Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hi Girls;

I am interested in getting a poll of how the different Age groups like to dress as you undertake your Real Life Experience, by Age Group.

To put things into perspective. I am in the 50-65 Age group and I have transitioned twice. I am probably best described as a Lipstick Femme, because I am most comfortable in sa Skirt and Blouse plus Skinny Top in Sunmmer or top and jumper in winter. I do wear dresses too. Because of my figure I like to wear A line dresses that fall from the bust or flared from the waist. I never wear jeans or pants. I also prefer skirts just above the knees, not too high. But iif I was 10's years younger , whilst I have a couple of summer minis I am probably too old for them know, although my therapist reckons I have the legs to wear them.

Al
I also like to wear stockings or pantie house and bare legs in summer or tights with open toes. In fact I think have a dress or skirt on is very liberating for me. Also I often wear an underbust  corset as it helps my posture as well as accentuating my hips.

52.

My favorite warm weather bottoms are short skirts. Need to wear scarves with my t-shirt because I still can't seem to eradicate my upper body hair.

Cold weather bottoms are skinny jeans for casual, slacks for work, and turtlenecks on top.

I've been transitioning since I was 40, but fifty now. I've always preferred jeans and casual tops instead of dresses and skirts. I do have some fancy stuff for special occasions, but I rarely wear them, I think the last time was my dad's memorial service and I still wore slacks then. I'm fairly feminine, but mostly casually so, not into all the makeup, frilly stuff and such. I don't wear rings and usually simple earrings in my two ear piercings and a simple watch. And I pretty much never wear heels.

I'm 31 though I prolly look 27 but I just wear skinny jeans and fun tops. I am prolly pretty lucky in that I'm pretty tiny and fit into women's small tops and size six jeans so I really don't have to femme it up too pass or anything though I guess if I did I'd wear a sundress. I figure I might wear a dress b4 summer is out but maybe not.

Quote from: JulieR on July 30, 2013, 08:26:22 PM
I might just do a hormonal transition and continue to present male.

I hate presenting male people look at me like I am a freak. It is the most bizarre thing.

Quote from: judithlynn on July 30, 2013, 09:20:13 AM
Hi Girls;

I am interested in getting a poll of how the different Age groups like to dress as you undertake your Real Life Experience, by Age Group.

In in the 41-50 age group.  I really avoid pants at almost all costs.  I like dresses, but I prefer blouses/skirts due to the disparity in size between my upper and lower body.  As far as the skirts themselves I sometimes go very long with bare legs, but more often above the knee with either panty hose or tights (my preference). 

My preference is heels; but if I'm going to be doing any significant walking I'll bite the bullet and go with a wedge or on *rare* occasions a pair of ballet flats.

I *always* have in two pairs of earrings, a necklace, and what I'd call an "engagement ring" that my wife got me when I started this.  I normally throw on an anklet (well always unless I forget) and sometimes a bracelet, but my hands are big enough that most solid ones (bangles and the like) won't fit me. :(

I turn 30 this year :)  While I am not doing any RLT as I just went into living full time the moment this dream was realized and the last 15 or so years have been a RLT off and on for years at a time in either direction....

I prefer jeans/t shirts/flip flops, but its all female.  I donated all of my old male clothing to family/friends the minute we made the jump.  While I will always be presented with down moments of realization, I realize I need to face those head on and not even have the opportunity to "slip into male clothing for even a few minutes on a trip to the gas station".  some, ok, *most* mornings I look like a hung over drag queen from a bad night of binging on cocaine, I realize that this is the life I needed and I face it head on no matter what.  And nope, I don't regret not even having male clothing to slip in to.  Although I kept a few masculine shirts from the days of being in the Army (old unit shirts), I don't ever wear them.  They are just sentimental.  They aren't even used as pjs lol.  But ya, occasionally, I will slip into a cute skirt/blouse combo.  :)

I'm 55 I transitioned in 1991.I wear jeans and girly embroidered combat pants and t shirts and girl tops.I have celulitis and a swolen and inflamed leg which I hide behind pants.I'm 6' 1 and a half so I wear flat ankle boots (I have a pair with 1 ' heels) or pumps and like to put my hair up.I wear ear rings and usually a Crucifix,I have funny fingers and rings are uncomfortable to wear.My nails became vey poor with HRT so I don't wear polish much I don't wear make up as I had an eye infection though I make up my eyes and wear lip gloss on the rare occasions when I wear it.My electrolysis was finished so I don't wear facial make up.I'm kind of feminine androgynous I suppose,I pass fairly well and most people are OK with me,I work with the public having been a bus driver for 10 years and now a hotel land lady/manage.

I started hormones at 21, now 23 going on 24

i love wearing dresses, I love a mini skirt.. I love to wear high heels shoes.. sandals, pumps or boots.. I love my knee high boots (with a 3.5inch heel). I do wear pants, but mostly dresses/skirts... I love wearing lingerie, i love the silky feeling against my skin. I have built up a large collection of shoes (95% heels) and clothes.  I love shopping.

I am very girlie, so I wear makeup, mostly eye makeup and lipstick or gloss. I  paint my nails.. all sorts of colours.. I have two holes in each ear, and my left ear has a hole on the top as well, and my navel is pierced, and would love to my nose pierced next. No body ink, but planning on getting some

I wear clothes appropriate to my age group.. which is best advice.. look your age.. look what woman in your age group wear, as that will help you to blend. I believe I do dress like a woman in my early 20's

I remember there was the transexual I use to see around town, every knew that she was trans, (did not know her), but she was older, i think around late 50's but she dressed like a 20 year old and she really stood out and I think looked ridiculous .

Hi Noelene 111;

Its interesting what you say about dressing your age.

I can recount two things that happened to me recently.
Last time I went to see my therapist I was wearing a Red woollen dress which came down to about 2 inches above the knee with a small slit either side that perhaps revealed another inch of leg. I was wearing 2" heels, plus open toe panty hose. Anyway when I was dressed I looked at myself in the mirror and even though I looked good, decided to wear a further pink & white mini skirt under the woollen dress and adjusted it  so it gave me another 1.5" to be on the knee, but of course when I sat down , it showed my knees. Basically I felt as though I was a little immodest without it. Anyway when I met my therapist, I mentioned to her my concern and her comment was my thoughts  were in her opinion  wrong. She said, women like to show off their legs and mine are not bad in panty hose and realistically what was another 1.5 inches. She told me to be liberated.

Then only last week , I came out of my dentists and saw what was very obviously a Transsexual women crossing the street to her Ute (Australian Utility vehicle). She had a micro mini skirt on, with 3-4"black high heel pumps on; black stockings (her skirt was so short that you could see her suspenders and bare flesh). I immediately noticed as it was a really cold day and I thought no woman in her right mind would be dressed like this. I then looked up at her face and whilst the make up looked good she was built like a brick door and a very rugged face. I reckon she would have been in her 50's
I realise some of us are not built to blend in, but to me seeing someone dressed like that at 11am in the morning on a cold winters Australian Day in not the right approach to be blending in and passing.
I would never dream to look like that, except in private with a girl or boyfriend! - Hope I haven't offended a Susan's reader!

I wear what I like and feel comfy in have no prob wearing a jean skirt I love it

I have been out and full time since February of this year.  Early on I would wear skirts, blouses and dresses ONLY but my pendulum of comfort has swung back a bit and I like tight capri's, skorts and jeans when needed for the terrain or event.  As a senior and well known local the fahionestas, that include my good friends, were relentless about "those shoes don't go well" or the typical "dress your age" with floor length skirts rigidity.  I do not apologize for publicly working thru a "lost girlhood."  We can't go back but we can experience some of the same sensations of trying out styles and fashions to find what helps us create an authentic and personal presentation.  I am not going through transition to get dates, be someones else's version or stereotype of what is a woman or what is OK as a transgender person.  I feel so very good about giving up on suits, ties and other restrictive clothing.  This is liberating, freeing and wonderful.  We can make our own choices and this girl is not going back into any box.  I encourage people to be free and push the envelop even if it is totally private, at home, and just for you!  You deserve and are entitled to daring, fun and sexy outfits too.  Diversity and adaptability are the essential keys to biological and cultural survival!

I'm 33, on a general day when I'm dropping the Man Mask I'll wear my jeans and a blouse.  Something casual that still is clearly women's clothing.  I've been buying women's pants, but I'm sure the cut of my pants only helps so much.

I prefer sneakers or boots with short heels(The stilettoes are murder after a while on my feet and I tend to be pretty active)

The age group question was a bit of a trick ;) - what age do you want. I am almost 40 now, but transitioned when I was about 24. I assume you are interested in the time "back then" - back then I was a bit into hippie styles, pants/jeans that are tight but get wider at the bottom, tank tops, colorful t-shirts (I had a favourite color that I tried to always get clothes in). For a while I also liked a bit of an expedition look with pants that look like they are made for hiking. I colored my hair a lot. I got plateau sneakers and regular pseudo-athletic shoes. On special occasions like going to a dance club I also did wear skirts and short dresses. Doing that at other times lead me to slapping a man in the face in public transportation after he grabbed me, so I decided that this is not really something I need to repeat ;) . Basically I shopped at a textile chain that made clothes for the age group between 16 and 30 and just picked what i liked. Ususally no skirts though as I was not always comfy with them, felt overdressed a lot and most of them did not fit me well either. I am a bit short and chubby with short legs - skirts that are not going all the way down look awful on me. I did like summer dresses occasionally though - long ones of course and with "spaghetti" top. But usually only for casual things like a day at the lake.
Nowadays it is not much different though I do not go to dance clubs anymore and I am not shopping in the same shops anymore but in one for age group 30-60. Its a bit more boring and I usually tend to buy what fits best and is comfy not what may look better. I gained a bit of weight so I dont fit into many of these things anyways now. I almost never wear skirts and dresses these days, but like T-Shirts that have some beads on them in a fashion that is a bit a reminder of hippieness (I think they call it "organic" or "ethnic"). No silver or gold colors, shiny things or printed images usually. I sometimes wear an african farmers hat if the sun is tough. Looiks a bit like this (http://www.sunprotectionhats.com/images/D/Tilley-T5MO-Organic-Cotton-Airflo-Hat-Khaki-Women-D.jpg). I am a natural scientist from profession, so I guess that may be linked ;) .

Quote from: noleen111 on August 10, 2013, 06:19:12 AM
I started hormones at 21, now 23 going on 24

i love wearing dresses, I love a mini skirt.. I love to wear high heels shoes.. sandals, pumps or boots.. I love my knee high boots (with a 3.5inch heel). I do wear pants, but mostly dresses/skirts... I love wearing lingerie, i love the silky feeling against my skin. I have built up a large collection of shoes (95% heels) and clothes.  I love shopping.

I am very girlie, so I wear makeup, mostly eye makeup and lipstick or gloss. I  paint my nails.. all sorts of colours.. I have two holes in each ear, and my left ear has a hole on the top as well, and my navel is pierced, and would love to my nose pierced next. No body ink, but planning on getting some

I wear clothes appropriate to my age group.. which is best advice.. look your age.. look what woman in your age group wear, as that will help you to blend. I believe I do dress like a woman in my early 20's

I remember there was the transexual I use to see around town, every knew that she was trans, (did not know her), but she was older, i think around late 50's but she dressed like a 20 year old and she really stood out and I think looked ridiculous .

Hey there, so I'm starting to feel the need to dress and live full time, one problem I've been running into is where to shop... I'm like 5'11'' and have really long legs, surprisingly I think I look pretty good in jeans but the only problem is I can never find any that are long enough:/
And chance you have any ideas? Like places in the mall, or special stores?

Oh and I'm 21

I turn the big 6-0 next year, which they say is the new 40.  I dress ether in jeans and a top, or a dress.

Thrift stores are a good place to shop. Good prices, the clothes are still in good shape, and of course you should try on everything that looks like it *might* fit. I've found that one cannot trust the numbers of the sizes as manufactured, but one cannot trust the placement of clothes nor their sizes in a thrift store. (i.e., if it says "size 12", but looks really big for a 12...and you wear a 16...try it on)

Myself, 49 yo...was wearing capris before HRT (and still do); wore girlie T-shirts before, not anymore (they remind me too much of my "guy" days). I do have a pair of tight-ish jeans, I was comfortable wearing them, but not so much now (don't know why)...my other pair of tight blue jeans I actually had to cut into shorts (3" hem) because the calves were too tight on me.

Pretty blouses, generally flower prints. Oddly, I don't really care for skirts that much, but I *think* I like dresses. (have two on hand, they're both quite comfortable).

Shoes: tennis shoes (with pink laces), sandals (preferred in summer), mid-thigh boots (not "Uggs" or similar; kinda like stylish cowboy boots)(winter).

I'm 43, on my second transition, started this one at 40. I wear mostly skinny jeans or capris with some sort of girly cut t-shirt and cute boots or sneakers. I have a couple of dresses but rarely wear them. I did just buy a new one though and some heels.

Quote from: Beth Andrea on September 15, 2013, 11:18:36 PM
wore girlie T-shirts before, not anymore (they remind me too much of my "guy" days).

LOL , that is an association that is unexpected! ;)

QuoteOddly, I don't really care for skirts that much, but I *think* I like dresses.

Why is that odd?
Actually I think if I wear skirts/dresses at all, I think I would also prefer dresses.
But I made myself some clothes, I like them really a lot. Half of them are for medieval reenactments though, the other half is mostly tops in a slightly medieval/gothic style with laces and such. I made them in part because of my size. I am not tall but have a rather long torso relative to height and most regular clothes do not match up with that (and I am too old now to go with a naked belly).Plus I am a bit overweight. But making clothes is fun, wish I had more time and ideas for that these days...

The "dress your age to avoid looking ridiculous" advice is good, but can be bent a bit.  I went Full Time at 62 and I wear a skirt every day.  Sometimes a dress, but that's either for a somewhat formal event, or like today it's the end of Summer so I'm lounging around the flat in a Summer frock.

I'm 64 now and can usually pass for 54 so I dress as a "54 year old woman trying to look 49".  That's acceptable and other women of similar age seem to recognise we are playing the same game.

I always wear earrings, ring, bracelet and nearly always a necklace.  I rarely wear makeup and then it's usually fairly restrained eye shadow.  I'll paint my nails for a special occasion, and in the Summer I usually wear white sandals with bright red toe nails.

Well sounds to me perfectly all right for a woman between 55 and 65 ;) - Would be a bit more odd for someone in the late 30ies maybe. But it all depends - not only on age and occasion but also on the cultural background, the region and all that. And of course that does not mean everyone has to blend in. Heck I was dressing goth for some years after transition - not exactly blending in and trying to wear what others did ;) - but it was obviously meant to look individualistic, so that was accepted well ;) - Oh and yes - since many TS look a tad younger at least in their first years after starting HRT, why not dress a bit more for the age one looks like - thats quite ok.

Quote from: Meghan21 on September 15, 2013, 10:50:59 PM
And chance you have any ideas? Like places in the mall, or special stores?
Oh and I'm 21

If you don't mind shopping online Alloy Jeans has inseams up to 37".
http://www.alloyapparel.com/category/jeans/inseams+up+to+37%22.do?nType=2&incmpid=LNaval.jeans.features.inseams