#transtips

So as we all know, buying packing underwear is expensive, a pain, and it's becoming a minefield to find companies that are not ✨the worst✨ (looking at you, tomboyx.)

As such, I decided that I would make the cheap ass guide to making your own packing underwear.

TW FOR AN UNCENSORED PACKER (it's not heavily detailed, but it's out and about)

Supplies:

I'll start by saying that everything in this tutorial was purchased on Amazon, not because I like their business practices, but because it's cheap and accessible even if you can't drive or you need to hide what you're buying. If you bought from an adult website like RodeOh or a queer site like Tomboyx (which again, don't recommend them in specific), they may not always provide discreet packaging. But an Amazon package looks like an Amazon package no matter what's inside. It's always discreet by the fact that it's Amazon.

A pair of underwear of your choice (I'm using boxer briefs)

One no-show ankle sock in an appropriate size (I have a small packer, so my sock is the smallest women's size listed, 5-7)

Your silicone packer (soft packers work best for this)

Sewing needle

Sewing pins (technically optional but incredibly helpful)

Thread

Scissors

Info: you'll only need very incredibly basic sewing knowledge. Like, if you can knit the thread and do a whip stitch, you're good.

Step 1: Line up the sewing area

Turn your underwear inside out and lay flat, with the front area upwards. Lay the sock where you want your packer to sit on your underwear, right side out, with the ankle hole facing up towards you. Ensure that the heel of the sock is close to the waistband, and the toe is toward the legs. Pin your sock in place.

Step 2: Sew the sock in

Once you've pinned it in place, sew the ankle sock in at the top and bottom with a whip stitch. If you're new to sewing, start at the waist band for a small guide. The waistband has three lines of stitching, and if you go in at the bottom line, and up through the middle line, you'll get a good idea of the size of stitches you need once you go in for the bottom.

Step 3: put the packer in the hole and wear!

Seriously, that's it. Once you have your sock tacked into place, simply slide your packer into the ankle hole of the sock and put the underwear on!

Notes for use:

This is not the most secure method of sewing. double check the state of the stitching after every time you wash the boxers.

Ensure that you remove the packer every time you launder your boxers. There are enough pairs of boxers in the linked set that you ought to be able to wear a different pair daily. Just move the packer to the next pair as needed.

This can be done faster and more securely with a sewing machine. I recommend using a machine with a straight stitch if you have access to it.

Total cost of supplies listed (including shipping, tax, etc): $56.91

Cost of supplies per pair: $11.38

Listen, I know how much of an ordeal showering can be for us DTs, but it still needs to happen. Here’s some tips that can (hopefully) make the whole process easier.

1. Don’t bathe. While it’s less work, you will spend more time looking at yourself than if you just shower.

2. Know what clothes you’re going to change into. Having your outfit picked out will minimize the time spent undressed. Keep them in the bathroom so you won’t have to walk back to your room to change.

3. Use the products you like. If you’re a trans guy, using products marketed towards girls can trigger dysphoria (and vice versa). But, if you feel comfortable using women’s products, there’s nothing wrong with that!!! Just use whatever soap/shampoo etc. brand you want.

Now, if you’re closeted or have unacceptibg parents, this may not be possible. If you can’t get “men’s” products, try going for unisex brands. Head&Shoulders is a good one with a variety of scents and is marketed for anyone.

If worst comes to worst, you can try using the products of other men (or women) in the house. This can be risky if they notice, so try to use as little as possible and refill the bottle with some water. Be careful of making the shampoo to watery!

4. Shower in the dark. It sounds silly, but having the lights off/your eyes closed can make a world of difference. If you do it often enough, you’ll be able to find the bottles and whatnot that you need with touch rather than sight.

5. Use your imagination. Washing yourself sucks, but (guys) try to imagine yourself with a flat chest and a penis. It honestly helps me a lot.

6. Play music. Preferably your favorite songs. Singing along can help distract you from the task at hand.

7. If you simply can’t bear to get in the shower, don’t sweat it. Wash your hair in a sink or use dry shampoo. Scrub your armpits and any other places you feel necessary with a soapy washcloth. Apply deodorant and a fresh set of clothes and go.

Hello here are some tips I find prevents/stops some dysphoria for me.

1- Shower. I normally feel dirty when dysphoria kicks in. Showering is like a reset for me. I get lost in the water and when I get out I feel 10× better

2- Surround yourself with masc things. I will use masc shampoo and body wash to change my smell. I also sometimes spray my bed with a little cologne to make it smell more masc.

3- Sleeping. Sometimes to rid myself of dysphoria I sleep. When I sleep/lay down I sometimes forget about my body. Like how when your brain ignores your nose. For me if I don't wear a shirt/wear a big hoodie I forget about them. I also lay on my front when I sleep.

Youtube is a great place to find information on gender, hormone therapy, all of the different surgeries, legal name changes, therapy, and pretty much everything else you want to know about living life as a transgender person. Here’s a quick reminder for if you do decide to look for information about being trans on Youtube:

DON’T READ THE COMMENTS!

Especially with what’s going on in the world right now. You may find some good and generally supportive comments, but you will also find a lot of violent and hateful comments as well. Take it from a trans guy who made the mistake of looking at the comments on transgender related videos before I was completely confident in my identity, it’s not a good idea. It caused me a lot of unnecessary pain, and actually set back my coming out because of how insecure and depressed those comments made me.