Why Fit Can Feel So Complicated

Most mainstream clothing is designed around narrow, rigid ideas of body shape. For many trans women and trans feminine people, this means garments often don’t sit quite right — especially during or outside of medical transition.

Fit challenges are not a personal failure. They are a design problem.

Issue: Tightness Across the Shoulders or Upper Arms

Many trans women find tops that fit the bust may feel restrictive across the shoulders or arms.

What can help:

• Stretch fabrics with elastane or spandex

• Raglan or dolman sleeves

• Sizing up and tailoring elsewhere if needed
  

Comfort should always come before size labels.

Issue: Gaping or Poor Fit at the Bust

Early in transition — or without HRT — some tops may gape at the chest or sit awkwardly.

What can help:

• High-neck or scoop-neck styles

• Ruched or gathered fabric

• Soft internal lining or compression

• Layering with tanks or singlet tops

Fit solutions can be subtle and still affirming.

Issue: Waist-to-Hip Proportions Not Lining Up

Many garments assume a specific hip-to-waist ratio that doesn’t reflect trans bodies.

What can help:

• A-line cuts

• Wrap styles

• Elastic or adjustable waistbands

• Looser silhouettes

Issue: Bulge Visibility or Dysphoria

This is one of the most common and sensitive fit concerns — especially in swimwear.

What can help:

• Double-layered fabrics

• Firmer front panels

• Skirted or longer-line swim bottoms such as swim skorts

There is no single “right” approach. Comfort and safety come first.

Issue: Leg Length or Rise Feels Off

Bottoms may feel too short in the rise or awkward in length.

What can help:

• Mid-rise or high-rise designs

• Stretch fabrics

• Longer-leg shorts

• Prioritising rise measurement over garment size

A good rise often matters more than overall length.

Issue: Emotional Fit Matters Too

Sometimes a garment technically fits — but still feels wrong.

That matters.

Fit isn’t just physical. Emotional comfort, dysphoria reduction, and confidence are just as important as measurements. If something makes you want to hide or rush through your day, it’s okay to choose something else.

A Closing Note

Trans women and trans feminine people are not “hard to fit.”  Clothing systems simply weren’t designed with them in mind.

Seeking garments that honour your body as it is — right now — is not vanity. It’s care. And every small moment of comfort is worth it.