Every day of the year we field calls from beginners that have never experienced the rush of wearing breast forms. As a newbie curious about the effect this can have on your own journey from drab maleness to gloriously en femme it’s easy to make expensive mistakes when considering such a purchase. Here we will introduce you to the basics when considering your first pair so that your whole fem-self is elevated when you make the right choice both for your size and budget.
What are breast forms?
Prostheses that simulate a female breast and are most commonly made of silicone gel enclosed in a plastic PU outer film that acts as a skin. Silicone breasts most closely mimic the weight and consistency of breast flesh to give the wearer a realistic feel as well as creating a realistic and shapely bust appearance. Other materials include latex, foam, cloth and alternative (to silicone) gel forms.
How to choose your first breast forms?
Do your research as you will find prices can vary from under $30 for a basic pair to over $1000 for a bespoke set of realistic breast forms crafted by high-end prostheses engineers. As a crossdresser or pre-op transgender woman your needs are different to those of a post-mastectomy female patient. Make sure to shop for breasts for men with a specialist like Glamour Boutique. Most CD’s and pre-op transgender clients at the beginning will need flat backed silicone forms to get a good fit with their forms. However, if they are soon to embark on HRT they may then need to change to a breast form with a concave back to be able to fit their own breast as it grows. Other considerations will be your own body shape. For example, a person with broad shoulders will need a wider shape like an asymmetrical or triangular breast form to nullify their male shape.
Call or visit a reputable supplier to get the correct size the first time for the most realistic appearance. Alternatively, follow our simple sizing guide tips if you are shopping online. If you guess, you will likely end up with something too big, uncomfortable and not realistic.
How do breast forms work?
Breast forms work when they mimic the appearance and feel of a genuine female bust to make the wearer feel comfortable and confident. To do this they must be the correct proportion and be worn on or against the chest. This can be achieved by wearing in a specialist pocket-bra. The breast forms are fitted into a pocket at the back of the bra that holds the form in place, right way up and hugs the chest wall when worn. These pocket bras are shear at the front to add realism to the appearance and the material has stretch and give so the breast forms move and bounce like real breasts as the wearer moves.
A similar effect is also achieved when silicone breast prostheses are glued to the chest wall with medically approved adhesive. Once dried in place, the breastforms feel as though they are a part of the wearer’s body and for many this is one of the biggest ‘aha moments’ as a crossdresser or transgender woman.
A recent innovation is the breastplate which is an all-in-one silicone shirt that is like wearing a second skin and incorporates realistic drooping breast forms with the obvious advantage of having realistic cleavage. Once they buy their first pair of standard breast forms, many beginners want to know how to get cleavage. There are various methods but the simplest is using a breast plate.
What can you wear over your breast forms?
Once attached with glue to the chest or with a bra you can wear any feminine shaped garment like lingerie, top, cami, dress or even swimsuit on top. Over 95% of our beginner crossdressers purchase a bra with their first set of breast forms. If you don’t wear them with a specialist pocket-bra then we recommend an underwire bra with a fuller cup in order to be able to support the size and weight of the silicone breast form. With demi-cup bras you will need breast form adhesive on the back of the forms or they may fall out of the bra. Sports bras should only be worn with small and/or lightweight breast forms for the same reason. Large breast forms should only be worn in full cup bras and preferably with wider, cushioned shoulder-straps to help spread the weight.
Breast form care and advice
With a little care and maintenance your breast forms can last many years. For example, store in the box they came in when not being worn and keep as close to a moderate room temperature as possible. Silicone prostheses in particular do not like extremes of heat, cold or sharp objects. When dressing en femme do so in the right order: undergarments/foundations including breast forms and bras, outfit etc and lastly accessories like jewelry that have sharp edges. Do all you can to make sure you handle your breast forms gently including keeping nails well-groomed with no sharp points or edges.
If you decide to use medical breast form adhesive make sure to purchase adhesive remover to get the glue off breast forms after each wearing or you will damage them. Breast form adhesive is cheap, easy to use and will protect your investment.
Preparation also enhances results, so you can wear breast forms for longer by using anti-perspirant sprays to prepare your skin before application.
If you want to sleep in your forms either consider buying a second pair of sleep-safe breast forms or buy a pair of all-purpose hard-wearing breast forms that look good and can be slept in. Most traditional soft silicone gel forms should NOT be slept in as they will leak or burst in time.
Once you know your correct size and have an idea of the feminine shape you wish to achieve e.g. conservative/demure or buxom and shapely, choosing the right breast forms will be easy. If you are shopping on a budget then as a beginner head on over to our breast form shop for a wide range of affordable breast forms.
