another less scary option is voice training.
There are many trans YouTubers who offer lessons on feminizing your voice.
This is a crucial step if you are really set on passing, because if you are a trans woman with a deep voice, blending in becomes very challenging.
Confidence
Lastly, confidence is imperative. Smile, walk with your head held high, and remember that you are a woman and nobody can take that away from you.
If you seem insecure or like you are trying to hide something, or come off as extremely conscious, it may attract attention.
If you look confident and seem happy, there are lesser chances of others invading your personal space or asking pointed questions.
These are some steps you can undertake to blend in as a trans woman. You can pick and choose what works for you and ignore the rest. Remember- passing is not mandatory.
If you are comfortable with others learning about your gender identity or there is no threat to your safety if you do not blend in, you need not go out of your way to prove that you are a woman.
You are a woman and nothing you do or don’t do will change that. We hope this list has helped you in some way. Good luck!!