Blend or Not…What Outfit Should I Wear?

I was reading a rather interesting article about the decline in American morality and manners being brought about by the decline in dressing standards. We see it at all levels in our society from lowering SAT scores to the increase in road rage. This preoccupation with casual dress and the declining attention to standards of any kind has an obvious impact on our crossdressing community. We, in general, tend to prefer a more feminine dress instead of ratty jeans and sloppy sweatshirts.

A CD friend of mine said that a couple of GG friends have refused to go out with her because she is always so put together (hair, nails, outfit, etc.). They tell her they don’t always want to do that, but wouldn’t be caught dead having her look better than they do. Another friend in an undisclosed western state started a Thursday sundress group and expressed similar feelings. The ladies started to dress better and even came to her for advice.

Stand out vs Blend-in

Now the axiom within the crossdressing community has been to blend-in, not standout, even though my friend Vickie may disagree (she’s around 5-0 and 115 lbs and gives a runway model a run for her money). And I have to agree with Vickie although I held that belief too until just recently.  The average crossdresser is likely to be noticed anyway due to height, mannerisms, voice or dress, so why not make the most of it. Watching the buying habits of CDs on Sister House only supports my theory that most of us in the transgender community want to feel sensual and be noticed, hopefully in a positive way. After all, all women want to feel beautiful and confident.

So the trick here is to be very well put-together so the first glance that we get while shopping in the mall, or walking into a restaurant is an admiring glance, saying “I like what that woman is wearing” and believe me, they will notice, both the good and the bad. We need to take off the ‘cloak of invisibility,’ by creating our own unique, personalized look that boldly says, “See me.” They are the ones who see their bodies as a blank canvass and their clothes and accessories as their ‘I’m Awesome’ wearable art.

Unfortunately far too few crossdressers think like real women when it comes to dressing and prefer to perhaps just capture a look that they’ve seen on someone else rather than experiment with all the possibilities in their closet. It took my own wife to show me how to mix and match clothes and accessories to achieve a myriad of looks with just a few basic pieces. We talk about some of these techniques over on Tasi’s blog, the Fashionable TG Woman.

So how do we demand positive attention without seemingly to try. That’s a bit of a loaded question because the answer is “It depends.” And yes, age appropriate, or perhaps I should say body appropriate, is a consideration if you want an admiring glance. Knowing your fashion style well is important in knowing how you dress and express your inner self. And whereas your fashion style is another article, I want to start you down the right path to two very different classical looks that any of us can achieve and which are knockouts.

I, for instance, love a dress, but look far better in slacks because they lengthen the line of my form. We just need to be flexible in our approach to clothes knowing that the special look can be achieved when we understand how the elements of fashion come together for the total look. We can become our own fashion icon.

So, let’s look at some possibilities. When building up your attractiveness, it’s enormously useful to have a go-to outfit. For many of us, that’s going to mean a pair of jeans, heels, a blazer, and a bag you’re glad to carry.

There are a staccato of choices but jeans and pants have become a cornerstone of American culture, a version can be found for most shapes and sizes. Check the Sister House Boutique for a wide variety of sexy and colorful choices in many different fabrics. Same for heels and blazers – say stilettoed, blunt-toed, cropped or lapeled.

How do I know this is a go-to outfit for attraction? Very scientific research. Lisa from Privilege puts it this way:  “First, I cast my mind’s eye back over the years, and realized that whenever I felt the time had come to make my intentions clear to a man, I wore jeans, a white shirt, and pearls” ….Second, I reviewed Pinterest. Yep. One of the most prevalent outfits? Jeans, jacket, heels, bag.”, See some of the possibilities here.

Of course, some of us just don’t like pants. We don’t like the way they feel, the way they look, or both. How then to choose a go-to? Despite Pinterest’s fondness for shorts and skirts and maxi-dresses, I don’t think those are the most attractive solutions. I think it’s got to be a dress. One that allows for movement, but highlights your favorite bits. Check out this article on my blog, but be sure to scroll down at least halfway.

Devastingly attractive and still comfortable featuring black leather boots
If you don’t care for pants, it’s quite likely you’re fond of your bosom, as they said in previous centuries. And somehow, with all that leg showing, I think you’re going to want to wear boots for stomping around. For two feet on the ground, there’s little quite as attractive as an effortless, enthusiastic, authoritative stride (and most of us are pretty good at that J.

From Style Crone

You will notice, being the insightful lot that you are, a certain sturdy quality to these outfits. Yes. That’s true. The single most attractive outfit you can own ties directly to your fashion style, whatever that may be. But your fashion style is also quite likely to act as a net plus in your life, i.e., Attractive, so perhaps it’s not just my preferences at play. Remember, those who dare, attract.

Try a little daring. A little stomping. See what transpires.

So, until next month, may you be the beautiful woman that you are.

Hugs, Tasi

Credits to:  http://amidprivilege.com/2012/05/single-attractive-outfit/

Tags: crossdressing, fashion, featured, passing, style

Category: Style, Transgender Fashion