November 11, 2010 12:07 PM GMT
When I dress, the most important factor for me is to pass. Whether I do or not is another story but at least that is what my mission is. So, I try to match my clothing to the place I'm going to and the kind of event I'm attending. I would not wear the same kind of outfit on a trip to the supermarket as I would if I were going out for the evening.
I'm also very much aware that some girls do not dress their age and that is often a great way to be read. For an extreme example, consider the fictitious Boris, a 45 year old, 16 stone crossdresser who tries to dress like an 18 year old Britney Spears.
Even Britney, at the grand old age of 29, would have trouble recreating that look now so what chance has Boris got. It's not just body shape but it's also the clothes. Younger people, male and female, tend to wear different kinds of clothes at different stages of their lives.
A 45 year old woman who tries to dress much younger than her years will get scornful looks from other women and men will be thinking, "mutton dressed as lamb".
As a TG person who's out in public, dressing inappropriately makes people look twice. Whereas you may have passed if wearing appropriate clothing that befits your situation and age, not doing so will get you read.
Upon their first glance at you, other people's brains subconsciously weigh you up in a split second and decide whether to give you a second glance and look closer. The first glance checks to see if you are a threat or if you are desirable as a mate and if neither they usually pass by you without a second glance.
The danger comes when they do look twice and deeper because that's when they see those imperfections that give you away. The trick then, is to not give others a reason for looking twice.
So, that is what is uppermost in my mind when I'm choosing an outfit. Will I blend in and just look like another woman in the crowd (which is what I want), or will I stand out like a man in a dress.
Hey, you probably know all this already but if you don't, it's all in my book, 'Katie Glover's Girl Guide'...
http://gendersociety.com/girlguide/
Hugs, Katie x
November 11, 2010 12:44 PM GMT
Excellent point, Katie. I think appropriateness (is that a word?) is very important when we start dressing. Like a few have said, I look around and try to blend in as best I can. I live in Iowa, a fair distance from anything important here in the states. Also, I usually dress like the lesbians in the area. Women in their early 40s here almost never wear makeup and since the facial hair I have left is gray, it doesn't show at all.
I know there are a lot of girls who wear some kind of dress or skirt nearly everyday. That's not me. I don't have issues with makeup or skirts/dresses. In fact, when the weather is nice I do like wearing skirts. I have issues with dresses mostly having to do with my shape but I'm not fundamentally against them. I've dealt with CDs and some TSs giving me strange looks because of my "soft butch" wardrobe. But when I started transition, I said the one thing I'd be is myself.
As soon as I can find a couple of pair of dress shoes in women's size 14 E, my wardrobe will increase dramatically. Think I'll post a thread about it.
Z
November 11, 2010 5:54 PM GMT
Zoe,
You might want to check out these sites for larger shoes:
http://www.barefoottess.c[...]0=:A00I
An Italian site that does custom shoes:
http://www.italianheels.c[...]n.shtml
http://www.snaz75.com/pl-[...]20.html
http://www.shoes4stars.co[...]2l.html
*******************
Somewhat similar, but perhaps more negative in outlook, to Katie...I dress with the hope of someone seeing me thinking "what a large, homely, mannish-looking woman" and looking away before they read me....best possible case and my fond hope. Failing that, I hope that at the least they will say: "Well, she HAS good taste."
This post was edited by katieglover at January 7, 2014 10:27 AM GMT
November 11, 2010 6:28 PM GMT
I dress to impress myself. I know just what I like and I get it and I wear it. I spent a lot of time in front of mirrors swirling and posing and flipping up my skirts! Up till I started putting stuff on YouTube I was the only one who saw me dressed most often so there really was no body to impress. My wife thinks the clothes I get are cute. I dress way too young for my age though and wouldn't feel comfortable walking down the sidewalk. If I were to dress for others, I would wear more age appropriate clothing.
November 14, 2010 4:53 PM GMT
Melody , I dress to impress mostly other women truth be told . In fact , other women at my church are the first to make a nice comment as to what I am attired in . I feel like to impress some of them as they are far wealthier than I , well ,you know the rest . I buy 99 % of my wardrobe from Thrift stores ! Ellen
