In most areas of my life, I don't think I'm all that conspicuously non-male. I've mentioned my body shape elsewhere. My behavior is not particularly "manly," but not obviously "femme," either. I think my body shape sort of earns me my "man card" with most people despite my failure to measure up in other areas. I'm opinionated (which counts as male), I'm a techie (which generally counts as male), and if I like babies and doing housework (well, some kinds
), it just makes me look like an enlightened man.
Where I deviate most obviously is in my "fashion sense", if you can call it that. I like bright colors, skirts, dresses, full petticoats, tights (but not high heels!), and would probably have lacy and ruffled shirts (blouses?) if I could find ones that fit me. I'm somewhat constrained by not wanting people to avoid me on the street, but I've been slowly pushing the envelope over time. As my sewing skills improve, I expect to try out things like Lolita fashions and other very feminine and even little-girl fashion elements. You could perhaps call me a cross-dresser, except that I haven't found a self-diagnosed cross-dresser who wears anything remotely resembling what I like. The closest thing I've found is how some of the men who contra dance in skirts dress, but they tend to be satisfied with one good purchase from Goodwill (=thrift store.)
What's sad for me is that I haven't found anyone who shares my interest. I've spent some time in on-line crossdressing groups, but they are mostly obsessed with aping their idea of what women are supposed to be like, especially w.r.t. clothing. Every now and then, someone compliments me on something I'm wearing, but it doesn't go beyond that. I don't know if the other people don't care what I wear or just figure if you can't say something nice, don't say anything. I mostly have fashion conversations with the mirror. I've thought of getting involved in sewing groups, either on-line or in RL, but they seem to be mostly conservative-looking women (prejudging, I know) who I'm afraid would react badly to a, uh, "gender non-conforming" man showing up.
