How should I dress?

[RADER]

This is a rough question;
But I will try, at least it is my 2 cents worth.
Today, most women do not dress very fem, unless it is for work or a special occasion.
Just look around at say the grocery store. They all wear jeans and a top, and flats or
tennis shoes.
Even my wife, is in pants 90% of the time. Only wears a skirt for a church or other
special occasion. She says that she is most comfortable that way. She gives me the
raspberries when she see me in a dress and hose just to hang around the house.

Now getting back to your question; Dress the way you feel most comfortable in.
If you like a dress or a skirt, wear it. But only do it for you, not to impress anyone.
You said that some of your family is indifferent about your dressing, so dress down
around them. Seeing you dressed to the nines might put them in a state of shock.
Remember, society is still in the dark on our dressing, so we must adapt to a less
tolerant society than a liberal one. Some day our Ship will come in, but for now I
guess moderation is the word for the day.
Rader

[Traci Elizabeth]

"The truth is, most first impressions are wrong from the start." Actually that is NOT true. Most first impressions are correct. Why? Because we have internal mechanisms and our brain deciphers them instantly. That is how we have survived as a species. We are hard wired to immediately access if someone is friend or foe, if they would be a good mate, is he telling the truth, what are his intentions, and many other criteria we use when we first meet someone. It's the law of survival and we still use it today even though we are eons from early man.

[AllieSF]

Abigail, since you have told those that really matter to you about yourself, I think that you should dress as you desire when you want to. If you want to dress more feminine, then do it. What is the purpose of telling them and then still presenting androgynous when you seem to want to dress differently? I understand that you should pick your moment to present the more feminine Abigail, but since you have asked us several times in your OP, it appears that you are about ready for it. So, just do it and get it over with. It will become a non-event to you and to them the more you do it. I think that the longer you wait the harder it will become. I wish you the best.

PS: I also agree with Traci abour first impressions. I believe that we are more right than wrong when relying on them.

[Aprilrain]

Well being a girl isn't about clothes but if you want to wear a skirt or a dress as a woman that is your prerogative. I would dress appropriately for the occasion. This last x-mass I went to two different family x-mass parties, one at my parents house and one at my grandmothers. I'd been super depressed the day of my mom and dads party, I almost didn't go but my BF convinced me I should. By the time I went I was already a little late so I just threw on some jeans and a t shirt, all female clothing. when I walked in, in spite of the fact that everyone knew my name was April, they were calling me ______. I simply said maybe my parents haven't told you but my name is April. Later my 90 year old grandmother (dads step mom) asked me why I wasn't dressed up. I told her I'd been depressed and it was all I could do just to get dressed period. She said, "it would have been better if you had dressed for the occasion" she meant a skirt or dress and some make up! The next night was the other party (moms mom) and I got dressed up, I wore a nice black dress, black tights with a flower print on them did my make up and hair. No one hesitated to call me April. At both parties I was seeing people who have known me my whole life for the first time as April.
I guess first impressions do matter

[noeleena]

Hi,

What i have done & what i will still do.

Okay im a 64 year old woman. no beating around the bush on that,
I told people after Jos was told i am a woman then family . how i dress has little to do with any thing for my self, or what i wear,

ill Keep this with in family, most of the time im dressed in skirts, tops much the same as my pic, with head wear , as seen, now Jos , our daughter ,,one of two sons his wife are okay, our other son & his wife are a little bit not quite there with accepting im a woman, to be expected, a little detail because thier son of 2 may catch from me & wont to wear clothes like i do. any way.

So to keep them happy i wear shorts a tee top, sneakes & a sun hat more in line with how i dressed before & still do, no make up earings so its not a issue,

Jos & i talked about this some 5 years ago. so its no bigge. now what they dont know is i dont have any male clothes what ever,

what im getting at is i cant hide my breasts or other womens body figure, & they are not bothered with that, as to clothes you can still wear something nice & feminine with out it going all out in a way that says im a pushy woman, dress down yet still nice,

To keep our family tight = to gether i dont mind what i wear, just for a day or so. im still a woman no matter what i wear, dont get strung up on the clothes that it stress's you out.

Wont your S O help you with this, i would ask if youv not done so, or your brother & Sister, what they think would be best,

I wish you well with this .

...noeleena...

[Stephenie S]

Yeah. What Julia said.

[Shapeshiffter]

i also agree with Julia. I am out to everyone I know and work with. I work in a factory so jeans and a tshirt are the usual clothing for all of us. What made the biggest impression on the people I work with was when I started wearing a bra. That more than anything else convinced them that I was truly feminine. Most of the people I work with are girls, and the majority of them now except me.