Coming out of the closet. Has there ever been ...

[Wildaboutheels]

a better time than now? At least in the good ol USA?

I believe that the number was 164. As in pounds. Pretty sure that particular article also said size 14. That seems about right to me judging from my own particuar perch where I live. The 164/14 would be the current size of the average American woman. It would be nice to know the age range for these studies. The average height listed was 5'4".

Certainly, those numbers have been climbing steadily for years, so no reason to think they will not keep climbing.

Should ^^^ make it a lot easier to blend in?

[RADER]

Any time is a good time; With you being an average size, etc. It should be easer.
I wish I could fall into that realm; however at 6'3" and 300 lbs, with huge shoulders,
Hands, Arms, and the Chest hair of a forest. My closet days are pretty much set in stone.
Good Luck.
Rader

[Vickie_CDTV]

It certainly has made clothes easier to find (especially nice looking clothes), that is for sure! As for blending, large women are shaped much differently and tend to be shorter than males, so I am not sure how much of an impact it will have for those trying to pass; on the other hand, it certainly does not hurt either.

[Cheryl T]

It most certainly is a great time to come out.
There is more acceptance than ever and certainly mountains more than when I was in my 20's. Things would have been so different for me had I had the internet with all it's resources and support groups as well as all the ladies that have gone before and paved the way for those of us that are here now.

[Helen_Highwater]

The largest size womens shoes that you could buy easily up to a few years ago was an 8. Now 9's can be found both in store and online. GG's are getting taller (as are males) so it works in favour of those of us who are older. There are now retailers who have "Tall" ranges, for GG's over 5'10". So having cloths that fit well makes it easier to complete the illusion.

[Cynthia Anne]

No time like the present! Come on out! Easy for me to say being below average at size10-12! Hugs!

[EjayeCD]

I could never come out to my wife, and I'm sorry for it. She died in 2010.

[April_Ligeia]

Lol I'm 6'5" and 250 pounds, never going to be the average, unless things shift radically, lie as a result of atomic radiation. Still, not a bad time in history, I must agree.

[NathalieX66]

I've showed pics of me to family & friends. No love lost. Lots of compliments & encouragement.
Going out publically in any environment has gotten exponetially easier in the last couple of months.
I've been treated well, with no bad things happening. My outings are usually a week or two apart.
I'm trying to get my own hair into a manageable hairstyle without the wig, and it's a slow & expensive process.
I'm not a full-timer , but I do feel a rediculous amount of euphoria when I'm out.

I will not tell my employer under any circumstance. That's just the way it is.

[blackguyj2009]

I didn't realize the average height of women was only 5'4. I'm only 5'8, and wonder if I've stopped growing. I haven't turned 25 yet, so maybe there is still hope for me.

[Tina B.]

I can get down to the 164, but not sure how to become 5'4". that's going to be the hard part!
Tina B.

[Amber Chen]

Now is the time! Wildaboutheels, if you are 5' 4", you should have a GREAT time with heels! I'm 5' 10", and considered tall, especially for a Chinese girl! I always have to go for the shorter heels or flats.

Oh, take care when looking at long sleeved tops/dresses. GG's arms tend to be shorter than guy's. Try on these items before buying!

[Foxglove]

I'm surprised that the average woman is only 5' 4". I certainly would have thought it would be more than that. But that's OK with me. It means I'm only one inch below average. It's one reason I love shopping for girly stuff. When I'm standing in the queue to pay, I'm not nearly as small as I used to be. It's like all of a sudden I've grown 4 or 5 inches.

But how in the world can a woman 5' 4" tall weigh 164 pounds? I'm a good 40 pounds lighter than that. I'd say those girls are tucking into their tacos. Well, I've never been a match for a man in a fight, so I guess I'm not a match for your average woman, either. (Sigh!) So it goes. I don't want to fight anyway. All sweetness and light, I am.

I've never been able to cop onto dress sizes. I bought one recently that was a 6 and was a bit snug. The last one I bought was a 14 and fit perfectly. Either I'm all over the place or else dress sizes are.

Best wishes, Annabelle

[Wildaboutheels]

I'm not really a big one for Googling stuff. But I have heard very similar numbers in the past on tv, radio, in magazines etc. I think so many Americans have become overweight that being overweght IS "average" here. Anyone in other parts of the world know the average for your country or find the American average surprising? At any rate, regardless of height or weight, I don't think too many folks really pay much attention to a persons size at least here in the states.

[Stephanie47]

Before responding I went to WebMd. According to their statistics the average woman is five foot four with a waist of 34-35 and weighs 140-150 lbs. That, according to the site, is a dress size of 12-14. It also states fifty years ago (1950's-1960's) the average waist was 24-25, weight 120 lbs and a dress size of 8. Other web sites indicate more than fifty percent of women are overweight. To me that's a really big difference in waist sizes; too much increase in the wrong direction.

I found another site which explores the average weight by a woman's age. It tends to rise over the years (no kidding) and stabilizes and then decreases with age (little old grandmas?).

I think realistic goals have to be made. No way will my height decrease to the average. I've already shrunk to six foot even. I'm trying to reduce my weight, but, given my body type at the very best I'm looking at six foot even and 175 lbs. Right now I wear a legitimate size 18. No way I could ever reach average height.

I think height is the biggest obstacle to passing or at least not drawing attention. Given so many women are overweight being average height and 'plump' would easily fit in with the masses of shoppers (with a decent facial shave).

[Babeba]

But how in the world can a woman 5' 4" tall weigh 164 pounds? I'm a good 40 pounds lighter than that. I'd say those girls are tucking into their tacos. Well, I've never been a match for a man in a fight, so I guess I'm not a match for your average woman, either. (Sigh!) So it goes. I don't want to fight anyway.
Best wishes, Annabelle

Really? You don't want to fight, but you'll be all judge-y like that?

I was heavier than that once. Believe me, it was not the fault of tacos. I still got hit on constantly. Weighing 40 pounds less than I did I still feel like the same person, still have the same body hang ups, I just overall feel stronger and healthier (other than how i feel like ive been theough the ringer this week...) People just are who they are, judging them doesn't make them or you more happy.

[Foxglove]

Really? You don't want to fight, but you'll be all judge-y like that?


Sorry, Babeba, I was joking. But I accept that it was a joke in poor taste, so my apologies.

Best wishes, Annabelle

[Kate Simmons]

Perhaps Hon but I think we tend to make our own opportunities be we heavy, thin or in-between.:battingeyelashes::)

[kimdl93]

I fallway outside the average ranges bit its still Provence to be an excellent time to come out! I have heard that the average height of women in Norway and the Netherlands is closer to 6 feet. Maybe those are the ideal places to come out!

[Jannette H]

I've always dreamed of being just a little shorter 5'6" and a size 14 and a Ladies size 9 heels not 6' and a size 18 and wear a ladies size 11. How times change and women got taller and sizes creeped right on up there.