Changing wardrobe

[Karan]

Don't know if anyone else has experienced the change in style or taste in clothes. When I was younger crossdressing was skirt or dress and shoes were high heels. Why would I put on women's pants when I wear pants al of the time was my mind set. I wanted to look as nice and dressed up as possible. My wife gave gentle suggestions on trying on her jeans or caprices which I declined. However, I slowly came around. Now I feel more comfortable, more attractive and even more passable in yoga pants, jeggings or caprices with a nice top and flats. Is it part of aging? Or maybe part of self acceptance that I can dress casual and do not have to try to hard to look feminine? Which, oddly, may make me more passable. And quite frankly, the passable aspect is also fading. It is more of this is how I like to dress, look and I feel better presenting myself. Similar experience anyone, opinion or thoughts? Thanks to all especially to those that lead. You make the path easier for all of us.

[Heidi Stevens]

Very good observation, Karan. As a lot of us older dressers discover: women don't wear skirts, dresses and high heels all the time. If you want to get outin the real world dressed, you better look like the women around you. Or you're going to stick out like wearing a glittery ball gown and 4" heels to get your groceries. As far as I'm concerned, you can still dress to feel good in all kinds of ladies apearel. Now, if the situation calls for glam, go for it!

[Nadine Spirit]

I have heard of some cross dressers being fully against any pant wearing whatsoever and that a sure way to tell the difference between a cross dresser and a transsexual is if you wear pants. What a bunch of hooey! Some of my favorite items have always been my fem jeans. I love their tight fight and soft stretchy fabric so much more than the stiff baggy male jeans I own. And besides women's jeans actually have some style and flare to them. Hmm..... which does make me wonder a bit now though as I am beginning to no longer identify with many folks that identify as cross dressers and appear to be aligning myself more with the transsexuals. Although, I bet both groups would possibly argue with that thought. Hmmm.... off topic much? Yeah a bit!

I never really was much of an over the top dresser to begin with. I have always mixed it up.

I have noticed that the less I care about passing, the more I appear to actually pass.

Interesting world we live in.

[AllieSF]

We get over the early excitement of actually wearing women's clothing, which many times were the shorter skirts and tighter fitting clothes and eventually start to experiment and learn that other women's clothes and outfits actually work very well for us. The more comfortable we are dressed as a woman, and, in my case, going out and interacting with others, this little style transition becomes easier and makes more sense to ourselves.

[Laurana]

The way I see it jeans are jeans. As long as there is no designs on them a pair of girls jeans looks a lot like guys. I have several pair and wear them almost exclusively without getting a 2nd glance. I have yet to try caprices but I have two pair of leggings and I saw the hottest faux leather jeggings at Target. I will get them eventually.

[JillSierra]

As a lot of us older dressers discover: women don't wear skirts, dresses and high heels all the time. If you want to get outin the real world dressed, you better look like the women around you. Or you're going to stick out like wearing a glittery ball gown and 4" heels to get your groceries.

Couldn't agree more with Heidi. Plus I Love my skinny jeans, sweater and boots!

PS- new here - hope I did the quote thingy right

[Jenniferathome]

I certainly think that a fashion change comes with experience. The more one can dress, the less "girly" dressing has to be to still feel as good. I certainly prefer skirts and dresses but I aim for a more casual and blendy look. No ball gowns here and usually I wear wedges or low heels. Weather (or bike crashes) might dictate that I wear pants and I do like the feel of skinny jeans but I suspect that pants will always be my last choice. I'll add that I have on,y been out to my wife for four years or so and I am only a moderately active cross dresser. It's possible that the allure of heels and a dress may wane but I'm betting otherwise.

[Samantha2015]

I certainly understand wanting to blend better and dressing for comfort but I'm
not there yet. Dressing drab & female has no appeal for me now. I like trying to be
as feminine as possible within reason. If I were out in public I would probably try to
tone it down a notch, but I'm not out so I'll keep it very girly for now. I think it's
more fun to glam it up.

[Ally 2112]

As much as i would love to own a pair of woman's jeans or capris i have just never been able to convince myself to go out and buy a pair of either .I have always just liked skirts or dresses just the way i am i guess

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Karan:hugs:, My wardrobe has a little bit of everything I can go from micro mini skirts to long pants.
T love the look of women in hi-heels and long pants that are about 1/2" off the floor
where you just see the tip of the toe & the tip of the heel, That is a real turn on for me.:daydreaming:

[Robin414]

hi-heels and long pants that are about 1/2" off the floor
where you just see the tip of the toe & the tip of the heel :daydreaming:

Now THAT IS a classy look, Tom Ford would give a thumbs up! 😊

[Gabby6790]

My initial draw has been to the typical flowing dresses or skirts and heels. I am not sure that can get the flats thing but I think I can come around.

But pants and jeans, I find them almost as nice as a skirt or dress. One of first in person purchases was a pair of skinny jeans. Putting them on was like heaven. The slight stretch and fit felt amazing. I was just thinking I need to buy a pair of nice pants. I have always loved the feel and look of nice straight leg pant. Hmmmm, now I want to go shopping.

[Rachael Leigh]

What's interesting is I have several dresses and really don't have a place to wear them if I decide to go out because I do prefer to blend. I am going to wear my LBD in Vegas next week but hey that's Vegas. So yes for me if I'm going out I find the causal fashions women wear more comfortable and just as fun to wear as a cute dress or heels

[Teresa]

Karan,
I understand your comment about only wanting to wear dresses or skirts rather than trousers/jeans etc. I still feel like that, I know fewer women go out in a skirt or dresses. I feel I've worn them all my life and prefer to feel the fabric on my legs.
I did have to smile at a lady attending my last painting class, she has a reasonable figure , maybe in her late sixties, she was wearing a patterned stretch wool dress which finished above the knee along with knee high flat soled black leather boots, opaque black tights.
I've asked if there was a possibility I could attend the classes dressed and this lady was presenting herself as I thought I would like to ! The members who have seen my pictures wondered why I couldn't go through with it.

[susan54]

As we keep saying on this site, everyone is different. I own quite a few pairs of women's trousers but I almost never wear them. For me, the clothes are not about dressing as a woman, they are about dressing elegantly in a skirt or dress, ALWAYS with heels. Yes, I act as a woman when I go out, but that is to make life easier for me and avoid attracting attention from anyone who has a problem about men in women's clothes, and this makes me feel more confident in my outfits. I bought two pairs of awesome court shoes as Susan yesterday and the lady tried to interest me in a pair of flat-heeled boots. I tried them on and she loved them, but I turned them down because they were flat-heeled and I didn't feel I could walk elegantly in them. I do not dress to blend in or stick out, but to look elegant.

[Shelly Preston]

I think its more about self acceptance especially if your out in public.

I think we all have times where we choose outfits which can seem a bit overdressed

Micro Skirt and heels and a obvious choice if your 18-25, but not if your over 40, unless its a special event where excess is expected.

The right outfit for the right occasion. Also it can take us time to fine the style that suits us best.
Jeans can look wonderful with the right top as do pants and a skirt. It's all about variety and choice.

So I would say its been more a process of evolution for me and I am very happy with the results.

[mikayla1964]

I have to say I have several dresses that are tight and short plus flattering .But I also have some old Rockies jeans that I just love. They fit so well and are so comfortable. Once on I forget about having pants on unlike wearing mens jeans that are so heavy and stiff. The Rockies just seem to flow along with every movement. I recently bought me some white tennis shoes with just a bit of pink on them to wear with my jeans. but every other pair of shoes I own are heels or wedges.. The main thing is just to be comfortable and the rest will fall into place.. I still have a problem getting comfortable at being out in the open but its getting better even tho I know I cant pass..

[audreyinalbany]

the old joke was: How do you pick the cross dresser out of a group of women? He's the one wearing a dress

[Janet Bern]

As the styles change to pants and jeans, from the skirts and dresses on woman. It makes it
impossible to blend in to the crowds at mall or restaurants wearing a skirt. It really takes
the fun out of being a CD if I have to wear pants.. Lately I just wear a bra and a slip under my pants.

[CarlaWestin]

Interesting. Some of my best images are when I'm not wearing a dress or skirt. And I agree. It's easier to blend if you're not dressed as Tinkerbell at Taco Bell.

252275

[lingerieLiz]

Starting eons ago I wore dresses that went below my knees, slips, and all the other women's clothing of the era. Over the years I've had a full women's wardrobe. Much more than most women. Today I still have a full wardrobe and have migrated as the women around me have to comfortable but nice clothing. Yes when I see pictures of pretty young girls in magazines wearing sexy clothes I think I would like to be able to wear that, but I as the other women in my pier groups could never look good or acceptable in it. That is just the facts.

I'm lucky in the fact I live where others come to relax so the social life for women is shorts and cute tops. In winter it is also jeans and light sweaters on cold days. All of which I have more than enough. I will never again look like a teen girl or even a 40 year old woman. Acceptance of one's age makes blending in much easier. Yes you can wear elegant clothes and you can wear nice clothes but they must be appropriate for your age. I don't wear ball gowns because if I'm going then I'm escorting my wife which I do enjoy fully.

[OCCarly]

I guess that was one of the ways I figured out that I was transgender rather than CD. I didn't immediately go for the miniskirt and heels look. Instead, I started dressing in female versions of the clothing I wore as a male for a given situation.

That means I spent the summer in my house and yard and around my pool wearing denim short shorts and a tank top, or a little sundress, over a two piece bikini. When the weather cooled I shifted to wearing a crew neck or v neck women's t shirt and skinny jeans or jeggings over bra and panties. To exercise on my treadmill I wear women's running shorts and tank top or sports bra, and women's running shoes.

I am currently shopping for sweaters and tunics to wear over the jeans and jeggings for winter, and am starting to look at somewhat dressy skirts, blouses, business suits and career dresses. Even though I do not have anywhere to go yet in those outfits, hopefully someday I will.

[Gabby6790]

It sounds like people dress for different reasons and that is how the pick what they prefer to wear.

For me (for whatever reason) I think I dress about percent just to be fem and the other 75 is to look sexy, classy, old school fem, etc.

But for me, like others said you can look sex classy beautiful in anything if done right. I spent a lot of time in the fashion district in NYC and some time in Europe and it was always amazing that simple outfits, if put together correctly and maybe accessorized could look really stunning.

[heatherdress]

Most women dress very casual during their free time most places they go. If I really wanted to look like many of the women I see shopping and enjoying their free time, I would wear comfortable women's flip flops, sandals or athletic shoes, baggy shorts or jeans, a top which is too small for me and shows my belly and lack of boobs, no make up and a very simple hair style. I would blend and maybe pass for style but would not have a lot of fun.

[Judith96a]

I don't think that any garment with 'legs' will ever form part of my 'female' wardrobe. I can wear jeans or trousers anytime in male mode.
The conventional wisdom is that 'real' women don't wear dresses and heels to go to the mall. However, on the last occasion that I was in Tesco's en femme (dress + 3.5" heels) I decided to look around and see what the (other) women actually were wearing. Guess what, within 2 or 3 minutes I spotted a girl (mid thirties I would guess) wearing a dress and 3-3.5 inch black patent heels! A few moments later, another two girls in heels! Over the last few weeks, any time that I've been in a supermarket (in boy mode unfortunately) I've done exactly the same thing - looked around to see what the girls actually are wearing - and I have been (pleasantly) surprised. Around here at least, heels are definitely 'in' and, even though it's starting to get wet and cold, the number of women who shop in dress / skirt plus heels is definitely not zero. They are, of course, very much in the minority.