If you lived alone 10 miles from the closest neighbor and rarely left your property

[Billy]

If you lived alone 10 miles from the closest neighbor and rarely left your property, went outside, or had company, would you wear heels, stockings, shape wear, wigs, dresses, makeup, shave legs, shave face as often as you do now?

I think that most people would settle into a routine that required the least amount of effort to achieve a comfortable, practical, lifestyle.

I am presently home alone for the weekend. I could wear anything I want right now. I choose slippers over heels, and a robe and lounge pants over hose and a dress. I think if I were alone all the time, I would not shave and would choose my clothing based on most comfortable, most practical, easiest to put on, easiest to clean and least expensive. I would find the most comfortable clothing that kept me warm in winter and cool in summer.

Some people today go out in public in pajama's and slippers.

I think older people are into comfortable clothing. Often times older people shower much less often than they did when they were younger. It is standard practice in long term nursing homes to shower the elderly only once a week.

I think that most people left alone would opt for comfort over glamour.

[Cassiek]

After the novelty wore off of feeling ultra feminine all day every day I believe I would also gravitate toward a less dressy attire. Could take a while though. Still haven't quite reached the older catagory still very boing at heart.

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Young at heart not boing (I hate auto fill and correct)

[Lily Catherine]

I would probably shave my body hair for purely hygienic reasons and wear a leotard (or similar one-piece garment) daily assuming I'd never have to meet anyone, all in the name of comfort. In cold weather I'd actually sleep with legwarmers or stockings - my current attire is dri-fit vest over briefs, no shorts. I'd probably grow my hair out to around that of my current wig in my profile picture, but nothing really... more. Meh.

I didn't shave below the neck regularly till recently because I wasn't isolated.

[Jennifer in CO]

This one requires one of those big "yes and no " answers. Where we live, its about a mile to the closest neighbor in any direction so its "kinda" like what you propose. And no, I don't get up every morning and put on my "glam". Heck...I haven't put on my "glam" in over 30 years but I digress. Yes you dress for the season, but you also have the comfort to dress however you please. Yeah I've mowed the back pasture in a bikini. I've fed the horses in a silver lame' bra/pantie/garter set with silver hose and 3" heels. I've fed the outside cats in the early morning in just my gown (quite often really on this one). But most of the time I'm in a top and jeans, albeit fem in the top dept. I'll admit, guy jeans are better for "work" as they are thicker/heavier and less-likely to rip when up working on a barb-wire fence or working on the tractor. But I get up every morning and "dress" for the day. In over 25 years I haven't spent all day in my gown (unless I was tied to the bed - but that's a different story). Winter, you put on the coat/etc (or insulated overalls!) for the weather/day. OK I do have a pink-as-a -bunny pair of ski bibs we bought one year at a clearance sale for $10 that I wear out to the barn on occasion. And my heaviest winter coat is a woman's. But unless your renting the place 12 miles from the closest neighbor, your going to be too busy with upkeep to EVER spend a full day in your "PJ's"...

[CarlaWestin]

I would either be fully dressed as the maid or naked. Or, like Jennifer said, tied to the bed.

[Karen RHT]

I have what I call "casual" lingerie, stockings, skirts, tops, shoes, and accessories. They are what I gravitate to most days to wear around our home. As the wife isn't keen on me leaving the house dressed, I change clothes frequently during a typical day. In the setting you describe, those same "casual" clothes is what I would wear all day long as I'm quite comfortable in them. Keep in mind I'll turn 70 years young (old??) this summer and still take pride in how I present myself. Never have, and likely never will, been one for the "grunge" look. I do wear jeans and T-shirts for working around the yard, or on my motorcycles and cars. Prefer to wear slacks with a polo shirt or collared shirt when I leave the house.

Call me "old fashioned" if you will, but under the conditions you described Billy, I'd be in skirts and stockings almost constantly.


Karen

[Tracii G]

I would wear what I wear now nothing would change.

[Stephanie47]

I don't think you have to live ten miles from the nearest neighbor to experience the same "dressing for comfort." There are twenty houses on my street. The lots are sixty feet wide. In the past my wife visited one of our kids out of state. As a retiree that gave me femme time 24/7 for up to ten days. The first several days it was female clothing 24/7; dress, hosiery, heels, bra, panty, slip, wig and makeup. All my clothes are chosen for comfort. I felt very at ease and comfortable en femme. Other times I wear the most comfortable male garb I own which my wife detests because there are holes in the rear of a pair of very well worn cut off jeans. Jeans, tee shirt and bare footed. She screams if I try to go further than the mailbox down the street. Oh, the stubble on my face appears on day two.

Yes, we older people, especially us retirees, are totally into comfort. And, also functionality. You're still not going to see me digging a hole in the backyard attired a la June Cleaver.

[RADER]

I would also wear what I now wear at home;
Panties, Bra with forms, a skirt and top, house slippers
to be comfortable.
And I am very comfortable dressed this way, why should I change anything.
Rader

[carhill2mn]

I am "older" and I am able to present as a woman most of the time. Even when I know that I will be home alone all day I do not choose to be "comfortable". Neither do I choose "glamour". I choose to look "nice" at all times.

[MissTee]

I would gravitate towards comfort, but still keep a level of femme such as shaved legs and body, forms, wig, and simple makeup. Sometimes painted nails, too.

[Kate Simmons]

A lot of it depends on our purpose for dressing. :)

[Helen_Highwater]

For me it would be what I wear if I have just a couple of hours to dress in. Start with the basics; wig, bra and forms, knickers. Depending on the weather tights/holdups or bare legged. Then either a casual skirt + top, a dress or leggings and a tunic top/pullover. Nothing glam, just something to wear around the house to be comfortable in.

[Jenny22]

In over 25 years I haven't spent all day in my gown (unless I was tied to the bed - but that's a different story).

Hey, Jennifer, let's hear that story! <grin>

[Anne K]

In Florida, casual and comfort is the norm for everyday wear. If you live in Miami, it's a lot easier to really get dressed up and go out at night. So, my everyday clothing is casual as can be and that still scratches my itch.

To answer your question: wear whatever floats your boat. Comfort is a state of mind.......

[Jenny22]

Every morning, after rising and cleaning up, I dress to the 7s, full girlie, only lipstick, and no wig. I may not even scrape my face for 2 days. I always feel comfortable. My neighbors' homes are about 12' away on each side, so I don't venture out.

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In over 25 years I haven't spent all day in my gown (unless I was tied to the bed - but that's a different story).

Hey, Jennifer, let's hear that story! <grin>

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In over 25 years I haven't spent all day in my gown (unless I was tied to the bed - but that's a different story).

Hey, Jennifer, let's hear that story! <grin>

[Lana Mae]

I think I would dress fully more often! Usually only have an hour or two and don't fuss with the wig and sometimes no makeup. Comfort is a relative term and different for everybody! I would dress casual but nice! Hugs Lana Mae

[CynthiaD]

I dress every day as it is. My usual outfit is a $10 dress from Walmart (or wherever). I find my outfits most comfortable.

[Lilly 40C]

If it were warm enough, I would be naked. I love being outdoors naked.

[Maria Blackwood]

Welcome to my life. Well, it's 10 feet instead of miles. And I go to work and other places. Otherwise EXACTLY the same, so you must have HIDDEN CAMERAS IN MY HOUSE! Confess, NSA spook!

[Periwinkle]

My routine is already really low maintenance aside from makeup. Though you could argue that my makeup routine is so easy, it can be considered low maintenance as well. But if I really did live in an area like that, you'd better believe I'd be outside a lot more. I'd take nice walks, write in my journal, or maybe do watercolors. All while dressed in a pretty outfit. Just thinking about how peaceful of a setting that is makes me want to move to the country.

[susancheerleader]

I'd wear what I want to or feel most comfortable in. If that's a dress, or a pair of jeans or a damn leotard.... I will wear it.

[Sharon B.]

I would diffidently laid out in the sun in a woman's swim suit for those special tan lines.

[sometimes_miss]

I'd probably just stop changing my clothes for every time I go outside the house; I still wouldn't wind up wearing frilly dresses all the time.

Then you have:

Often times older people shower much less often than they did when they were younger. It is standard practice in long term nursing homes to shower the elderly only once a week.
Please, please talk these people into washing. It's the primary cause of what younger folks refer to as 'old people smell'. That, and never washing their coats/jackets and using the 'sniff test' as indicative of when they should wash their regular clothes as well. Remember, you can't smell your own stink.

Personal hygiene; it's for everyone!

[Tracii G]

Yes please wash your clothes and coats and jackets people LOLOL.
I'm all about personal hygiene so if someones says you stink then you probably do so go take a bath.
I used to drive a truck for a living and I had to team up with a guy for a week and his feet smelled like burnt popcorn and fungus.
My clothes ended up smelling like him after a week and when I got home the smell would not come out of my clothes so I had to throw them out.
Please wash everyday.

[Antron III]

In the summer my wife prefers me naked around the house and that's fine by me. There are neighbors somewhat close by so that requires slip on shorts and t-shirt for quick outside trips. Warm summer new moon nights will find me wandering the back yard or just sitting and watching the stars as the breeze washes over my naked body. Love it but sometimes get frustrated that I can't do that during the day. Cooler months has me mostly in drab (except for naked exercising) unless my wife is out. When alone I'll just drop a dress over my head and go about my daily routine. She doesn't mind nightgowns but is uncomfortable with the dresses. I don't do wigs or make-up or want to "present" as a woman. I'm just in it for the comfort and a little style. If we were more out in the country the only thing that would change would be the need to dress before going outside, or ditch the dress in the cool months before going out. If I had my way, if I was dressed at all it wouldn't be in pants...ever.

[kymmieLorain]

I'd wear what I want to or feel most comfortable in. If that's a dress, or a pair of jeans or a damn leotard.... I will wear it.

Susan, I agree totally. I would dress as I wanted too. Whether it was just lingerie, a swim suit or a princess dress I would wear what ever the He!! I wanted too.

Kymmie

[Ozark]

My wife and I spend the last three years traveling in our Airstream .... in 2014 from July to Oct, 2015 July to Nov, 2016 October to December.

I dress androgynously every day. Mostly jeans and tops. Always panties

[Becky Blue]

I would probably be like most women would be in similar circumstances, very light makeup (if any) very casual clothes. I would keep my body and face totally smooth every day though.

[Nikki A.]

I would dress according to my mood. However I would wear leggings and footless tights a lot more often, they are just so very comfortable. They are my new favorites.

[Beverley Sims]

When on holidays Beverley features most times.

[GretchenM]

Billy,

I think about this the same way my wife does. Dress for comfort and practicality unless a situation demands something more formal, elegant, or the like. My wife and I have talked quite a bit about this and may explain why I don't express as feminine very often even though I identify as feminine much of the time. I do a lot of mixing and matching of men's and women's clothing items - mildly androgynous - women's tops and menswear everyplace else. Your mileage may vary.

Personally, I have found it is more important to present feminine attitudes and behavioral traits, not including classic mannerisms, than to present the look of a woman. Sympathy, empathy, compassion, helpfulness, etc. The living traits and characteristics commonly associated with women. I get great responses, perhaps because, in the masculine dominated world of our current cultural phase such behavior in a male is refreshing, especially to women. I find I am more or less invisible to some men. But if I was in the specific situation you describe, I don't think my gender would have much importance. If I am alone wandering through a Colorado or Utah wilderness, my gender identity means nothing. Being a part of the world around me is all that matters and thinking about gender or gender expression is a distraction that can be downright dangerous in rough country - eyes on where you step and what is around you. All senses at maximum volume. Perhaps this adds some fuel to the argument that gender is a social construct and if you are not in a social situation you may find that expressing your gender is not important. Problem with that is, why are there so many people who crossdress in private? Hmm, a bit of a quandary there. Perhaps we perceive our homes as social situations even if you are there alone. But 10 miles from anyone else and living as a hermit? Clearly, not very much of a social situation. So, for me I would go for comfort and practicality.

Gretchen

[Raychel]

For me I would dress full girl all the time.
If I had work to do it would be Jeans.
All the rest of the time it surely would be pretty dresses

[Tiffany in heels]

I would be dressed all day long but into something comfortable. I would also sun tan to get those sexy tan lines I envy

[~Joanne~]

I wish I had that kind of freedom. Where I live I have neighbor's on all sides of Me and dressing outside is extremely hard unless I am really to be fully out. If I did live in the docks, I surly would be dressed more often, at least in the beginning, to be outside and under the sun and feeling the wind.

Your right about the pajama's and flip flops (I added flip flops lol) it is the common look in these parts, personally I'll take glamour ovrr comfortable because I wouldn't want to look that bad and who's to say I am not comfortable dressed to the nine's ;)

[fun4metoo2004]

I tend to think that I would do both Glamour and comfort. Glamour to keep up the artistry of it all, and comfort for day to day.

[biannne]

You can dress fem and still be comfortable.
I envy you. I have neighbor all around me and they are so close to me, they would notice even the smallest things.
I wish I have the freedom to go out anything and not worry about the neighbors.

[Marianne S]

Often times older people shower much less often than they did when they were younger. [...]

I think that most people left alone would opt for comfort over glamour.

Well, I certainly like to shower every day! Here in Phoenix where I live it gets HOT most of the year, and if you're outside you can end up pretty sticky!

For the same reason, much of the time I prefer to wear... as little as possible! For instance, shorts and shoes to go for a walk, and that's all. And often, around the house... nothing! There's no point wearing more than I need to if from time to time I'm jumping in the pool to keep cool.

However, I do like to dress much of the time in the house, and while I do like to look as nice as I can, it's true that I opt for comfort and convenience over glamor. So I rarely bother with makeup, and not often with hose. But it doesn't take long to slip into a bra and panties, skirt and blouse. Or a dress. Maybe a cami top, especially in summer. Sometimes I wear pants, but I usually prefer a skirt or a dress. And sandals, and it doesn't take a moment to put on earrings, a necklace, maybe a ring.

I am fortunate enough to live on a fairly isolated lot. While I'm not "ten miles from the closest neighbor," it's rare for anyone to be nearer than a hundred yards to the house. While I wouldn't pass close up, with a wig as well I'm pretty sure I can pass at a hundred yards! So I often go out to the mailbox "dressed," or to do something else outside like reading the electric meter. I doubt that I've ever been "read." If anyone has taken any notice of me at all, they're more likely to be wondering who that "other woman" is they've seen from time to time!

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...if I was in the specific situation you describe, I don't think my gender would have much importance. If I am alone wandering through a Colorado or Utah wilderness, my gender identity means nothing. Being a part of the world around me is all that matters and thinking about gender or gender expression is a distraction that can be downright dangerous in rough country - eyes on where you step and what is around you. All senses at maximum volume. Perhaps this adds some fuel to the argument that gender is a social construct and if you are not in a social situation you may find that expressing your gender is not important. Problem with that is, why are there so many people who crossdress in private?

That's an interesting point, Gretchen. Still, there is an issue of precision. I'm afraid it could be misleading to echo the terminology some people (especially in the latter part of last century) have used by calling gender a social "construct," when what they were typically trying to claim was that gender is a purely artificial construct created arbitrarily by "society," as opposed to a biologically governed reality. However, it's perfectly fair to point out (as you did) that gender in the main serves a social function. That's to say, gender is especially relevant in the context of a social universe, and much less so in the purely physical universe that also surrounds us. When it's a matter of physical survival while alone, "gender" is irrelevant!

Why then do so many people crossdress in private while alone? I don't see that as an objection to the overall theory. Even if we're not interacting socially with other real people around us, we may be doing so in our imagination. Whether we are or not, we're still "social beings," and the way we like to express ourselves, including through dress, is an integral part of our psychic "persona," much of which is "social" in nature regardless of whether we're alone or in company.

Elsewhere, priorities being what they are, if we're out in the wilds, a pair of sturdy boots is far more practical than delicate "feminine" stiletto heels!