How to Look Like a Man

Many people like to experiment with appearance. Some do it for Halloween costumes or for theater, and some trans men do it to present their gender outwardly to the world. Thankfully, there are a number of clever tactics for tailoring your body to match what's commonly seen as a man's appearance. No matter how you look, your gender expression is valid, and you don’t have to conform to societal standards if you don’t want to.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Clothing

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1
Go with boxy, structured clothing. When you’re picking out clothes to wear, go for boxy fits that aren’t super form-fitting. Loose T-shirts, structured jackets, and slim-fitting pants or jeans are all great staple items to go for. The more structured fit of your items will make your shoulders look bigger and your chest look broader.^{[1]XResearch source}
- If you’re buying a suit, you can go for more of a fitted, figure-hugging cut.
2
Stick with T-shirts for your casual, everyday wear. Whereas women are expected to combine a variety of tops, many men tend to reach for the T-shirt.
- Many men wear T-shirts of their favorite bands, or with artwork from their favorite TV shows and movies.
- If you want to give off an athletic appearance, consider buying plain white, gray, or black shirts. Sportswear would also be a good choice for an athletic male look.
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3
Purchase relaxed fit pants to pair with your shirts. Most men can be seen wearing blue jeans, navy slacks, and khakis. Take a trip to the department store or even a thrift store to save money, and pick up several pairs of pants that are relaxed fit or loose. These will give you a solid foundation to build multiple boyish or manly outfits.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Be sure to pick pants that fit comfortably.
- Currently, skinny jeans are becoming more common among men, and these could also be a good fit for your new look. However, they tend to create a more feminine silhouette.
4
Get a suit and tie for formal occasions. For formal, business, and even some party occasions, it is appropriate to wear a suit and tie. Whether this is a simple blazer and overcoat, or a personally tailored tux, suits are an easy way to give off a male appearance.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Transforming the common female body into a male look often means minimizing your hips and emphasizing your shoulders, so opt for coats with shoulder pads to accentuate the appearance of a masculine build.
- Loud colors like green, pink, and teal are extremely uncommon among male formal wear. In order to pass as male, you will have better luck with suits in shades of navy or gray.
- Don’t worry if you can’t purchase a suit right now. You really only need one if you’re going to a fancy party or a business event. Most men don’t wear suits in everyday life unless they work for a very professional company.
5
Wear comfortable sneakers, loafers, or boots. A common representation of women's shoes is flats, heels, and sandals. For men you will more likely see sneakers (high, mid, and low-tops), boat shoes, boots, moccasins, and loafers. Do you want a sporty look, or more professional? Knowing the answer to this question can help guide you toward the right shoes for you.^{[4]XExpert SourceChloée Ohayon-Crosby
Costume Designer & Wardrobe SpecialistExpert Interview. 24 July 2020.}
- Skateboard shops, department stores, and brand name outlets are good places to find fashionable male shoes.
- Try checking out the men’s section of a shoe store to find a pair that you love.
- When wearing formal wear, be sure to pair your outfit with smart dress shoes. It is best to have them polished without any blemishes in the material.
6
Accessorize with a beanie or a baseball cap to pull your outfit together. If you’re having a messy hair day or it’s chilly outside, a baseball cap or a beanie can be your saving grace. These hats also make any outfit look more cool and casual, so they’re perfect for your average day to day life.^{[5]XResearch source}
- If you have a favorite sports team or a city that you love, try finding a hat with their logo on it.
- The way you wear your hat (forward, backward, angled, etc.) can convey different things about your personality and allows you more expression in your new male look.
7
Put your extra items in a backpack instead of a purse. Although both men and women use backpacks, women also have purses that they can carry. If you’re going for an intentionally masculine look, stick to bringing your extras in your backpack instead.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Backpacks are super convenient since you can fit so much stuff in them. Water bottles, notebooks, an extra change of clothes—throw it in a backpack!
- There are tons of different backpack styles and shapes nowadays. Try looking through a few different brands to pick out one that you like.
8
Carry a satchel or briefcase to look more professional. If you’re older or you want to give off a more mature appearance, satchels and briefcases are the way to go. Leather bags are perfect for professionals, but shoulder strap and bicycle bags are becoming more popular, too.^{[7]XResearch source}
- This is a great option to go for if you aren’t a fan of backpacks (or you think they make you look too young).

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Physical Appearance

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1
Cut your hair into a short men’s style to look more masculine. If your hair is long, there’s a chance that people could perceive you as more feminine. Head to a barber shop and ask for a crew cut, a comb over, a fade, a faux hawk, a shape-up, or waves to look masculine from head to toe.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Take a look at professional hair salon photo galleries and pick out a style that appeals to you.
- Oftentimes it's easier to look at male celebrities to determine what kind of hairstyle feels appropriate or comfortable for you.
2
Use a wig and wig cap if you don’t want to cut your hair. Shaving, or even cutting your hair isn't strictly necessary, especially if you want to be able to wear it down at other times. Braid your hair and use bobby pins to pin it down to your head, then slide a wig cap on over your hair. Use more bobby pins to attach the wig cap to your hair, then pull on any wig that you’d like.^{[9]XResearch source}
- You can find wigs in short hair styles at most wig shops. Look for ones in typical male hairstyles, like crew cuts and fades.
3
Bind your chest to flatten your breasts. Find a high-quality binder from a trusted company to keep your chest and ribs safe. Put on your binder to flatten your breasts, then put your normal clothes on top of it. You can safely wear a binder for 8 to 12 hours without hurting your muscles or your lungs.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Do not use Ace Bandage or duct tape as a binder, as this can cause scarring, limit breathing and create fluid build-up in your lungs, among other possible injuries.
- Do not wear a binder for 24 hours. 8-12 hours is a safe maximum range for binder use.
- Find a binder in your size by measuring your chest. If your binder is too small, it can limit breathing and hurt your ribs.
- If binders are too intense or you can’t get one right now, wear a thick sports bra instead.
4
Pack your underwear to create a bulge. A packer is something that is used to make a realistic bulge in your pants; it’s totally optional, but it can make you feel a bit more masculine. You can put an object in your underwear and leave it there throughout the day or when you’re out and about. There are lots of ways to pack, including:^{[11]XResearch source}
- Rolled up socks. Just put them in your pants or boxer shorts near your crotch area. If you're worried that it'll move out of position, getting boxer shorts made for trans men might be a good option.
- Packers. Packers are usually long objects made of silicone or plastic that are easy to nestle into your underwear. If you're just getting your first packer, the best option is probably the small size, because the medium might make you feel uncomfortable at first.
- STP packers. STP stands for stand to pee, so it means you'll be able to use the bathroom while standing up. These packers generally have a cup at one end and a small hole at the other, so you'll be able to urinate whilst standing up.
5
Consider pursuing hormone treatment therapy. If you are looking into serious physical transition, hormone therapy may be your next step. If you’d like to start that process, you can visit a primary care physician to get more information.^{[12]XResearch source}
- If you don’t want to do hormone therapy, you don’t have to. Make sure you know all of the side effects that could happen, and weigh those with the benefits of taking hormones.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Behavior

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1
Make your voice sound lower and more masculine. If you have a higher voice, don't strain yourself going super low. Instead, aim for a more monotone version of your natural voice. You can also try to sharpen your "s" sounds and avoid a vocal fry at the end of your sentences.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Vocal fry refers to the creaky, deepened, elongation of vowels at the end of your sentence (it kind of sounds like you’re asking a question, even when you’re not). Try to make your sentences full stops instead of tapering off at the end.
2
Use masculine body language when you sit, stand, and walk. When you sit down, lean back and let your legs open just slightly. If you’re standing, put your hands in your pockets to look casual and nonchalant. Stand up tall when you walk and thrust your chest forward to look cool and confident.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Crossing your legs when you sit and playing with your hair are both considered feminine traits. You can still do those things, but you may be perceived as more feminine.
3
Greet people with handshakes and high fives. You can still hug your friends, but when you meet new people, it’s better to go for a firm handshake or a casual high five. If you’re shaking someone’s hand, grip it firmly and maintain eye contact. If you’re going for a high five, keep an eye on the other person’s elbow to land on your target.^{[15]XResearch source}
- For more casual settings, you could also try a fist bump.
- If you are going to give someone a hug, try doing the “bro hug.” Lean in and use one hand to pat your friend’s back a few times as you hug, then pull away quickly.

Break Out of Gender Norms with this Expert Series

You have the right to dress however you like, and, if you're looking to dress as a man or just look more masculine, we have an expert series just for you. These articles will help you crossdress, present as male, and generally look more masculine.

1

Crossdress As a Man (for Women)

Pass As a Male (For FTMs)

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Question
How can I dress more like a man?
Chloée Ohayon-Crosby
Wardrobe Specialist
Chloée Ohayon-Crosby is a Costume Designer and Wardrobe Specialist in Los Angeles, California. With over eight years of experience in fashion consulting, Chloée specializes in personal, film, theater, and commercial styling as well as image consulting and costume design. Chloée has worked as an assistant designer for the distinguished fashion house Chloée and as a freelance stylist with Glamour Italia. Chloée studied Fine/Studio Arts at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and Fashion Design and Merchandising at the world renowned ESMOD École Supérieure des Arts in Paris, France.
Chloée Ohayon-Crosby
Wardrobe Specialist
Expert Answer
I would gravitate more towards boxy, structured clothing, like t-shirts, jackets with shoulder pads, and thick denim jeans. Pair your outfit with bulky shoes like boots or sneakers.
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Question
How do you dress masculine?
Chloée Ohayon-Crosby
Wardrobe Specialist
Chloée Ohayon-Crosby is a Costume Designer and Wardrobe Specialist in Los Angeles, California. With over eight years of experience in fashion consulting, Chloée specializes in personal, film, theater, and commercial styling as well as image consulting and costume design. Chloée has worked as an assistant designer for the distinguished fashion house Chloée and as a freelance stylist with Glamour Italia. Chloée studied Fine/Studio Arts at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and Fashion Design and Merchandising at the world renowned ESMOD École Supérieure des Arts in Paris, France.
Chloée Ohayon-Crosby
Wardrobe Specialist
Expert Answer
If you'd like a more masculine look, look for structured clothing like jackets with shoulder pads or thick denim jeans. When it comes to casual tops, stick with T-shirts. T-shirts are a good choice for self-presenting as a man, and it's fun to pick out shirts that align with your interests.
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I'm wearing 2 sports bras and there is a little bit of breast showing. What can I do?
Community Answer
Try covering it with a baggy shirt, or wearing clothes that draw attention away from your chest, like scarves, vests, or hoodies.
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