What is it about black?

[Julie M.]

Yes, I know black hides a million flaws but today I was shopping and I said to myself, "Julie, you need to add something to your wardrobe that has no black in it." So after my workout I went to a strip mall nearby. I stopped in at The Dress Barn. There were some very nice things there but all the ones I liked were black. So I left.

I then went to a department store next door. The door I entered in at brought me straight into the juniors section. I may be a bit older than that but I still like the styles (I've always been a kid at heart). I went to the women's section sort out of a sense of obligation. Tomorrow will be my last day of dress up for a while (college kid returns Thursday) so I wanted one more dress up day complete with pics and all, but with something other than black!

Now I need to thank Deborah here. She has been so instrumental in me being me and I love her attitude. So with that ammunition I say, "Why not break the old mold and do something adventurous?” Deborah, honey, are you with me?

I just bought a pair of platforms that have a white leather band across the top of the toes. I’d guess they add 4-6 inches to my height. Anyway, I like them and how they look but this is the ‘Lady in Black’ you are talking about! How would I look?

“Jules, this is summer! Girls wear summery things during summer. Just go for it!” (Deborah’s voice in the background). Well I scoured the closeouts, the discounts and the sales and just couldn’t find anything that wasn’t black that I wanted. I mean, let’s face it, if the clothes don’t get you all warm and fuzzy inside, why bother?

As I raked through the clothing on sale (and girls you know how women can be during a closeout!) I had to navigate around the women shopping. I couldn’t leave until I found something NOT black. Ooh, but there were so many nice things!

I picked up and put back too many things such as a red skirt that I held at my waist and walked around feeling where it fell on my legs. I even walked by a mirror to see how it looked. I didn’t like it so I put it back. Again and again I scoured the sales items. Surely, I told myself, there has to be a treasure buried here.

“Julie! Tomorrow may be the last really good dress-up day you may have in a while! You have to have something to remember it!”

That wouldn’t leave my head. It was long past a reasonable time for me to be home from working out. What would I say? It didn’t matter. I only had one more day then Julie had to be stuffed away. (I’m wanting to cry but I won’t).

Then I saw this short-sleeved v-neck collared top. It was a sort of pink, I am thinking salmon, but was an XL. I have never bought anything XL in my life but then I thought of ….. yeah, Deborah. “Screw the size inhibitions! It’s time for Julie to be herself!”

So I found a very pretty salmon short sleeved v-necked top but what would go with it? I looked at skirts but they didn’t work. So I thought of walking along on a bright summer day, what would I want to wear? Then I saw them, Capri pants! I again became the ultimate scrutinizer and checked every Capri pant I could find until I came across a white pair that claimed they stretched. The only thing I was really concerned about was the waist. I wanted a full waist and these had them. When I got home I tried them on and they fit perfectly.

I’ll let you know how it turns out.

Love,
Julie

[Beauty]

Great post Julie!

It's awesome that you took one of the forum twins shopping (mentally) with you too!

I look forward to hearing the follow up!

Beauty

[Virginia]

Julie, Honey, you are a sweetheart! Thank you! We have to stop and think, if you are shopping in the women's department and come across 1X or 2X or 3X what does that tell us - there are a lot of bigger GG's out there too. For me I have to wear long sleeves year round, what with 18" arms and 46" chest kinda hard to hide, but I have found some blouses that work! I too have a "salmon" colored pull over with "netted?" sleeves from the shoulder to the bell shaped cuffs, it is one of my favorties. It has an elastice waist band and goes great with black slacks, white or black mini. Anyway, I am proud of you and "give 'em hell!!!"
Love ya,
Deborah

[Julie M.]

Well today is going just great (except typing with long nails!) The salmon top and capri pans look just great with the heels. Since I'd be wearing no hose I figured I had better paint my toenails. After I saw the reflection in the mirror I realized those white legs need some sun! Anyway I was scrounging around my makeup bag when I saw a small bag with my favorite nails in them! I thought hey were gone like so many other things that just disappear over time. Of course I had to put them on those fingertips ASAP!

Since a picture tells a thousand words (these nails really make typing tough!) here's the finished product:



Deborah, see how nice that top fits! Thanks! Now I'm really ready for the mall!

Love,
Julie

[Cindy Barnes]

Cute outfit Julie !!! Very GG and ready to go shopping look !!!
And cute pic all the way around !!
Hugs Cindy

[Loretta Ann]

Gosh, you look good Julie.

[Beauty]

Bravo!!!

You look great from your head to your toes. Well done!

Beauty

[Lorna]

Cool beans, Julie!

Good for you! I can't wait to see some pictures...

Now I'm sure we've all heard that "white is the new black..." or was pink the new black? Or the new red? Who knows?

LOL!!!

[Jadeanne]

Julie,

Although a lot of others have said it already,

Great outfit and great pic.

I might be tempted to try some femme pants once in a while instead of my usual skirts and dresses if I could look that good.

Jadeanne

[Julie M.]

Thank you girls. You are why I am 'out and about'. This is where it all starts. Just a bunch of great girls gettin' together and havin' fun. Deb, you are my inspiration babe. I love you.

Thank you for being so inspirational!

Love,
Julie

[Julie M.]

Cute outfit Julie !!! Very GG and ready to go shopping look !!!
And cute pic all the way around !!
Hugs Cindy

Cindy,

You are such a sweetheart! There is no better compliment than saying 'very GG', Maybe I have arrived.

Thanks Hon,

Julie

[Julie M.]

Lorna.

You crack me up! Your wit and attitude is infectious. I am both flattered and elated by the responses. We girls need to stick together and do what we do best……..GO SHOPPING!

[Julie M.]

Sorry if I am carrying on too much but this has been such a great day! When I look at all the gloomy days I know, days like this need to be celebrated.

When I put on the nails today I felt like I had arrived. It was like I finally was a woman, these sleek sharp looking nails on my fingers. Femininity spoken here! There is something so wonderful about long nails. I hated the idea I had to take them off. As I had to disrobe into male mode I kept the nails on as long as I could. It made me feel like 'she' was still alive. Once the nails came off reality set in. But that's another story.

Today I broke my barriers. I wore something that wasn't black. I stepped out of my boundaries and dared to experiment. Deb was with me as she showed me how to look my best. And from seeing the pic, she knows what she's talking about!

Love,
Julie

[Lorna]

Lorna.

You crack me up! Your wit and attitude is infectious. I am both flattered and elated by the responses. We girls need to stick together and do what we do best……..GO SHOPPING!

Thanks hon! I try...

BTW, you look so adorable in that pic! Very nice! Can't believe I missed it ealier... there I go again with the brain farts...

[Phylis Anne]

dear julie you look lovely and im glad that you had such a good time while shopping ,i also buy my dresses at dress barn and the one that i go to in long island is cd friendly.i went in the first time and the sales girl asked me what i was looking for and i told her i was looking for a dress for me.well she then took me around looking for the dress i wanted and btw i was in boy mode.as soon as i saw the dress that i wanted she took me over to the changing room and let me inside one of the stalls ,my dress fit perfect and that was the first of many dresses that i have bought from them.as for my lingerie ,all of the stores that i shop have let me try on all the bras and girdles that i have bought,i know that so many people are getting used to us being here that they have opened up their stores to us/ all my love phylis anne