Recently I've been receiving emails asking for advice
on cross-dressing (laughs)
Honestly, I'm surprised! But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't flattered....
I can't give you an exact method for how to pass for
a man, but I can give you some pointers and personal anectdotes
for those who are curious, or who simply want to try it out and
see if you prefer being male. I personally am quite happy as a female,
and when I'm not cross dressing would never be mistaken for a man,
but everyone has their own preferences.
Please remember that everything here is meant as a suggestion, and
that different methods will work for different people. The important
thing here is to work with your natural body and face shape.
Suggestions
1. Work out
Men's bodies have different muscle and skeletal structures, the
most noticeable being the collarbone and hips. However, there are
other factors that play into the male frame; women, who ironically
worry about their weight much more than men do on average, have
an extra layer of fat over their muscles! In order to mitigate the
effects of that, you really might want to try muscle toning excersizes
and running. Mens leg muscles are widest at a lower point than women's
leg muscles and their arms are usually more toned. However, if you
are serious about working out, you can get to a more angrogenous
point. You'll still be 100% female though - don't worry! I don't
mean bodybuilding! (>_<) Just a few repititions every other
day. It'll tone without adding muscle unless you really need muscle
anyway, and in that case then it's good you did it either way.
For legs, I suggest aerobic excersize like running. I run about
5 miles every other day.
If you're naturally heavyset, still try to get some muscle definition.
And none of those silly energy bars or drinks; they're all sugar.
Do remember that there is such a thing as "butch", and
decide if you want to be a cross-dresser, "male", or a
dyke. They're quite different things.
2. Tape your Chest
I don't have much of one, so a middle schooler's sports bra works
fine for me. However, you can try bandaging your chest. If you do
this, it's better to move excess body quantity a little higher than
just smooshing down towards your tummy. Also, try going horizontally
even. That looks more natural (what guy's rib cage is wider than
his chest?!).
Try minimizing your bottom too, somehow XD I can't believe I'm talking
about this......
3. Get a good quality wig
I get my wigs from the Subnade wig shop in Shinjuku, which is
were Vivienne Sato also goes apparently. Don't spend $100 on one,
but also make sure it isn't made of plastic like the ones at the
Haloween Shops. You may want to try to go for a wig that will make
your face look longer, and which fits your natural face shape. Women's
faces tend to be rounder than men's, so those with really round
faces should see if you can find something that mitigates that.
I use the "Yon Pe" wig model. If you don't know who he
is, please look him up. He is funny.
4. Make-up changes face structure
Apply light foundation/concealer/translucent powder first. You
don't have to, but it'll make the rest of your make-up look a lot
more even and natural.
a. Eyes - men's eyes aren't usually as round. Try making your eyes
appear narrower by underlining your lower lashes in a medium-light
brown eyeliner. Underlining your entire lid will only make your
eyes look rounder, so do the last 1/2, and try drawing an extra
line to bring the focus a bit more onto the outer part of your eyes.
Next, using a few shades of matte brown sweep eyeshadow through
the crease of your eyelid and a little out past your eye to make
them appear longer and narrower. As with any make-up, blend a few
colors and make sure they're worked into your face to look natural.
You can add eyeliner to the upper lid if it's more convincing, but
no mascherra. Depending on your eye, you may have to use eyeshadow
along the entire crease, or maybe only on the outer 1/2.
Finally, put a little white on your brow bone just at the end of
your eyebrow and blend in. This doesn't make you more guyish, but
it does make you prettier.
b. Eyebrows - pluck all stray
hairs. chose a shade of eyebrow pencil only slightly darker than
your natural color/wig color and draw your eyebrows a little heavier
on the inside, shortening the space between your eye and eyebrow.
Go less for an arched shape than an inward slanting line that gets
thinner as it goes out. Don't just have a line though; do have a
naturally looking brow. Unibrows are not recommended.
c. Lips - Use a natural colored
lipstick (look at your friend's and father's lip colors before deciding).
Don't go too natural, but no bright pinks. Work with your skin color.
Also, try to make your lips a bit more squarish and less arched
at the top.
d. Facial structure - with
a light brown eyeshadow, you may want to try contouring/etc. Go
over your jawbone on the sides of your face to try and thin your
face out. This may also work well with the hollows of your cheeks.
e. Experiment! - as I said,
depending on what your natural face shape is, you're going to have
different features that stick out as "female." Try looking
up make-up contouring online. I myself don't have any, so I've got
nothing to suggest offhand.
I also know Tyra Banks went undercover as a man for a while, so
you might want to see if there are any copies of that episode running
around. (I sooooo don't watch the Tira Banks show! I just turned
on the TV for my monthly viewing of Billy and Mandy and it was on
the wrong channel due to my Dad's obsessive habit of recording Stargate
and The 4400...)
5. Clothing
Naturally, chose long-sleeved shirts that hide your hips and
avoid anything that shows your neck or chest too much. You've not
an Adamsapple. Chose what you think will look best on you. I myself
can't pull off "football player" (I weigh about 100 lbs
XD), and besides, you're already wearing make-up ; ). You can though,
wear, say......hm. If you've properly modified your chest you could
get away with a hoodie, tank top, and basketball shorts.
But my suggestion is to go metrosexual (*lol*). Just don't wear
pointy cowboy boots and Abercrombie because that's a little too
over-the-top. In terms of Gothic & Lolita, cyber, punk, gothic,
and oojisama are the better styles, or you could go for a "dandy"
look.
By the way, baggier clothes make you look larger, so a baggy gothic
shirt with long sleeves will not only bulk up your chest, but it'll
look extremely cute too. Avoid tight pants, obviously.
6. Movement
Men sit, walk, and move differently from women. There's nothing
more masculine than sitting with your legs out 45 degree and resting
your elbows on them, as a suggestion. Watch how men walk also, and
you'll see that their center of balance is located in their chest,
causing them to naturally saunter a little more than women do.
I suggest finding a random male, such as a friend or parent, telling
them you're going to be studying them, and then just observing how
they move. I myself found some random guy and copied him, and now
I'm a little "flamboyant"....well, anyhow.
7. Personality
If you know what guys are interested in and can actually "hang"
with them, it'll help. So yeah. I get mistaken for a man sometimes
online because of my random love of Japanese boy's cartoons and
knowlege of things gay and Dada. Decide what you want to be and
be it. Utena might be cool if you're going for a Prince. Nichome-ish
might work better if you're going for cute younger brother.
I....no matter who or what I am, I end up a complete weirdo (laughs)...so....
8. Voice
Try not to speak XD
That's all I can offer. If you have any specific questions please
email me.
Just as an explaination of my experiences, I've dressed up and scared
people out of the women's bathroom in Japan.
At the lolita event I went to, some people did think I was male,
but it wasn't as convincing because I was ooji-kei.
I also found a gay man who looked frighteningly like me when I do
cross-dress
(he was so gay XD I could tell the moment I saw him that he was
reading Patalliro~).
But everyone at the drag clubs could tell I was female, so you'll
not be able to fool everyone. First off, you don't have facial hair....
You can see somewhat poor examples in the gallery, and when I find
more pictures I'll post them here. I do have a really nice one I've
been trying to find....I'd fall in lerve with me *lol*
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