Age-appropriate dressing

[kaleyg]

I've felt torn often times when I see a CD who is wearing clothing that just isn't age appropriate. It isn't that it isn't flattering (it usually isn't) -- I would have the SAME reaction to an older gg who was wearing an outfit designed for a 20 something. And I say this as an "older" cd myself, who fantasizes about being that young sexy thing! It just isn't reality given body shape, etc. Even wigs and make up can be wildly disconnected from our age.

Now, let me say -- it is a different thing when someone is just living out a fantasy in front of the camera, and sharing the pics here. I'm mostly talking about someone who is trying to go out in public.

What do you ladies think? Should I just shut up about other people's preferences, or even support them unconditionally? Or should we be helping each other learn what is appropriate for public presentation?

[Maid_Marion]

You mean like wearing a pair of pink Barbie gloves for kids? I have small hands and they fit perfectly. I think I look pretty decent with a 26 inch waistline right after the Holiday season.

I have short shorts that fit me perfectly at the waist and hips, but I don't carry enough weight in the thighs like a GG to get that skin tight look.
I work out in the yard so I have nicely toned legs. They don't have sun damage like a lot of GGs because I like to work in the shade of my yard.

[Cynthia_0101]

I try not to judge other people at all, if that's what you like, by all means, rock it. We all have our own styles and fashion sense.

[ToniG]

Age appropriate- And- Venue Appropriate ! Causes the least problems--draws least attn. Unless you ARE one that's looking for attn... In my case--wardrobe, hair, and style is chosen to "blend" as best as poss with the Senior GGs in my area. My area is filled with Senior Parks, and Leisure World is a mile so. of my complex. May wear "other things" at home---but when Out its age-appropriate casual wear to blend-in. Toni G..

[CynthiaD]

I've tried the "short and frilly" look and discovered I hated it. I discovered that I just wanted to look female, not like some teenager's fantasy. I can't say whether my dress is age-appropriate, but it probably is close. I choose outfits that make me look ordinary, because that's the impression I want to project: just an ordinary female.

I also don't feel comfortable criticizing other's choices. I admit that I don't like to see crossdressers who, intentionally or unintentionally make themselves look silly. To me, crossdressing isn't silly. I'm dead serious about it. But if you want to go out in hot pants, fishnet stockings and spike heels, with a full beard, more power to you.

[Swottie]

It's a learning process, for CDs who started the journey in the closet usually meant less time spent practising than the average gg. It takes time to find ourselves, and to find a style that suits us. Just say it normally takes 4 years for a gg to learn about themselves, stretching that 4 years into part time hours means a lot more years is needed for a CD to gather the same knowledge, so mistakes are inevitable. It's like we take the adulesant years and experience it part time. All adulesant girls make mistakes.

[Asew]

I have read other places, that since we missed those early years by being stuck in male clothes, some of us progress through those earlier age clothes before settling on something typically more age appropriate.

My wife hates when I wear skirts that are more frilly or cutesy and I should wear something my age. My mother in law says some of my skirts are too mature for me and I should wear something my age. But most of the time I do wear something close to my age, even if I do go outside of age appropriateness sometimes.

[MarinaTwelve200]

I find that if I use a GREY Wig---I look my age, AND I look more "Realistic".-------But since I do not go out, It does not matter, and dressing YOUNGER is more FUN I can look 20 years or more younger with Darker hair. So I tend to dress with the shorter skirts and dark hair, usually. My grey wig is for other "Disguises" and not (Usually) my CDing.

[DeeDeeB]

I dress as I feel is appropriate to the situation, not necessarily my age (72 for those who care). I get looks whether I'm dressed in a long skirt, a mini, or (men's) dress pants. I try to assume it is because I look fabulous. Sometimes I can convince myself. Bottom line is - if you feel good about yourself and your appearance, just smile, be confident, and love the attention. Be proud of who you are, and be the best you that you can be.

Dee

[Roxy_legs]

It has been a challenge to find a style I am confident in. I probably started with too old, more shapeless clothes. As I have become more confident I perhaps look at styles that are too young for my age in shops. However I normally refelct and watch what GG of my age group are wearing and copy them. I have been known to ask where a lady had purchased a dress she was wearing.

[Diane Smith]

I like to observe others, take mental notes about what works and what doesn't, and apply what I learn (filtered through my own fashion sense) to improving my presentation in the future. I am liberal with compliments when someone looks good, but keep negative comments strictly to myself unless I am asked directly. Even then, I try to be gentle and constructive and often try to focus on one thing that needs improvement, even if my internal impression may be that the look is a train wreck!

- Diane

[Georgia K]

I've never liked when someone would say that women over there looks like she's wearing her daughters clothes . I mean who cares if there happy more power to them I say

[Diane Taylor]

To each their own when it comes to how some of us dress. That said, I think it's somewhat important to look presentable when going out in public if you want to go by unnoticed. Part of that means looking your age, otherwise you'll stick out like a sore thumb. We can still make ourselves look a little younger than our actual age with nice clothing and proper makeup application but if we try to make ourselves look 40 years younger than we are, it just doesn't work.

[sometimes_miss]

Wear whatever you like, and try not to be bothered by what other people might think. After all, to >99% of the people who see us, EVERYTHING we wear is that is considered female clothing is 'inappropriate'; doesn't matter what age group it's specified for. If you're 50 and wearing an outfit for a 15 year old or an 80 year old woman, you're not going to be considered suddenly appropriately dressed just because you're wearing a dress for a 50 year old woman.

[pamela7]

i've not looked, let alone posted, over here for a very long time, but I spotted this thread title, and feel my life these last few years as an out TS has given me some new perspective. Yes, everyone ought to be able to wear whichever clothing they like. And nonetheless, most TS would seek to dress age-appropriate in most situations, because they are seeking to live life as an authentic woman. But ...

The CD'er is free to indulge in self-expression. The CD'er can revel in knowing this is their "play time", so you should dress it up girls, and be outrageous, because that's part of the whole point.

[Rhonda Jean]

i've not looked, let alone posted, over here for a very long time, but I spotted this thread title, and feel my life these last few years as an out TS has given me some new perspective. Yes, everyone ought to be able to wear whichever clothing they like. And nonetheless, most TS would seek to dress age-appropriate in most situations, because they are seeking to live life as an authentic woman. But ...

The CD'er is free to indulge in self-expression. The CD'er can revel in knowing this is their "play time", so you should dress it up girls, and be outrageous, because that's part of the whole point.

Even though I think this was intended as a mild jab at crossdressers, I don't totally disagree. Not that I think it should be a free-for-all. I'm WAY too judgmental for that. But, we can often take ourselves WAY too seriously. I've never done too much of the club wear, night out with the girls stuff. Mainly because I wasn't going to a club or out with the girls. A couple of times a year I'd give in to the wearing something too short, too tight, too everything... just because it was so fun for a short time! I think women do the same thing, actually. Even "authentic" women. Five or so years ago I stopped doing it. I knew the time had come. In 2018 I allowed myself that simple indulgence again a couple of times, and I'll probably do it again in 2019. We (including myself) can get so hung up on being authentic that we forget that there's nothing wrong with having fun with it. I won't do a steady diet of it. I'm usually in skinny jeans or leggings. But when I get the urge to wear a miniskirt, I'm going to do it!

[pamela7]

hey Rhonda Jean, it was no jab, not at all, quite the opposite. I was saying that CD'ers really are able and open to express however they wish; more so than TS who have the desire to fit, pass and be a woman of their demographic.

[Rhonda Jean]

hey Rhonda Jean, it was no jab, not at all, quite the opposite. I was saying that CD'ers really are able and open to express however they wish; more so than TS who have the desire to fit, pass and be a woman of their demographic.

My apologies, Pamela. Already had my guard up.

[Nikki A.]

If I dressed age appropriate and to blend, I'd be wearing polyester pull up pants to church and sensible shoes. To dress up and wear pants does nothing for me. However I do wear knee length or longer dresses and skirts, nothing too low cut. Appropriate and classy is the look I go for. I'd like to incorporate leggings into the mix, but I need to find a tunic to provide a little coverage in the front.
I have also seen some instances where my first thought was "Did she look in the mirror before she left the house?". But that was for both CDs ans GGs, I do understand that sometimes it is that it may be an issue of not having the right clothing or a limited selection. At least make sure that it fits correctly, and if you're happy with your look, more power to you.

[Tania75]

I'm sure, like many other people, we see people who really don't have the body for the clothes that they are wearing, male and female, CD, or whatever, I just let them go and do their thing, and if they feel great, then all power to them.

[Maid_Marion]

Does it seem like something becomes appropriate just because it looks good on some celebrity who gets to spend all their time looking good? Never mind that most of the population can't do that?

[Macey]

Concerning how the judgement of others affect us, I am reminded of an old Aesop fable.

There was a middle-aged man with salt and pepper hair. He had two girlfriends, one of whom was twenty years his junior and the other was twenty years his senior. When he spent time with the younger, she was in the habit of plucking out his grey hairs, a few at a time, to make him look more of a match to her age. The elder woman often did the same, but plucking out his dark hairs. Eventually, he was bald.

[Helen_Highwater]

It is true that amongst the general population there will be those who, no matter what we wear, will think we're incorrectly dressed. Those same folks will, if they see someone not of our community, who's garishly or guilty of outrageous style faux pas in their presentation, react much the same.

If in going out being read is of concern to you then if like me you're in your sixties dressing like a teenager who's on a night out with the girls while doing the food shopping is going to draw less than approving glances.

True there are GG's who's build doesn't lend itself to certain styles wearing them regardless. Even if they don't say it, folks will be thinking, "That doesn't suit her", and that's the point. Knowing what really suits you is a skill. It starts with the realisation that you most likely don't have the same figure as the gorgeous 18 year old you're lustful of. Dressing like her won't make you look like her.

Hence keep those clothes for you and the mirror. Going out requires a more sensible pragmatic approach. Yes you'll be guilty of conformism but as is written time and time again here and for good reason, if going out dress both time of day and age appropriately.

[Ceera]

What is “age appropriate” for a given person can depend a lot on apparent versus actual age, as well as mental versus actual age. Regardless of the actual or apparent age of the person, I will agree that if a certain outfit or wig does not look good on a person, they should reconsider wearing it in public. And I will also agree we are not doing many favors to refrain from politely, and preferably privately, telling a lady that what she is wearing is not a good look on her. Personally, I have no issues with someone politely telling me a given look is just not working, from their perspective. Even if I may disagree with their opinion.

That said... I am full time as a woman, I am 61, but others consistently state I look closer to 40 as a woman, and my ‘mental age’, as far as what I feel like internally, is closer to 27. My complexion is fairly free of wrinkles, and the skin on my legs and arms is firm and smooth. So I frequently wear clothes from Hot Topic - a store that caters mostly to ladies in their teens to 20’s - and most of the time, those outfits look quite good on me! So I wear what pleases me.

Personally, at this point in my life, I refuse to wear grey or grey-streaked wigs, or to dress like an ‘old lady’. There will come a time when my appearance won’t carry off such young clothing and hair styles, and when I can’t dance the night away with the same energy as a woman half my age. At that point, I may embrace my status as an elder, and show my grey, and ‘dress appropriately’. But until that day comes, my feminine side, who has had far fewer years given to her to enjoy life, will revel in my apparent youth, for as long as I can.

I will, however, also acknowledge that for many in our community, nothing short of reincarnation into their next life will make them look ‘appropriate’, in any sort of opposite-gender clothing. I honestly think they deserve a little more consideration. If they are comfortable, and wearing that outfit makes them happy, why detract from that happiness?

[Brandi Christine]

I think this mirrors what some cisgender women do, there are women out there in their 40s, 50s & 60's who dress as if they are in their 20's. Some can pull it off very well, some cannot. What is funny is the reactions of other women towards the ones who can pull it off are usually negative, while the reaction of men is typically "Hell Yea" when they see a sexily dressed woman who can pull it off whatever age she may be.

I wouldn't necessarily dress for going out (which I have never done in daylight anyway, yet…) like I dress for the pictures I post, but I also know women dress for men, not for other women… And if you got it, flaunt it!