Act your age-Resent your age ?

I've been CDing most of my life much of it fitted in opportune moments, no thought of putting outfits together and usually coming to a sexual ending and the ensuing shame and guilt !
Much of this changed when I came out to my wife in my forties, ( I submitted a thread a while ago asking why so many come out in their forties .) I felt much freer and started to buy my own underwear, but was still happy to share my wife's clothes, which is part of my CDing needs , heels were more of a problem and I began to enjoy makeup.
The coming out was fairly short lived, the freedom I thought I had evaporated into a DADT situation, so it's taken till now and the realisation that CDing is for life that I've made things happen ! Shaving legs and buying heels made me realise I could look OK, I feel I want to play catch up with all the lost years ! So should I just accept my age and act it or do I resent my age and say what the hell and go for it while I can ?
Members who have consistently dressed may not have this problem and will probably tell me to act my age ! Is there really no fool like an old fool ?

The hell with age dress and act the way you feel. I may not go out dressed like a twenty ur old but I like seeing my self dressed like one. A lot of us missed that feeling when we were in our twentys and for me at least for a brief moment when I dress a little sexy I feel twenty again. No harm no foul.

It's hard. That photo of you in the mini with the jacket top is EXACTLY what I look like when I'm in, what I call, my "hooker" outfit.
It's the look that I enjoy the most, by far. When I first started to go out in public that's what I wore, but then it dawned on me what I was trying to accomplish, which was to be accepted by society as a girl, a REAL girl, and not some either "guy trying to pass" or a "girl with low morals".
That's when I learned that in order to BE a girl you had to act and dress for the occassion (darn!).
My wife usually chooses what she would like to see me in, and she has NEVER picked-out my black mini-skirt, the "leather-look" from Frederick's of Hollywood.
Nor has she pick-out ff seamed black stockings. She chooses just your normal beige stockings without the seam (darn).
So I had to give-up wearing what I most enjoy wearing, at least out in public 99% of the time.
Don't get me wrong, going to the mall and "passing" is great, and I do it often, but if I could get away with my "hooker" outfit 24-7, that's what I'd be in.
However, when I'm at home and we're not going out, I will wear what makes me happy (read "relaxed") and that WILL NOT be age appropirate, indeed.
But the name of the game is to HAVE FUN, while ALWAYS staying safe.
I "pass", and wearing my mini sends a message to guys that maybe I'd like to "party". And if they come on to you and find out that you're really a guy, well, that insults their manhood somehow, if you know what I mean, and then they can get REALLY mad mean and nasty.
Trust me on that one, I've had a few problems going to my car dressed in my mini, where I've had none dressed as a business woman or an outfit that "blends".
Stay safe, PLEASE!, and have fun!
Love that pic of you in your mini! Good for you! You go, girl!

I never worry about the age factor Teresa. Whenever I go out I go out to enjoy myself and have fun. Then playing "catch up" is not necessary as I am actually doing it. :battingeyelashes::)

If you're dressing at home, wear anything that you like. If you're going out in public with the intention of trying to pass or blend in, you need to dress your age. Nobody is suggesting dressing like a bag lady, but older women will generally wear longer skirts, Less revealing blouses, less flashy colors, and of course lower or no heels. You can still be well dressed and classy. Avoid the "hooker" look.

Oh Teresa ... we always have strong polarised views with the age appropriate threads. I'm too bruised to join in again. Nice legs BTW :)

My wardrobe is divided into two styles: going out in public which is appropriate for my age and then some racey outfits that I enjoy wearing the most but do so in private.

I'm more inclined towards act like a grown up. I have no desire to be seen as a middle aged Tween. There are thousands of styles available that look good on women of all ages.

Hi Teresa, Never get yourself locked into looking & dressing OLD I always knock off 15 or 20 years and it works for me.

Hi Teresa,

Well fashion is a personal choice and sometimes we have to go with what makes us feel good. I tend to dress to blend in with the vanilla world and that includes a lot of jeans, tops, boots, some dresses (at the knee level) but that is me and that is what makes me feel good. It also serves the secondary purpose of not attracting too much attention. Now does this mean you have to dress dowdy? No. IMHO there is a difference between dressing "trendy" and dressing "too young". There is a point where you cannot pull off certain looks anymore regardless of your gender. If we reverse this and think about dressing as a guy . . . I could never pull off the baggy pants, boxers showing, skateboarder dude regardless of how good of shape I am in . . . it would look ridiculous for a 50 year old man to be dressed as such. Likewise, even if I passed (100 percent - not going to happen) as a woman I could never pull off some the twenty something looks (tight short skirts, crop tops, short shorts, etc.) because I would look like an older woman trying to recapture my youth. If you can live with that, then so be it and enjoy but I doubt many want to do that in public.

Now dressing "trendy" transcends age because we can all find a look which works. As a guy I tend to dress more metro when out on a date with my wife because it gives me a more youthful look without looking like a guy trying to dress young. There are plenty of great fashions for men of my age which looks fun and carefree without looking silly. Likewise when dressed as Isha, I can find plenty of "trendy" fashion tips to give a more youthful carefree vibe without looking like I am trying to recapture a lost youth. As a more mature gal, I don't feel the need to dress in skirts which go past my knees (unless I am purposely wearing a maxi dress) or apply to some unwritten rule that older women can't wear heels. I have seen plenty of very attractive older women dressed in power suits with great heels who make the look work for them. Do they look like an older women trying to look 20? No, they look like a confident woman wearing what makes her feel good.

To bottle the genie on this one. IMHO there is not right or wrong way to dress . . . it is what makes you feel good that counts. If some see it as "silly" when you are out and about but you don't care . . . then that is fine. Goodness we are men who dress in women's clothing so who are we to judge one's sense of fashion.

Hugs

Isha

I don't know, I go to the mall and check out women who are on the verge of 59 years old. Most appear as though they've given up on trying to look good. And not a single one is wearing a sexy maid dress. I'm in it for the fun but when I do casual, I'm still more elegant than most.

Teresa, mu opinion is to wear what you feel comfortable wearing.

I dont act my age at all.....that would mean I would have to grow up..and I'm too imature to do that ..i def dont dress my age either i will do that when i cant get away with it anymore....which should be soon.........

Hate my age. When I hit 50 I plan to start aging backward.

I admit there's a detail or three to figure out...

I don't mind the " Hooker " look but most of my skirts aren't that short, apart from two in the Carla maid style ! I prefer them just on the knee !
I included the leggy picture to make the point about how shaved legs stockings and heels can even make sixty plus legs look good !!

Carla why did you stop at 59 ? 60 isn't such a slippery slope downhill !!

Thanks all for you comments, I do appreciate your thoughts !

Was thinking about this just the other day as I was planning my outing this weekend. I love the younger looks with the short skirts and cute dresses, trouble is most of those clothes dont fit me. I can find short skirts that will fit so I thought you know what if JLo can pull it off why not me, shes pushing 40 if not there already and besides Ive been blessed with great legs so why not show off. Like Isha I too want to blend so I do try my best to tone down a little but most just go with what they feel comfortable in and hay we are men trying to pass as women how comfortable is that anyway

Act my age? Not if I can help it! That would require me to stop driving race cars, move into retirement living and watch a lot of day time TV. Not going to happen!

That said, I just can't roll the calendar back more than 15 or 20 years. Makeup won't cure sagging chin and neck, so I'm stuck with being a classy 50ish, well maybe late 50ish lady, skirts at the knee, straight leg pants or jeans coupled with modest tops as the wife likes chest fuzz.

So be it, it's still lots of fun!!

Hugs, Bria

Nobody wants to see grandma in a miniskirt dressed like a hooker or dressed like a 13 year old girl. Other than that, have at it there are a ton of fashion choices out there. Have fun with it.

The hell with age. Do what feels good (within reason, of course). And you look great, anyhow.

Is it possible to plan a somewhat inappropriate outfit (short skirt), and then wear a respectable coat over it, and head out to a safe space: a CD-friendly club, or a private party with friends? You could wear flats, but bring heels in a bag.

As I have aged, I think I have learned to appreciate the woman in me more. I pay more attention to looking the age I am and it just feels right.

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Originally Posted by Jorja

Nobody wants to see grandma in a miniskirt dressed like a hooker or dressed like a 13 year old girl.

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no one? Hmmm...better talk to Rachael Welch, Goldie Hawn, Blythe Danner, Jessica Lange....Have you seen Susan Lucci in a short dress? Sophia Loren still has it. I would love to look like Ann-Margaret in 20 years.

Jenny McCarthy is going to marry and become a grandmother....

I buy at least 25% of my clothes in juniors...I still look good in them This whole, "you gotta dress this way..." seems to be hypocritical for a bunch of males who want to wear "female" clothing. One last point. If I don't want to be noticed...I will wear what I wore for 50 years. If I spend anhour getting to look good, somebody better damn well notice

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I've always tried to do my very best, and I want to be the very best age, whatever age I am.

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Ann-Margret

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Once you get rid of the idea that you must please other people before you please yourself, and you begin to follow your own instincts - only then can you be successful. You become more satisfied, and when you are, other people will tend to be satisfied by what you do.

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Raquel Welch

I dress comfortably but classy. I'm not a mini skirt person, too hard to stay presentable. I was at a CD weekend at a local resort and there was an older dresser, wearing an extremely short outfit who had a bit too much to drink. Not a pretty sight when her hem was basically hiked to her waist.
At sixty years old I tend to dress as a middle aged woman would dress. Knee length skirt, nice top although in the summer I do have a shorter skort that I can wear that looks ok on me.

I agree that acting one's age when dressing at home is not necessary. If the clothes make you feel lovely and feminine, dress any way you can. I've been wearing skirts and dresses that were twenty years younger than me for most of my adult life.

You are making this complicated. Not only can I not properly deal with my gender, now I have to deal with my age as well? Actually I've been told I don't look my age when in drab (no, I don't look older), and once I get my complexion worked on and put on hair with rich color I think I look quite a bit younger than might be accounted for in my trips around the sun.

But does that make it possible for me to go out in public and try to drop another 15 or 20 years? Probably not in the cards for me, but that's me, not you. My height and frame kind of put me in a position to attract some attention, so when I do get out of the house my choice is to work toward the blend-in or pass-by mode most of the time. At home, I will occasionally try something much younger, but my focus is to "practice what I present". That kind of consistency helps reduce the anxiety just a bit more and, for me, that's a good thing.

At home anything goes, why not dress how my mind feel...much younger :). But to pass, I would dress appropriate for my age, that is if I could pass or dare to go out.

Teresa - you've got an admirably petite and slim figure for a 'woman' of your generation... why would you want to waste the opportunities after all this time...? So the best advice I've seen so far:

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Originally Posted by BLUE ORCHID

Hi Teresa, Never get yourself locked into looking & dressing OLD I always knock off 15 or 20 years and it works for me.

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And this is such a great idea - and from a GG of course.... years of experience help so much.. :D

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Originally Posted by JessM.

Is it possible to plan a somewhat inappropriate outfit (short skirt), and then wear a respectable coat over it, and head out to a safe space: a CD-friendly club, or a private party with friends? You could wear flats, but bring heels in a bag.

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Totally brilliant!! Decide what you want to wear and then choose a venue appropriate for the outfit (perhaps you can guess where I'm thinking of...? ;)) Don't let the idea that you have to go shopping and therefore look dull... live a little... push that envelope while you still have the time and the legs! :cheer:

Katey x

I agree with all of those of the dress how you feel camp- I am older-, but i sure look and feel like a thirty three year old when I am dressed. The "I sure look like a thirty three year old" part is a matter of opinion!Mine! and I am biased. But you should by all means go for the gusto while you can-dress young, wild, ****ty, however you feel- it is, after all, the fountain of YOUTH!

Well said, Gina (above). Crossdressing can be the fountain of youth if you make it so.

You can fight getting older, or you can embrace it. I just ignore it.

I dress my perceived age which is 50ish. I am actually 65 next month. I love wearing what a classy "woman of a certain age" would wear.

I'm only dressing for an audience of one, me. And I'm easily fooled. The camera tells me the truth that the mirror won't. But I prefer to believe the mirror and so dress accordingly.

I try to dress classy, but not too dressy. One nice thing about being old is that everyone's nice to old ladies.

I don't act (dress) or resent it...I've seen some pretty hot 50-something GGs and am aspiring to that while I can :D

Be the style and woman you want to be. As many have said, dressing out of
the "norm" of a place will get you noticed, but if that's ok, then Ok.
Normal while in the RW is what most GG's wear. But there will always be style pushers, you know
who they are because you and everyone else is watching them.
As long as you smile go for it.
In private anything you like is great.

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Originally Posted by BarbDriscoll

I'm only dressing for an audience of one, me. And I'm easily fooled. The camera tells me the truth that the mirror won't. But I prefer to believe the mirror and so dress accordingly.

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Being a new girl here and now at the tender age of 69 I still like to dress in a much younger style sometimes I took these pic's at christmas time 2011.
Wear what you feel happy in on that day. As I have only been out a few times and tend to wear dresses.

Martina

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Originally Posted by Lorileah

no one? Hmmm...better talk to Rachael Welch, Goldie Hawn, Blythe Danner, Jessica Lange....Have you seen Susan Lucci in a short dress? Sophia Loren still has it. I would love to look like Ann-Margaret in 20 years.

Jenny McCarthy is going to marry and become a grandmother....

I buy at least 25% of my clothes in juniors...I still look good in them This whole, "you gotta dress this way..." seems to be hypocritical for a bunch of males who want to wear "female" clothing. One last point. If I don't want to be noticed...I will wear what I wore for 50 years. If I spend anhour getting to look good, somebody better damn well notice


Ann-Margret


Raquel Welch

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I am by no means saying do not dress young. I am saying take a walk around your own town. How many women over 50 do you see running around in miniskirts? Very damn few, if any! I wonder why that is?

I have always been conservative and age appropriate in my dressing. I don't really care what others do. They will give the rest of us someone else to talk about.

Bobbi

hi teresa,i was in a dadt marrege for close to forty years, so heres my 2 cents this is all a fantasy,done with smoke and mirrors. but its your cd fantasy so dress any way that makes you happy.remember sometimes it is all about yoy.hugs love lynda

All I say is 'wear what you please'!

It would be a bit hypocritical for any of us to tell others what to wear wouldn't it

Perhaps, but shouldn't we try to give suggestions on how to look better? It's hard to figure all this stuff out on your own. Learning from others avoids us having to make all the mistakes ourselves before we get it right.

Teresa,

Speaking for myself, I guess I've been lucky. I'm past the 70 mark but few people guess that I'm that old, male or female presentation. I go with what most others here have said -- I try to wear what other 50-ish-60ish women here in Florida wear -- not granny stuff, but informal sports clothes -- jeans, capris, blouses and the occasional long skirt. Most of my out and about activities are daytime chores -- shopping, doctors/dental visits, lunch -- so I'm not looking to do any "chickie" looks! I rather enjoy the attention and reactions that older ladies get -- very polite, lots of "Hon's" (we do that here in FLA). I just feel like I fit in better that way.

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Originally Posted by Teresa

I thought I had evaporated into a DADT situation, so it's taken till now and the realisation that CDing is for life that I've made things happen ! Shaving legs and buying heels made me realise I could look OK, I feel I want to play catch up with all the lost years !

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... and I think that THIS is a major step! Enjoy your new-found self :battingeyelashes:. The way I try to catch up with "lost years" is to be out and about as much as I can -- without looking like the 30-year age gap that I missed!

Hi Teresa. I think the outfit you are wearing in the photo looks great on you - you have the body to pull it off.

I'm not a big fan of "act your age!" Who wants to be old?

My opinion is you should wear clothes that make you feel good. Sure, if you care what other people think, some attire is going to be viewed as more appropriate than others. I'd advise against paying attention to what other people think. What have other people ever done for you except tell you that you are weird? If you are like the rest of us, you've spent most of your life fighting who you were. So now that you are finally allowing yourself some freedom to be you, just enjoy it sweetie!

I really admire so many of the CDs I have the pleasure of knowing because y'all manage to dare to wear, and look fabulous in, outfits that a frumpy old transsexual woman like me would never dare attempt!

while I'm not usually one to preach about what we girls should or shouldn't wear--we are guys dressing like women after all--I will say that, many or the genetic females I see wearing 'age-INappropriate' stuff shouldn't be. Raquel Welch and Susan Lucci are obvious exceptions. I think we can still look good without micro-mini's and stripper heels

Dressing your age does not mean Polyester pantsuits, older women of style can usually afford to shop in better stores than younger shoppers, go to Macy's or Nordstrom's, or any high end store and look at what the older ladies are wearing. Tailored slacks, delicate blouses, and great shoes. Skirts the length a mature women can wear and feel good about it, and look good too. Check out he older women in Hollywood, they don't dress dowdy, but still look good at just about any age. Even Betty White wears sequence!

I neither act my age nor do I resent it.
Sometimes it is an advantage....

Cheap bus fares. :D

I get pinged for this all the time, in boy and girl mode!
I am the proverbial toys R us kid!
I enjoy the juniors section and LOVE to wear short dresses, shorts and Skirts.
AND how can I act my age when I have never been this age before.
Bobbi