Volleyball Instructor?

What would be a nice gender-neutral outfit for indoor volleyball?

• This fall semester in college I'm going to take a volleyball course and am really worried about what top/bottom I should wear. I'm a transgender woman so I'm having a difficult time finding attire that I'd be comfortable wearing. If I dress too masculine, it'll feel like I'm wearing a costume and I'll feel out of place since most of my classmates will be other women. In past PE classes, going this route has kept me making any real friends and has kinda translated into me struggling to do well in the course (because of lower focus and confidence). However, if I dress too feminine, I'll feel normal and comfortable in terms of self-image, but I'll feel awkward all the time because I'm generally ultra-self conscious as it is and I'm afraid everyone will think I'm some kind of cross-dressing freak. I mean, I know I shouldn't care about what people think of me since I'm just there to learn and play, but I don't have a lot of friends or people that care about me, so the opinions of strangers sort of hold extra weight. Yeah, its weird I know. So here's what I ordered so far (I don't have any VBall stores locally so I'm buying everything online): White shoes, 2 pr black crew socks/2 knee-high socks(1 yellow/black, 1 blue), black knee pads. (I looked everywhere online and it seems like there's just as many players that prefer knee-high sock to crew ones, so I went half and half) Here's my first challenge: spandex vs. shorts. Personally I'd feel comfortable getting black (or a some graphic pattern) spandex with about a 5 1/2" inseam, but I'm a 5'10" cyclist, so I'm not sure I have the legs for that. The plus side is I'd have all the athletic advantages if I went with this (range of motion, diving friction, staying cool, lightweight, etc). Another option is men's shorts with about 8" inseam, but those just feel really baggy for my taste and they just say "generic" all over them and I'm all about having the right outfit for the right occasion--especially when performance is involved. Besides with those I'd worry that if my body moved the wrong way when lunging or something others would see part of me they shouldn't. Also, with that low of an inseam my legs would practically all be covered and I'd be like a mummy running around the gym! Another option I was considering was ordering some softball sliding spandex. I'd have a nice 6-7" inseam and it'd be more form-fitting...but I'm thinking it'd ride up all the time too. I saw a pair of McDavid spandex that had 3mm hip padding that I fell in love with (I have really bony hips, lol), but it had a 4 1/2" inseam, so I dunno if that'd work. My 2nd challenge is the top: I have no idea if I should get a jersey or a shirt. Each respectively having yellow and blue highlights to match my socks. They seem to carry both types of tops on volleyball clothing sites, but the shirts seem to have cute slogans and images...which implies to me they're moreso made for spectators rather than players. It's a hard choice either way because I like the short sleeves because they allow me to have freer shoulder movement...but I can't pick cap sleeve or sleeveless because I'm embarrassed about how broad my shoulders are (cap sleeves on my body would look sleeveless). But the only other alternative seems to be 3/4 length sleeves for jerseys and I'm not sure if they'd be too constrictive or not in terms of arm movement--plus the shoulders seem to have a squared cut to them, so I have a hunch they would bunch up above my shoulder if I went that route and that'd look weird. As far as shirts go I'm afraid they might be too baggy even though the sleeves on those seem to be okay. Men's shirts are definitely out of the question I think...I have a small frame (2 of me could normally fit into 1 men's shirt, lol), so if I ordered smaller I'm worried that they show too much of my waist and, admittedly, I don't look forward to advertising that I need to lose 10 pounds. I know I could ask my instructor these things when class starts, but I have a feeling she'd be uncomfortable and give me very brief and vague guidance. I mean I don't know her personally, but that's how most people react when I ask for fashion advice. Plus, waiting 'til the last minute means having nothing to wear while I'm waiting a couple weeks for everything to get shipped to me. One last small thing, I sprained my ankle about 5 years ago and am wondering if I should get a preventative ankle brace for that foot? Thank you everyone for any help that you can offer (especially if you read through this long novel, lol)...I have virtually no experience playing volleyball, so your insight is definitely appreciated! ^_^

• Answer:

  Okay! After reading this I have come down to a few things! One thing you should know is that volleyball is not a fashion show! Yeah, you have to look some what cute (like having you socks match your shirt :)) but don't get too hung up on it! I would wear spandex and a baggy t shirt for working out! Don't go with the too long spandex because they just get annoying and they start to roll up and its not pretty! Try looking at Asics spandex, they comein various sizes and lengths and they are really comfortable! Even if you aren't comfortable to wear spandex (i wasn't when I first started because I have thunder thighs :)) no one judges you if you wear running shorts instead of spandex! Mobility is key, if you can't move or don't feel comfortable in your outfit, you shouldn't wear it :) good luck and sorry fro writing a novel back :)