The heat is on but I couldn't miss the chance.

[Sarah Doepner]

I've normally avoided dressing once it gets hot outside. I prefer to wear long sleeves to disguise my arms and need to wear a wig, so as soon as I heat up it's likely I'll be soaked with sweat shortly. But this week I had a trip planned that gave me one free night in Mesquite Nevada, a border casino and retirement town about 80 miles east of Las Vegas. The high temps were accurately forecast to be in the 105-115 degree range and although a brought a few things along I figured I'd just dress in my room and be done with it. My son and his daughters are living with me so I haven't been dressing much recently and thought it would be a good chance to relax with a little undisturbed Sarah time.

You know where this is headed now, don't you?

Once I got dressed it seemed a shame to waste it on the room, so I made it to the casino for a couple of hours but not going outside. It had been a long days drive and I needed sleep so I turned in early. Of course that meant I woke early and had until after 5 before I'd be meeting the people I was planning to see. Might as well dress again and this time I decided to give outside a shot before it became hot enough to melt my face. I ended up driving about 50 miles to the Indian fireworks shop, buying some colorful explosives to share with the family on the next appropriate holiday, and then returned to the casino. I didn't melt even though the parking lots required a lengthy walk in 100 plus temps. It was nice to get into the casino, sit at a machine and get a cold adult beverage before returning to the room.

So the moral to story follows.

This opened my eyes and there may be other options I've been ignoring. The thing is, every time I step out of my "comfort zone" it turns out the things that kept me there were not as bad as I had imagined. My fears and concerns tend to be mostly unfounded, or at least they are diminished through exposure to reality. Ain't that the way it goes?

[Teri Ray]

Sounds like you had a nice trip. What did you decide to wear? Short sleeves?

[Sarah Doepner]

Yes, a short sleeve floral print tee with a tan skirt and sandals. I only had my phone but recently discovered it wants to share all my photos with other accounts, so I didn't take a photo. I'm just not as smart as I need to be with a "smart phone".

The evening before I had a loose knit blue short sleeve sweater top and a black skort and sandals. I just didn't pack for getting out of the room, but had to get out anyway. I guess I can resist anything but temptation. ;-)

[Dana44]

Sarah, sounds like great trip and wearing short sleeves is the best option for that heat. It is mighty hot here so I have a few short sleeve tops.

[Jaylyn]

We've been really hot here also and I haven't really dressed all the way this summer. We've had some 105's and just too hot. I'm not out so wouldn't know about the reality exposure but have been wearing my tank tops n cut offs. Usually have on my panties under them.

[IleneD]

Sarah,

On a hot, hot day nothing is more comfortable than a long dress (or skirt) and panties. If the rest of manhood only knew.
And the story? Marvelous. So glad when fellow sisters get out of their comfort zone and shamelessly explore their femme persona in the real world.
BTW, at the casino, did you win?

[Ineke Vashon]

A lot of the rest of manhood does know. Like almost anywhere in the Middle East. I wore a long Arab burnoose once while in North Africa. Without restrictive western wear underneath I was quite comfortable in the desert sun.

Ineke

[Sami Brown]

Good for you for stepping out of that comfort zone. I agree that what spins around in our minds is seldom as bad as the reality.

Sami

[Ariana225]

I've been to mesquite, Nevada many times! I live 3 hours away. Always with family/friends as I'm not completely out. I would love to play some black jack at a table dressed up smoking a cigarette and having a Jack and Coke! I love my nails painted and would love it even more turning over a 21 with them 😘

[Lana Mae]

Sounds like you did good and had a good time! It is only in the 90's here! Too hot for me! I am planning an outing but it will be in the morning when it is cooler! Hugs Lana Mae

[Stephanie47]

I use to live in New York City. I grew up there in an apartment. It was a living hell hole. Ninety plus degrees heat with high humidity with no air conditioning. The over night low in the apartment sometimes was in the mid 90's. Ugh! Those were the days when I slipped into my mother's clothes when I had the opportunity. That should have cured a teenager of every considering wearing women clothing; hosiery, girdle, bra, slip instead of a guy's tee shirt and a ratty pair of shorts. Now? Relocated over forty years ago to a place where in the summer you need a light blanket when sleeping. Over night lows in the fifties. It feels great to don a pretty summery dress, slip and hosiery and take a stroll in the cool evening air. A day time heat wave around here starts at 80 degrees with 40 % humidity. No need for air conditioning.

[ambigendrous]

Heat like that just SCREAMS for a light sundress! During the summer when I tell my wife "I'm going to go get comfortable" it invariably means I'm changing into one of my sundresses - thin spaghetti straps, very light cotton/polyester blend material that moves easily, about knee length A-line style - absolute comfort!

[Sarah Doepner]

Sarah,
. . . . BTW, at the casino, did you win?

I did win. I wasn't en femme at the time but was down to the last $1.15 I was putting in machines before going to bed when the machine went crazy for me. When it stopped I cashed out a ticket for $262.00. My room was a comp, so that win covered my gas, food and some shopping as well as putting some money in my purse for the next time I go out.

The only other thing I need to mention is for those of us who are not out to everyone, remember to wear sunscreen if you are going to be out for a while. A couple years ago I was able to sit outside in what I thought was good shade for a while. Later that evening I found a mild sunburn that showed I was wearing a bra and it only turned to a nice tan line for the rest of the summer. I couldn't go swimming or take my shirt off without showing who I was. I've done the same thing with sandals, so don't forget to rub sunscreen on your feet as well if you don't want to be explaining your unique tan lines.

[kimdl93]

Although I haven't been out and about for quite a while now, my experiences - every step beyond that supposed comfort zone - proved to be positively eventful.

[abby054]

...I was able to sit outside in what I thought was good shade for a while. Later that evening I found a mild sunburn that showed I was wearing a bra and it only turned to a nice tan line for the rest of the summer. I couldn't go swimming or take my shirt off without showing who I was. I've done the same thing with sandals, so don't forget to rub sunscreen on your feet as well if you don't want to be explaining your unique tan lines.

Been there! Two years ago on a hot, sunny day at the Denver Botanical Garden, I wore a light, gauzy white and blue embroidered top over a blue denim skirt. The top was thin enough that I wore a white, spaghetti strap camisole under it. I put sunscreen on my exposed forearms and legs (which never see sunshine in drab), but not on my shoulders. I tried to stay in the shade as much as possible. When I returned to my hotel, I had sunburn lines on my shoulders, showing my bra straps clearly. Luckily, only my shoulders and not my chest or back were burned. This was quite a surprise. In drab, I have experienced plenty of sunburns, but never one that burned through a shirt.

I wore SPF rated foundation on my face, so no burn or even tan there.

Sunscreen kept the burn off my feet, but not it did not prevent tan lines. In drab, I always wear closed toe shoes even on the hottest days. En femme this time, I wore white open toe flat sandals with a cross hatch pattern across the vamp. That pattern stayed on my feet until well after New Year's Day.