Driving While Dressed

[Launa]

I plan on going out this Saturday night to a club. I want to drive to the bar instead of taking a cab because I don't want to waste my money.
It would cost 60-80 bucks. However it will still be light outside when I drive down there because I have an appointment with a makeup artist at 5 pm and can't get a later appointment. I'm a little paranoid driving during daylight hours.
I'm just not used to pulling up to a traffic light and having cars close on either side of me and possibly getting a look at me or worse seeing someone I know. This seems stupid but I've got the "cold feet syndrome" with driving by myself. Taking a cab would be the easy way out.........
Anyone else ever feel like this?

[Edyta_C]

Why? In the cab, people will still see you. And you need to deal with the cab driver. So I would think your car would be easier and less panic to you. Very little chance of seeing someone you know and even then having them recognize you!

Try It! Hugs Edy

[Launa]

Why? In the cab, people will still see you. And you need to deal with the cab driver. So I would think your car would be easier and less panic to you. Very little chance of seeing someone you know and even then having them recognize you!

Try It! Hugs Edy

I've been in cabs before dressed up and the drivers are real used to this stuff. They have seen it all before, I have had good conversations with all the cabbies I rode with.
I think for me its the fear of someone like my friends I work with recodnizing the family auto and then looking over to see me and saying holy sh!t, look at you!!!!
If ya know what I mean.

[heatherdress]

It's real easy. Do not look left or right at a light. No one will notice you. No one. It is easier than getting in a taxi. Make sure you don't need gas and have a back-up plan for any car troubles (a quick change bag). Enjoy yourself.

[Ressie]

Yes, my car isn't a common model, so I would be apprehensive about someone recognizing my car. But I agree with Heather. Just keep looking straight ahead at stop lights.

[Tara D. Rose]

Yes Heatherdress, that's what I do. I don't look left or right. But I have been at red lights and can see out the corner of my eye when the car beside me was stopped and they keep inching forward to get a better look at me.
And Dee3, my car is like that also. Since I got my car 4 years ago, I have only seen about five others like it in those 4 years. So when my car goes down the road, and if anyone I know sees it, they may know it's me, or maybe the next time they seemed, they may say, hey I saw a woman that drives a sports car just like yours. I tired to catch her, but wow, she drove really fast.

Tara

[susangirl]

I drove the streets in Atlanta long before I had the courage to dress in public. Being in your car is a very safe place. If you like get a nice pair of large sun glasses and with your makeup and wig no one will no the difference. One of the best things you can do for yourself is act the part. When dressed as a woman act the part, be a woman. It takes practice and practice can be fun. I have never had any trouble driving around. Testing the water is so fun. Most of the time when a man inches his car forward he just want to get a better look at the woman beside him. Go and have a great time. The best of luck. Testing the water is so much fun.

[Debglam]

Ladies,

I used to be real nervous driving but then it dawned on me: tell me what the person in the car next to you on the way home tonight looked like? Male or female? What were they wearing?

You don't know because people are paying even less attention to what you look like while driving than they do when you are walking by them on the street! Don't worry. Go out and have fun! If you really want to have fun, smile at the person in the car next to you and plant a big lipstick kiss on the window! Then drive off! :D

Debby

[Eryn]

Funny, I'd be petrified of dealing with a cab driver, but I'm fine with driving myself. GGs don't look around at stoplights and my hair and glasses disguise my face, so I'm comfy even though our car is somewhat recognizable.

[Jamie Christopher]

I agree with Debby about just driving yourself. People, for the most part, are generally clueless about their surroundings. We feel over vigilant about what others may perceive, when they really are just so busy doing their own thing. Just act natural like you're supposed to be there, and chances are nothing will happen anyway. Act like you own it!

Jamie

[CindySTJ]

I agree, people don't pay attention to anything around them when they are driving. It explains why there are so many bad drivers. I wear wigs and bright lip gloss all the time while driving and nobody ever looks twice. I would recommend a safety outfit for any emergency that you can get into in just a few minutes. sweat pants and gym shoes close by. Saved me one night when I got hit from behind at a red light.

[Ameli]

One nice thing about a cab is that you can enjoy a few drinks at the club without worrying about driving.

Ameli

[laurieg]

Ita fanastic driving around nobodt notices you and i enjoy getting gas when i'm dressed
laurieg

[linda allen]

...... If you like get a nice pair of large sun glasses and with your makeup and wig no one will no the difference. .

Exactly. But, the "going to a club" part implies drinking alcohol. That would be a good reason to take a cab.

[Beverley Sims]

It is only on the odd occasion that whilst dressed and out somewhere, I have had the deer in the headlights feeling.
It just happens. Most other times I am ok.

[Stephenie S]

I agree. Drinking and driving just don't mix. Of course nothing will happen, but if something does happen and you have been drinking it will be your fault no matter what.

But all the others have been right. NOBODY looks at you in your car. Think about it. How many women did you see driving last time you were out? How many with a blue top? How many had a skirt and how many were wearing pants? How many were wearing heels? Flats? How many were wearing makeup?

You can't answer any of those questions. Because if you were looking that closely, you would not be able to drive your car without having an accident. My goodness, you could drive naked and no one would notice. It's true, you know.

So stop worrying about a fantasy that's all in your imagination, dear. Go have fun.

S

[Rita C.]

I under stand your fears, but girl just go for it. You are doing it for you self, not the other drivers. After you go out the first time you will come to under stand that you are doing it for you annd not any one else.

[kimdl93]

No, I feel pretty much at ease driving en femme. Why not - people will see me when I get to my destination anyway...so if a total stranger happens to see me while we're at a stop light its really no big deal. You'll get over it.

[Lorileah]

Think about it. Do you look at who is driving the car next to you at a stoplight? Unless it is a Red Corvette convertible with the top down, I don't. And when you are driving, everyone else is trying to not run into someone else and they are not looking at you. If it worries you, when you are stopped, just be otherwise occupied. Brush your hair. Listen to the radio. Look ahead and wait for the light to change, then even IF they are staring you won't know it.

When I moved to Denver, someone told me "Everyone there is really odd looking. When you are at a stoplight look at the person next to you, you will die laughing". I tried that but when I looked over, they were already laughing at me....

Don't sweat it. No one really cares. Besides you are getting a make over right? you will be fabulous!

[Cheryl T]

Put one foot in front of the other...walk to the car...drive to your appointment...get your makeover...drive to the club and have a good time.
Just don't drink and drive...you might spill your drink...lol.

Relax...people don't really pay attention to those around them that much. They are all too busy on the phone, putting on makeup, eating and all those other things that makes them drive like lunatics. Just obey the speed limit and go have fun.

[GeminaRenee]

Well, how often do you see people you know when you're out driving?

[kristinacd55]

As long as I'm out of my neighborhood I have no problem.....heck pretty soon THAT may not be a problem either!

[ABBY_L]

Last summer I drove enfemme from Lansing Michigan through Chicago in stop go traffic and broad daylight. Got "thank you mam's" from the toll both attendants and never garnered a second glance from anyone. Truly a great experience....so go for it! :)

[Chickhe]

Well, for me the hardest part in getting in and out of the car unnoticed, but once I'm driving, even if someone sees me, there are many cars just like mine on the road and anyone who say we would not believe it was me. So, no worry. Just bring a change of clothing in case you need it and you can always wear your male jacket to cover yourself up...and if anyone you know does see you...just keep driving and don't look...pretend like you don't know them and later if they say something, say you were somewhere else or your wife had the car that day.

[DonnaT]

I don't understand why people keep saying "no one will notice." I've caught up to cars I thought I'd recognized, and looked over to see who was driving, and waved if I recognized them.

I guess it depends on how friendly people are?

60-80 bucks (round trip?) is pretty steep, how far is the ride?

If you don't plan on drinking, then driving will be a good option. I never drank anything more than a diet coke when I went to the bars. Alcohol isn't necessary for a good time.

But, you need to factor in the cost of parking, if any, and gas. Sometimes a cab ride can come out cheaper.

However, one way to get over your paranoia is to drive more often. I never worried about being seen, but my wife did, so I wouldn't put on my wig until I was away from the neighborhood.

[Ceri Anne]

I've driven manytimes day and night with no problems. Even got pulled over once and the officer was very profesional (something about my speedometer.....oops) When dressed, your most likely disquised enough that people won't recognize you for the casual glances they make in your direction. Have never been staired at, so go for it.

[susan54]

I thought about this when choosing my car. I picked a common make and colour, and told the dealership they could not put their stickers on the car, so it was also geographically anonymous.

[carhill2mn]

I suspect that most of us had similar feelings when we first started driving while dressed. The "good news" is that virtually no one will even look at you! Even if they do, what will they see? Unless you look extremely unusual, a glance is all you will probably receive. Just look straight ahead and do not pay much attention to those around you. You will be fine. After all, what is the worst that could happen? Just dry carefully and legally!

[Kaz]

How often do you look at people in their cars and take notice. I have driven en femme regularly with no problems at all. The issue of identifying the car could be an issue locally, I guess, but even then I have never had a problem... once out of town, it is a breeze.

[GeminaRenee]

I don't understand why people keep saying "no one will notice." I've caught up to cars I thought I'd recognized, and looked over to see who was driving, and waved if I recognized them.

I'm sure it depends on the size of the area you live in. Here in the metro Detroit area, you are pretty much just a drop in a big, big bucket. In the past few years, I can only think of one incidence where I encountered (and was recognized by) someone I knew while out driving. Even then, he was in a world of his own, and I had to honk and wave vigorously to get his attention. Of course, my car is pretty nondescript. That certainly helps.

Anyways, just my $0.02. Your mileage may vary! (:

[Erica2Sweet]

I've always found it oddly fascinating that those of us to do this crossdressing thing initially feel the common need to hide, and within the safely of that hiding place, we try to express a facet of ourselves with literally no audience or tangible social interaction whatsoever. Its not too long that we begin to figure out that our sacred "safe place" is no more than self-imposed, solitary confinement, where our expression is tragically neither heard nor seen by anyone, thus bearing no relevance as far as the world is concerned. Regardless of the fact we as human beings need real-time, human interaction to feel normal, we just cannot fathom stepping out of those prison walls for fear of our secret being revealed. When we know this and yet choose the path of isolation and confinement, we've essentially chosen to become emotionally unhealthy, and you better believe this condition worsens as time spent in isolation accumulates.

So we live life condemning this part of our being to solitary confinement, but at random intervals, we discover we have outgrown our self-imposed prison cell we have so carefully constructed to keep our secrets safe. Remaining in the current state becomes an unbearable burden on the soul, and we feel the aching desire to expand our horizons. But, instead of shedding those prison walls and embracing true freedom, we often simply pull up the prison walls and extend them a little further outward, only to plant them in the ground once again and give it another go, all in the name of not getting caught. Our prison is no longer, say, our attic. Now it includes the entire house when no one else is home. Next, during another round of expansion, our newly renovated cell encompasses the inside of the family car, back of a taxi cab, or a hotel room.

For those of us who feel the internal desire to expand out of the closet, why not just say "to hell with the excuses" and pull up the walls of the prison once and for all? The advantage is that it's far healthier emotionally than the cyclical re-adjusting to a slightly larger self-made prison cell, where we remain perpetually scared, stifled, depressed and lonely. I propose that the better option is freedom, and freedom is living a life without the burden of making real life decisions that are solely based on "not getting caught".

[Alice Torn]

Well said Duchess, but we must always use caution. It is a dangerous world, but, I, and so many others oare "hypervigilant". Partly from coming from a life time of bullying, from family, and others, and religious training. I actually drove home from Wisconsin a few weeks ago, at nightime. dressed. I parked at a solitary place at a truck stop, but, as soon as i got that wig on, here comes a trucj with lights right on me! I slowly drove off. One big problem i have, is that i drive a very old car-1976! It is the only one like it in this region, and everyone in my area recognizes it as me. Night driving would be safest here.

[Wendy W]

Wear sunglasses..play with your hair..look at your nails and straight ahead, turn up the volume on the radio and your all set. Works all the time.

Wendy

[Brianna612]

I had a cop pull me over and had a great conversation about CDing, plus didn’t get a ticket. In male mode probably would have gotten a ticket and no conversation. Another time a truck driver asked me for a date and I told him that I wasn’t that kind of girl. He said that he had CD friends that went both ways and we sat and chatted. Good times.

How can we expect people to accept us if we aren’t comfortable enough to get out there?

Smile, give a girlie wave and a smooch to the car next to you, but most of all relax and have an enjoyable time.

[IngeInCO]

When I went out for a drive it was in our car with a manual transmission... Took a bit to get used to the clutch in heels!

[Launa]

Ok Girls, I want to thank everybody for their input here. I am going to do this tomorrow night and not worry!!!! I will be thinking of everybody here when I'm finished with my appointment and get into the car!! Ya I like the sunglasses idea too!
BTW - I don't drink and drive, I will either do 1 or the other but not both. 6 years ago I witnesed a bad tragedy from a drunk driver and said never, ever will I drink and drive.

[Stephanie47]

You may want to consider buying a different color wig. I have a blonde wig, but, I surely would choose my grey when driving. Also, consider sun glasses and, if you do not wear glasses, consider buying a pair of non prescription glasses. There's not too much you can do about the car.

[Debglam]

Funny, I'd be petrified of dealing with a cab driver, but I'm fine with driving myself.

A group of us were out last weekend and piled into this van cab. This cabby was hysterical! He starts blasting this Persian music and it's all "pretty ladies" this and that! New experience for me was trying to step over the folded down middle seat of the van in a dress without showing this guy anything worth mentioning! :eek:

Another "empathy for the GG's" moment!

Debby

[Melissa Rose]

New experience for me was trying to step over the folded down middle seat of the van in a dress without showing this guy anything worth mentioning! :eek: Another "empathy for the GG's" moment!

Debby, now you know why I hailed the cab both times. It meant I got to enter the van first and pick the best seat (i.e., not having to climb into the back). Here I go again telling you another of my secret tricks.
The cabbie told us the ride would be free if one of us could name the artist singing the song. It was low risk for him, and the cab fare was only $10 including a generous tip. It made it an interesting 3 minute ride. We went to a late night food and drink place, and our waitress was adorable so it was a good night all-round.

Back to the OPs original situation. I concur with the others that almost no one notices you while driving unless you are doing something to draw attention to yourself like repeatedly drifting out of your lane, rocking out to the radio or picking your nose. I'm out a lot, and I cannot think of a time where I saw anyone I knew once I was one block away from my house. Also, you are going to be just as visible driving or riding in a taxi. You may be bring more attention to yourself when being picked up if taxis are rarely seen in your area.

[Jenniferathome]

There's no difference.. By he way, do an experiment tomorrow. Every time ou stop at a light, look at the driver next to you. What do you see? a profile for a second or two? Everyone is looking forward,waiting for the light to change.

[Ally 2112]

Also if you have tinted windows it is hard to see who is driving .As i have seen most cars do these days and as the other ladies have said drive it like ya own it and dress like ya own it you will be ok !.have fun !:)

[samantha48328]

Try driving a motor home while dressed. It gets real attention when fueling up and washing the windshield. But oh so nice to be comfortable!

[STACY B]

Last time I was driving dressed I dam near fell outta of the golf cart ,,I just walk now ! Ya just cant hide that good in those things ,, An of all the luck almost broke a nail ,,, Some dayz I tell ya >>>>>>>>>>

[Anneliese]

I would LOVE to drive while dressed, but in addition to having a old, now rare, vehicle, I have lots of obvious bumper stickers. Anyone I've ever known or worked with knows it me from a distance.

[Colleen1989]

Brianna612 said:

"I had a cop pull me over and had a great conversation about CDing, plus didn’t get a ticket. In male mode probably would have gotten a ticket and no conversation. Another time a truck driver asked me for a date and I told him that I wasn’t that kind of girl. He said that he had CD friends that went both ways and we sat and chatted. Good times."

Wow! What cool experiences! I guess it pays to be adventurous sometimes.

[PretzelGirl]

I am all for getting out and doing so in your own vehicle. I recommend it as it is low risk. Notice I said "low" and not "no". Probably a more extreme example, but proof that you have to decide where your risk level is and accept it.

I live in a moderately populated area and I have no qualms getting out near home. My car is somewhat recognizable. I was out once and pulled over in a subdivision to get directions off of my phone. I wasn't near anyone's house that I knew (at least to my knowledge). While looking down I heard a horn blast. I slowly glance to the left and see the front end of what looks like my brother-in-law's truck. In the middle of what I presumed was nowhere. Much to my later regret I decided he couldn't see me and put it in gear and took off. I told him later I thought the horn was because I was blocking someone and I didn't even really look.

But, I do agree that you are just as well off in your car as long as you aren't drinking. Put on sunglasses if it is daylight or the night will help if it is later on. But anything has a risk, so just measure out what you are willing to do.

[Jamie Ann]

About a month ago I had my first experience talking to police officers while dressed en femme. I had gone out for a drive mainly to get out of the house and think about upcoming events without the TV and other distractions. I had intended to be gone for 15 or 20 minutes, but drove around for two or three times that long. At one point I drove past an Olive Garden restaurant that was lit up from lights in the parking lot, even though it looked to be closed. It was about 11:30 pm and I would guess that they quit serving at perhaps 10:00 pm, with the employees leaving after cleaning the place up.

Anyway, the building struck me as very attractive; and I thought to myself that it would make a good background for a photo. I didn’t have a camera with me; but I got out of my car to walk around the parking lot in front of the building, looking for a good angle or place to take a photo sometime in the future. As I got into my car again, two police squad cars approached at a speed greater than one would expect in a parking lot. An officer jumped out of the first squad car and approached my vehicle with his hand on his gun — not drawn, but ready to be drawn if necessary. I was caught off guard and I was stunned for several seconds, too anxious to get a word out. I don’t remember what the officer said initially, but I just sat there silently, unable to speak, my heart racing. Then he said, “So you don’t want to talk to me, huh?” Finally I said, “Yes, I’ll talk to you. Did I do something wrong?”

The officer said that they’d gotten a 911 call from the restaurant manager reporting suspicious activity outside. He checked my driver’s license and proof of insurance. As he was checking my identification, I explained my curiosity about whether the Olive Garden entrance area would make a good background for a photo at some future time.

My being crossdressed never was mentioned. After becoming convinced that I was not a threat to other persons or property, the officer said, “This parking lot is private property. You should not do this again without getting prior permission from the manager.” I said “Okay” and he said, “Have a good evening.” I drove away very carefully and headed for home, and the two squad cars left maybe 30 seconds later going in the other direction.

For me, there are two lessons here. First, there is some risk that we will be stopped or apprehended by the police if we are driving around while crossdressed. For reasons we cannot control, we might be stopped. Second, there is little reason to fear being arrested for crossdressing. The police have seen much worse. They don’t care if a man is dressed in women’s clothing. To them it’s no big deal. Drive within the speed limit and obey the traffic lights. And, most of all, have fun!