Topic: The differences between "getting ready" as a man and as a woman.

[CosmicJoke]

Hi everyone. I was wondering if anyone else has noticed this. What I have found is basically this: Getting ready as a man is possible. Most men could pretty much say they are actually "ready." Getting ready as a woman on the other hand is an almost impossible task that pretty much carries you out through the entire day.
It's not my intention to be stereotypical. I realize that every man and woman is different, but I was just wondering if any of you here have taken more pride in your appearance since transition?

[Northern Star Girl]

Hi everyone. I was wondering if anyone else has noticed this. What I have found is basically this: Getting ready as a man is possible. Most men could pretty much say they are actually "ready." Getting ready as a woman on the other hand is an almost impossible task that pretty much carries you out through the entire day.
It's not my intention to be stereotypical. I realize that every man and woman is different, but I was just wondering if any of you here have taken more pride in your appearance since transition?

@CosmicJoke
For many transitioners and just about everyone ...  taking pride in our appearance should be a normal thing to do.
Sure, we have all seen men and women that really don't care about how they look but more to the point of your post and questions, certainly "getting ready" as a man is fairly simple, perhaps a quick daily shower, teeth brushed, and "throw on" the appropriate clothes (that might have been laying on the bedroom floor) for whatever is planned for the day... and a haircut every two weeks or so.  Gettng ready for the day can be a quick 15 or 20 minute task.

On the other hand, getting ready as a woman involves a longer shower, hair washing, drying and brushing,  makeup, nail polish if needed, lip gloss, eyeliner, brush teeth, deodorant, jewelry, etc... and usually much more care taken in clothing such as matching colors and patterns, and keeping clothes pressed and clean.  Shoe selection is much more involved for a woman than for a man.

Most mornings, for me, the task of getting ready to go to my office where I am a CPA, involves about 45 minutes to an hour..... and that does not include cosmetic things like manicures, fingernail and toenail polish, hair trimming and styling, etc.

There is much more that I could say but I will leave it the way it is.

HUGS,
Danielle

[AllieSF]

Cosmic,

I always took pride in how I dressed as a male, professional mode with suits and ties, casual smart when meeting or going out with friends, and casual when at home doing whatever.  As a crossdresser, where I started all this, I took special care to be extra sharp and be able to blend in and, also, call attention to myself for my personal taste in outfits.  As a full time trans woman, I still take pride in how I always present from going out to just doing my daily routines.  As a transwoman, I do take my time when shopping to find those things that feel right for the moment and also show me off to the world at the same time, not too flashy, but maybe a step or two better presentation than the rest of the women out there.

My first two summers full time I wore coordinated outfits, shorts, tops and color of sandals, when do my daily routines.  This summer I have worn a lot of strappy sun dresses because I had my BA a year ago and because I can and and like to wear them.  I also wore some short outfits, a few summer dresses and shorter summer skirts.

So, as a male I took pride in how I dressed, and now as a retired female I take pride and a little more care in how I present daily.

Allie

PS:  Ever since going full time I have stopped using makeup, except for my regular use and touch up of my lipstick.  I wear a watch, ring finger ring(s) and rarely a bracelet.  I also wear a simple gold necklace with small pendant and sometimes add another gold necklace to go with it.  I worry most about keeping my older and then hair in place and keeping that lipstick still visible throughout the day.

[sarahc]

Hi everyone. I was wondering if anyone else has noticed this. What I have found is basically this: Getting ready as a man is possible. Most men could pretty much say they are actually "ready." Getting ready as a woman on the other hand is an almost impossible task that pretty much carries you out through the entire day.
It's not my intention to be stereotypical. I realize that every man and woman is different, but I was just wondering if any of you here have taken more pride in your appearance since transition?

Agree - everything takes much longer:

* Longer hair requires more care + blow-drying
* You actually have to invest time in daily facial care
* Make up. Even basic make up requires a few minutes. More make up details requires more time.
* Picking out outfits
* Picking out accessories

It used to take me 20 minutes to wake up and get out the door looking presentable. Now I need 45 minutes at a minimum. I can imagine when we have going-out events again at some point in the future, it will easily take me an hour to get ready.

PLUS: you have to add the investment in non-daily grooming that is required, ie: nails, longer hairsalon sessions, body hair shaving / grooming, etc. It all adds up to a lot more time.

Me personally, I am not a huge fan of this additional time investment. I am a VERY casual person.

But this investment in grooming is what is expected for professional women in today's society, especially for in-person interactions. So I do it when I have to. But I do treasure days when I have no meetings and therefore can simply hop out of the shower each day, throw on some clothes and get to work.

Sarah

[CaelaNotKayla]

@CosmicJoke

I think the same pride of appearance is there, but what that actually means in terms of activity is vastly different.   For me the biggest part is skin tone- it's one thing that males generally don't care about, and women most definitely do.  I also spend a larger amount of time shaving.   So something that is 15-20 mins as a man is well over an hour as a woman- longer if I decide to bathe instead of shower.  To keep it under control as I've been "dressed" most of the time- I will split up the necessary tasks, and generally only put on makeup when I'm about to head out of the house.  That keeps my morning routine to about 30 minutes with another 30 minutes needed before I leave the house.

Hugs!

Caela

[Oldandcreaky]

I rarely brushed my hair and wore shorts and tank tops in the male role. In the female role, I rarely brush my hair and wear shorts and tank tops. I also don't wear makeup and nail polish. I'm a gardener and I wear sturdy, comfy clothes for gardening.

[MeTony]

I never did these things in ”woman-mode”. I was ready in 5 minutes. Just as now. Shower. Let hair dry while putting on deo and dressing. Smack som wax on my palm and run it through my hair. Done.

I’ve tried to use the bathtub. My husband and son are keen users of the tub. For me it’s like ”hot-hot-hot-some cursing” while stepping into the water. More cursing because it’s hot. Then I get used to the temperature. Aaannnnddd...now what? Getting restless. Getting bored. What happens now? What happens next? I wash up and get out of the tub. My record of longest bath is....10 minutes. Haha

[Jane.Shannon]

The biggest difference isn't the time and effort. It's that I want to wear the clothes versus have to, and I like who I see in mirror tons better. 

[AllieSF]

I like your answer Jane!

Allie

[Harley Quinn]

Yup, the difference is about 3 hours.

[Pammie]

The biggest difference isn't the time and effort. It's that I want to wear the clothes versus have to, and I like who I see in mirror tons better.

Perfectly summed up! Xx


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