Just be yourself and do your own fashion. That's what I do, and I may not dress like the majority of the people my age, but I get away with it. Then again, the average person would say that I (and many of my friends) still dress too young for our age and that we should dress like soccer moms (LOL). I like the rock/punk/goth/industrial/metal style I have and make my own (and changes from time to time, or work vs play, but the style is still there).
The trick is this: if it's your own style and personality, you get away with it; If you're dressing for others, you won't get away with it. That's why I get annoyed when other trans people who look up to me decide to dress and look like me when it's not them. Dress for yourself.
On the other side of the coin, however, some trans people are in the middle of trying to figure out their own style and when they start out some tend to either dress like they are 13 or like they raided grandma's closet. But they don't know their style. They are still experimenting and trying to figure out that part of themselves.
So, as to your clothes ask yourself if your style of clothing now is your style or not. Do the clothes express who you are? If it's your style and it expresses who you are, then great, keep it that way. Clothes are an expression of self; and in a woman's world clothing tells a lot about you. They tell the world how you feel, who you hang out with, your maturity, and even your political beliefs... it's insane what clothing can reveal about a person. And yes, a lot of women will judge you by your clothing (I know, unfair but it's reality) and will use that as a first impression.
ie, If a trendy top-10 club girl were to walk by me, she probably wouldn't talk to me because she knows (and I know) that we're from different worlds and have different interests, friends, ideas, and activities. But, I constantly run into people and make friends based on how I dress --- because I can tell (and so can she) that we have similar interests and we talk. It's crazy how clothes can help you find friends. Urm, and girlfriends, too. How I dress, as well as my body language, also gets me a lot of attention from other lesbians. Besides mystical gaydar, dress and body language often let another girl know if the other girl is a lesbian.
For example, the other day I was on a road trip and ran into a lesbian in another city. How did I know she was a lesbian, even with her having a work uniform on? Body language, and of course she responded to cues that I sent out (the fine art of lesbian flirting is a skill, I tell you). I made her blush at the end, but skipped the email exchange in the end, just 'cause she lives pretty far from where I live etc.
But the point is, body language, clothing, etc, tell people a lot about you. Women, especially, use this as part of figuring out who you are before you even speak. A lot of it is subconscious, although.
Anyway, i'm sliding off topic a bit. But yeah, let your style be who you are -- forget what others say you should be (dress as, act like, etc). Because, honestly, if you dress for someone else, women are going to read that right away and you're going to be seen as a poser.
If the way you are dressing now isn't you, then yes, I'd suggest you find your personal style.
When people go shopping with me, or are out shopping themselves -- they can spot "natalie" clothes and accessories. That's how close style and personality work together. My style is an extension of who I am, like an art display of my personality.
--natalie
