This is a topic I've been interested in for a long time. I value my privacy and would not care to be called out as Fred when dolled up. My view is that this is unlikely; my own mama would be more likely to say "you're a dude" than "you're my son"!
Previous thread: http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/...-up&highlight=
Two more data points this week. Had lunch with the lovely and charming Kim this week. She is well-known to many of you (14,000+ posts) and has a discerning eye. She's seen lots of photos of me but this was the first time we've met face-to-face. I asked her if I was what she was expecting and she said "yes, exactly what I was expecting". I then picked out a photo of Fred for scrutiny. "No way you're going to get picked, you two look nothing alike." Score!
I had a MAC counter makeover with Emely two months ago. I was presenting female except for having a fresh face. She was brilliant and we had a lovely ol' time. We're now Facebook friends so have had loose connections since then but nothing direct.
I walked up to the MAC counter in full on dude mode. Baseball cap, tinted glasses, two day beard growth.
"Can I help you?"
"Do I look familiar?"
Big cheesy grin by me. Three second pause. Then the light bulb went on.
"Michelle???"
Wow, impressive. I asked her what clicked and she said "Eyebrows. Yours were good-to-go for your makeover, which surprised me, and I recognized them."
My wife says she might not pick me except for my smile.
So, lots of fun, and mostly reassuring...Hugs, Michelle