Cloths

[Guest viv]

Hi All,

Got to thinking , do we (older) Trans Women dress way too young. As women

we tend to look to other women re fashion hints/trends etc and Im no different.

So, I was looking at a few women who were waiting for a bus the other day (i was

in traffic ) and found myself thinking I would like that outfit , thing was , she was

half my age (me 42 ) . Then I thought , a lot of Trans Women I know do

tend to dress a little too young. Now, if we are to "pass" in public surly dressing

our age would be a component part in blending in . Part of me does not blame my

sisters as some may feel they have a lot of *lost time* to live. But , I would advise

to let common sense dictate our clothing purchases . Any thoughts girls??.Luv,viv

[Guest Joanna Phipps]

I have a good example as to how a woman my age should dress. I dress in a similar manner to my wife (we are both over 50) that way I have managed to avoid that mistake. One other thing that keeps me looking my age is that the super cute clothes are literally 10 sizes too small for me and in average and petite sizes, I have to have talls to get the pant legs to fit right.

[Carolyn Marie]

Hi, Viv. This is a good topic.

I am very aware of that issue when I buy clothes. I'm very realistic about my body shape and

features, and I know dang well that I will never look good in a mini skirt and tight sweaters.

It just isn't realistic.

The catalogues can be very enticing, I have to admit. I imagine myself wearing what the

model is wearing and it can be extremely hard to resist getting into fantasy mode.

But what stops me is my credit card - when I have to pony up the cash knowing I will

likely never wear the outfit, or never look good in it, it usually keeps me from making unwise

purchases.

For me, the clothes I buy have to be wearable on the street, because that is where I intend to

wear them. If I was never leaving the house, then indulging the fantasy would be OK.

I'm a middle aged woman, and that is what I will present to the world. It doesn't mean I have to

wear a mumu or a sack dress. One can be middle aged and still be fashionable.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Donna Jean]

Viv.....

Excellent topic!

Well, I have insurance against making a fashion error in size, color, age or length of skirt...

The instant I commit one of these grievous errors , the alarm instantly goes off!

"You're NOT wearing THAT!"

"That's too tight!"

"That is made for a girl half your age!"

"NOT THOSE EARRINGS AGAIN!"

Yep!

She keeps me right in line and the Fashion Police off my tail!

Well, I shouldn't complain...she's helping me so I don't make TOO big a fool of myself!

And, of course, my wife doesn't want to be with a girl that looks better than SHE does!.........right?

Huggs

Donna Jean

[Guest Joanna Phipps]

I finaly found a nice set of pumps to go with the suit i ordered for work. Nice black suit, with my white ruffled blouse and those pumps. Will post pics when I get all of the pieces.

[Guest Donna Jean]

Hi All,

Now, if we are to "pass" in public surly dressing

our age would be a component part in blending in . Part of me does not blame my

sisters as some may feel they have a lot of *lost time* to live. But , I would advise

to let common sense dictate our clothing purchases . Any thoughts girls??.Luv,viv

Very good point, Viv....

My main goal is to appear as the woman that I am...just to go to the store and make my purchases...drive my car --get gas....walk down the street...

If I wanted attention, I'd go on TV...I want to "blend in"...

Be "ordinary" and normal...

At home, jeans, T shirt and sneakers work for me as well as millions of other women in the world!

I started out making up for "lost time" and my wife reingned me in a bit...it's way better now...

Thanks for the topic, Viv....

Huggs

Donna Jean

[Guest nymphblossom]

Genetic women do dress much younger these days. My wife is 51 and she still buys many of her things in the juniors department. Alot of it has to do with degree. One young piece will keep you from looking frumpy. Two pieces...you might want to think about dressing your age.

My therapist told me that transwomen typically appear about ten years younger than their actual age. I'm a flat-chested bean pole, and feel quite comfortable in public wearing Henleys, button downs, skinny jeans, Capris and hemlines that are stylishly sbove the knee with tights. Although my style is different from my wife's, I do take my age appropriate cues from her. As much as I'd like to wear them, at 49, I know to stay away from crop tops and short shorts

Blossom

[Guest ChloëC]

My mother is 89. I was about 5 when her grandmother passed away at about 83. I remember her and I have pictures of her from at least 5 years before that. My mother looks, acts, dresses, like either she is 10-15 years younger then that, or my great-grandmother dressed like she was over 100. I have a strong tendency to believe that styles and age appropriate attire have changed considerably in the past 50 years. Like astoundingly so.

Not that someone 60 should dress like someone 20, but the lines are blurring tremendously here, with things like pants/slacks becoming de-rigeur for women, and people wearing jeans into their advancing years.

I laugh when I hear things like 50 is the new 40. Mostly it's our desire to be forever young (isn't that a song?), and the cosmetic companies and plastic surgeons are doing their best to meet that demand. Yet, even without 'help', people are continually looking much younger at later ages, than people in the past have done.

And you can laugh at 18, looking at the post 50ish people trying to still look in their 30's and 40's, until you're that age. Then you may decide that a sacky looking black dress with little embroidered pink petunias on it, just isn't your style.

Look at pictures of older people (post 70) from the late 1800's to the 1950's or so. I suspect there really wasn't much difference in the previous 100 years, or more, either. Something is going on here.

So, what really is age appropriate attire? You know, I think the question should be, what is age?

Chloë

[Guest julia_d]

It depends how you carry it. I have great legs and I wear mini skirts a lot.. sumer or winter. I look at least 10 years younger than I am, and anyway.. I'm a bit goth so people notice that first and what I'm wearing second.

Good label clothes always look better than the teen/chainstore outlet stuff. Women notice the difference between a real Karen Millen and a £10 high street knock off at 100 yards.

That's my secret.. it's fine to dress a bit young, but only if it's real quality and not cheap and nasty.

[Guest viv]

Ya mean I'm dressed too young? The frilly shorts and halter tops got something wrong with them? They're okay - it's just the old lady inside of them.

I will admit that I'm enjoying my adolesence again. But that's just for prancing around the house. I promise I won't embarass anyone out of doors.

Kat

Hi Kathleen,

LOL,Thanks Kat. Ive got a very short skirt just for at home ,love it.

Have to say ,there are some beautiful feminine fashions for my age group and

beyond. If 60 is the new 50 and so on , if you can shake a leg and it dont fall

off ,then by all means ,go for it , dress to feel good . Its just that Ive seen a few

women dressing way too young and "giving the game away", giving people

reason to have that second look . Thanks re replies ladies ,luv you all, viv