A thing about style...
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ShamrockFaerie(SO)
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- Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2007 10:00 am
- Location: Roanoke, VA
Style is personal, whether you're a man or a woman, CD or not......
A true sense of style comes with being comfortable in your own skin, trying new things, and never being afraid to express how you're feeling on the inside.
For example.... I am a redhead. For years and years I believed that I could not wear red, pink, or orange because my mother (God bless her) told me that those colors don't "work" for redheads and would "clash" with my skin color and hair. All I have to say is THANK GOD I STOPPED LISTENING TO HER AND TRIED SOMETHING NEW!!!! Now, my favorite outfit is a little red dress I picked up.... And yes, I look HOT in it.
The point is.... Women have the advantage of being brought up thinking about fashion. We watch makeover shows and read celebrity mags and get beauty tips constantly. We have a lifetime of practice. Men don't necessarily have that advantage. So when they start dressing (sorry guys, this might sound a touch offensive, but it's certainly not meant to be), most men are like 4 year old girls who want to express their individuality by wearing say.... striped tights with a floral skirt and a big floppy hat. I think all us GGs can remember playing "dress up" in our moms' closets.... Trying new cuts and fits.... New patterns and colors. How many times have our mothers said "You're wearing THAT?!?!?!?", especially when we are young. And even with the advantage of being able to try out our experiments freely by going out dressed the way we please, it still takes YEARS AND YEARS to develop a personal style that we feel fully comfortable and confident with. Why should we expect that men who do NOT have the advantage of being able to go out dressed as they please and "try out" other people's reactions should just magically "know" the rules of fashion? Why should men not have a right to experiment like the perverbial 4 year old with mismatched stockings and crazy scarves? I guess the big question is..... Do you want your CD to have YOUR style, or his own?
Personally, I HATE HATE HATE the things Joe chooses for himself. They are all pink and frilly and lacy and TOTALLY not my style. I'm more into sleek sophistication. But he has a right to experiment, and who am I to tell him what he should and shouldn't like? I certainly don't want to be like my mom was with me..... I don't want to make him feel self-concious, and I refuse to deprive him of the learning experience of finding what HE feels most comfortable wearing. So when he chooses something I despise, I just smile and say "It's not what I would have chosen, but I'm glad you like it." and I leave it at that.
Again..... Style is personal. Joe might HATE my red dress, but he knows I feel GREAT when I wear it, and that seems to be good enough for him. Who am I to deprive him of that same satisfaction and comfort?
-Tiffany
A true sense of style comes with being comfortable in your own skin, trying new things, and never being afraid to express how you're feeling on the inside.
For example.... I am a redhead. For years and years I believed that I could not wear red, pink, or orange because my mother (God bless her) told me that those colors don't "work" for redheads and would "clash" with my skin color and hair. All I have to say is THANK GOD I STOPPED LISTENING TO HER AND TRIED SOMETHING NEW!!!! Now, my favorite outfit is a little red dress I picked up.... And yes, I look HOT in it.
The point is.... Women have the advantage of being brought up thinking about fashion. We watch makeover shows and read celebrity mags and get beauty tips constantly. We have a lifetime of practice. Men don't necessarily have that advantage. So when they start dressing (sorry guys, this might sound a touch offensive, but it's certainly not meant to be), most men are like 4 year old girls who want to express their individuality by wearing say.... striped tights with a floral skirt and a big floppy hat. I think all us GGs can remember playing "dress up" in our moms' closets.... Trying new cuts and fits.... New patterns and colors. How many times have our mothers said "You're wearing THAT?!?!?!?", especially when we are young. And even with the advantage of being able to try out our experiments freely by going out dressed the way we please, it still takes YEARS AND YEARS to develop a personal style that we feel fully comfortable and confident with. Why should we expect that men who do NOT have the advantage of being able to go out dressed as they please and "try out" other people's reactions should just magically "know" the rules of fashion? Why should men not have a right to experiment like the perverbial 4 year old with mismatched stockings and crazy scarves? I guess the big question is..... Do you want your CD to have YOUR style, or his own?
Personally, I HATE HATE HATE the things Joe chooses for himself. They are all pink and frilly and lacy and TOTALLY not my style. I'm more into sleek sophistication. But he has a right to experiment, and who am I to tell him what he should and shouldn't like? I certainly don't want to be like my mom was with me..... I don't want to make him feel self-concious, and I refuse to deprive him of the learning experience of finding what HE feels most comfortable wearing. So when he chooses something I despise, I just smile and say "It's not what I would have chosen, but I'm glad you like it." and I leave it at that.
Again..... Style is personal. Joe might HATE my red dress, but he knows I feel GREAT when I wear it, and that seems to be good enough for him. Who am I to deprive him of that same satisfaction and comfort?
-Tiffany
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Lucy Michelle
- Miss Golden Goddess
- Posts: 728
- Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 9:46 pm
Tiffany is right.
The younger Lucy has made many fashion mistakes, thankfully all in privacy of her own house.
I have many dresses including a little black dress which are fantastic, however I would never go out in them. It's all about blending when outside which means copying what real girls wear which means most of the time jeans, t-shirt or top (ie like men but with boobs and a slightly different walk).
The younger Lucy has made many fashion mistakes, thankfully all in privacy of her own house.
I have many dresses including a little black dress which are fantastic, however I would never go out in them. It's all about blending when outside which means copying what real girls wear which means most of the time jeans, t-shirt or top (ie like men but with boobs and a slightly different walk).
Lucy xx
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Tekla
- Permanently Banned
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- Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2007 4:21 pm
- Location: San Fran Bay Area
Pink goes with pink only
> And you have to have the right complexion and hair for pink anyway. Few do. Its for pale girls with blonde hair - Think Marilyn Monroe or Paris Hilton. Other than that stay away, it tends to be a 'little girl color' anyway with a heavy sexual meaning.
white goes with white only
>So much for "Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes" then eh? Granted that white on white looks great on Navy boys in that dress uni (I swear they can get laid in that outfit so fast) but its also what ice cream sellers wear. Be careful here.
floral should be non-existent in the cross-dresser world.
> Hey, it don't look all that hot on the Queen Mum either. You would think that a woman as rich as that could dress better. Never got that. Nix on the floral prints everywhere, and for all time.
Leopard or any other animal print is a whole other discussion.
> Its a rare gift to be able to wear it well, for sure on that. Like any other fashion idea, if you have to think about, think again.
black goes with black only
>> I've always thought that black, with a perfect white accent is the epitome of style, grace and sophistication. Is not a tux black and white? Mine is. Its that gleaming white shirt with the black tie and black jacket that make it look so nice. Our big arts fundraiser (Opera, ballet, symphony) is called the Black and White Ball. Black on black, on black is great for your freshman and senior year at the art school or a Goth party. So I'm going to have to disagree on this one.
Lots of men grow up with a sense of fashion also. GQ and the rest. What is wrong with most men is that they don't get something women know. And I hear it all the time when they are starting out. "Women's clothes are so expensive." Guess what, so are good men's clothes, its just that you never checked them out, busy as you were buying your K-Mart wardrobe. A good suit, not 200 at The SuitBarn, but more like 800-1000. 1200 for my Armani (custom tailored), and worth every penny I might add. You might not think it matters, every girl does. A good tie, not the $5 one at the dry-cleaners that someone left behind (for a reason) the ones I wear run 70 and up, Italian, silk, sharp.
And, let me add a few of my own...
Only four people in the history of the world can wear blue eye-shadow. They all lived in the sixties. Don't do it.
Fetish wear is for fetish parties, or 'special events' like a Marilyn Manson concert. Don't wear it otherwise.
First in my observation, people have a sense of style or not. I've never known a CD who dresses well in drag, to look bad in male mode. Like pitch, color sense is almost an inherent trait. You see it or you don't.
Dickies and Carhart clothing is work clothes for people who work at jobs where they need to shower after work, not before. Nothing to me looks sillier then some desk jockey in work clothes. I only wear that stuff because it good for work. That little loop thing on the pants looks real stupid if it ain't got a hammer or wrench in it. That little pocket on the leg is not for your cell phone, its for a folding knife within easy reach when you are on a ladder. If you do not have grease stains on your hands, dirt under your fingernails or just got done plowing the north forty, then don't wear this stuff.
Don't shop alone. I know a lot of CDs are all alone but... find someone to go with you. I watch women shop - in packs - and all it takes is that little eye deal for one to tell the other "No Way, not ever" for whatever she is holding up.
Get your colors done.
> And you have to have the right complexion and hair for pink anyway. Few do. Its for pale girls with blonde hair - Think Marilyn Monroe or Paris Hilton. Other than that stay away, it tends to be a 'little girl color' anyway with a heavy sexual meaning.
white goes with white only
>So much for "Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes" then eh? Granted that white on white looks great on Navy boys in that dress uni (I swear they can get laid in that outfit so fast) but its also what ice cream sellers wear. Be careful here.
floral should be non-existent in the cross-dresser world.
> Hey, it don't look all that hot on the Queen Mum either. You would think that a woman as rich as that could dress better. Never got that. Nix on the floral prints everywhere, and for all time.
Leopard or any other animal print is a whole other discussion.
> Its a rare gift to be able to wear it well, for sure on that. Like any other fashion idea, if you have to think about, think again.
black goes with black only
>> I've always thought that black, with a perfect white accent is the epitome of style, grace and sophistication. Is not a tux black and white? Mine is. Its that gleaming white shirt with the black tie and black jacket that make it look so nice. Our big arts fundraiser (Opera, ballet, symphony) is called the Black and White Ball. Black on black, on black is great for your freshman and senior year at the art school or a Goth party. So I'm going to have to disagree on this one.
Lots of men grow up with a sense of fashion also. GQ and the rest. What is wrong with most men is that they don't get something women know. And I hear it all the time when they are starting out. "Women's clothes are so expensive." Guess what, so are good men's clothes, its just that you never checked them out, busy as you were buying your K-Mart wardrobe. A good suit, not 200 at The SuitBarn, but more like 800-1000. 1200 for my Armani (custom tailored), and worth every penny I might add. You might not think it matters, every girl does. A good tie, not the $5 one at the dry-cleaners that someone left behind (for a reason) the ones I wear run 70 and up, Italian, silk, sharp.
And, let me add a few of my own...
Only four people in the history of the world can wear blue eye-shadow. They all lived in the sixties. Don't do it.
Fetish wear is for fetish parties, or 'special events' like a Marilyn Manson concert. Don't wear it otherwise.
First in my observation, people have a sense of style or not. I've never known a CD who dresses well in drag, to look bad in male mode. Like pitch, color sense is almost an inherent trait. You see it or you don't.
Dickies and Carhart clothing is work clothes for people who work at jobs where they need to shower after work, not before. Nothing to me looks sillier then some desk jockey in work clothes. I only wear that stuff because it good for work. That little loop thing on the pants looks real stupid if it ain't got a hammer or wrench in it. That little pocket on the leg is not for your cell phone, its for a folding knife within easy reach when you are on a ladder. If you do not have grease stains on your hands, dirt under your fingernails or just got done plowing the north forty, then don't wear this stuff.
Don't shop alone. I know a lot of CDs are all alone but... find someone to go with you. I watch women shop - in packs - and all it takes is that little eye deal for one to tell the other "No Way, not ever" for whatever she is holding up.
Get your colors done.
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Kendra Lynn
- Miss Emerald Goddess
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2005 8:13 am
- Location: Silver Spring, Maryland
STYLE
Hello all: Well, I'm still amazed that I get away with the cheerleader outfits!! (of course I DO NOT wear the midriff revealing tops and super tight skirts that seem to be fashionable now in cheer circles)...
As to general style-- what I seem to have developed is "nice girl with a hippie accent." Sorta preppy, but not always. Nothing super sexy or super formal. No plunging necklines; no super long skirts and dresses.
I've found a lot of things at GAP (web site, retail stores do not carry the largest sizes), GAP Outlet, Burlington Coat Factory, Bedford Fair/Willow Ridge (on-line/toll free number; no "brick & mortar" stores). I've also bought from the vintage shops in Takoma Park, Maryland, and occasionally from JC Penny, American Apparel, Marshall's, and AVENUE (web site; they also have brick&mortar stores). My newest fave is FLYNN & O'HARA, a school uniform firm. most of their styles are available in larger sizes; and if you like box pleat skirts, kilt style skirts, and/or peter pan collar blouses, they've got 'em.
The "hippie" accents to this basically preppy style can be: a peace sign pendant, cute poncho, crocheted "hippie girl" shoulder bag, long straight-ish wig, denim jacket, political or psychedelic badges/buttons, etc.
I've discovered that some actual hippie type clothing, such as long crinkle skirts, really doesn't look that flattering on me.
So we have the irony of someone with basically hippie/counterculture/"green" sensibilities whose CD style is fairly preppy. Those styles look best on me. I've always thought GG's looked good that way too.
Colors-- well, that can be tough. Sometimes I do make mistakes, but even when just looking at a skirt and top together, often you can tell that they should not be paired. Really good color combos: red and black, white with almost anything. Yellow and green seems to be an ok combination; light brown is pretty neutral.
Fascinating topic, this...
Hope everyone is having a great summer! (Of course the problem here in the DC area is hot, humid weather during July and August (sometimes even into early September). Last year I went for an entire MONTH without "dressing." But at least I now have a lot of warm "girl" stuff for winter-- and have also discovered that wearing make-up can mitigate against the discomfort caused by strong winter winds!)
Peace'n'Luv-- Kendra Lynn.
As to general style-- what I seem to have developed is "nice girl with a hippie accent." Sorta preppy, but not always. Nothing super sexy or super formal. No plunging necklines; no super long skirts and dresses.
I've found a lot of things at GAP (web site, retail stores do not carry the largest sizes), GAP Outlet, Burlington Coat Factory, Bedford Fair/Willow Ridge (on-line/toll free number; no "brick & mortar" stores). I've also bought from the vintage shops in Takoma Park, Maryland, and occasionally from JC Penny, American Apparel, Marshall's, and AVENUE (web site; they also have brick&mortar stores). My newest fave is FLYNN & O'HARA, a school uniform firm. most of their styles are available in larger sizes; and if you like box pleat skirts, kilt style skirts, and/or peter pan collar blouses, they've got 'em.
The "hippie" accents to this basically preppy style can be: a peace sign pendant, cute poncho, crocheted "hippie girl" shoulder bag, long straight-ish wig, denim jacket, political or psychedelic badges/buttons, etc.
I've discovered that some actual hippie type clothing, such as long crinkle skirts, really doesn't look that flattering on me.
So we have the irony of someone with basically hippie/counterculture/"green" sensibilities whose CD style is fairly preppy. Those styles look best on me. I've always thought GG's looked good that way too.
Colors-- well, that can be tough. Sometimes I do make mistakes, but even when just looking at a skirt and top together, often you can tell that they should not be paired. Really good color combos: red and black, white with almost anything. Yellow and green seems to be an ok combination; light brown is pretty neutral.
Fascinating topic, this...
Hope everyone is having a great summer! (Of course the problem here in the DC area is hot, humid weather during July and August (sometimes even into early September). Last year I went for an entire MONTH without "dressing." But at least I now have a lot of warm "girl" stuff for winter-- and have also discovered that wearing make-up can mitigate against the discomfort caused by strong winter winds!)
Peace'n'Luv-- Kendra Lynn.
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ShamrockFaerie(SO)
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- Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2007 10:00 am
- Location: Roanoke, VA
Oh oh oh.... I have a few style tips too!
What Tekla said about GOOD clothes is right on point. Buy nice, well tailored things that FIT YOU! All you "big girls" out there..... I have two words for you..... LANE BRYANT! You can find styles, cuts, and fits, made for plus sized women... They are flattering, well made, and (comparatively) not THAT expensive. Not everyone can shop at the Gap or Limited or Express.... Learn that lesson early. Also, women's sizes vary from brand to brand and style to style. You absolutely MUST try everything on. It's not like men's clothes where a 32 waist is a 32 waist. A 6 is not a 6 everywhere.
Also.... I keep seeing these hard and fast rules for fashion (no florals, no blue eyeshadow, pink is only for blondes, etc.) but truly and honestly.... There is no rulebook.... your clothes should reflect your personality. If you're super feminine, don't shy away from ruffles and florals and pink.... Just find a way (and this takes practice and time) to make them work for YOU.
Makeup - It's very tricky. The idea is that wearing makeup should make you look like you're NOT wearing makeup. Most CDs that I see overdo their makeup SEVERELY. I wear blue eyeshadow sometimes (if you have brown or hazel eyes, blue can really accentuate them in a very positive way) but it's a subtle, silvery blue, and it's not all the way up to the eyebrow. I also sometimes wear green, plum, and white. The thing is.... your eyeshadow should NOT match your outfit. You should pick a feature (eyes, cheekbones, lips) that you like about yourself, and experiment with ways to accentuate that feature. Also, your makeup should be appropriate for the event..... Dark, smoky eyeliner is GREAT for a formal event or a night on the town.... It's less appropriate for going to the grocery store. Also, get help finding foundation that matches your skin tone and learn to blend. The worst thing in the world is seeing someone with an orange face and a pasty white neck. And older ladies shouldn't wear bronzer..... It tends to accentuate imperfections in the skin like wrinkles and age spots. Leave the sunkissed goddess look to the twenty-somethings. My best friend does makeup for pro drag queens for a living, so I know a little something about makeup for men.
Finally, when choosing clothes, pay attention to fabric. If you have extra weight, stay away from flowy fabrics like chiffon.... They will only accentuate bulges, bumps, and rolls. Also, if you're very thin, spandex is NOT your friend.... No one wants to see your ribcage or tailbone. Cotton is the most flattering fabric for MOST body types, and wool blends (like tweed) are great for disguising any imperfections and creating that hourglass shape. Tailoring is also vital.... Look for "c" seaming in the back of tailored jackets and shirts (seams that look like two Cs back to back). This creates the illusion of a narrower waist (for most men who are uilt like men, this is a good trick to pick up).
OK.... That's all for now. I'm sure I'll think of more.
-Tiffany
What Tekla said about GOOD clothes is right on point. Buy nice, well tailored things that FIT YOU! All you "big girls" out there..... I have two words for you..... LANE BRYANT! You can find styles, cuts, and fits, made for plus sized women... They are flattering, well made, and (comparatively) not THAT expensive. Not everyone can shop at the Gap or Limited or Express.... Learn that lesson early. Also, women's sizes vary from brand to brand and style to style. You absolutely MUST try everything on. It's not like men's clothes where a 32 waist is a 32 waist. A 6 is not a 6 everywhere.
Also.... I keep seeing these hard and fast rules for fashion (no florals, no blue eyeshadow, pink is only for blondes, etc.) but truly and honestly.... There is no rulebook.... your clothes should reflect your personality. If you're super feminine, don't shy away from ruffles and florals and pink.... Just find a way (and this takes practice and time) to make them work for YOU.
Makeup - It's very tricky. The idea is that wearing makeup should make you look like you're NOT wearing makeup. Most CDs that I see overdo their makeup SEVERELY. I wear blue eyeshadow sometimes (if you have brown or hazel eyes, blue can really accentuate them in a very positive way) but it's a subtle, silvery blue, and it's not all the way up to the eyebrow. I also sometimes wear green, plum, and white. The thing is.... your eyeshadow should NOT match your outfit. You should pick a feature (eyes, cheekbones, lips) that you like about yourself, and experiment with ways to accentuate that feature. Also, your makeup should be appropriate for the event..... Dark, smoky eyeliner is GREAT for a formal event or a night on the town.... It's less appropriate for going to the grocery store. Also, get help finding foundation that matches your skin tone and learn to blend. The worst thing in the world is seeing someone with an orange face and a pasty white neck. And older ladies shouldn't wear bronzer..... It tends to accentuate imperfections in the skin like wrinkles and age spots. Leave the sunkissed goddess look to the twenty-somethings. My best friend does makeup for pro drag queens for a living, so I know a little something about makeup for men.
Finally, when choosing clothes, pay attention to fabric. If you have extra weight, stay away from flowy fabrics like chiffon.... They will only accentuate bulges, bumps, and rolls. Also, if you're very thin, spandex is NOT your friend.... No one wants to see your ribcage or tailbone. Cotton is the most flattering fabric for MOST body types, and wool blends (like tweed) are great for disguising any imperfections and creating that hourglass shape. Tailoring is also vital.... Look for "c" seaming in the back of tailored jackets and shirts (seams that look like two Cs back to back). This creates the illusion of a narrower waist (for most men who are uilt like men, this is a good trick to pick up).
OK.... That's all for now. I'm sure I'll think of more.
-Tiffany
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Gaven McLaren
- Miss Golden Goddess
- Posts: 697
- Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2003 2:29 am
- Location: San Ramon, CA
- Contact:
I will admit that some times I have fashion issues rather male or female clothes. Most of the time I am very casual. As for pink only going with pink I disagree. There are shades of pink that should not be worn with other shades of pink. Now I have GG friends who help me with fashion issues and things that look good together. I cannot stand most floral prints and animal prints. Also Camo can clash with Camo. I have put on 2 different camo prints and looked in the mirror and disgusted myself.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons. As you are crunchy and good with chocolate!
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Linda S
- Miss Sapphire Goddess
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 3:24 am
- Location: Northern VA
I agree with Rina - not on every fashion rule, but on her general observation about CDer's often lacking a sense of style, and especially the "granny" look (aka Mrs. Doubtfire) which they seem to favor.
Here's another good discussion of the topic:
http://crossdressers-forum.com/forums/v ... sc&start=0
Linda
Here's another good discussion of the topic:
http://crossdressers-forum.com/forums/v ... sc&start=0
Linda
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Kendra Lynn
- Miss Emerald Goddess
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2005 8:13 am
- Location: Silver Spring, Maryland
AVENUE and JESSICA LONDON
Hello all: Since my first posting on this thread, I've also ordered from AVENUE and JESSICA LONDON, both of whom have nice stuff in "plus" sizes. JESSICA LONDON offers many choices in their "clearance" section and the prices there are good.
I like the neo-traditional/"preppy"/"classic" stuff TALBOTS sells, but their regular prices are high. Worth checking out their "outlet" selection.
And speaking of places offering "preppy" type styles-- Has anyone ordered from LL BEAN or LANDS END?
Happy shopping!
Peace'n'Luv-- Kendra Lynn
I like the neo-traditional/"preppy"/"classic" stuff TALBOTS sells, but their regular prices are high. Worth checking out their "outlet" selection.
And speaking of places offering "preppy" type styles-- Has anyone ordered from LL BEAN or LANDS END?
Happy shopping!
Peace'n'Luv-- Kendra Lynn
Sorry.
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Ann Stef
- Miss Platinum Goddess
- Posts: 288
- Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:41 pm
- Location: Space Coast - Florida
a things about style
In Fla., where there is 7 months of summer, floral prints in sleeveless knits are in vogue. Us older ladies do go to solid colors in the five months of cooler weather. The trift shops do have a large selection of solid color outfits that ladies brought down from the north. Experimenting with different styles and colors is less costly thru trift shops.
Happiness is dressing to your innermost desire and feeling.