But Why?

[KrystalA]

I've seen quite a few threads here concerning 'dressing age-appropriate', and I can't help but ask myself why. If I were to dress appropriately for my age, I'd have to wear granny panties and a frumpy ol' house dress. Right now, I'm wearing a pink turtle neck sweater and a cute wrap skirt that comes about halfway down to my knees, and 4" heels. I've been told that my legs look good, and although my face could never 'pass' as female, I love wearing clothes that are more designed for someone half my age or younger. In my opinion, I'd say appropriate dress is whatever makes you feel the way you want to feel. What d'you think?

[StevieTV]

You raise a valid point. If you are not trying to pass, I feel you should wear what ever you feel like. Now if you are trying to pass, I'm a firm believer of blending. Where I live you will never see 4+" heels, micro minis, etc in a mall, yet you will see slacks, skirts, blouses and sweaters. Age appropriate shouldn't equate to "frumpy". Like I said this is my opinion.

[sammysaenz]

I agree girl. Wear what makes you happy.

[Cheryl T]

Those discussion are aimed at those of us who do go out in public and are concerned about "passing".
If you dress like a little girl (I have seen that in a local Dress Barn) or try to wear styles that are much too young for your obvious age then you will draw undesired attention and certainly not "pass".
It's not a proposal that you wear clothing that is fitting for your age, but a suggestion that you don't dress in a manner that a "tell" to those around you.

I remember when I first joined Tri-Ess. We have an outing to the movies and dinner every so often and our president would obtain the tickets in advance. Some couldn't make it that night and she had to return some of them. As we stood around waiting for her to do so we could see a group of young girls pointing, giggling and such. They were looking at us. All this happened as our president (dressed for her age...something of the little old lady style) walked past them, heard their comments and giggled herself that she went unnoticed. She told us about it when she came back. Just shows you how you can fit in if you look the part.
Same goes for those who want to become "WalMartians" and wear mini skirts and 4" heels to shop at WalMart. You can bet you will be noticed and not slip under the radar, but then again, some of us apparently prefer to push the envelope.

[Launa]

Well I think you should do what you want. I know I wouldn't pass either but in my case I am dressing age appropriate because it feels great and I want to do it. So what does that mean? I have seen lots of mature women who look outstanding such as Helen Muiren, Jane Fonda, Isabella Rossolini, Meryl Streep just to name a few and those girls rock! Just because your older it doesn't mean you have to wear some pilgrim dress from the 1800's like your going to church or the older lady who shops at K-mart who wears shirts with embroided flowers on the front collar and fat persons slacks with a big gunt. However I'm never going out wearing a grad dress like a teeny bopper because of my age unless its some kind of a preformance show or something goofy. I do have some nice ruffly gowns that look good on me.

[Maria 60]

You are so right, and for myself i never go out in public so my legs are my best fetcher so i might as well show them and God knows i love to show them, but if i had to go out in public i don't think i would like to draw that type of attention and it wouldn't look age appropriate.

[prettytoes]

I like to dress in clothes typically worn by girls far younger than my age. I do not go out dressed, I keep it in the house. I dress because it relaxes me and makes me feel complete. I prefer mini skirts, short sweater dresses with tights, etc. I do not like, or feel comfortable in "granny panties", it's satin bikinis for me! When I paint my toenails I like to use very bright, vibrant colors that are normally seen on younger women.
I dress in what feels comfortable, makes me happy, and makes me feel good!

[StephanieC]

I'm not sure this is always a black-and-white question. What is "appropriate" and even "age-appropriate" has different meanings to different people. A lot has to do with the setting, weather, etc as well as thing like the cut of the outfit, body type, etc. I've seen 4 inch platforms worn with pants by female financial accounts at work and I've seen older woman in skirts just a little bit shorter than usual or with really attractive patterned tights...so there is a certain "grey area" in the real world. I think "blending" goes beyond attire to attitude, poise, etc. People that have trouble working in heels might bring just as much attention even if they are dress "age appropriate"...so it's not just the clothes. Just don't go to an extreme in any of those aspects. Or perhaps a better suggestion would be "think with a female brain" rather than a "male brain": I think it's usually the "male brain" causes people to go over the top.

[MissMarcie]

Wear whatever you want if you're dressing in the privacy of your home. If you go out in public, use some common sense and try to dress age appropriate and like other women you see in public. This is probably the worst thing about CD's, some want to dress like an 18 year old hottie in public and still hope to pass. Guess what? You're never ever going to pass in public dressed like that.

[KellyJameson]

We present ourselves to the world for affect or from indifference and both are choices, one is conscious the other is not unless you wish it to be so and than it's not. Everything is an expression of the self and each of us decides how we want our worlds to be shaped, we are builders of reality after all. I prefer to shape my world in mini skirts, tight sweaters and four inch heels and stand on corners expounding the virtues of chastity but this is natural because as a child I would burn up unsuspecting ants with my magnifying glass.

[RenneB]

As one from the 'blender' group, I've taken that comment more than once or twice and tryed to incorporate it into my next wardrobe purchase. I still prefer to wear the near-mini skirt but when out to the mall and all, I tend to go with something that will get me to pass at 20 meters. And yes I still prefer to be a member of the 4 inch club and so far have only one pair of boots that is less than 4, I think they're about 2-1/2, while the entire shoe closet of mine is still in the 4 inch range.

Renne.....

[Ellyn]

You do not hear about it often, but there is also "event appropriate" dress. I was recently at a funeral, and there were a couple of ladies there who were borderline on age appropriate, with their short skirts and bright colours. Definately not what I would consider "event appropriate" for attending a funeral. They were in what I would consider to be "party dress. You would stick out like a sore thumb at many social events if you dressed in their manor. Fashionable clothes in subdued colours are best if you want to blend in.

[Marleena]

I love mini skirts and dresses and look good in them but I'm over 50. I only wear them in the house.

Out in public is different, I'm putting together a wardrobe to blend in closer to my age group. Knee length pencil skirts, long tops with leggings etc.

[Miranda-E]

the age part of age appropriate is less important than the APPROPRIATE part.

A 40 year old woman dressed like a teenage tramp doesn't look look a teenager, she looks like a tramp.
sexy and stylish can bed done at any age. Mutton dressed as lamb just looks pathetic.

[DonnaT]

If it looks good on you then wear it.

[linda allen]

I've seen quite a few threads here concerning 'dressing age-appropriate', and I can't help but ask myself why. If I were to dress appropriately for my age, I'd have to wear granny panties and a frumpy ol' house dress. Right now, I'm wearing a pink turtle neck sweater and a cute wrap skirt that comes about halfway down to my knees, and 4" heels. I've been told that my legs look good, and although my face could never 'pass' as female, I love wearing clothes that are more designed for someone half my age or younger. In my opinion, I'd say appropriate dress is whatever makes you feel the way you want to feel. What d'you think?

If you're at home or in private, you can wear anything you want. If you go out in public, you might want to think about what's appropriate for your age, what's appropriate for the place or activity, and what's appropriate for the time of day. That is of course, unless you don't care what people think or just want to wear a sign that says "look at me, I'm a crossdresser".

The next time you are out, dressed or not, observe what women are wearing. Seldom will you see a woman wearing 4: heels and a miniskirt unless she is either very young, or somewhat older, but on her way to, or at a bar or club. An older female dressed like that is apt to be taken for a hooker.

You don't have to dress as a bag lady if you're older, but older women usually wear longer skirts and lower heels.

[jillleanne]

The old saying goes something like this: If you want to look like a ****, dress like a ****. If you want to look like a lady, dress like a lady. There's no right or wrong, only personal choice, but there is perception by others and only you can decide what you prefer and how you define it regardless of what others may define it as.

[CINDYO]

sure you can dress how ever you like if you are just wearing the clothes and not trying to emulate a lady, no problem. As a GG when i see mature women wearing what a 19 year old kid wears i wonder what in heck they are thinking, not to mention how rediculous they look. I figure it is attention seeking, but you are correct wear what ever turns your crank, just not out in public, does not look good

[Lorileah]

AAARRRRRRGGGGHHHHH! for a group of people who are asking to be accepted we are the most unaccepting people I know.

Who makes up these rules? The same people who tell you you cannot wear a dress. They are the ones who say that one thing is acceptable while another is not and you buy into it. You can't wear "X" but you can wear "Y" IF you do it in this circumstance. So basically what some of you are saying is "yes you can wear that if you don't go out." It is the same thing you are all complaining about that others tell you.

If you like what you wear and it isn't breaking a law (such as exposure), why should you have to stay indoors? And why would other call you names? What is a "lady"? It is just another societal imposition on a group of people. Well guess what I must dress as a ***** because I will and do wear skirts and dresses that are mid-thigh. Any of you want to tell me to my face? Because I am sure there is something about you that someone will find unacceptable. Can you all spell Hypocrite? Let me help..look in the mirror.

This is something that comes up a lot here. I just want to know which elf died and made you all Mr Keebler? Last time I looked there was no "Old crone" section at the department store. AAARRRGGH

[Marleena]

@ Lorileah, I don't thing anybody is really telling us what to wear. It is our choice, really.

I just don't want any extra attention since I'm new at this. I said I would not wear miniskirts outside of the house due to my age. But if I went to a TG club where other girls were wearing them, I could change my tune quickly.

[angeloftheknight]

My SO Nikki likes to dress like a teenager, which is fine in the house, although he has been out like this too. Nikki felt rather uncomfortable because she thought others were looking.

I have had to guide Nikki in appropriate 'outdoor' wear so she can become more comfortable and in doing so she has more confidence. She still dressess like at teenager at home ( and acts like one at times) when the mood takes her.

I'm not saying age appropriate is right or wrong. That is an individual choice. If you are comfortable in what you wear, go for it.

Angel

[Meg East]

Being 6'3" means the four inch heels would make it difficult for me to get through the door ways therefore I save those for home. I have nice legs so I prefer shorter skirts and two inch strappy sandels. I don't try to stand out from the crowd but being tall means I stand above it.

[Sally24]

AAARRRRRRGGGGHHHHH! for a group of people who are asking to be accepted we are the most unaccepting people I know.
Who makes up these rules? Can you all spell Hypocrite? Let me help..look in the mirror.
I just want to know which elf died and made you all Mr Keebler? AAARRRGGH

I really hope you were half joking Lorileah! I reread most of the replies and they appear to describe the publics perception of some one dressing young, not their own opinion.

I sometimes dress very young and very short. That's usually when going to a club. Going out to regular venues and going in the daytime I dress younger than my calendar age but more or less appropriate for my perceived age. That's my choice. I see plenty of GGs wearing clothing and makeup styles that I wouldn't be caught dead in at any age! It's their choice. The OP did ask what everone else thought didn't she? If she prefers it young and short, or sexy and sl**y then thats her choice too.

[ArleneRaquel]

O'll be 64 in 4 days. That being said I dress as a young 40 year old, mini's & shorts are my favorite wearing apparel.

[Beth Mays]

If across the threshold of the front door remember this: wear what looks good on you not what you want to look good in!
And this applies to more than just the art of Crossdressing!