Dressing "age" appropriate.

[calliekat]

Hello my friends!
It has been a very long time since I posted anything here. But this afternoon, as I am working around my house, dressed, and doing chores. It occurred to me that most of the time I dress in fashion, much younger then my age.
I know GGs tend to "dress their age," (you don't see many 50 year olds dressed like a teenager with mini skirts, etc.) So I am just curious how many of you dress your age? Or do you dress younger or older for that matter?
I guess for me, I just dress how I feel. If I feel like a teenage girl at some moment, then so be it. If I feel like the 50 year old I am, well thats fine too.

[Kate Simmons]

I'm not quite sure what "age appropriate" is. I dress "Abigail appropriate" myself. Then I can never go wrong.;):)

[VanessaJCD]

For me, dressing age appropriate is important. When I see some CD/TG's out, the first thing that outs them for me is age inappropriate dress.

Unfortunately for me, this means I'm much closer to Ms. Doubtfire than Kim Kardashian..:doh:

[Karren H]

Funny I never dressed my age. When I was young I dressed like my mother. And now that I'm older I dress younger... Ish. I will never ever dress like a granny. Lol. EVER!! And isn't that what makeup and wigs are all about. Making you look younger...

[Kate Simmons]

Funny I never dressed my age. When I was young I dressed like my mother. And now that I'm older I dress younger... Ish. I will never ever dress like a granny. Lol. EVER!! And isn't that what makeup and wigs are all about. Making you look younger...Well, A Coal Miner's Daughter (so to speak) would know that, right Karr?:battingeyelashes::)

[JanetK]

I try to dress age appropriate, but the dresses the younger generation is wearing are so cute!! I do wear a lot of skirt and pant suits, which is appropriate for a forty-something businesswoman.

[*Vanessa*]

Really I don't get it - for most CDers (I think) it is the illusion of women they try to create. If it is an illusion then why dress like an old lady? Don't get me wrong I'm old (ish) and like to be more modern. It's just an observation on my part.

[Karren H]

Well, A Coal Miner's Daughter (so to speak) would know that, right Karr?:battingeyelashes::)

I retired my Loretta Lynn wig years ago! Lol.


Really I don't get it - for most CDers (I think) it is the illusion of women they try to create. If it is an illusion then why dress like an old lady? Don't get me wrong I'm old (ish) and like to be more modern. It's just an observation on my part.

Wonder if they make wrinkly old looking granny breast forms? :D

[TGMarla]

All my dresses are from the 70s and 80s....so that's as "age appropriate" as I intend to get! Besides, my hair takes lots of years off of me, so I'm perpetually in my late 30s to early 40s. So I can wear whatever I want to.

[Stephanie47]

I dress age appropriate for my 60+ years, including grey wig. When young my clothing choices were younger and my wigs were brunette and blond. I never wear anything but a dress and appropriate undergarments. My dresses range from 2-3 inches above the knee to mid calf length. My legs are still in nice shape. If I were as committed to cross dressing when I was in my 20's, I'd be wearing short mini dresses. I want to blend in and not stand out. to me there's nothing more startling than seeing from behind a really great figure in a dress made for a teenage turn around and see a wrinkled face of a 70 years old, GG or cross dresser.

[kendra_gurl]

At 61 years of age I suppose I dress age appropriate for the Cougar I represent

[Kittyagain]

Most often I prefer pretty over sexy which says a good bit about my age. I still have a short, casual, skirt are two for working around the house during the summer. i do like wearing younger things but the pink fog just doesn't last long when standing in front of a mirror.

One thing I try to make sure I don't go the other way which is more egregious than dressing too young .

Kitty

[carhill2mn]

If you are in your own home you may certainly "dress" in any way that you wish. "Age appropriate" becomes applicable if you are out in public. Even then, you may dress younger than you really are as long as your appearance is appropriate for where you will be and with whom you will be. Dressing so that you are "age and situation appropriate" makes it less likely that you will be given more attention than you may want.

[Cheryl T]

I feel I dress more "appearance appropriate" than age appropriate. Sorry, but being 62 I just don't feel like an "old lady" and I refuse to dress the part.
Then too, I don't try to dress like I'm 25 either. Since I feel and appear (according to my spouse anyway) about 45, that is the style I feel comfortable in. I like to dress nice, be it casual or dressy, but I'm not a slave to fashion nor do I try to look like something I'm not.

[LeaP]

Age appropriate means neither granny nor frumpy for 40+ CDers. There are women walking around in their 70s and 80s that are stunning without remotely dressing like kids. Think fashion rather than mom or grandma and you'll be better for it. On the other hand, if you can't pass - really pass - for a reasonably well put together 20-something GG, then take a pass (pun intended) on the down-to-here tops and up-to-there skirts. It's not a whole lot more complicated than that.

Lea

[JanetK]

Exactly Lea! Look at the majority of the GG's in the late 30s + range and the majority will dress differently from the 25 - 35 year old ladies. I dress as a 40 year old businesswoman would dress. I refuse to dress like an old granny, but on the other side I also refuse to dress like a 21 year old girl. Besides, its hard to wear 4" stilettos with a granny dress!! ;-)

[Jenniferathome]

I dress based on what I see as appropriate for a woman my age. Age, is always in a range. For me that is 35 to 45. The reason I choose this is 1) I do want to pass and 2) I ALWAYS notice the older lady dressing too young. It just screams "something is amiss." I do like younger styles but in the same way I don't wear my hair a la Justin Bieber as a man, I don't wear micro-mini skirts as a woman.

[JanetK]

A wonderful example:
When I am out with my wife (as John, unfortunately) and we see an older woman trying to dress like a much younger woman, it is not me that notices and makes a comment. It is my wife. GGs notice these things.

[CynthiaD]

I always dress my age: 29. For (at least) the 20th time! (30th, 40th? I forget!)

[kimdl93]

I tend to dress the way women my age dress. Its easier for me to blend in and frankly I can better accomodate and compensate for my physical limitations by doing so. I just don't have the body to dress like a 20-something.

[Mikaela]

I think generation appropriate would be a better term :D

If you are old(er) and dress too young (teen/20something), you are going to stand out. I'm 38 tomorrow and if I dress this way, I'd look like a tart, but I don't need to dress like a 40 year old soccer mom (which I have). If you don't care about passing, then this doesn't matter. If you are dressing for fetish reasons, this also doesn't matter.

This also goes true the other way. If you look young due to makeup/complexion/wig and dress too old (even if it is your real age), you'll stand out, too. That's why some of our older, more vivacious members here don't deserve to look like stereotypical grannies.

[Cynthia Anne]

I dress the age that I feel I am! And a lady never tells her age!:D Hugs!

[Piora]

Wonder if they make wrinkly old looking granny breast forms? :D
Ewwwww! Karren, you know that we don't always allow "Anatomical Correctness" here on this site! LoL!!

I'm 60 and I enjoy dressing in younger styles. I'm pleasing only myself - I understand that - but I have my limits. I really think that if I had been born a GG and retained my same personality and other traits.... and they would be similar, I think because I have a lot of feminine attitudes and sometimes I believe I think like a woman, I would want to dress much younger than my age. Especially if, at age 60, I still had the figure to do it!!

[darla_g]

I am told that crossdressing quite literally takes 10-15 years off of one's age. So maybe not dress like a teenager, but i think you can basically dress how you want.

[Nancy (PA)]

There's no way that I'm dressing my age (mid-seventies); what's the point. I was at a mall today and I saw scores of older women dressed much younger than their physical features portrayed, so if they can do i, then why can't we? Also, I saw a lot of younger females who looked like they didn't get any lessons from mom on how to dress and look nice.

[NicoleScott]

Hey, I'm expected to dress my age in guy mode. In femme mode, no way.

[Kathryn Philips]

I do not get whole dressing like a teenager thing. I also do not get being dressed like a tart. So for me it is age appropriate and appropriately. I like to be the lady next door, the woman in the office, etc.

[Kaz]

What is age appropriate? Like you hit a certain age and you have to look like granny? I am a grandfather but I sing and play guitar in a hard hitting blues rock band, where jeans, red sneakers and checky shirts and generally kick ass! I do not do carpet slippers and cardigans!

As Kaz... I want to look good and I enjoy showing off my legs... but yeah, when I am out I want to look 'stylish' and to fit in, and that means dressing as others around me...

[Piora]

I don't dress any "Appropriate" because no-one gets to see anyway. Appropriate for what, should be the question.
Yeah, same with me. Mind you, I won't dress like a hooker.....I'm trying to maintain a standard - even if it's only for my benefit!

[rebekkadg]

Dressing age approriate for me has its issues because I don't look my age in male or female. I'm 31 and often get confused with someone in high school or just out of high school. I just go for whatever I feel looks good on me. As my wardrobe grows some more though I would like to get more clothes that have a businesswoman type look---though dresses and skirts are still a must---think it covers a pretty wide range of ages 20s to 50s. .

[ReineD]

Hi, I'm a GG. When I'm alone in my house I dress as I d*mn well please. If it is hot, usually it is no clothes at all (my neighbors aren't close). :)

But, when I go out I do dress according to what suits me. I put on weight for a brief time when I quit smoking 20 years ago, and so I didn't wear body hugging clothes that showed all the belly fat, nor did I wear short skirts or shorts that revealed heavy thighs. I also try to find bras that fit properly and that don't cause an excess of skin to mushroom over the top of the bra straps. I'm in my 50s now and no doubt cellulite will begin to appear soon. When this happens, I will not wear short skirts. But, I do dress attractively.

That said, I also feel silly going out looking like a college girl. There are some styles I wear that college girls also wear such as jeans, boots, and sweaters, but I do not wear baby-doll club wear for example. There are plenty of styles I can choose that are sexy and reveal just as much as I want to reveal without dressing like a young girl. I also don't wear crinolines and tiered lace skirts that a young girl would wear. So in this sense, I guess you could say that I wear clothing that is age appropriate in that I do not wear the clothes that are mostly seen on young girls.

The venue also matters. When my SO and I go to an alternative club, I will feel free to dress in a more provocative way. Once I wore thigh high boots with a very short, dress. I would never wear this at the grocery store. I also have no desire to dress like this in front of my sons. :p

And of course, in the bedroom anything goes. ;)

[Kaz]

Well said Reine! I have posted photos here of me in very short skirts that I would never wear outside! But then I don't dress like a rock guitarist when at my day job!

For me it is not so much age appropriate as just 'appropriate'?

When playing to a biker crowd and hitting the big killer riffs I don't wear a business suit!

[sanderlay]

For me... I try to dress in a way that is attractive, pretty, and yet conservative. Another word would be modest. So for me I'm not trying to dress like a tart. I'm not looking for that kind of attention as I go out and about in the world. My feminine side is a lady and I dress the part.

But I'm not a prude either. At home... in private... :censor: .... A lady does not talk about what goes on behind closed doors. :heehee:

My skirts lengths are mostly below the knee. If it's shorter I wear leggings. Many of my skirts are ankle length. On a warm summer day I might wear a shorter skirt... or shorts. But you'll never see my... lingerie. :naughty

In my generation Tina Tuner is a woman that was not afraid to dance and show off her legs. That's my idea of how to age with grace and have sex appeal. I don't have her body but... I can dream... :daydreaming:

[gabimartini]

Since my goal is always to pass, I dress to blend in. Hence, I tend to wear stuff any GG my age would for that particular time and place.

[Misti]

Dressing "age" appropriate.
N/A - Not applicable to me.
When I "have to" dress my age, I'm outta here! It's just that simple. Period
Next thread, please!

[candykowal]

Since my goal is always to pass, I dress to blend in. Hence, I tend to wear stuff any GG my age would for that particular time and place.

Ditto! Yes, me too...don't want to stand out too much!

[ReineD]

N/A - Not applicable to me.
When I "have to" dress my age, I'm outta here! It's just that simple. Period
Next thread, please!

Just curious, do you dress just at home, or do you go out? If you go out, is it in the mainstream or do you limit it to TG safe places such as support groups or TG friendly clubs?

[Megan70]

For me, dressing age appropriate is important. When I see some CD/TG's out, the first thing that outs them for me is age inappropriate dress.

Unfortunately for me, this means I'm much closer to Ms. Doubtfire than Kim Kardashian..:doh:

I'm with you Vanessa. I go public all the time and have for over 50 years since a teenager and I've always dressed my age not wanting to stand out like a sore thumb but blend in with the other mature women my age. No miniskirts , outrageous makeup or high heels . I even have a nice salt and pepper wig for semi classy occasions that someone my ( real age ) would go to.

[Tina B.]

I always dress appropriate, that is to the year I bought it. But then I'm still wearing things that are vintage, but where new when I bought them. I never purge, or give up clothes that still have life in them.
tina B.

[Ann Thomas]

I very much try to copy what I see women my age wearing.

[Ellyn]

I see many older women dressed in clothes you could expect a much younger woman to wear. There are also lots of non-fashionable younger women roaming around. The women who work in downtown business for the most part are well dressed, and it does not seem to be in styles related to age. I spent a good part of an afternoon waiting for an appoitment, and had little else to do but watch the girls go by. It sure helps pass the time, and it is a good way to learn a bit about current fashions. If I was to dress, and try to be age appropriate, I would have to get an outfit like "Granny" wears in the Slyvester Cat and Tweety Bird cartoons.

[GBJoker]

I don't know if I dress age appropriate. I don't know what is correct or not anyways.

[t-girlxsophie]

I tend to dress a little younger,not much late kinda 30s,never really mattered a lot when I was out dressed,because 9 times out of 10 I was with my best CD friend Jo,the oldest teenager in town,miniskirts,crop tops and high heel boots in her sixty's (jeez I miss her) Its a little different now I just try to look nice for my wife when were out.I'm really not ready to be classed as mature yet lol.As for a grey wig never ever,my wife would divorce me,she nearly had fit when i appeared in a grey wig one time lol

Sophie

[Misti]

Just curious...
Reine,
I respect you probably the most of anyone on the forum, and as a result, although I may come to regret this act, I will respectfully answer your questions truthfully and to the best of my ability:

"Just curious, do you dress just at home, or do you go out?"

[I dress in feminine garb 24/7 at home (w/o makeup, wigs, bras (I’m getting there, though), dresses (don’t own one or care to own one), or "high" dressy heels), but do wear 2" heels, etc., all the time. When I go out, I go out to Bingo, shopping for women's clothing, etc., and I go out with my SO only. I have been out totally (with my only my second makeover) en femme only once (in the 18, or so, months I have known about Misti, and that was at the Just You 2011 Halloween party here in Vegas (FYI with the full knowledge, consent and blessing of my SO, not as Misti, but as the “Sizzling Devil,” See photo) as far as she is concerned).

Caveat. BTW my SO does not know about Misti, and may, said hopefully, prayerfully, "should," never get to know her. This, because she has called me, "Lola," for some very obvious reasons... My CD progress with her is exceptionally slow, but it is sure, again, Thank You!]

"If you go out, is it in the mainstream[,] or do you limit it to TG safe places such as support groups or TG friendly clubs?"

[See above. “If” I were to go out with anyone else but my SO, it would be totally en femme and to the latter, I'm sure. I may be in Vegas, :drink: I may be brave, :daydreaming: I may be arrogant, :D I may be dumb, :) but I'm not stupid! :o

FYI I was partially dressed in a black, lacy, plunging neckline blouse, matching ladies slacks, ladies watch, gold necklace (sans makeup, wigs, or high “dressy” heels, as usual, but the 2" open-toed, pump heels were the order of the day, of course) out with my SO for Halloween at the Red Rock Casino last night. My red toenails and (24/7) acrylic, natural pink, American sculpted, painted nails (See photo) shown conspicuously, almost like beacons in the dark. :battingeyelashes:
Comment. My apparent "Attitude" is based purely and simply on my calendar “recorded age,” which I do not, repeat, DO NOT "ever" accept at all, in any way shape or form; and I highly recommend that same outlook be taken very seriously by every single, solid, maturing individual in this world. You'll all live a long and beautiful life for it, take my word for it; I speak with authority. And, that's the last I will say about my chronological age, until I leave this forum for the "very last time." "Period"

With that explanation, Reine, I hope it becomes quite obvious why I “reject” looking matronly, et al., Re. so-called dressing “appropriately” for “our,” i.e., “my age,” I am not the "fool" some would make me out to be, I am not that predisposed, and besides I look absolutely hideous, or even worse, insanely laughable, wearing a gray wig. When it comes time to wear a gray rug, I'm gone. Period That said, that “ugly man wearing a woman’s gray wig” (one (1) of two (2) of hers BTW), is what my SO has seen, still visualizes, and truly believes, yet supports 110%. However, she doesn't know about my secret lover, Misti, which BTW she should never, ever know about, and/or meet, either. I cannot and will not ever knowingly hurt her for all the money, marbles or chalk in the world. Now, Lola, yes! That's our storyline to develop, and we shall see about that; and fairly soon, I think???

FYI Prepare yourselves for the shock of your lives when I do leave, though! :brolleyes: 'Nuff said!

Reine, I have said this a number of times before, "I think you are very special, very beautiful and your SO is one of the luckiest persons in the world," most especially because of your love and support of him in all ways, manners and matters. My SO is my life, my wife, my health-giver and my lover. I want for nothing, in large part because of her, and now more than ever, because of her support of this crazy "thing" that keeps me so young at heart, so vital, so viral, so erudite, so unbelievably understanding of feminine beauty, softness, and understanding; the "thing'" which seems to be consuming me, called Misti, the "mysterious one!" When I lose Misti, (See photos), who is not even old enough to vote, BTW, then it is all over for me, as I “categorically” refuse to act my calendar age, or even discuss this further, it’s just that plain and simple! Case closed!]

With that, take care, and thank you, yet again, as always, beautiful lady! You are something “Very Special!” Hugs and kisses! :love:

Very Respectfully, :o
Misti

[Rachel Flowers]

Dressing age-appropriate is as meaningless as dressing anatomical-gender-appropriate!

We are fighting for total clothing rights(1), sisters! Wear what makes you feel and look good, not what fits societal norms.



(1) (C) Eddie Izzard

[sometimes_miss]

Well. Since women go to great lengths to appear as young as they can, I have no problem doing the same thing. I guess that makes me 'age appropriate'.

[noeleena]

Hi,

Not sure if age is the right word. here, oh well..

1900 to 1910 Edwardian , i dress as the women did in those time's tho not a all out show case, im quite conservtive in my dress wear. as you all know im the masculine women here. tho i dress nicely, hats bonnits & wig.

Then in 1400 to 1700 Renaissance times , as a woman Archer in the field , as a Chateline = lady of the Castle or mistress & a Wench . & i design & make all my clothes,

My day wear is nice tho comfortable skirts different tops depending on the weather of cause, & many lovely evening wear, pretty much all my skirts & dress's are long & yes i do have given to me some lovely comments .

around home or Kaylyn's , doing my building ,painting & what ever ,or the odd free job , shorts ,, well i wore them for most of my working life, 46 years, out side, & tops & if needed over all's .& no male clothes at all.

At 64 i wear what suits me or are nice to wear.

When i was buying my clothes Jos said make sure they are nice & Elegant in other words not shaby or sloppy .
& if it does not meet Jos's approval , then its gone & Jos does & has sorted clothes out for me . & i have for her.

...noeleena...

[LeaP]

Dressing age-appropriate is as meaningless as dressing anatomical-gender-appropriate!
We are fighting for total clothing rights(1), sisters! Wear what makes you feel and ***LOOK*** good, not what fits societal norms.
(1) (C) Eddie Izzard

Emphasis added to quote above. If you got the stuff, ala Tina Turner, go for it. If you don't ... (shrugs) ... I suggest getting a second or third opinion from someone whom you trust, has similar tastes, and will tell you the truth. (this comment is NOT directed at anyone here)

Lea