What an Awful Dilemma...

[Wildaboutheels]

An awful lot of folks here have this idea that a woman should "dress her age", which I happen to find silly on a # of levels...

What if a GG or a CDer is 60...but can pass for 45? She should wear what?

Or one that is 45 but looks every bit of 60 due most likely to cigs, alcohol, drugs etc.?

So, just WHAT should these women wear?

[Rachael Leigh]

I somewhat agree, when I dress en fem I tend to dress younger than my 52 years, I really like the younger looks myself but still want to be tasteful

[Lori Kurtz]

Even if the words "dress her age" come out of my mouth, that's probably not exactly what I mean. Yes, a woman (or a CDer) who can look like 45 can dress like a 45-year-old. But it still wouldn't be a good idea for her to dress as a 20-year-old would. As a young man, I could become a pretty hot-looking young woman, and I loved that look. Well into my 60s now, I might fantasize (might??? I DO fantasize) about having that kind of look again, but it's not going to happen in reality, and if I tried, I would look as silly as a 60-something woman who is trying look like she used to look. Middle-aged and older women can still be wonderfully attractive, so if I were to start dressing up again, I would have to go for the kind of look that mature women can wear naturally and gracefully.

[Daphne Renee]

well I think its meant to dress more tastefully. a 45 year old women might not be able to get away with wearing a crop top and short shorts. :)

[Jenniferathome]

"Age appropriate" does not mean a chronologically perfect match. An age in fashion is a range. Any reasonable person knows that. Equally known is that the "range" is not multiple decades.

[Ineke Vashon]

If I dressed my age I'd have to look like my late grandma, and that's not about to happen. Advantage closet - I can dress any way I want.

I used to be friends with a woman in her mid 70's. She had an outdoors weathered face and grey hair. Definitely no spring chicken. But she had her hair done in two long braids, usually reserved for the younger set. What set her apart was her fabulous personality and joie de vivre. And so she looked very good.

Ineke

[RADER]

I am over 60 years old; I really can not see me dressed in a micro-Minnnie dress.
So I will dress like a grandmother I am.
Rader

[Jilmac]

I've been told that I look about 15 years younger than I actually am, but still the age of female that I can pass for wouldn't wear mini skirts anymore. I seriously doubt that she would dress to the nines to go grocery shopping, buy gas, pick up meds, go to the post office, or myriad other humdrum activities in everyday life, so I see no reason to do it myself. I will however get fancied up for a special occasion and I believe many GGs would do the same. That being said, dressing ones age can reflect the age of the GG one wishes to emulate.

[Beverley Sims]

Dress age appropriate but don't look dowdy or s***ty.
Dress as young and as smart as you can without looking ridiculous.

[SilkeeLegs]

dressing classy is aslways appropriate at any age

[rocketscientist]

That's another term I can't stand almost as much as "acceptance" or "tolerance". Who pushes that crap anyway? I don't believe that "age appropriate" makes sense for the most part. If you have the looks and confidence to pull off any outfit you should wear it if you want to. I will be 44 years young this year and I will continue to dress and go out as if I was 20-30 yrs old. Also, I know a few women well over 50(at least 1 of my ex gf's) who look better in a mini than a lot of girls half their age. At just what age does a certain type of dress become appropriate? And just who is the arbiter that decides? Hogwash if you ask me.

[Jessica giovanna]

As a girl that does not only pencil skirts and very professional outfits, I have many younger type outfits as well. As you can tell by some of my pics, I love colors on the youthful side on will continue to wear such. I feel the same as long as you aren't showing your "bits" to everyone on the planet, age appropriate clothing is what ever you want it to be. Think American eagle outfitter, rue 21, forever 21... You get the idea..so yeah...that's my take...
Ms. G

[Barbara Dugan]

:doh:I will be 45 in a couple of months....I wish I dont look like 60

[Candice Mae]

Just because I can look good dressing like a s$%ty college girl doesn't mean I should. I wear every day clothes for my age, even though my profile picture is of me in a mini dress I've only wore one a couple of times. And that was in the privacy of my own home, as I have not got the confidence in wearing something that revealing in public and its pretty cold out side. Sure I show a lot of cleavage but when you've got them might as well show them off. This rule applies more to being out in the general public as compared to behind closed doors.

[LaraPeterson]

Ladies, I still have a tight butt, a fairly smooth complexion, and long, lean legs; I'm not going to cover them up just because I'm 20 years older than some of the guys & gals I go out with; I'm not a tramp even though some might say I look like one sometimes; I don't particularly care what "they" think or say; I dress the way I want to dress and I get a lot of compliments--and looks--and winks--and hits.

Mind you, I'm not going to go grocery shopping dressed the same way I'd go out at night, but even then I'm not going to dress like my grandmother. As long as I can pull it off, I'm gonna; when I, note I said I; when I don't think it looks appropriate anymore, I'll stop, not a minute sooner.

[Rachelakld]

Went to a party once and my 59 year old friend wore a corset and little skirt.
It was a great party lots of fun and she had a few costume failures but still looks hot.
While she would never wear it at work or shops etc, those that knew her knew she was only 20 years old in the personality department.
I wear what I want more based on my mood than age (If my kids ever buy me a granny outfit, I'll kick them out of the house)

[Stephanie47]

Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart said of pornography, "I know it when I see it!" The same can be said of a woman who does not dress as her age, "I know it when I see it!"

[Alexis.j]

A lot of people take the dress your age thing too seriously. My ex wife the same... It gets said to them, you dont wear this and that when you are older than 'X' and stop wearing this and that makup after 'Y'.
And then they start dressing like grandparents... And start looking older too.
There is nothing wrong with making yourself pretty at ANY age, if it suits you and makes you happy, go for it.
Society has way to much control over you in any case. Break the rules a bit!!!

And I don't mean dressing like a 16 year old or $lutty, but attractive and sexy at any age has never been ugly...

[Katey888]

To paraphrase a very old saying: "you're as young as the woman you feel..." and I mean that in the nicest possible sense, and you should dress as you feel and for what makes you feel good.
No dilemma for me - but perhaps that's because I look younger than I am... :devil:
Katey x

[Vickie_CDTV]

dressing classy is aslways appropriate at any age

Now that is an excellent point!

[PaulaQ]

Women should wear:
1 what they like to wear
2 preferably garments that flatter and enhance their natural beauty.

[AlexForReal]

I think we should wear whatever makes us feel good about ourselves. The whole point is accepting who we are and doing what we feel is right.

[Krystenw]

I'm 64 and my daughter tells me she is glad I am very conservative. I found out a long time ago that if I dress in a conservative manner I don't need to worry about anyone staring. I only dress up like a guy every once in awhile and then I have been told that I look much better as a little old lady then as a cranky old man.

[JamieQ]

I was also told I look about 10-15 years younger enfemme than what my age is....so if I roll that down to age 35-40 then I think I dress portraying that age, blend and go on...

[kimdl93]

I don't see this as so much of a dilemma as a matter of judgment and taste. Of course there are wide variations in the apparent age of individuals, as there is in physical stature, skin tone,etc. And what now wears in private is ones own business. Women, and those who aspire to look like women, must decide what works for them based on all of these factors.

Then, of course, what I think seems age and situation appropriate for me may be totally inappropriate in another persons eyes.

[Lynn Marie]

In my early days of CDing, I dressed for the eroticism of the experience. I never left my house and avoided mirrors reflecting an old guy in a way too tight skirt. Once I progressed to makeup and hair I started taking videos of myself in the various outfits I had. They often were pretty laughable. So I changed, got out the door, and expanded my wardrobe. I've evolved into a classy old broad rather than a poorly dressed, silly looking, old guy in a dress. Life is good when you grow up!

[Lexi Moralas]

I see a lot of 40 something GGs dressing in the sexy styles aimed at 20 something's.
they don't look 20 , but they look damn good ! So why shouldn't they dress that way ?
My guy side would hate for them to start dressing like frumpy soccer moms. And I think the same goes for us CD girls if we like the style and can effectively pull it off I say go for it. Sure will will stand out a little more than if we were dressed more conservatively. But no more than a GG of similar age and condition. I know a woman in her early 70's she shops with and wears similar styles as her 19 yo granddaughter. She by no means look 20 but she looks damn good. And her husband is the absolute envy of every man he knows in his age group. And all younger guys my male side included pray to god that our SO look and dress like that at her age.
Then on the flip side just because a girl is in her 20's doesn't mean she can pull of those same styles. I think we have all seen that. To me it's like some one said earlier cd or GG , wear what you like and what makes you look good

[NicoleScott]

Wasn't it Indiana Jones that said something like "It's not the years, it's the miles"?

Here we are, a bunch of crossdressers who cross or blur the lines of gender, wearing clothes usually worn by the other sex, and easily justify it by saying it's what feels natural or normal. And then pass judgement as to what is appropriate for other CDers to wear.

For everybody, GG, GM, CDer, TS, and everyone else of any age, wear what you want or are compelled and reap the rewards and/or suffer the consequences.

Dressing classy doesn't make you classy. People wanting acceptance should demonstrate some of it.

[PatMatoole]

Dress in what you look GOOD in and makes you happy!

[SherriePall]

I'm into my Medicare years, but I feel as though I can dress younger than my age. Afterall, if I dress and act my age I would be sitting in a rocking chair, wearing a long black dress, flats, and stockings rolled down to near my ankles.
As it is I don't get carried away and wear miniskirts and 6-inch heels (at my age a fall from that height can be fatal). I dress (when I go out) in a manner which would suggest I work at some high class office. When I'm at home, all bets are off.

[Jorja]

There is nothing wrong with dressing a little younger than your age. Many GG's do it all the time. However, nobody, I repeat, nobody wants to see a sixty + in miniskirts and 6-inch heels. Use you head for something besides a hatrack when it comes to dressing younger.

[MarinaKirax]

Age appropriate clothing is age appropriate for a reason, usually. I'm 50 now, and in male-mode, I favour unstructured wool jackets, and less windbreakers. Less jeans, more dress pants. Less sneakers, more suede brogues. The clothes look of high quality and made to last many years, and overall conveys the impression of a mature, successful and stable person. Natural fabrics = approachable person, leather and steel = less approachable. And of course, plaid always says 'dependable'.;)

What we wear isn't just for us, but it says something to the rest of the world, whether we like it or not. These clothes look good on me as a man of 50, because they match the lines on my face, the grey in my hair, the drinks I like, the briefcase I carry. I wear them because as a man I look much better in these, than in rolled up jeans, Vans and a wifebeater. In board shorts, a ripped Tshirt and a shark tooth necklace, I look like a poseur, and am instantly discordant and noticeable.

This is what is IMHO, is important about age-appropriate clothing for ladies. It's what most people wear at that time in their lives, because it probably makes the most of your body, and it sends a message to the world which is in harmony with the person wearing it. It has nothing to do with artificial reserve, or prudishness. By all means, wear fishnet at 70, if you like. But how about a flash of fishnet stocking from beneath the hem of perfectly tapered wool pants and a black patent kitten heel? Sit down in a restaurant and see what reaction that gets. Much sexier, I think, than a 70 year old woman in a micro-mini and strappy sandals. My 2 cents. :) MK

[kendra_gurl]

Can anyone say Tina Turner?

At age 74 she still dresses any way she wants and looks good just google tina turner and look at the hundreds of photos

Sure if one is dressed flashy they are going to attract attention but if you got it flaunt it.

[Cheryl T]

Just dress as other women in your area do that are in the perceived age group.
I'm not 45, but my wife says I look it when dressed so I wear what the 45's in this area do.

[Annaliese]

A girl should where what ever she want to, it they are closeted what difference does it make, if they go out, then hopefully common sense will win out. When I go out with friend, I ask what they are going to where and try to blend in with them. The last time I went out I was going to wear a short skirt, my friend said it might be better to go with slack, because it was cold out.

[AllieSF]

Wasn't it Indiana Jones that said something like "It's not the years, it's the miles"?

Here we are, a bunch of crossdressers who cross or blur the lines of gender, wearing clothes usually worn by the other sex, and easily justify it by saying it's what feels natural or normal. And then pass judgement as to what is appropriate for other CDers to wear.

For everybody, GG, GM, CDer, TS, and everyone else of any age, wear what you want or are compelled and reap the rewards and/or suffer the consequences.

Dressing classy doesn't make you classy. People wanting acceptance should demonstrate some of it.

Very well stated, much better than I could do. Thanks.

[Stephanie Sometimes]

Wasn't it Indiana Jones that said something like "It's not the years, it's the miles"?

Here we are, a bunch of crossdressers who cross or blur the lines of gender, wearing clothes usually worn by the other sex, and easily justify it by saying it's what feels natural or normal. And then pass judgement as to what is appropriate for other CDers to wear.

For everybody, GG, GM, CDer, TS, and everyone else of any age, wear what you want or are compelled and reap the rewards and/or suffer the consequences.

Dressing classy doesn't make you classy. People wanting acceptance should demonstrate some of it.

I agree with Allie that Nicole said it best. As crossdressers we have the ability to gender shift and sometimes we can age shift (in our minds only maybe, LOL) as well, what could be more fun than that? Wigs, makeup, body shaping, we don't do that to look older do we?

I don't buy the "age appropriate" clothing argument, more important to me is to dress "situation appropriate" if I want to blend in. If you are dressing in the privacy of your home then anything goes and I like to see the pictures of CD'ers playing around with different styles at home when are willing to share them with us girls.

Hugs,
Stephanie

[Tracii G]

Marina I get where you are coming from to a degree but there is a flip side to that look.
In my 30's and 40's I dressed that way all the nice classy mens clothes the fancy very expensive car all that stuff that some see as a successful upwardly mobile guy.
Lived in a gated community in a big house again all the trappings of a well to do person.
I found people mostly women looked at me as a pretentious snob.Was I happy? Hell no my wife was cheating on me, my old friends had left me and moved on.
The friends I did have were just like me and at that point I started dressing down to a more everyday person more casual look and left behind all the upscale trappings.Sold my house and found one that was more practical and cheaper to keep up.
Changed my lifestyle and left all that stuff behind.
What I did find was clothes and image don't mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of things.What you think you show on the outside isn't always how people really see you.