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Ladies, Is your look age-appropriate? When dressed do you aim for older or younger? I have seen here in Ottawa many dressers in their forties trying to look 25 and it just looks stupid. That said, I've had some stylists do my hair and it makes me look ten years older than I am and I end up brushing it out a bit in the ladies' room.
So are you concerned with looking age-appropriate. Do you look and dress as a woman of your real age?
Hi Ophelia,
That is a hard one to answer . . . Specifically, what is age appropriate? I am just shy of the big 50 and for the most part dress conservatively (jeans, tops, sandals sweater or skirt/top or a dress - maxi for the most part) Now I have seen women in their 20s dressed similarly so I am not sure if I am emulating a younger woman or just they (young women) can wear whatever they choose. However, while I may wear skinny jeans, suffice it to say, I won't be sporting any crop tops or micro mini skirts if that is what you mean. I would say I dress to blend and believe that age appropriate dressing is really a matter of how you feel and what makes you happy.
Hugs
Isha
Yes, I want to be age appropriate, but what's acceptable for a fit and attractive woman at 40 can also be acceptable for a woman of 50 or 60 and beyond.
I just turned 61, but en femme I HOPE I read more like 50. I agree with Isha that I'm not doing any miniskirts or crop tops. Blending is my goal. I don't think even in my way younger years I was ever going to look sexy. I'm settling for cute from my wife right now.
In my opinion, all people should dress in a way that makes them comfortable.
Remember, this *IS* a forum where we talk about wearing unconventional apparel.
Best wishes
MsVal
Age appropriate, body shape compatible, coordinated colour and style, weather/season suitable, accessorized, makeup just right... Someone should have told me it would be this hard. Is there a manual???
I probably dress a bit conservative for someone in their late 20's; lots of dark office clothes and such. I've been meaning to play around with some more age appropriate styles that I might be able to pull off.
If I were to dress age appropriate, I'd have to put on a granny dress, a short grey wig that would look like I'm wearing a dead cat on my head, and sport a cane. Advantage - as Julie Gaum mentioned, in granny mode one could go out and about and no one would give you a second glance.
T'ain't going to happen. If and when I venture forth it will be in a nice top, a medium long skirt, and nice shiny long hair to cover the tape hiding my ample turkey wobble.
Some years ago I met a delightful couple, he 85, she mid 70's (he called her his child bride). They acted like two young lovers. She was not pretty, a bit worn face and she looked her age. But she had her long grey hair in two braids, wore sporty clothes and had such a wonderful and delightful personality that she was beautiful and looked young. She would be my inspiration.
Ineke
When Tina is home, she has a range of dress. The problem with presenting in public in dress that is obviously outside of the local norms, be it age or any other norm, is that it attracts a second or third look. It's hard enough putting across a coherent feminine presence with clothes that match local norms, so staying "appropriate" is always on my mind.
I always do my best to look good, but I have to live with the reality that I'm no longer smooth-skinned and my body has a few curves that I'm not proud of. I have a few things that are probably a bit "younger" than I am, but I save those for CDing events where they are appropriate. Horses for courses.
Isha's got it right. Micro mini's and fishnets don't sell so well in public with someone entering their sixth decade. So I'm fifty plus, and most would say that I don't look it in guy mode. I think I'm passing better shooting for 45 as a lady. I think age-appropriate goes within a ten years range? I think what really looks out of whack is some wigs I've seen dressers in. Really, how many good looking GG's in their forties or fifties do you see with perfect, shiny real hair past their shoulders? My favorite make-up hair team in Kingston, Ontario (Serenity Spa..totally excellent and cool) mentioned that I could dress a little younger..One in Ottawa, "It's a Wrap"...got it just age-right with the makeup.
Some GG's make the mistake of not updating their look with time, keeping hairstyles and fashions way past their best before dates. I think it's something we should consider if we want to pass well.
That said, I recently tried on a black "band-aid" mini skirt with a flowery chiffon blousy thing and it totally rocked! (Felt pretty good to with stretch on the bottom and total freedom on the top)
No, I do not dress age appropriate. I dress the way I like, which is probably 35 years younger than I am. If others don't like it they can kiss my padded butt.
Who dresses for the public? Women ...Perhaps? I do not I dress for myself only and have no urge to be seen in public..I have to get a image of looking sexy and that would be a magnet for the public's eyes. i understand that.. But why dress if I can't look sexy :)
When I go out in public "dressed", I am in no way trying to imitate or "pass" as a female of any age. I wear whatever I want regardless of what age female would be most likely to wear something similar.
How else is JD Public going to learn anything?
Age-appropriate? A subjective and perhaps judgmental term.
Dress the way you want to dress.
if and when i do get out i usually dress casual , jeans , bra & forms , simple top, sandals,hair in a pony tail, earrings. try not to draw attention and go about my business.
LIFE is GOOD then :)
I wear what a like if it looks good on me (clothing tends to be colorful, modest, and comfortable)
I'm fully aware of what it takes to "pass" these days. Pretty much frumpy. I'm a classy old broad with a killer wardrobe and a ton of self confidence. Of course I dress age appropriate. Just tell me what age I am and I'll show you all the style you can handle. Check out my Flickr site then you tell me how appropriate I am!
Depends on my mood at the time.When I'm blonde Barbie,I dress younger than I am.After all,nobody sees it but me.When I'm redhead Barbara,as I am right now,I dress more age appropriate.
Quote:
Originally Posted by heatherdress
Heather, Cara - YES! :cheer: Let's actively keep the judgments down... and why...?Quote:
Originally Posted by Cara Lacey
^^^ This is why. And at moments like this it's why I like this forum... How easily we forget that we are all just fellas in frocks...Quote:
Originally Posted by MsVal
We all do this for different motivations, in different ways, different places and to different degrees of... blendability...?
But - you only need to take a look at more youthfully-minded GGs of any age to realise that 'age-appropriateness' is just another box to be constrained by... Of course, don't go out looking a clown, but be comfortable and be you!
Katey x
I didnt get the memo! I dress as I want guy or girl. My wife says I have stripper style! Sounds great to me, I love strippers!
When you are at home, I say dress as you please. Wear what makes you happy. As far as going out dressed, I would say its more of a "venue appropriate" thing. You sure wouldnt wear the same thing to a mall as you would to a nice dinner venue or to a dance club. Also I say wear what flatters your figure, sure if junior cloths fit you, great just pick a color and style that suits. If its misses or petites or womens dept there is no set of rules. Look around at ggs that are about your age and body shape and see what they are wearing. Try a few things till you find what you like.
Ha! Love that. If you do find that manual let us all know. The author would make a fortune. But it needs a cover of a bicycler and a title like "Crossing America the hard way"Quote:
Originally Posted by Donnagirl
Age appropriate. You don't have to wear a "granny dress" if you are a senior but miniskirts and 6" heels look silly on someone who is obviously old enough to have grandchildren.
Older women dress like older women for a reason.
Hi Ophelia, I'm 71 and I like to dress as a 50ish lady, It's amazing
how the right outfit can dress you back 10 to 20 years.
I inwardly bristle a bit at the "age appropriate" pc attitude. Granted, someone my age doesn't need to be shopping at Abercrombie, but I love it when I see a mature gg dialing up the stylish and sexy a bit.
Always try to dress in a classic elegant feminine style for the event or season, but always be comfortable and confident in whatever I choose to wear! Enjoy.
This theme seems to role around too regularly. I keep telling myself not to get upset at those who should be supportive telling me that I don't dress age appropriately.
Thanks to all the ladies here that recognise we are already breaking society's golden rule, men must not wear dresses. What's one more broken rule after that? Dress for enjoyment, show some leg, hold age at bay, be different, be noticed, live life. Hasn't stopped me making some really good GG friends.
For those that know what is happening beyond their country border, go the Aussies!!
For those who are offended by CDers who don't dress age-appropriate, I have a solution: don't look.
Age appropriate dressing? Yes, how sensible for a man in a dress. Now if only I could stop dreaming of those infernal bandage dresses...
I always dress age appropriate, I never shop in the children's section, or the Juniors, section, but always in the women's section.
Beyond that, no I don't wear 70's style pant suits, even though it is common, among 70 year old women.
We know it when we see it.
These threads kill me as they ALWAYS divide into three general areas:
1) "there are no rules, dress as I like"
2) "I've seen 70 years olds with killer legs."
3) "I try to be age appropriate."
First, inherent in this question is that the cross dresser is going out in public. If you are a stay home cross dresser, this is not about you. Second, older does not equal frumpy. That is is a misguided thought at best. And third, "age" is not a number but a range.
Contrary to the "no rules" crowd, we all know there ARE rules. We see it daily. So, if you choose to flaunt the rules and genetic women sometimes do as well, then you must accept the consequences. The consequence being that most people will think of you as pathetic. That's really it. There will be no violence, no screams, no more pointing or laughing, just people thinking poorly of you. THAT is the consequence. We seem to care about this in our daily lives, why not care about it in our cross dressing lives?
There's age appropriate from the rear view and age appropriate from the front view. I have encountered many lovely rear views at the mall, nice legs in a short skirt or dress, and, nice looking rump, but, alas, when the gorgeous creature turns around, the front view just does not go with the rear view. Again societal expectations arise. Society says that short mid thigh dress belongs on my teenage granddaughter and not my wife with a BMI of 30+.
Me? I keep the dresses at knee length +/- an inch or two. Style of the dress? I check out the models showing off the dresses on websites. It's easy to see what society feels I should wear. One thing I have notice about myself is the fact a camera lens really shows what I really look like, and, not the vision I see in the mirror. That's in guy or girl mode.
But wear what you want. Only you have to bear the consequences.
Age-appropriate rules?
Maybe in the fashion industry, or business world, or school, or the military - there may be dress rules to follow. Maybe there are customary rules of dress for special occasions (weddings and funerals). Maybe there are seasonal rules to address summer heat or winter snow. Maybe it might help to think there are rules to follow and you will "pass" if you follow the rules. Maybe it is helpful to have rules, age-approipriate rules, if you enjoy being a critic of others. But reality is - people dress as they want to and should dress the way they want to dress. If you want to be noticed, you dress to be noticed. If you do not want to be noticed, you dress accordingly.
It's really a combination of where you are going, who you are with, what you look good wearing and what makes you feel good. The older I get, the more important it is for me to dress for myself and enjoy life. I really do not care what other people think, especially if I don't know them.
If you want to live your life by the dress rules and opinions of others, go ahead.
just last week I was in the 20 year old department when the SA told me I should be in the 40 year old department. Is there age appropriate? Someone tell Cher
Always age appropriate ... I hope (69)
Attachment 229243
....casual but I think every day appropriate.....................Debra
I missed out on crossdressing when I was 20 so Im making up for lost time! Hahaha
If I dressed age appropriate, my go-to accessory would be a walker. Actually, when I go out I dress body-appropriate. I try to make do the best I can with the body I have at this age. No mini-skirts and bare middles. Sometimes, a skirt slightly above the knee. Sometimes, one almost to the ankles. Did I answer the question?
What Jennifer said...Quote:
Originally Posted by Jenniferathome
The reality is that while every CDer has the right to "speak their own truth" as they see fit, they do not live in a vacuum, and their behavior - good or bad - ulimately reflects on all of us, not to mention the way in which we are perceived by the general public. While this may not necessarily be fair, it is what it is. And frankly, I don't want to be lumped in with the "fetish" crossdressers when they strut their stuff in public, and then be looked down upon as being just another "one of those..." (nudge, nudge, wink, wink) when I go out en femme myself.
When I go out in public as "Leslie", I always dress in an elegant (and I like to think) polished and sophisticated manner and in a way that is not out of place with wherever I might find myself. In fact, I typically dress a bit better than the GG's that I am surrounded by at any given time, and by raising the bar somewhat that way, I give them little ground on which to criticize me should they be so inclined.
This approach has always worked for me, and I have never had a bad experience in public as a result. If anything, it has led to compliments from GG's from time to time, not to mention some delightful conversations and sometimes even an exchange of fashion tips.
As Aretha Franklin once put it: "R-E-S-P-E-C-T"...
Hmmmm. Vedddddy interesting. People that wear the wrong clothes telling others WHICH wrong clothes to wear.
I drive a Honda.
Is that an acceptable vehicle for a CDer to drive?
And my current bike is a Kawasaki...?
Maybe I will have to start hanging out on the street corners downtown. I may have stripper style but its classy stripper style!!!! I will be the best dressed for sure! Yay! Hahaha
Just joking btw! Im just taking the other side to have some fun here!
No, Wild, it's not - unless it's a "Chickmobile" like a Honda Insight... ;)
And do you really want to be riding a Kawasaki when you could just as easily be tooling around on a Vespa? :eek:
So many variable with this question I don't think there really is an age appropriate style. I've seen 65-70 year old women rock a mini skirt and heels that put younger girls to shame. I think it's more body appropriate in my opinion. I've seen 20yrolds wearing crop tops and daisy dukes that shouldn't be.
According to my wife, who can spot a Cd a mile away, ressing un-appropriately for one's age does not stick out as much as someone who is way over dressed for the current situation.
"It's always easy to spot the cross-dresser, they're the ones wearing the gown at the supermarket or the cocktail dress at a rollerskating party."
This quote exactly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cara Lacey
I dress in a way that lets me feel comfortable being myself. I'm really not interested in dressing to please others, be it "age appropriate" to "blend" or whatever. This is my time and my aim is to enjoy it my way. End of story.:battingeyelashes::)
I'm with Jennifer and Leslie on this one... If I'm going out, I personally choose to dress age-appropriately. I do so because I prefer to make myself appear as "normal" as possible, so that I can go about my day without having to feel self-conscious or potentially making somebody any more uncomfortable than necessary. In exchange, I expect people to treat me with that same respect, by dealing with me like a human being. I've been in the ladies room with women taking care of their children a number of times - our limited interactions give me hope that they appreciate me sparing them the majority of a conversation they didn't want to have with the child yet.
Ultimately, do what you like, especially in your home or at private events. GGs that dress age inappropriately or overly provocatively are ALSO the recipients of a lot of unwanted attention, usually negative (and sometime dangerous). If you're making a conscious choice about it, then own it, deal with the attention, and keep being a badass! If you just don't know how to dress appropriately, then make an effort to learn. THEN you can make a conscious choice not to do so, and THAT'S fashion.
I've met a number of girls who make the choice to dress inappropriately for their age (or the location, event, or...) and get huffy when people are staring or treating them inconsiderately. Respect in public goes both ways, and don't do the crime if you can't do the time.
What a ridiculous notion! If I can pretend to be a woman I can also pretend I am 25.
Der Rules are der Rules! I'm 70 and I KNOW it's important to certain folks that I dress my age. So, I do. See?
However, Sherry is only 17. And, much like my daughter, doesn't give a crap how I or "they" feel.
If u think presenting as dowdy old maid is cool? Do it! But, us girls just want to have fun:devil:
I try to dress according to my surroundings. If I go to a movie as Jenny, comphy skirt , blouse and sandals. Going to a club I dress a little sexier. But I always wear some type of skirt, mostly above the no matter where I'm going asJenny. Just have fun!