In another post Nikki threw do the gauntlet to a few of us ( I'm speaking to you... Helen, Katrina, Teresa, Becky and others.) to do a "Best Practice" guide to blending while out. So here goes:
Time and place; if going out to a club then killer heels shouldn't be ruled out. Going shopping in the middle of the afternoon, no. Reason, look around next time you're out. A kitten heel here, a low wedge there, plenty of flats. Sure there will be the exception to this but if you want to blend then don't be that exception.
Staying with the theme, it's ok to wear a stylish, fashionable dress, skirt or blouse but that mimi skirt and plunging neckline, I think not. Again see what the GG's wear. Some will be right dress down in their appearance. I tend to copy those who like to go out shopping dressed "tidily". Knee length hems and possibly a modest amount of cleavage for the neck line. I think stylish not garish.
Makeup; this is the tricky one. Many of us require a certain amount to help disguise our male features, eyebrows spring to mind, lips another. So my tip here is go see a pro. Even if it's as I did, getting your foundation matched to your skin tone, which will lead to having the right blusher, highlighter etc so that you don't end up with a clown face! is well worth the time. It seems a scary thing to do. In reality it's not. Also remember, GG's aren't born with makeup skills. It's learned through practice and then more practice. Looking back prior to having my foundation matched l'd used one too light for my natural colouration so it probably gave me a bit of a china doll look. We live and learn.
Invest in hip pads and a corset! Plus a half decent wig. Nuff said.
Now this is the really really hard one. CONFIDENCE. This should come with time. For me I was at a point of growing confidence and walked up to pay an SA. As I got to the counter I had that moment, the I know I'll get read. Who gives a ***** moment. From thereon in I now just go about my business, treat everyone I meet exactly as I would if in drab. You being confident elicits a better response from those you engage with.
I'll finish here with one final point and this is the biggie. FORGET PASSING. So very few will ever 100% pass without hormones and GRS and even then there will still be tells. Passing isn't a prerequisite for being able to get out there as I and others will testify.
Over to the rest of you. You know who you are.