I've been out in skirts iand dresses before, although not close to where I live. It mostly takes an I-Don't-Give-a-->-bleeped-<- attitude and a little makeup.

I agree. I've been told by a number of people in my neighborhood that I've surprised them with my confidence and dignity. Its all about attitude. I own it 100%.

If only I could feel that way with regards to the lesbian community. Being pre-op makes me feel strange about it.

Quote from: jessical on July 16, 2015, 12:32:59 PM
I was self conscious about wearing a dress or skirt at first, but it actually helped me pass more.  Now I don't even think about it.

This is one thing I've noticed.

Pants will show your (lack of) hips. Skirts and dresses, many of them will not.

iKate You know we've had this convo in the past. I think it's a natural feeling not to feel at ease when wearing dresses or skirt because in my case I feel like I am forcing my femininity to others which I find odd.

However, remember that day when I texted you regarding how I dread coming to work with a dress on. I'm way pass that now You will know when you are ready and when you do - you can't be stopped.

xoxo

April

Quote from: iKate on July 16, 2015, 10:39:54 AM
Do you go out in public wearing any feminine clothing? I'm primarily referring to people who go out in public dressed feminine.

When I was younger, 12-18 a lot. Sometimes fully.
Nowadays no. I'm sorry :p, that might change soon enough though ;-)
Now only jewelry and some shirts, blouses. Undergarments.
I might wear a skirt on this queer arts festival soon though. (cmon doooo itttt, do it do it do it, aww I don't dare to)

The biggest push I had was from my mom. When she said that I look a lot better in a dress than in pants that did it for me.

My mom suggested I stick to A-Line skirts and dresses. I pretty much like the styles better anyway and it hides a lot that's missing.

Apparently nothing now. Went to uni in a skirt for the first time yesterday. No problems what so ever, fesrs were all for nothing.

Too freaking cold for that today though.

The funny thing is that I stopped wearing jeans altogether when i went full-time.  I have a few pairs or unisex and women's jeans in a drawer that I may wear again one day, but I still feel sort of oppressed by them because I had no other clothing options for 43 freaking years.  I love picking out clothes every day that suit my mood and the occasion instead of defaulting to jeans and a guy shirt with the same old shoes.     

I was another one who started using right after I went full time and experienced a higher degree passing as a result. I spent very little time towards the andro end of the spectrum and that was more because it takes time to accumulate clothes. I suppose I tried to over compensate when I first started. The key is to do what you want and when your ready to. No reason rush before your ready. Hugs
Mariah

I'd love to wear skirts... except I haven't started hair removal yet, and my legs are *much* too hairy.

I hadn't thought about dress skirts, honestly. I need to go clothes shopping this weekend anyway; I might look into it.

Quote from: iKate on July 16, 2015, 09:37:50 AM
I must admit that I had this fear of going out in public with a skirt or dress for a long time now. I just don't know. The reason was pretty silly too, in that wearing pants would not get people laughing at me or staring. But if I wear pants and a femme top, HOW is that any different?

So when going full time I just said, "screw it" and I wear skirts and dresses almost exclusively now. In fact my loose fitting jeans are probably going to be donated and I'm keeping maybe 3-4 pairs of the tighter ones.

The amazing thing is that public reaction is about the same, in terms of stares and looks. So I was worried for nothing.

Live and learn, I guess.

The visual impact of wearing skirt first time to friends and colleagues is far greater than wearing other stuffs. This means that, , despite initial confusions, people will accept you as a woman quickly. Human beings are very flexible, and your image to them will change. Yes. Wearing skirts helps pass as a woman.

Everyday I wear skirt and dress.

barbie~~

I stayed away from dresses and skirts for the first couple weeks I started dressing at work. I figured it would be a little easier for people to get used to me.  I now wear skirts once or twice a week, but so far no dresses.  I'm thinking that needs to change!   

For me it is almost the polar opposite. I spent a lifetime forced to wear slacks. So it is awfully hard to keep me out of dresses and skirts. Though, at times jeans are far more appropriate so I go with the flow, feeling a bit out of place.   

Unfortunately for me I don't have the option of wearing a skirt at work. None of the women I work with do, ever. I would look silly. I would have to change my career. I may be headed that way eventually but I like my job. If I go to the opening for the next show we hang, that's my moment!

First time I went out, was in a gray pleated mini 2" heel ankle boots and  a T-shirt. I probably looked a tart though.
Ive become a lot more conservative about what I wear now.

although i do keep telling myself I need A new dress, but aparr from that first outing I havent worn a skirt or dress out. I do wear short shorts when its realy hot.

I think mostdays its my leg hair stopping me, im lazy too much fuss, but when i do treat myself, I go for shorts, I think thats because, being pre opp, I feel more secure in shorts.

Quote from: ButterflyVickster on July 16, 2015, 06:51:42 PM
First time I went out, was in a gray pleated mini 2" heel ankle boots and  a T-shirt. I probably looked a tart though.
Ive become a lot more conservative about what I wear now.

although i do keep telling myself I need A new dress, but aparr from that first outing I havent worn a skirt or dress out. I do wear short shorts when its realy hot.

I think mostdays its my leg hair stopping me, im lazy too much fuss, but when i do treat myself, I go for shorts, I think thats because, being pre opp, I feel more secure in shorts.

I get nervous sometimes when I go out in skirts or dresses please tell me that will get better?

Sent from my SM-T217S using Tapatalk

Quote from: bchigdon10 on July 16, 2015, 07:10:10 PM
I get nervous sometimes when I go out in skirts or dresses please tell me that will get better?

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For me I noticed that I had a style, and that made chosing dresses and skirts easeyer, simply, does it go with this top and that top and those shoes.

at first I was thinking only about the one item when I shopped, so what i wore somtimes made me stand out. So I started fitting new things I bought with multiple older items. and if i could incorperate the new item into my exsisting wardrobe, I felt much better wearing it, an it suited me more.

My best advisei is, if wearing a pertticuler item is making you nervouse, dont wear it, by yourself. Aka if dresses make you nervouse, wat untill you going out with other people wearing dresses. get used to wearing them in group settings, and when you ready move onto solo outings, your solo setting can still be part of a group setting too, eg,  go by yourself to your friends house in your clothes, and go out with friend from ther.

does it get better, id say over time yes, why? do somthing enough and you will get used to it.

Quote from: ButterflyVickster on July 16, 2015, 06:51:42 PM
...I think thats because, being pre opp, I feel more secure in shorts.

I didn't think about that but, yeah, that is totally part of it for me.  I am super self conscious about that. Oh well, in eight months I will have met my insurance company's requirements and that will all change.

Quote from: awilliams1701 on July 16, 2015, 01:36:51 PM
I agree. I've been told by a number of people in my neighborhood that I've surprised them with my confidence and dignity. Its all about attitude. I own it 100%.

If only I could feel that way with regards to the lesbian community. Being pre-op makes me feel strange about it.

I've been told by everyone basically that I'm really confident and brave. I don't think I'm brave, I'm just normal. Confident, absolutely.