How do you look?

[Kate Simmons]

How do you look en femme? How do you see yourself and how do you think others see you? No one ever says to a woman "You look like a woman" They say something like "You look nice, you look great, you look fantastic or You look beautiful." That being the case I'm not so concerned whether I look like a "woman" so much as if I look like one of those. I have been complimented with all of the above expressions at one time or another and that made me feel pretty good.So how do you feel you look when totally dolled up and have you had genuine compliments on it?

[Jaylyn]

I have never been out so can't answer anything but how I see myself. I think when I dress to please me sometimes my mood can take the dressing in a whole different direction than pretty, great, or beautiful. When I do want beautiful I take my time and make sure every part of makeup and clothing matches. Those are the times I feel like I've changed my age looks and emerged into more feminine mode.

[Lea]

Except for Halloween I have never been out.

I had one guy that finally got the nerve to come over and ask if I was a girl or a guy as the people at his table were debating.

[Jenniferathome]

First, I think I look really different when "transformed." Really I'm unrecognizable. It's a fascinating thing. I think I look close to a normal woman of my age but close is not enough for this test. I believe anyone seeing me for more than a passing glance sees a cross dresser or maybe more likely, a transsexual. My wife says I am a good looking "woman" but innumerable cues show me as a man.

Once, a lovely, slightly drunk, much older woman complimented me with a,"You look lovely." The unsaid caveat was "for a dude." She knew I was a cross dresser prior to the comment.

[GretchenJ]

Once, a lovely, slightly drunk, much older woman complimented me with a,"You look lovely." The unsaid caveat was "for a dude." She knew I was a cross dresser prior to the comment.

Thats always been the thing with me. I have been complimented a couple of times, but as my pessimistic personality, that always sits in the back of my mind. Are they being sincere, are they appreciating the effort, are they trying to strike a conversation to hear me speak - which will confirm there assumptions.

Like Adriana mentioned, for some strange reason, I will take a complement from a woman as more sincere that that from a guy - maybe because I assume no alternative motive.

Weird?

[Janine cd]

When I was in my 50's and early 60's, I could have passed except for my height and broad shoulders. Now that I am in my mid-70's, I think it would be very unlikely.

[Tracii G]

Yes I have heard compliments like that but few and far between.
One day when I felt I was having a so so make up day one lady in ULTA stopped me and said you look so wonderful I love the sweater dress you have on.
I thanked her and she stepped back realizing I was a guy( you know the look ) and said you look so pretty its amazing.
I was stunned to be honest because I didn't think I looked that good.
Made my day tho'.

[AllieSF]

I am like Jennifer in that I think that I can give a close approximation of a woman, but not pass on close inspection. I do receive a lot of compliments from women when out, but like Kate the OP, I think that they are complimenting on how well I did in trying to reach my goal as a man trying to pass as a woman (most probably impossible for me). That being said, I have received a few true statements by others that they thought I was a woman until they heard my voice, and one of those commentators was sitting at the table right next to us.

[Maria Blackwood]

Some questions are best left unanswered in my case.

[Lacyfem]

What a good question as when done fully makeup and all I step back from a full length mirror and admirer myself but still wouldn't call myself beautiful as I know at 6'2" and taller in heels I do get noticed quite a bit on the few times I've been out. So doubt anyone would call me beautiful or good looking. I guess that's why I don't go out much and love to dress in private for myself and others that do think I'm pretty. There are those that are totally passable and I envy them but I'm happy with my fem look as do love dressing for the men who enjoy my company and the compliments I get from them make me feel fem, wonderful and beautiful.

[Siobhan]

Unsolicited compliments on my appearance always gave me a thrill, although at present I don't go out dressed. Some of the best- Chatting to another "girl" in a club who seemed rather diffident who when I revealed my real gender said she thought she was talking to a real woman. Trying on a suit in a Dublin store and being told by the sales assistant how good i looked in it.

[Alice Torn]

Like Madeline, it is my height that has always given me away, the few times i was out. Admirers send me lots of accolades on my looks, and beauty on email.

[Janine cd]

I know that I could never pass as a real woman, but with the right clothes and a good makeup job I could make a good attempt at passing.

[Joni Beauman]

I usually like what I see in the mirror and how I feel. I spend a lot of time as Joni. However, photos are less flattering. Those darn secondary sex characteristics in facial structure. I was reading about them the other day and was a bit disenchanted by the knowledge those features would always be a limiting feature in passing. Joni

[Jenniferathome]

Thats always been the thing with me. I have been complimented a couple of times, but as my pessimistic personality, that always sits in the back of my mind. Are they being sincere, are they appreciating the effort, are they trying to strike a conversation to hear me speak - which will confirm there assumptions....

Gretchen, I did not mean to state that it was insincere. I think the compliment was genuine. Considering the material with which I have to work, I WAS lovely!

[Rileyaz]

Gretchen, I did not mean to state that it was insincere. I think the compliment was genuine. Considering the material with which I have to work, I WAS lovely!

Jennifer, you have a lot more to work with than me. I was out recently and it wasn't until I spoke that I was clocked. Having said that, there is no way I would pass if someone really looked.

[DebbieL]

I look "slightly better than average" for a woman in her early 50s. Many people think I'm in my early to mid 40s.

I wear skirts or dresses most days and am well dressed but not so sexy or beautiful that people will spend too long looking. I can frequently spent 3 hours next to someone on the plane, in conversation, and they will ask a question late in the flight that indicates that they have no clue that I was ever anything but a woman. Sometimes I'll "spill the beans", but more often, we'll even see each other at the baggage carousel and wave at each other and the other person will still have no clue.

Of course, I've had LOTS of practice - going out every day for at least some part of the day from 1989 to 1996, and again from 2010 to 2013 when I went full time.

[GretchenJ]

Gretchen, I did not mean to state that it was insincere. I think the compliment was genuine. Considering the material with which I have to work, I WAS lovely!

Sorry Jenn for going off topic somewhat - I was not disputing your statement, but it was your very keen phrasing of "implied statement" that triggered me thinking of my own experiences, mainly my own insecurities that I have in both my male and female personna. My apologies if I offended in anyway...

[docrobbysherry]

I don't dress for others, Sherry dresses primarily for ME!

Small wonder no one has ever complimented me when dressed. Just another homely old man in a dress.

Sherry gets an entirely different reaction. Dropped jaws 364 days a year. But, hit on at Halloween! Still, no compliments in person. Sigh!

[missVS]

I think about it and am a bit self conscious. My first weekend out couple days ago I spent a lot of time in front of mirror making sure outfit and everything was in order. I know im also somewhere in between but no big deal. I am happy dressing up and that's the imporrtant thing. I did get some compliments from waitresses and other people like they are going to be nice and not say something negative I hope.

[ArleneRaquel]

After I have made myself up I look into the mirror, without my glasses, and I look gorgeous. When I put my cat's eyes on I am back in reality.

[jeank]

Samantha,

Well said - I think it's how we feel about the way we look rather than the actuality.
But the main reason for the reply is a bit off-topic.

It's great to see someone quoting JJ Cale (RIP) in their signature line - I still have his first 5 albums - on vinyl - which I bought when they were first released. "Naturally" I've been a fan for a very long time.......

[samantha rogers]

lol...me too Jean. I have the original vinyl as well. But if you have not heard it, you should give listen to the new Eric Clapton tribute album. He does Cale so nicely.
Sorry Kate, didn't mean to get off topic here...lol

[Richelle]

Kate,

I feel that I look like any other middle aged woman when I am fully dressed as Richelle. I have received compliments on my outfits, but nothing like you look nice.

Richelle

[Lexi Moralas]

On the rare occasion I am able to get fully dolled up I feel like I look good , I a woman , I usually blend well enough until I have to speak. But I feel like I look good enough to go just about anywear with out a problem