Honestly, I feel it can be a great time to be out & about, for all kinds of reasons.
Well, as luck would have it, my odd & varied schedule allowed me to do just that today!
Granted, I don't do full en-femme anymore. Is it easier for me, in that regard? I suppose on some levels, it very well is.
Though at the same time, I was (and still am) literally dressed head-to-toe in women's clothing -- albeit in guy-mode.
Actually wore this exact outfit (with similar running shoes), right down to the same colors.
Full-length compression tights/leggings with moderate sheen to them, with the darn-warm & comfy hoodie sporting a shaped drop-tail hem that covers about 90% of the butt (which arguably does say "women's")...
leg hood 1.jpg
Is it necessarily easy? Yes & no. But you just say screw it, and do it anyway.
Really the perfect morning for it, IMO, as I got a fairly early start (at least for me, heh ) -- and it was *quite* chilly out! Basically 27 to 35 degrees (F).
[NOTE: Feel free to skip to the very end, if you don't want to read a bunch of rambling...]
Began with hitting the independent mechanic's for some new tires. I only started using them recently, and I've never been dressed there until today. Complete with full-serve gas pumps -- and as I was walking from my car to the inside, an SUV had pulled up & the guy went out to start pumping. I noticed the GG-driver staring at my legs way too long (which was fine with me), and the pump-guy did a double-take... Eyes up here, buddy! Yes, he knew I caught him once we made eye-contact, LOL.
As I was waiting inside for them to finish up, I saw a couple runners go by... She had a killer lower-body & was wearing some awesome flashy/femmy running tights, and even *he* was wearing some all-black ones (though with shorts over them -- wuss! )
Hey, apparently I was starting the day off right, with that.
The wait was pretty uneventful. The waiting room is around the corner, behind the main service desk, and shares an entrance to the garage. The service guy (who I noticed looking some more, heh) & the mechanic both walked thru a couple times each, as they puttered about. But no other customers while I was there... Was sorta hoping a GG would show up, anyway. Ah, well.
After the new tires were on, I figured I'd keep going, as it was still pretty early, and I was feeling confident & looking good. Headed to the nearest grocery store. And on the way? Two GG-runners, both also wearing all-black running tights! I slowed down to check out the scenery. Really starting to feel at home now.
Pretty uneventful at the grocery store, too. Not many eyes on me, for a change, as I suppose people were still kinda half-asleep, trying to focus on shopping, their senses dulled by the cold? Did notice a few 20/30-something GG's taking some looks, and also a 20-something guy.
This store has a small health & beauty section, and I needed some skin-care stuff, which they didn't have. After the cashier rung up my order, trip to CVS, just down the street? Sure, why not!
And there, I had the best reaction of the day... After I grabbed a couple items, I headed to the cashier. GG maybe in her mid-50's. As I approached, I saw her eyes go down & up, and down & up again -- then the biggest, brightest smirky smile on her face, LOL! "Oh, yeah... Running tights on a guy, baby!" She was quite chatty as she rang up my stuff. Hmm...
And in the parking lot? Yet another GG wearing all-black running tights. Definitely the right morning for these!
Headed home, put away the groceries.
And yep, I felt I wasn't done yet! Hit a different grocery store further away, to stock up on stuff that's hard to find.
Ugh, totally mobbed there. I suppose it was getting a bit later now. But again, most people were just zoned out, hardly paying any attention to me that I could see (though I also don't have eyes in the back of my head, either).
All the check-out lanes were crowded, too. I just went with the shortest self-check-out express one -- as I did have the maximum amount of items "allowed," of course. And this thing was SLOW as heck! Took forever. Of course, all these customers came out of nowhere & suddenly started lining up behind me. Like, a *lot*! This was the first & only moment this morning that I started feeling self-conscious. I knew eyes were now on me. Lots of guys, too. Ugh. Yeah, I was "the dude wearing running tights" -- while doing non-fitness stuff, at that.
But, I muddled through as best I could, and finally got out of there.
Of course, I couldn't end my little morning on that kind of note, LOL!
Went home, put away those groceries. Then headed to the Dunkin' Donuts drive-thru for some much-needed coffee -- and some much-needed GG-friendliness, especially after that last errand. Yup, got both!
Mind you, during all these back & forth trips, I was coming & going from my apartment. Several neighbors saw me. Then as I was getting my mail, two Amazon delivery guys suddenly walk in the lobby. I noticed one looked down at my legs & started smiling. Hi!
I was out there for a total of several hours. And you know what? It was FUN! Felt very free & very confident (except while checking out at that 2nd grocery store). Pretty much did not care one bit. Just got out there & did what I had to do. Kinda hate this expression, but I owned that stuff, yo!
At the same time, it's like, "What guy wears freakin' compression leggings while out & about doing errands??"
Answer: Apparently no one, but me. At least in my neck of the woods.
I know "guy-mode" isn't everyone's cup of tea, here. But if you ever happen to do the leggings/running tights thing in public, it is definitely a different beast compared to 100% en-femme, on some levels. I suppose those who have done both may know what I'm talking about.
In closing, I'm *sooo* sorry about the length of this post!
I'm beyond dead-tired on barely any sleep, yet still really excited -- and totally hopped-up on a boatload of caffeine!
So, regarding early Saturday morning outings... What say ye??