Dressing: Is it a ‘fountain of youth’?

[Paige.]

A question for you CD’ers. How many years in appearance do you think you lose by dressing as a woman? Do you actually feel younger when you are en femme? To me, most CD’s definitely look much younger than the age posted on profiles pages.

I’m not very good at estimating ages but it is almost impossible for me to guess correctly when you are dressed and all made–up. I am often very surprised when I read the actual age.

I know it is partly because of make-up covering weathered skin and wrinkles, wigs instead of no hair or gray hair, etc. But beyond the make-up, there is generally a more youthful countenance. Do you even realize how much younger you look? Do you see it in others?

[Super Amanda]

Hiya Paige! I agree with you. Maybe the fact that many of us take better care of our skin and are generally better groomed than the "average" dude come into play?

I'm 30, not sure how old I look, but I feel like I'm 21!!! :)

[tamarav]

I routinely think (and there is where I may be wrong or have my head in th epink fog) that my crossdressing takes at least 20 years off my looks. I am 61 and none of my co-workers evey put me past 40.

I do know how we ladies tend to pump up each other and supprot as much as possible, but I think they are being pretty straightforward with me. Besides, hair stylists typically don't hold back on their remarks.

So to answer the question, yes, I believe both crossdressing activity and the interest in appearing as "sparky" as possible will keep any person looking younger.

[joannemarie barker]

i agree many of the girls here look so much younger than their true age paige.
and amanda you definitely don't look 30 and wow tamara no way do you look 61 easily 40s :)

[Sandy Banks]

I believe I appear to be younger also, but I think everyone but me would be a better judge...........I'd really like to hear from others on how old they think I look...:idontknow:

[msniki48]

Paige,
i am confused at this point as to what i look like...i'd venture to say, that if i wore a gray wig...[like my hair] and got a bit closer to the camera.....well..... uhh i think you would brake your monitors.....lol and you'd all go HOLY SH*****T!!!! :eek:


yes there are ways of diguising....

we do the best we can

[fay]

I think it lifts the soul and that is reflected in your appearance :)


(..but yeah it's the wig and makeup really :D )

[Engendered]

The makeup/wig definitely helps me at least. :)
I'm going to upload a pic I took shortly after my 30th birthday to my album, where I think I look anything but 30 (but the hardest person to judge is yourself I think) :)

[Joni Marie Cruz]

I have to agree with Amanda, I think it may have to do, at least in large part, with the fact that we try to take a little better care of things like our skin and weight and general appearance than most average guys do over all. Speaking for myself, I'm <mumble mumble> years old, I mean I'm <cough cough>, oh hell, I'm 62 (it's in my profile anyway) but am usually guessed at about 20 years younger even in guymode and makeup certainly helps especially in dim light. So yeah, I think makeup is a sort of fountain of youth, like magic in a bottle.

Hugs...Joni Mari

[Dee2U]

I'm with Amanda on this too. I use wrinkle cream and generally moisturize; diet and exercise; style and use hair prodct for shine; dress sharper than most in drab etc. I also use concealer when necessary which also helps with a more youthful look (esp on Monday mornings)...Dee

[Miranda09]

For me, I think I do look much younger when dressed, tho I don't show my age anyway. But getting dressed makes me feel younger, which, in turn, makes me look younger. My facial features tend to soften, maybe because I'm more relaxed. I'm often taken for 20 years younger than I actually am. What an ego booster!!!! :heehee::) Also, as others have mentioned, because I want to look good in everything I wear, I'm more diligent and disciplined about my diet, personal care, and workout program.

[Kate Simmons]

I believe the fountain of youth piece comes along when we gain the freedom to truly be ourselves, clothes notwithstanding.:)

[Shelby]

I'm lucky. In guy mode and clean shaven I can be confused for a late 20 something even though I am 34. When I first started working at a high school 4 years ago, a lunch lady thought I was a student. I should have said yes since the kids pay less for lunches then staff.

When dressed, I like to think that I am in my mid 20's. You tell me.

[charlie]

It is amazing! I always think and feel that I'm at least 30 years younger then I really am. However, when dressed, people tell me that I really look 20-25 years younger. I can look and feel the part. Must add to that for another reason to dress!

[jill_cd_girl]

That's a good question Paige. Normally people think I look young. While dressed, I'm not sure what people think. (I'll be 40 in a few years).

Many of you I have to say have quaffed a glass of water from the Fountain of Youth! (Tamara - I think you've probably had a few gallons because you look not 20 but 30 years younger!)

[steftoday]

interesting observations...

I'm going to be 54 this year, but guy mode I don't look it...most people guess 40s... in girl mode I find myself wearing more "age appropriate clothing" than I used to when I CD'd in my 20s and 30s. I drink infrequently, don't smoke and generally eat healthy. I could stand to lose a few pounds though... :D
Plus, I moisturize, and generally take better care of my skin than most guys I know...

I think that all helps!

[Jilmac]

I feel about ten years younger when I'm dressed. I don't know if I appear that young to others but it sure is a happy feeling. :)

[msniki48]

OK Paige!

Now I'm upset.... am I the only old fart in the Forum....?????:sad:

i had better get to moisturizing NOW!!!!:eek:


I'll start tomorrow:heehee:

[docrobbysherry]

And, looking it is not a bad idea either!

The question is;
Which age SHOULD I reflect? Robert's cronological one of 60+? Or Sherry's age, of about 13?:brolleyes:

Tis a puzzlement!:doh:

[Anita Lynn]

Aside from my true feelings, and the love of just feeling pretty (ok so I try read hard!) I guess I love to dress to feel younger. I sometimes feel like I'm 20 again (ok, so thats pushing it... just a little)

Melissa Ann

[sherri52]

It's all in the makeup and presentation of the clothes you wear. I wear clothing 20 yrs younger than I am and end up looking 3 yrs younger.

[Staci G]

My grooming habits are a lot better than most of my friends, ie. I keep all my nose, ear, and eyebrows trimmed, while most of the guys I know have the caterpillar eyebrows and thier nose hairs blend with the mustache:eek: but I really shouldn't knock them I guess they just need some fem training. BTW Paige, I think you are one awesome lady. :hugs: oh and I am 51 (for 14 more days)

[Barbara Dugan]

Not for me Paige I look the same age or sometimes older when dressed than my real age 40:hugs:

[Fran Moore]

By the beautiful Paige! I would say it's about a ten year "differential" for me Paige. I look younger, feel younger, and act younger when I'm not in "guy mode". I can't really make any observationis about others, as the gals that I know and have met, I only see when dressed!
I would agree that the makeup and wigs have a lot to do with it though! Gotta love that fountain of youth!

Hugs,:hugs:

Suzanne

[jasmine57]

I'm just a 52 year old lady. They don't make enough makeup to make me look any younger. But that's OK, there are worse things ro be.

[Kendra (Tx)]

When I started "seriously" dressing up and going out several years ago ( I'll admit to my 40's ) After all was said and done with the hair, makeup and nails and outfit... ( and depending on the color and style of hair I wore...blondes and reds worn "down" tended to make me look younger than the brunettes or the "up" styles.) But people who knew the both sides of Kendra said that I lost maybe 15 to 20 years becoming Kendra....Maybe it's because of all the spackle and paint I use...:heehee:...15 or 20 years or whatever...Or less....I still enjoy myself being myself....that's the important part..

http://kendra954.com

[MargaretJ]

I'm in my early 50's and feel like I look 40's, and as you can see from my avatar, with a bit of help from photoshop I think I look even younger. The make up definately takes a few years of me.

Margaret

[Jocelyn Quivers]

I look and definetilty feel younger. When dressed the pain from my aching knees, ankles and shoulders disappears completely.:)

[Paige.]

You girls are such fun. I love that you can be serious yet humorous about a topic that make some people edgy. I am 27 and I suppose I look my age but all you girls look younger (yes, 10, 20 & 30 yrs younger) than your male counterpart, including you Barbara. (well not 30, maybe 5 or 10?)

At times I have felt conspicuous on these threads addressing some of you as attractive young women even though I know you are my seniors by many years. As Jill said, many of you must have downed gallons of water from the founain of youth.

Somethng else that came to mind about looking youthful. Most of you girls have firm looking breasts, like those of a teenager and the good fortune not to add weight onto your hips and thighs like many women.

[Miranda09]

The day I take myself too seriously about my CDing is likely the day I'll stop. It's better to have fun, cringe at the bad days, and go wow, at the good days. It's really great to have gg's here like yourself Paige. You provide an important and refreshing perspective for all of us...both MtF and FtM. :):hugs:

[tricia_uktv]

I love make-up. I'm quite a cheeky girl so often ask people. They thiink late thirties. Ha-ha, I'm over fifty. Life is fun :)

[jenna_woods]

I always feel younger wen drssed'

[Paige.]

The question is;
Which age SHOULD I reflect? Robert's cronological one of 60+? Or Sherry's age, of about 13?:brolleyes:

Tis a puzzlement!:doh:

Sherry honey. I need to give you some advice. When I was a teenager, a little older than you are now, I learned the phrase "jail bait". You need to lie about your age girl! Try acting about 18. How did you get on this site anyway? You young kids think you know everything.

[Brandi Wyne]

:laughing::lol2: Here, let me dry my eyes a bit. The fountain of youth is the elusive delusion today that it was when Florida was "discovered" by the Spaniards.

Oh sure, we take better care of our looks now and others may see us differently than we see ourselves. But, one just needs to keep in perspective that the "rush" of finding and being the girl within will settle down to being the same, aging girl with the same challenges as most GGs face.:bovered:

[Karren H]

No.... Dressing is fun.... playing ice hockey is the fountain of youth!! :)

[steftoday]

No.... Dressing is fun.... playing ice hockey is the fountain of youth!! :)

well, playing hockey is what keeps my legs/calves in shape!

[unclejoann]

Yes, it makes me feel younger and I am happier. So, I probably look younger because a smile is better than the curmudgeon I normally am.

[Shelby]

Somethng else that came to mind about looking youthful. Most of you girls have firm looking breasts, like those of a teenager and the good fortune not to add weight onto your hips and thighs like many women.

Silicone baby, it's all in the silicone!

[JennaR]

No I think it's just that you get maybe one good pic out of 50 and THATS the one you might even consider posting. Believe me there's been times when I've loaded a group of pic's to the full screen of the monitor and scared the crap out of myself.:eek:

I do feel younger with more hair though...

[Kathi Lake]

Paige,

I have been told that there is "no way" that I'm nearing 50 - from the way that I dress to the way that I act to the way that I look. I'm still goofy enough to skip around stores with my daughter, to ride shopping carts through the aisle, to even wear skinny jeans. :)

My long hair and makeup do seem to take the years off, though. As to the gravity-defying power of my attachments, yes, there is that to consider. :)

Kathi

[ArleneRaquel]

As Arlene I look & feel 20 years younger, but maybe I need stronger glasses. :eek: :battingeyelashes: e

[Frédérique]

How many years in appearance do you think you lose by dressing as a woman? Do you actually feel younger when you are en femme?

I feel younger when I dress, no doubt about it, mainly because I dress younger than my age. Not too much, mind you, but enough to discard my current form and slip back in time to the Elysian Fields of my youth. How can you wear mary-janes and not feel younger as a result? :daydreaming:

[DAVIDA]

Hi Paige!
Younger? Now I have to be younger too?
Well, I tried a wrinkle cream, and guess what? It worked! Yep, I have plenty of wrinkles now!:eek:
I tried to counter them by using vanishing cream. :doh: I couldn't see my face afterwards to put on the rest of my make-up!:heehee:
I am watching my weight too!:thumbsup:
The problem with that is, there is getting to be a lot to watch.:straightface:
So now you can see why it can be very tough to be a crossdresser!:daydreaming:

[willowgurl]

I really push the limit in the way I dress. I know I don't look in my 20s when "all done up" but that's the style I love to wear. While I may not look so young, it sure makes me feel that way.

[kimdl93]

a little make up certainly helps. I probably look a few years younger. At this stage in life, I'll take anything I can get!

[Rachel Morley]

Hi Paige,

I agree with everything you said :hugs: I do think that I look younger, and frankly, that's another additional attraction to dressing. I reckon I look about 15 years younger (for all the reasons you mentioned - make-up covering weathered skin and wrinkles, wigs instead of no hair or gray hair, etc.) I know I feel younger that's for sure. So looking younger, feeling younger, feeling feminine, and enjoying tapping into a side of me that makes me happy and contented ..... so yeah, it;s easy to see why crossdressing is so enjoyable :)

[Katie Ellen]

I don't think I look 60 whether I'm dressed female or male. But then again I can't find my glasses.

I think the make up helps a lot.

[SouthernBelle.GG]

...I know it is partly because of make-up covering weathered skin and wrinkles, wigs instead of no hair or gray hair, etc. But beyond the make-up, there is generally a more youthful countenance. Do you even realize how much younger you look? Do you see it in others?

I believe this can be true for GGs too. I do look and even feel younger when I look my best. When I'm running around doing errands wearing jeans, an old shirt, hair pulled up in a ponytail, and not a stitch of make up, I know I look all of my nearly 44 years. Slap a nice outfit, heels, and make up on me and I've been told I 'can't be older than 25'. It's all in the presentation. :)

[Sarah Doepner]

I was out en drab recently and was told by a woman sitting next to my wife and I that I couldn't be 60 years old. She thought I was in my early 50's at the most. I was surprised at first, but I've taken care of my skin and never smoked, which can cause a lot of damage. So if I can already look 10 years younger than my actual age, I should be able to take a few more years off with makeup, hair and a nice outfit.

[Sweet Jane]

hmmm, i'm 50 in a few months....i agree with what southern belle says....many woman (and it seems tgirls) can strip years off their age just by getting all 'dolled up'.......as for the 'perky' breasts, i'm guessing a modified bra choice could solve that problem for all but the most buxom woman!

maybe for the average woman out there, its just all too much effort, and i can appreciate that.......i know that comfy clothes and straggly hair is just sooooooooo easy!!

[Marcia Blue]

I have never had anyone guess my age when dressed, but I definitely feel younger.
My aches and pains from years of bending over fenders and crawling under dashes just disappear.
A positive side effect of mind over body vs drugs.

[Jamie48]

We do look younger when en femme. GG's have known this anti aging secret for ages. My wife does not look her age at all. I think better grooming habits have alot to do with it. Ever notice a women that doesn't take care of herself, she will always look older than her real age.

[Kaz]

Make-up and a challenging attititude to dress always work on the side of "young looking"!

Yeah I think I take years off when I crossdress... BUT...

As one ages, we get into different scenarions... e.g. learning to dress your age - this is problem for us I think - how old am I? As a girl... I am so learning about stuff and I like to do the young girly thing... but this is (UK idiom) "mutton dressed as lamb"... at my "age"...

Still love it though! Though I mainly try to explore a more "mature" look! Whatever that is!

Beatris???!!!!

[TGMarla]

I certainly can't argue with you there Paige.

(I wouldn't argue with you anyway. Wrestle, yes....argue, no!) :D

When I'm en femme, it easily takes a good 15 years off of me. I look like I'm in my mid 30s when dressed, and I'm definitely older than that.

Sigh.

[PattiMichaels]

Genetics has definitely helped me (thanks, Mom)...I've always looked younger than I really am, regardless of whether it was in guy or girl mode. I've been athletic since grade school, but not macho. I venture it's a combination of a few different things that takes off the years.