Susan's Place Transgender Resources

That may seem strange. The first time I dressed up, it was an ugly yellow thing, which may have ruined my perception of dresses. Even imagining myself with breasts, a pixie cut and curves, I never could see myself in one. Is that strange?

I guess to each their own, but today I spent the afternoon in a dress and loved it.

(https://i.imgur.com/jAUPM9h.jpg)

I don't think so. I have a lot of female friends who just don't wear dresses. They look great in jeans and T-shirt and that's their look. Some others will habitually go for a dress and they look great too. It's just a matter of personal preference and style. Personally I love dresses much more than jeans as infine much more comfortable and less hassle.

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I'm full-time, but live almost exclusively in trousers and tops. I'm happy to put on a dress for an occasion,  I like having the opportunity to dress up and look nice, but comfort and practicality win most days.

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Skirts and dresses are more comfortable to me. It's something cis men find out when they start wearing kilts. I think for some women, they grew up in a time when they had to wear dresses and such so when they had an opportunity not to, they went the other way hard. Then there is the factor of shaving legs. Wear pants and it's not necessary. Younger women in the US for the most part haven't lived in a culture where wearing a dress is expected, save for socons like Mormons and such. That said, when I see video of people in other countries, even modern 1st world European ones, women seem more likely to be wearing dresses and skirts. Maybe for me it's a rejection of a life lived inauthentically, but I feel like a normal person in a dress, where as in male mode, I feel like an actor on stage.


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I love em rarely wear them though.
I bought this one hoping to one day wear it on a night out.
(https://i.imgur.com/18BbRdR.jpg)

I so far never have gotten to wear it out :(

I haven't worn a dress as yet and am still grappling with whether or not I'm going to wear those outfits with no pockets.  Dealing with the thought of being too exposed, lol if that makes sense.  We'll see.  Still working on weight which seems to be going somewhere and again, we'll see.

Quote from: Rachel_Christina on April 12, 2018, 03:40:19 PM
I love em rarely wear them though.
I bought this one hoping to one day wear it on a night out.
(https://i.imgur.com/18BbRdR.jpg)

I so far never have gotten to wear it out :(

Now, if I had a figure like Rachel here, I'd be in a dress all the time, lol. :)

I don't wear them too often. I only own one dress and two skirts. ( Unfortunately I bought the two skirts at the very beginning of my transition so they no longer fit. They are way too big.) I work six days a week.  So when I'm not in my uniform. I'm mostly in jeans and a shirt.


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I have a couple of pairs of pants but virtually never wear them. I have a load of skirts and tops and a few dresses, mostly sundresses for summer and three or four fancy ones for special gatherings. I have tried to wear pants but they are just not for me. I did wear some denims and boots today for trying out some Harleys at the bike shop but then got out of the pants as soon as I got home. Each to their own.

Tia Anne

I think it's a special occasion thing. I have kept this dress for my first night out since the beginning of my transition.
But so far it has not happened. It spends it's time gathering dust D:
It's lovely to where something special once in a while :')

I love dresses and skirts and would wear them more often if it were practical. 

In winter here they almost always require tights so it's harder to get a casual look. 

Skinny jeans and leggings are awesome also so it doesn't bother me that I don't wear skirts more often. 


Rachel Christina, I have 3 dresses waiting in my closet for a place and time to wear them.

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Love my goth kilts...specially in summer

I have a number skirts, casual and dressy that I wear in the summer.  I have a few dresses but I don't wear them often.  I have gone to weddings all dressed up which I thoroughly enjoyed.  One of my sisters told me you don't need a reason to dress nicely. 

Quote from: markie on April 13, 2018, 07:44:25 AM
Love my goth kilts...specially in summer

Aren't they wool and HOT?

Quote from: Rachel_Christina on April 12, 2018, 03:40:19 PM
I love em rarely wear them though.
I bought this one hoping to one day wear it on a night out.
(https://i.imgur.com/18BbRdR.jpg)

I so far never have gotten to wear it out :(

OMfreakingG, Rachel, you're beautiful! You must find or create an occasion to wear that dress! And look at other styles besides. You've definitely got the looks, girl - show off a little.


Hugs,
Sarah from ChiTown

Quote from: Anne Blake on April 12, 2018, 08:43:34 PM
I have a couple of pairs of pants but virtually never wear them. I have a load of skirts and tops and a few dresses, mostly sundresses for summer and three or four fancy ones for special gatherings. I have tried to wear pants but they are just not for me. I did wear some denims and boots today for trying out some Harleys at the bike shop but then got out of the pants as soon as I got home. Each to their own.

Tia Anne

Anne, I have a feeling that you're one of those ladies that can wear anything and look stunning.


Hugs,
Sarah from ChiTown

Quote from: JanineTheGamer on April 12, 2018, 12:16:48 AM
That may seem strange. The first time I dressed up, it was an ugly yellow thing, which may have ruined my perception of dresses. Even imagining myself with breasts, a pixie cut and curves, I never could see myself in one. Is that strange?

I love wearing dresses and skirts with pretty tops or soft sweaters.  But I also really like long tunics over leggings or tights. I'm about to order some women's jeans (but NOT skinny jeans!) to see what I think. Being older, I'm very into comfort and I like clothes that are loose fitting or flowing, especially if they're of the silk/satin/nylon/poly fabrics.


Hugs,
Sarah from ChiTown

Thanks Sarah. One of these days soon I will get a night out going.
It's nice to reserve them for special things.
I would love to go to a wedding. Never been since I transitioned

Quote from: Cassi on April 13, 2018, 10:32:38 AM
Aren't they wool and HOT?

Traditionaly  yes  but many are made of cotton these days

I seldom wear dresses.  OK, never, so far.  I love skirts, and wear them a lot in the summer.  In winter, it's pants.  I love how I look in skinny jeans.

Back to dresses, though.  I find it's a problem to get something that fits a trans woman's body shape: broad shoulders, small boobs, and narrow hips.  I have a couple that didn't look too bad in the store, but I haven't had an occasion where I would feel comfortable wearing them.  I just recently found one with a flared skirt.  Now, that one looked good, and may be the fist one I wear out "in the wild".

For me, it depends on the occasion.  As mentioned by someone else earlier, I try to be more cognizant of shaving my legs when wearing dresses/skirts as opposed to jeans/pants.

For work, I plan to generally wear pants.  For casual social stuff, I'm 50/50 between jeans/skirts, and for going out, I definitely prefer dresses.

Ultimately though, I think someone should wear whatever they like best, without worrying about anything beyond that.

And to follow up on comments from others, Rachel you look great in that dress. #transitiongoals :)

Quote from: KathyLauren on April 14, 2018, 09:01:15 AM
I seldom wear dresses.  OK, never, so far.  I love skirts, and wear them a lot in the summer.  In winter, it's pants.  I love how I look in skinny jeans.

Back to dresses, though.  I find it's a problem to get something that fits a trans woman's body shape: broad shoulders, small boobs, and narrow hips.  I have a couple that didn't look too bad in the store, but I haven't had an occasion where I would feel comfortable wearing them.  I just recently found one with a flared skirt.  Now, that one looked good, and may be the fist one I wear out "in the wild".

I second that about finding dresses that hang right on me.  Being 6'3" it also makes some shorter than I'd like and throws off balance, usually waist is too high.  I'm also top heavy (not in the good way) which messes with fit.  I have found a couple that do work and in the winter I wear them with leggings sometimes. 

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Quote from: JanineTheGamer on April 12, 2018, 12:16:48 AM
That may seem strange. The first time I dressed up, it was an ugly yellow thing, which may have ruined my perception of dresses. Even imagining myself with breasts, a pixie cut and curves, I never could see myself in one. Is that strange?

Clothing and styling are such personal things, when I made the decision to transition almost two years ago I had no idea what I was going to like, what would fit or what I would look acceptable in but a very good friend arranged foe me to go to a ladies shop in the next town to try some things on. She closed her shop for the afternoon for me, put rails across the door and I spent the whole afternoon trying stuff on. She taught me a bit about makeup and accessories and at first I felt pretty uncomfortable standing in the middle of the shop in my underwear but as she picked out things for me to try it became like a fairy tale. I so enjoyed myself and ended up buying lots of clothes. She gave me lots of old stock, accessories and even some jewellery. I have a great number of dresses which I love but also love jeans and tee shirts especially white jeans. There is no doubt that your style changes over time, at this moment I can't get my head around skirts, I don't find them comfortable at all but will persevere!


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I was always jealous of women for the clothing choices that they enjoyed (and at times hated).  I am not out except to my wife so don't get to dress like I would like.  Still I have one dress that I love but I really need to lose a bit of weight to look good in it.  Bigger boobs wouldn't hurt either.  I love skirts, especially long flared skirts.  I love the freedom that I feel with them. 

On the other hand, dresses and skirts are not practical when you are active with a chain saw in the woods.  I can think of several other situations where a dress or skirt is not really practical. 

If I do go full time at some point I suspect that being a hold over of the 60's I am likely to go with the "aging" hippie look with skirts and tops most of the time.  I love the skirts and the look.

I keep a bunch of dresses, and most of them are wrap dresses. Some of them look like two pieces, but actually one piece.

I love dresses.

Nearly everyday I wear dresses, because they are as much comfortable as sleeping gown. Actually I use my dresses as both outfit and sleeping gown, especially while I travel.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7528/29598535623_fec418bb72_z.jpg)  (https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/281/20279047856_bee6c5a6cd.jpg)  (https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/362/19066297884_9cc9dec6d5.jpg)

Yes. Nowadays, young women here tend to prefer skinny jeans but still some of them do wear dresses. I have seen many aged women wearing dresses in international conferences abroad, especially in summer.

barbie~~

Quote from: JanineTheGamer on April 12, 2018, 12:16:48 AM
That may seem strange. The first time I dressed up, it was an ugly yellow thing, which may have ruined my perception of dresses. Even imagining myself with breasts, a pixie cut and curves, I never could see myself in one. Is that strange?

It's not strange.
I used to look like a "man in a dress" and never really liked it.
Now I look like a "pretty girl in a dress."

I still have broad shoulders, but everything else hides that fact and guys usually aren't looking at my shoulders.

Quote from: Cassi on April 13, 2018, 10:32:38 AM
Aren't they wool and HOT?

Depends. "Goth" kilts and utility kilts are usually made from a cotton material or blend. They don't have as much material as a traditional kilt either. I have 3 traditional kilts, two 8 yarders in pv and one 8 yarder in wool. What makes the difference is the yardage and wool or cloth weight. An 8 yard with 16oz wool will be a bitch in the summer. 12-13oz wool is a lot better. The female dance tartans tend to be lighter, line 10-11oz and not nearly as much material. Some go regimental, but I don't like that. I get sticky balls that way. Anyway, if more guys knew how comfortable kilts are, you'd see them all the time. Also, there are sport kilts that have tartan patterns in light weight sport fabrics, but I don't have one yet. Those are great for summer. Some of the military kilts had 18-22oz wool. Man, that had to suck in hot weather.


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Quote from: Briah on April 16, 2018, 02:48:25 PM
I was always jealous of women for the clothing choices that they enjoyed (and at times hated).  I am not out except to my wife so don't get to dress like I would like.  Still I have one dress that I love but I really need to lose a bit of weight to look good in it.  Bigger boobs wouldn't hurt either.  I love skirts, especially long flared skirts.  I love the freedom that I feel with them. 

On the other hand, dresses and skirts are not practical when you are active with a chain saw in the woods.  I can think of several other situations where a dress or skirt is not really practical. 

If I do go full time at some point I suspect that being a hold over of the 60's I am likely to go with the "aging" hippie look with skirts and tops most of the time.  I love the skirts and the look.

Get a utility kilt in duck like Carhart. They make them.


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I personally love them, but what I like doesn't matter to what you like. Even so though I don't often wear them as much as I want  :icon_tears:

But I would conclude it's either totally possible you just don't like them which makes plenty sense,
or
you just haven't found the right dress yet  :laugh:

I love dresses but I don't even own one now, except for a nightie.  Truthfully, I looked like a blob when wearing them.  On the few occasions that I was brave enough to venture out into the world wearing a dress, I told myself that many women are also shapeless.

I recently joked to someone that nowadays, only transgender women wear dresses.  A poor joke and a great exaggeration, although cis women seem to wear them more for work than for leisure (except for very short ones on Friday nights).  There may be some truth in it, though.  I recently watched an old episode of "Last of the Summer Wine" in which the old men wanted one of their number to cross-dress (just a coincidence).  In Auntie Wainwright's shop, Truly said "We're looking for something cheap in a frock".  Auntie replied "There used to be a lot but now they wear jeans".

I am shopping around for women's clothes in the charity shops, but I had better stick to slacks or, if I get brave enough, culottes.

Quote from: MaryT on April 21, 2018, 06:35:49 AM
I love dresses but I don't even own one now, except for a nightie.  Truthfully, I looked like a blob when wearing them.  On the few occasions that I was brave enough to venture out into the world wearing a dress, I told myself that many women are also shapeless.

I recently joked to someone that nowadays, only transgender women wear dresses.  A poor joke and a great exaggeration, although cis women seem to wear them more for work than for leisure (except for very short ones on Friday nights).  There may be some truth in it, though.  I recently watched an old episode of "Last of the Summer Wine" in which the old men wanted one of their number to cross-dress (just a coincidence).  In Auntie Wainwright's shop, Truly said "We're looking for something cheap in a frock".  Auntie replied "There used to be a lot but now they wear jeans".

I am shopping around for women's clothes in the charity shops, but I had better stick to slacks or, if I get brave enough, culottes.

Your correct, many women are pretty shapeless in a skirt or a dress. ( You can toy with the type of dress though to get a pho-shape or you can wear a pencil skirt and make that problem worse. Being that I am a big gal. I wouldn't even attempt to wear certain dresses or skirts.)

Dresses are not common attire in the Pacific Northwest ( which is where I live.), except for special occasions or for work. I do see a lot of skirts. ( And leggings because it's still cold.) But mostly jeans (Which suits me just fine, because I own way more jeans than I do of anything else.)

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Quote from: Laurel D on April 21, 2018, 11:38:37 AM

Dresses are not common attire in the Pacific Northwest ( which is where I live.), except for special occasions or for work. I do see a lot of skirts.

If I get away with culottes, I may progress to a pleated skirt.  I think that to an extent, pleats hide body shape.

I like them, but I'm fairly tall, which means that oftentimes when I wear a dress, it's going to cut off *just* near my crotch. I hate that. The last think I need is for me to go public and have strangers peek at my crotch. For that reason I barely wear actual dresses.

Maybe if someday all the stars allign and I can afford custom clothes, I'll get more into wearing them.

Quote from: Galyo on April 21, 2018, 04:01:01 PM
I like them, but I'm fairly tall, which means that oftentimes when I wear a dress, it's going to cut off *just* near my crotch. I hate that. The last think I need is for me to go public and have strangers peek at my crotch. For that reason I barely wear actual dresses.

Maybe if someday all the stars allign and I can afford custom clothes, I'll get more into wearing them.

EShakti or Sumissura.


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Quote from: Gertrude on April 21, 2018, 08:20:01 PM
EShakti or Sumissura.


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I'll have a look at that, thanks!

Quote from: Galyo on April 21, 2018, 04:01:01 PM
I like them, but I'm fairly tall, which means that oftentimes when I wear a dress, it's going to cut off *just* near my crotch. I hate that. The last think I need is for me to go public and have strangers peek at my crotch. For that reason I barely wear actual dresses.

Maybe if someday all the stars allign and I can afford custom clothes, I'll get more into wearing them.

Im 6'3" and get that a lot also, but not always.  Tried one on recently and that's what I got.  Could have been worn over leggings but not what I was looking for. 

Old Navy has tall sizes (on line only) that have fit me.

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Most of my friends who are cis-women wear jeans and a t-shirt, or jeans and a blouse.
Personally I'd rather wear a skirt and top. Like some have said already dresses can be disproportional on me (I'm bigger on top than on the bottom. I do try to dress my age though, with hemlines that are well below the knee.

I love dresses and wear one almost every day!  I think the dress is the perfect garment for the human body and that everyone should be free to wear one.

But if its not your thing, that is ok too!  :)

Yeah it's definitely a lot easier for me to find a seperate top that works with a skirt than a full dress that works as a couple people already mentioned.  I love the look of them it's just hard to find one that works for me between the hips/chest proportions and just overall length being too short.  I'm tall and larger sizes are too wide.

If I won the lottery I'd love some custom dresses, but I think you have to buy a ticket first or something.

Not liking dresses is pretty common though.  Plenty of other women don't really care for them either.  We all have our own styles.   :)

I like them but whatever drive I had to wear them has calmed down since starting HRT. Now, I just plan little occasions when it makes sense to dress up and I get excited putting together accessories and a look. I'm definitely becoming my grandmother. LOL.

Quote from: TonyaW on April 22, 2018, 09:03:48 AM
Im 6'3" and get that a lot also, but not always.  Tried one on recently and that's what I got.  Could have been worn over leggings but not what I was looking for. 

Old Navy has tall sizes (on line only) that have fit me.

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Jc penny does too.


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Quote from: Kati P on August 23, 2018, 09:53:59 PM
Yeah it's definitely a lot easier for me to find a seperate top that works with a skirt than a full dress that works as a couple people already mentioned.  I love the look of them it's just hard to find one that works for me between the hips/chest proportions and just overall length being too short.  I'm tall and larger sizes are too wide.

If I won the lottery I'd love some custom dresses, but I think you have to buy a ticket first or something.

Not liking dresses is pretty common though.  Plenty of other women don't really care for them either.  We all have our own styles.   :)

Baggy dresses look really nice for tall people. Usually I wear very tight dresses, but my friends recommed me to wear big, loose dresses. Also they are far more comfortable to wear even as night gowns.

barbie~~

Unlike that navy blue suit that used to hang in your closet, wearing the same dress around the same people more than once is a HUGE fashion no-no. It isn't so much about preference for my female alter as being cheap; there is alot more bang for the buck in separates.

Quote from: Gertrude on August 24, 2018, 08:12:59 AM
Jc penny does too.


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Do they have tall sizes in the store? I had seen that that had leggings in tall on line at least.

I bought some shorts and t-shirts there this summer so plan to look there in the future.

If it's on line only for tall I'll have to go like I do for old navy and try on in the store for the general size the order it.

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Quote from: TonyaW on August 24, 2018, 10:09:36 AM
Do they have tall sizes in the store? I had seen that that had leggings in tall on line at least.

I bought some shorts and t-shirts there this summer so plan to look there in the future.

If it's on line only for tall I'll have to go like I do for old navy and try on in the store for the general size the order it.

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DK know about the store, but they show it online. You'd have to select a store than then see if it's available there. I got a nice black sheath and blazer in tall, Liz Claiborne. It was on sale and works nice.

Cool.  Definitely have to check them out.

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Quote from: TonyaW on April 13, 2018, 07:14:02 AM
I love dresses and skirts and would wear them more often if it were practical. 

In winter here they almost always require tights so it's harder to get a casual look. 

Skinny jeans and leggings are awesome also so it doesn't bother me that I don't wear skirts more often. 


Rachel Christina, I have 3 dresses waiting in my closet for a place and time to wear them.

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I know you love them

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I usually wear a skirt and top when I dress up. I do have a LBD for formal occasions, but when ever I try on a dress that fits, I just look a little too chunky. I wear a size 16 or 18 depending on. In my opinion, if you can wear a size 12 or under, dresses are just fine for almost anyone.

Thank God I don't. Here are the last three I bought.

Quote from: Dani on August 28, 2018, 05:06:12 AM
I usually wear a skirt and top when I dress up. I do have a LBD for formal occasions, but when ever I try on a dress that fits, I just look a little too chunky. I wear a size 16 or 18 depending on. In my opinion, if you can wear a size 12 or under, dresses are just fine for almost anyone.

Height probably matters. A tall 16 might pull it off


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I used to hate them. I did a fantastic job of destroying my body with some overly masculine tattoos. I call them my denial ink. Now since finding a good concealer and wearing sheer pantyhose over the concealed mistakes, I love my leather mini skirts for nights out to the clubs and bars. However most days I'm a skinny jeans or leggings and oversized sweater kind of girl

As a general rule I don't like dresses as never used to find them particularly flattering. However, now I've lost some weight I was looking in Debenhams (UK dept store) and found this https://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_038020410541_-1

It was love at first sight and when I tried it on it was love all over again as it is so flattering (maybe flattening in the right places would be more appropriate).

Some dresses can be absolutely gorgeous.   :)

Chrissy

I have 3 dresses and 3 more skirts, and I hardly wear any of them.  i cannot recall seeing a woman wearing a dress around here.  Currently the snow birds are crowding us out, and they run around in shorts and skimpy tops while we are wrapping ourselves in down coats (Northerners and Canadians, what can one say?).  Anyway, because it is so cold (daytime temps barely into the mit 70's), every local is wearing pants and thick, warm tops.  No room for dresses either!
And when it finally gets ever warm again, in 2 or 3 weeks, we all wear either shorts or Capris.  No room for dresses again!

Quote from: JaslineUK on January 21, 2019, 08:16:10 AM
As a general rule I don't like dresses as never used to find them particularly flattering. However, now I've lost some weight I was looking in Debenhams (UK dept store) and found this https://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_038020410541_-1

It was love at first sight and when I tried it on it was love all over again as it is so flattering (maybe flattening in the right places would be more appropriate).

That is a very nice dress.  Hopefully you bought it .

I think a lot of women skip dresses and skirts because the would have to shave their legs more often. That and for older women and women from conservative backgrounds had to wear dresses and skirts. I've read posts from CIS women that sounded like someone was trying to get a CIS man to wear a skirt. Unless it's cold out or I plan to get dirty, the unbiforcated garments are more comfortable and even then, there are kilts for cold and work.


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Quote from: Gertrude on January 21, 2019, 05:16:33 PM
I've read posts from CIS women that sounded like someone was trying to get a CIS man to wear a skirt.

I wear a skirt regularly as a man. At least once a week while running errands.

Quote from: GordonG on January 21, 2019, 07:30:44 PM
I wear a skirt regularly as a man. At least once a week while running errands.

Do you have a specific reason for this?
My wife did not wear skirts, my mother in law did not wear them, in fact, I don't know any cis woman, who is wearing a skirt.

Quote from: Dietlind on January 21, 2019, 07:34:17 PM
Do you have a specific reason for this?

Because I can, I like it, and I'm transfeminine. There is a blog devoted to men who wear skirts that I was a part of for a long time.

https://www.skirtcafe.org/forums/

Quote from: GordonG on January 21, 2019, 07:30:44 PM
I wear a skirt regularly as a man. At least once a week while running errands.

You're a man? ;)

Quote from: Dietlind on January 21, 2019, 07:34:17 PM
Do you have a specific reason for this?

I have kilts for man mode.

Quote from: Gertrude on January 21, 2019, 07:51:18 PM
You're a man? ;)

Yup. Although a feminine one.

I wear dresses 90% of the time when out and about, wear jeans and a top when doing yard work. I have found lands end has a decent selection of plus and tall sizes. Now that I range from size 14 to 16 the selection has gotten much easier. Just stuck with a lot of 20W to 24W dresses.

Shop different brands until you find one you like.   Sizing can be pretty consistent within a brand.

Another approach is to figure out your body type and then choose styles that are most flattering.  And avoid the ones that aren't. 

This even applies to colors.  Figure out the colors you should wear based on your skin tone.  And undertone.