Layering, Makeup And Hairstyles; Oh My!

[Guest Emily.SoCal]

When it comes to making myself "look pretty" I really don't know what I'm doing. I dressed in private so infrequently up until the past few years that I might as well be a pre-pubescent girl when it comes to what I know about fashion and style. I desperately want to know how to layer and put outfits together, everything about makeup and how to get my hair soft and beautiful like so many girls I've seen here on the forums.

So I guess what I'm asking is, gah, where do I start? What websites, magazines, books, etc. would be good starting points and/or references for a little noob girl like me? I'm at the point where I have the confidence to walk into a store and buy the girly things I want, I just don't know what products do what or what's right for me and I'm so afraid of fumbling about in the store like some weirdo before I can even make a purchase.

Thanks for the input, girls.

Emily

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Yikes - good topic - slipping down though - don't know why.

Emily

Hey sweet - you ARE a pre-pubescent girl if you think about it. How do these young girls make do? They experiment. You will certainly need to stay age and style appropriate - but be prepared to blow some bucks on silly stuff that looks good in the store but looks ... well... stupid, in real life. Grin

I have my wife helping me. Do you have a sympathetic female to shop with? That's a key. Another thing is start super conservative like jeans with flats. Experiment with a blouse or two - or even a tailored shirt. Add some accessories - purse, scarf, jewelry, big belt - different things - until you FEEL right. Your dressing is a mixture of style and personal taste. Something in style may not be 'you' at all. Another surprising thing, you really can go much wilder with colors that you ever have in your life. There is NOTHING wrong with a pair of red shoes for example - so you can open up. And the cheap rule of thumb is to have basics that you can add or subtract from,..Sort of the classic black dress theory, but more like a skirt that can be worn with many outfits, a blouse that looks just as great on bare shoulders, as well as as with a blazer coat. Stuff like that.

And go to the mall when girls or women your age are out - get some tips. Remember what you see in the fashion magazines are faux - very trendy and maybe for people who aren't like you at all. Another trick is to look at women's clothing catalogs - they wanna sell stuff and seem to show things that are rather nice, but fashionable. I was surprised for example when I wanted a purse. I researched it on the internet and now can talk purses with any woman as I know what we as women are told to want! That's a little cynical but it works. And I wanted a denim skirt. Its not the season for denim skirts - I didn't know -a sales lady at Catherine's put me straight - and also called me sweetheart - they get a lot of CD and TS I guess.

And if you are now bold enough to shop directly, then look at what is available in the store - on the racks. Look up at the displays on the wall as well as on the mannequins. That's the cool stuff... The clothing closest to the aisle is the trendy stuff. Sales racks? Until you know what you are doing, stay with the quality items. You will also find that in the big department stores, the clothing MAY be divided by brand name.

Oh - very important, buy good, well made , high quality clothing. It shows - it helps you pass. My post op friend taught me that trick. Also - women judge women by their clothes. If a woman approves how you dress, she will sush her husband if he seems questioning of your gender. Ain't that strange!?

So looking around - like at a wedding, watch what the women wear - older, middle and younger. Women SHINE at weddings! Same at other events - parties for example. Also women out on a date are dressing DYNAMITE!

And stay casual at first. Hope this helps. Oh oh oh - look at the internet for quality stores - I found Chadwicks for example - with clothing I love.

Have fun as you learn - and EMILY! PUT DOWN THAT MINISKIRT, THIS INSTANT!

Lizzy

[Guest Emily.SoCal]

Heya, Lizzy

There was just so much excellent input in your post that I just had to go through and cover all the highlights. It got, eee, a bit long, but hopefully it will be of some extra help to the other gals here.

Hey sweet - you ARE a pre-pubescent girl if you think about it.

::blushes:: *sigh*, you know, I never thought about it that way, but it is true. I'm going through all the same things aren't I? Wow. Reality check.

...but be prepared to blow some bucks on silly stuff that looks good in the store but looks ... well... stupid, in real life. Grin

Oh, girl, don't I know it. Three words: Frederick's of Hollywood.

I have my wife helping me. Do you have a sympathetic female to shop with? That's a key. Another thing is start super conservative like jeans with flats.

Well, my now ex-girlfriend and I are remaining friends and have shopped in the past and have plans of shopping in the future. I guess I'm lucky that even though she couldn't have a relationship with me because of my transgenderism, she is still totally supportive of me being transgendered as a friend and individual.

She also got me started with jeans and flats which I think are a fantastic recommendation for starters. I feel prettier wearing nice jeans and cute shoes and so far no one has really noticed. I'm kind of a t-shirt and jeans girl, but I would like to wear skirts and dresses as the occasion permits. But I'm okay with jeans and tees for the moment and I would definitely recommend them to others as starters.

There is NOTHING wrong with a pair of red shoes for example - so you can open up.

I can't tell you how excited I am about COLOR! I've been very shy about it, but I'm going to be adventurous.

And the cheap rule of thumb is to have basics that you can add or subtract from,..Sort of the classic black dress theory, but more like a skirt that can be worn with many outfits, a blouse that looks just as great on bare shoulders, as well as as with a blazer coat. Stuff like that.

This was very helpful. I've sort of done it anyway, but not consciously. This is sensible planing -- have core components that you can make variations on with whatever you want to add.

Its not the season for denim skirts - I didn't know -a sales lady at Catherine's put me straight - and also called me sweetheart - they get a lot of CD and TS I guess.

I can't believe I didn't know about Catherine's until now. I've found quite a few odds and ends through Avenue and Lane Bryant and The Gap has been a lifesaver for tall stuff (camis, etc.) and Catherine's looks like a great addition to my fashion arsenal.

And if you are now bold enough to shop directly, then look at what is available in the store - on the racks. Look up at the displays on the wall as well as on the mannequins. That's the cool stuff... The clothing closest to the aisle is the trendy stuff. Sales racks? Until you know what you are doing, stay with the quality items. You will also find that in the big department stores, the clothing MAY be divided by brand name.

Oh - very important, buy good, well made , high quality clothing. It shows - it helps you pass. My post op friend taught me that trick. Also - women judge women by their clothes. If a woman approves how you dress, she will sush her husband if he seems questioning of your gender. Ain't that strange!?

This was some of the best advice yet. It's so tempting to go cheap with sale items when you're really unsure what's going to look good on you. But I've already gotten burned there a couple of times. I'll stick with the high quality clothing for now on. Especially if it'll help in some way to another woman shushing her husband over her gender -- that's my dream!

And stay casual at first. Hope this helps. Oh oh oh - look at the internet for quality stores - I found Chadwicks for example - with clothing I love.

Chadwicks -- another great recommendation. Between it and Catharine's I just killed an hour browsing while in the middle of writing this post. Heehee.

Have fun as you learn - and EMILY! PUT DOWN THAT MINISKIRT, THIS INSTANT!

But it's sooooo cute. Please please please! ...oh, okay. ::puts skirt back on rack:: For now.

Thanks so much for your help, Lizzy. You're fantastic!

-Emily

[Guest DeniseNM]

Emily the advice that Liz gave is dead on (as always). Having a female friend to help you shop is one of the best things to have, also don't be afraid to ask the ladies that work there to help you out. I have found most are glad to and if they aren't then they don't need your business.

As to make-up the best advice I can give is find a store that has a make-up counter with professional make-up artists there and get their help in showing you how and what to apply that is best for your skin tone. If you have a Macy's near you see if they have a Mac counter there and go talk to the ladies there and ask them if they have worked with TG's before.

I was told about the Mac counter at the Macy's here where I live and I went in yesterday and had a blast and learned alot too. Spent about an hour there and will go back probably next Monday to learn about with eyes and lips. The biggest thing is they accepted me and were glad to help me out. So try to find a place like that for yourself.

Denise