Would someone recognize you if you were dressed?

[Jamie1980]

I once threw a Hallowing party and a workmate (who prior to that had a beard) came dressed as a woman. And really looked good! He then kept hitting on me. I could not recognize him at all. Eventually his hitting on me started getting annoying. It wasn't until the very end that he let me know who he was. When I look at my dressed pictures, I can see myself, but I am not sure others could. Anyone been recognized?

Jamie

[JuliannaS]

It would probably depend how dressed up, howuch make up, etc. I went to a Halloween party dressed years ago, everyone knew it was me, and they all hit on me. One guy even picked me up and carried me.

[Helen_Highwater]

Jamie,

That is a tricky question. We will always see ourselves no matter what makeup or wig we wear. We might think it's a better looking version of us but us nevertheless.

If you take a look in the Pictures section there's a sticky there Boy Vs Girl mode. Many of those even though we see both modes side by side look like two different people which perhaps is more an indication of how others would see us when enfemme. I've written of once being at a social group and it was getting towards the end of the evening. It was a private room and the toilet door opened and two guys suddenly appeared my first though being where the hell did they come from. It took a second or two to realise I'd been sat next to both of them but while in their femme attire. The difference was remarkable.

[Suzi Q]

Jamie,

I have been within four feet of two former employees that worked for me for over twenty years at three car shows and they looked straight at me and did not recognize me. Same thing with their wives. At a later date I have talked to them and they were just as normal with me as always.

Two weeks ago I was at a local health food store and a girl from church that I have known since she was born 55+ years ago checked me out and I paid with a credit card and used a customer loyalty card and she never gave any indication she knew me. On a later date I checked out and she greeted me as usual asking about me and my family etc. I don't believe she had any idea about me being there dressed previously.

I think if you are not with your spouse or in a distinctive vehicle that would be associated with you that in MOST cases most people won't make a connection and recognize you.

Suzi Q

[Karren H]

We do not look alike.... at all! I have walked past co-workers in parking lots while out enfemme on business trips... no one has recognized her as me... is...

[Stephanie47]

I think I am a dead giveaway because I am six foot and 200 pounds. When I look in the mirror I see myself. Some people are more observant and are better at facial recognition than others. A long time ago my wife and I were outside the local Eagles Club and my wife's father showed up attired as a woman for Halloween. To my wife and I he was fully recognizable. Basically he had on a wig and a dress. That was his attempt at female impersonation. Later, he said nobody at the club recognized him. I thought to myself everyone must have been dead drunk already. My wife has absolutely no memory of meeting her father that night. Me? I was envious that his girl friend convinced him to dress as a woman.

[Micki_Finn]

It really depends on who that “someone” is and how well they know you.

[michelle.foster]

I am in a band and one of my band mates had his annual Holloween party/jam. I showed up in my maid costume. He knew it was me because he was outside when my wife and I drove up. The other band member came later and didn't recognize me at all. That same night before my wife and I left for the party, I stopped my a couple of neighbor places, we live in a trailer park, unannounced. They didn't know who this maid was that was approaching them until they saw my wife coming up from behind. So I don't think anyone would know who I was, especially with good make up. It's so much fun!

[Maria 60]

A Halloween a few years ago we went house hopping and when I was leaving my freinds house he said goodbye and called out my male name. His wife started laughing and told my friend I wasn't there. She was in shock how I looked and she didn't recognize me at all.

[docrobbysherry]

I don't go to vanilla venues near me dressed. So, everywhere I go dressed? They only know me as Sherry.:battingeyelashes:

Early on I attended a trans, afternoon, BBQ at someone's home in drab. They all knew and welcomed Sherry. But, no one said a word to me!:eek:

Last time I ever did that!:devil:

[sometimes_miss]

I think I am a dead giveaway because I am six foot and 200 pounds.
So you're the size of my sister. No big deal! She never gets mistaken for a man.
But I don't think I'd be able to get away with it. Six four, 250, fat head, I couldn't even pass for Dot Jones.
Feet way too big, hands too. Protruding brow bar on my forehead. Nope, not gonna work.
Maybe this Halloween I can dress up as Princess Fiona, though I don't know how good I'll look in green!

[TheHiddenMe]

I have been told no. Here's a couple examples.

Last year in Australia went to a Dangerfield store dressed. Spent about an hour with Amelia.

Went back a week later as the guy me. Amelia was at the desk. I asked her if another associate was working. She didn't know it was me.

Was in a local Savers. A young woman came up to me and said I looked good, had great legs, and should stick to short dresses (which I tend to do). We talked for about 5 minutes.

A week later, browsing in boy mode. I see her, and decide to walk up to her. I made mention of something we had talked about. She had no idea I was the same person. I even asked her about it.

I was in Vegas, in a Ted Baker store, and asked the SA if they had a certain dress, and showed her a dress that I was wearing (what happens in Vegas....). She asked when my wife tried it on. I told her it wasn't my wife, it was me.

Also, I was walking into DSW and walking out was a woman who knows me (99% sure it was her but I looked away to try to avoid detection). She has never said anything. Fortunately, I didn't blurt out "hi Erin"....

[Di]

When Sherlyn and I started dating she would not believe me no one would ever recognize her/ her.
We lived in different countrys and while there for a visit I convinced her to go to a water front park where her mom, brother and step dad would sit and have coffee after dinner. They have not met me yet, we drove my car and were inches away and they had no idea . She finally believed me.

[Jane G]

I think there is definitely a related question of, do you pass as a woman here. If you are seen as a woman at first glance then there is little chance any one else is going to recognise a male they know. If you are seen as male despite the dress and make up, as some are, due to physical build, then others are bound to check further into their knowledge and history banks to try and fathom who/what they are seeing. It's simply human nature/curiosity to do so.

[Angela Marie]

I have a petite build, 5ft 6 135-140 so that does make it easier. My wife says no one would recognize me. I have never come face to face with someone I know well, but i'll take my wife's word lol.

[sara66]

Maybe, I have gone into a store that knows me and they did not recognize me. I have had SA's know who i was just walking in the door.
I think if people have no expectation of you dressed than i don't thing most people would notice at a casual glance.
Sara

[Samm]

There's an easy answer here....
Just take a look at the "boy mode vs. girl mode" thread.
That being said, I don't think I look that much different between modes, and would most likely be recognized. But that theory hasn't been tested.... yet.

[JocelynJames]

I would probably be recognized. My makeup skills are enough to get me covered and I have a defining scar above my right eyebrow. I think if given enough time , anyone that knows you well could tell.

[MonicaPVD]

I have always refrained from going out dressed near my home base to avoid the possibility of being recognized. Even so, after a while, it's almost inevitable that you will encounter friends or relatives or co-workers. It has happened to me more than a few times now, and the people have either not recognized me or, possibly, simply chose to act as if they did not. I really believe that most of us go about our lives quite self-absorbed and aren't walking around actively scanning the horizon trying to identify people we know. My experience in the vanilla world tends to back up this theory. The photos in the comparison thread are a pretty stark reminder that we look very very different to others, even though we may see ourselves clearly in the mirror.


I think there is definitely a related question of, do you pass as a woman here. If you are seen as a woman at first glance then there is little chance any one else is going to recognise a male they know. If you are seen as male despite the dress and make-up, as some are, due to physical build, then others are bound to check further into their knowledge and history banks to try and fathom who/what they are seeing. It's simply human nature/curiosity to do so.

To "pass" as a woman is, in my opinion, simply to blend into the environment thanks to a combination of random genetics, makeup skills, and attire. If anyone walks past a number of women who all tend to be the same size and shape and wearing situation-appropriate clothes, no one would ever stop to determine which of them is a GG and which is not. Most of the time, I go to great lengths to blend into the environment. To be just another random woman of my age. Sometimes, however, it's a blast to do the exact opposite. To make a bold statement and become a focal point for attention. That's something I have enjoyed doing far, far away from home, lol.

[Alice Torn]

Yes, because of my size and build.

[Cheryl T]

I would venture to say no. None of my friends or family would recognize me.
I went to a Halloween party years ago. My wife did my makeup and I was fully dressed. When we arrived I walked in with a male friend so they wouldn't get a hint.
All I heard were things like, "who is that girl?" then "so and so who's your new girlfriend?" then it became "that's a guy not a girl, who's that guy?". Finally I spoke and they all lost it. So no I don't think any would know me, especially since my skills have developed over the years.

[Jillian Faith]

It depends on the person (and their level of situational awareness), also if I was with my wife the odds of being recognized would go up expontially.

[Stephanie Voorhees]

In a word... Absolutely.

I used to try my best to "hide the man" and it never worked. No matter what I did, I always looked like me but with makeup. Only once was I able to achieve anything even remotely feminine and I ended up looking just like my mother. Eventually, I got tired of trying, and tired of caring how others perceived me. I still dress, but rarely will I do anymore makeup than lipstick. I know who I am, and that's all that really matters.

[KymG]

I have no idea.
I would like to say no, i wouldnt be recognised , but i think it depends where you are and who spots you.
I would be recognised as a man, because i havent mastered the walk, but as me hopefully not.

[rachaelsloane]

I've had this discussion with friends and basically, if no one knows you dress they are not looking for you in a wig, etc. That being said, the opposite happened to me. I was out one evening not dressed and bumped into a friend that had only met me as Rachael and she knew right away.

[MonicaPVD]

I have no idea.
I would like to say no, i wouldnt be recognised , but i think it depends where you are and who spots you.
I would be recognised as a man, because i havent mastered the walk, but as me hopefully not.

There's a clear difference between being spotted or clocked as a CD and being recognized. I'm very comfortable with people seeing me as a CD and not a woman. I learned that the more I tried to role play what I perceived to be fem behavior or traits, the more I drew attention and scrutiny to myself. I am decidedly less comfortable with people recognizing me as me, however.

[Sallee]

I once address myself in male mode to a female professor at a college I attended in Denver. She had attended are local support group many times in research for a book she did. She was also very good looking and dressed well When I first met her at the support group My comment was "Wow you pass well" Any way I walked up and said hi I know you from GIC the support group. She looked at me strangely and said "I don't recognize you at all, what is your fem name" I told her and again she said "wow I definitely know Sallee and I don't see her at all in you, amazing "
So I guess I fooled her. WE became friends on campus after that, It was fun knowing some one there you knew me in both genders. I was mentioned in her book. She had met my wife also at the group and we all attended a drag ball in Denver. Great fun

- - - Updated - - -

It seems like the general consensus is no you generally won't be recognized but you might not pass/blend as a woman. I know I have passed by people I know and not a glance, but they were doing their thing and I was doing mine. Seldom have I met CD's I know and recognized them in girl mode.

[Kimberly A.]

Jamie, I have asked my GG friend if she would recognize me en femme if she didn't know it was me..... She said she wouldn't. LOL Also, I don't go anywhere en femme where I think someone I know might be there, so I don't worry about it really. If someone else like my dad were to see me dressed, I'm sure he'd recognize me but I will NOT allow that to happen! LOL

[DianeT]

I totally recognize myself when dressed and made up and at the same time have no idea if someone else who knew me would.

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Jamie :hugs:, I don't even recognise myself when I get all put together, >Orchid**0:daydreaming:0**

[kimmy p]

Best compliment I ever received was when I went onto my favorite local pub on Halloween dressed as Kimmy. I am friends with the house band there. After waiting for an open seat I went up to say hello to them. One of the ladies, who has known me for 5 or 6 years told me that she saw me waiting for my table for over 30 minutes and never recognized me. Best feeling ever.

[Claire M]

When I first started fully dressing and contemplating going out I came across a website .... from a Canadian crossdresser group I think ... that said for most CDs a lot of people will look at you and see something "off" and carry on, some will see you as a man in a dress a dressing maybe have some reaction, but in wig and full makeup hardly anyone will recognize you as your male self unless they are really looking. It gave me a lot of confidence and I found it to be very true .. for me at least.

[SaraLin]

A long time ago in a galaxy far ...

Oh wait, wrong story. A fair number of years ago, when I was doing a "reveal" to a GG friend (I told her I was coming over dressed):

She opened the door, took one look at me and said "Oh. You're not..." then she paused and said "Oh! it IS you!"

So - I guess I passed the "quick look" but not the "closer look." Then again, she was actively looking. I'd like to think that if we'd passed on the street, she wouldn't have known who I was.

[candykowal]

I walked right past a co-worker in a open area of our metro train station and he looked right at me without a second glance.
I work in the same office area not more than 10 feet away and chatted with him about business on several occasions.
Met Carla Westin (https://www.crossdressers.com/forums/member.php?86230-CarlaWestin) on the forum here and she mentioned I look totally different in guy mode too.
So I am pretty confident most people who know my feminine self could not pic me out of a line up of people with similar facial features.

[HeatherW]

I'm quite sure there is not enough difference between dressed and drab to avoid recognition.
An SA at 7/11 met me first dressed. Bought a drink and smokes, everything very casual. She was very cordial. A week later the slight grin and knowing look told me she had me clocked.

[Lana Mae]

A co-worker came toward me in the pharmacy! She had no idea about Lana Mae! She cocked her head to the side and said my male name questioningly! No other incidences like this one ever occurred! She was very supportive and accepting! Hugs Lana Mae

[Geena75]

Allowing that I don't fully dress, mind you, but I think not. When I dress to the level I do, when I look in the mirror I scarcely recognize myself.

[MarinaTwelve200]

Not at all, I feel. I look so different than my male self and can look so many more different ways. I am one of those people that makeup, etc. can change drastically. I have no qualms about showing my fem pictures.

[Michelle 51]

Since covid and people wearing mask I'm surprised at how many people can still recognize each other.I meet people all the time and we both have mask on and will call each other by name.I think if people are use to seeing you with short hair or no hair a nice wig,good make-up skills and presentation a lot of you girls on here can pull it off.I can't.I never dress and go out in my small town.I drive at least an hour before I bring Michelle out for the public to see.

[Rachelakld]

My co-workers had no idea who I was at the Christmas party.... until I spoke.
my breast forms were passed around so everyone could have a feel, I was worried I'd never get them back.

[Connie D50]

I think no friend or work person would know me. However I look way to much like my sister if I ran into a family member I would be recognized.

[Judy-Somthing]

At 18 I got dressed up and walked to the park at about 11:00 PM and sat on a bench.

Then a car pulled up and five older guys got out and started walking towards me.
I felt it was time to leave so I started walking towards the exit and they started to follow me saying "hay, you want a beer"!

I started running, hopping two fences in a dress and heels. Well they caught up to me and were asking me who I was and if I wanted to hang out.
I didn't want to talk, I knew my voice would give me away.

They didn't realize I was a guy for about 5 min. and then one of then said "your so and sos brother, why are you dressed as a girl?" I said my friends dared me to do it.
Well they had a good laugh and left.

That was a crazy night.

[CynthiaD]

There are certain stores that I patronize only while I?m en femme. I?m usually recognized there, but I have no other experiences.

[MonicaPVD]

So... You went to a park at 11pm dressed, forty plus years ago. Five guys chased you through yards in the middle of the night. They caught up and interrogated you. And you survived that episode unscathed. You were incredibly fortunate. God or luck or something was on your side that night.



At 18 I got dressed up and walked to the park at about 11:00 PM and sat on a bench.

Then a car pulled up and five older guys got out and started walking towards me.
I felt it was time to leave so I started walking towards the exit and they started to follow me saying "hay, you want a beer"!

I started running, hopping two fences in a dress and heels. Well they caught up to me and were asking me who I was and if I wanted to hang out.
I didn't want to talk, I knew my voice would give me away.

They didn't realize I was a guy for about 5 min. and then one of then said "your so and sos brother, why are you dressed as a girl?" I said my friends dared me to do it.
Well they had a good laugh and left.

That was a crazy night.

[michellecd9999]

Most of the time they would not. I agree that if you are with a spouse or vehicle they would recognize it would be more likely. Several years ago I dressed up as a witch for Halloween (black dress, hose, 2 inch black heels, cheap black wig and green fingernails). We had a block party and I went down by myself. Started talking to several neighbors. Finally one lady asked, ?who are you?? When I told them they could not believe it! One male neighbor hit on me and several years would always ask when I was going to dress as a woman again.

[josie_S]

I don't know, but I am totally paranoid about it. So I try to go out (back when I used to go out) as far from home as I feasibly can.

[alwayshave]

Jamie, I look like one of my sisters when dressed, so I'm sure my family would recognize me. I'm not sure if others would.

[CarlaWestin]

.....
my breast forms were passed around so everyone could have a feel, I was worried I'd never get them back.

So, everyone got to feel your boobies? Too funny!

I've walked right past coworkers while dressed.

[Gi Gondin]

That is my biggest fear while CDing. But I believe the greatest risk is from recognizing my girlfriend first and then trying to figure out that tall lady with her.

After going out fully dressed (https://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?273854-First-time-fully-dressed&p=4523231#post4523231) I showed some pictures taken to my therapist . She said she would never think that girl was me.

Gave me some relief.

When going out to night clubs dressed we are always aware of that risk and pay a lot of attention to eventually bump into someone known. It has not happened yet.

[Shelly Preston]

I think this all depends on who and where.

I have never been recognised when dressed but then i have not came across many friends in that situation.

There have also been some friends I know, who have but unlucky enough to see me in male mode. They did not have a clue who I was until I spoke to them.

[Jane G]

I've had this discussion with friends and basically, if no one knows you dress they are not looking for you in a wig, etc. That being said, the opposite happened to me. I was out one evening not dressed and bumped into a friend that had only met me as Rachael and she knew right away.

That's interesting to hear.

[MonicaPVD]

Your biggest fear and you go out with your girlfriend? That's something! The minute you introduce a familiar external identifier, it's game over. Example: Your significant other, unique car or vehicle, etc.

The whole theory behind not being easily recognized is that people who know you aren't thinking of you when they randomly see a woman, even if she seems a little off somehow. Yet, the minute they see your significant other, or they see that woman getting out of your bright red convertible, you can guarantee that they are absolutely thinking of you. Game over.





That is my biggest fear while CDing. But I believe the greatest risk is from recognizing my girlfriend first and then trying to figure out that tall lady with her.

After going out fully dressed (https://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?273854-First-time-fully-dressed&p=4523231#post4523231) I showed some pictures taken to my therapist . She said she would never think that girl was me.

Gave me some relief.

When going out to night clubs dressed we are always aware of that risk and pay a lot of attention to eventually bump into someone known. It has not happened yet.

[Kate Jennings]

I would say many wouldn't recognize me.

The few times I have gone out dressed in public places have been to spots where people I know when I'm in male mode, were. And out of ten or so acquaintances who were in the room each time, only one...Who knew I was coming dressed, ever recognized me. In fact, while I was dressed, one restaurant owner friend, sent me a glass of wine and a cocktail napkin with his phone number on it...As a guy, I don't think he's ever bought me a free drink!

[jacques]

hello Jamie,
I would probably be recognised - unless I shave my beard off!
stay healthy,
luv J

[Taylor Dame]

I wear glasses all the time in male mode, but when I go out dressed I only wear contacts. That plus makeup, dressing to blend, and wig prevent anyone I know from recognizing me. Some people may figure I'm a man being 6' and 210 pounds, but there are now a number of women that size. Last time I was shopping in Marshalls, there were women my height, but not quite as heavy. People walked right by me making eye contact without even registering - they were all intent on their own shopping.

[Glenda58]

Walked by my x girlfriend at the mall. She didn't say a thing and I know she would have she hated me.