I was out shopping in drab in a large electrical store, waiting to be served so just people watching. It’s a large store and towards the rear was someone (#1) dressed in female clothing, taller than the male SA serving her, insulated jacket, trousers and flat shoes, thinly built, light curly hair and carrying a handbag. Now normally I’d have just said female but due to the distance I couldn’t see the face clearly and there was something about the walk that made me question my initial assessment. Most folks I suspect wouldn’t give it a second thought but as we seem to have a radar for these things…….
Anyway as I pondered a female (#2), definite this time, walked past and away from me so I’m now viewing her from the back. 5’10” ‘ish, well build as opposed to skinny, dark wavy hair, black coat with a fur edged hood, black skirt and flat boots. Now from my viewpoint and because of her size and build it was quite possible that given the way she was dressed what I observed could have been one of us.
Now the point of this is standing there watching I had my belief in our ability to blend reinforced. Person #2 was dressed not dissimilar to how I’d dress if out shopping. If someone viewed me from behind I’m pretty sure they’d see much what I saw observing this GG. Turn me around so a viewer sees my face then the goal post move. However if I were to be as far away as #1 then any observer would need good eyesight to get past my makeup job.
So, #1 walked towards the tills and once closer I’d now say definitely female. Also, within the store during this time, there were 3 other GG’s who were all as tall if not taller than me at 5’10”, just browsing the displays. All 3 were, how can I put this, solidly build, not skinny size 0’s, not that different across the shoulder in build to a good many males. Curvier at the rear though and that is one of the big tells. I await the posts about hip and bum padding being a must!
And here’s something to think about. #2 probably wears size 18 or larger. I’m size 18 tops and dresses, 16 skirts. Clothes that size fit me. I’m not squeezed in busting buttons, straining seams. Skirts and dresses aren’t too short. They fit as intended. So if I share clothing sizes with a GG, why is it such a leap of faith to assume that if out dressed when observed I don’t immediately stand out? So here’s my point. If you dress for the time and place, as both #1 and #2 were, even if you’re pushing 6’, moving around in a busy shop without standing out isn’t as difficult as some believe.
One other thing, when I’ve been out and about say browsing in a shop, when coming into relative close proximity to other shoppers, their body language tells me that they’ve suddenly read me. It’s only once up close that the realisation takes place. So again this adds evidence that suitably dressed it’s not the case that we walk around with a big neon arrow above us, folks singling us out at a hundred paces. It’s perfectly possible to move about, be part of the crowd, if you can present like those around you.