Hated "then" LOVE now!

[VickySGV]

I have a somewhat "nice" event to go to this Saturday. It is a formal reception for a Trans* person who holds an openly elected government office, and will be at a home in one of the more affluent areas of a town known for $$$$ people. The invitation does not say FORMAL attire, but the setting tells me that I should be wearing something better than blue jeans and a Wal Mart T shirt. I do have several nice dresses that are pretty cute, and one or two "formal" skirt-top-sequined jacket ensembles, but I never the less went shopping yesterday to see if I could tweak things a bit. Thus a funny realization --

As male, I HATED to wear suit jackets or even sport coats, and only wore them when it was absolutely do or die mandatory necessary that they be worn. I cannot use the language I really feel like in regard to neck ties here for political and decency reasons. The coat and tie were reserved for court appearances or for promotional interviews, and hidden the other 355 days of the year.

SOOO -- what caught my eye first thing yesterday and ended up in my shopping spoils?? A women's suit jacket!! I already have skirts and slacks the right color (black) and was wearing one of the pairs of slacks as I tried the coat on and this one really looked good on me!!! I love the thing!! As for the neck tie equivalent, there is a new scarf that gets put on with the same knot as a neck tie, but it looks so darn cute with the suit effect on a new white button front blouse. What in the world has happened here??

I won't go into the "get one get a second half off on the sweaters" un-problem, but jacket, new blouse, scarf and sweaters are in my bulging closet now.

What have the rest of you found you could not stand to wear as <him><her> but now would like to buy and wear?

[Guest Gwendolyn Elizabeth]

I could have written that myself. I do think that in general my wardrobe is dressier than it used to be.

[Charlize]

Gosh how i hated wearing ties. I was forced to wear them at school until college when i got away with a ratty sport coat most of the time. Clothing meant little or nothing to me. My closet was full of stuff i didn't like and never wore. Now its scarves every day to match my outfit. If i am in jeans i've still got a nice scarf on. I love my closet and actually find myself moving through different outfits often. Must admit however that i've got a few outfits i am wearing out. I just love the way they look and feel. Tie and jacket no but scarf and jacket ….cool.

Hugs,

Charlie

[Guest meagan]

As a guy, I wore stuff until I looked homeless. Infact I was homeless at one point. If I did not need to buy new clothes I didn't. Two belt loops can keep the belt in place and the pants on. One loop and then new pants. Shirts I wore until they looked like a lawn mower hit them. My fav shirt was my Cramps one. It had the dead guy with a typical Elvis style hairdo graphic. I forgot it on the deck of a friends place and a heavy snowfall buried it. After many many parties and people urinating into the deck snow, my shirt stained yellow from off white. Had mildew stains and began to dissolve. I washed it in the spring and it was still a fav shirt.

Now things are drastically different. My clothes are crisp and beautiful. Full of color and look sharp. If I get a hole in a top then I need it fixed ASAP. Torn hems or fraying on pants need work to bring back finished ends. Boots and shoes are gems that need care and polish. The homeless dirty punk became a semi formal/casual woman.

It was never hating particular items rather hating having to maintain male items as there was never a sense of any need to care.

[Carolyn Marie]

I actually liked ties; it was the only way to add color and my own sense of artistic style to my wardrobe. I would go for strange geometric patterns and bright colors. Suits and sport coats, on the other hand, were pretty monochromatic and boring.

I know what you mean about relishing our wardrobe choices now, Vicky. I shop much less now that I've retired, but its still fun going to the store or looking through catalogs. I just wish I looked as good as the models, or even in the same zip code as them. But then again, I have that in common with 90 percent of cisgen women. Models are the only ones who don't envy models.

I'll bet you look lovely, Vicky. You'll have to show me someday.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[KathrynJulia]

Vicky

The best thing I can say about a suit and tie is good bye, good riddance and "Good Will tax deduction". I'll bet you'll look really nice Vicky dressed in a new feminine suit I've invested in a three new formal outfits and had them tailored to look good enough to be buried in. They are a whole lot more comfortable than my male suit and I really appreciate that woman can weat colors on something other than a tie and brown shoes or black? Good luck while out rubbing elbows in the ritzier side of town Vicky. Kathryn

[VickySGV]

I'll bet you look lovely, Vicky. You'll have to show me someday.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

I definitely know where your attention was NOT last night!! I was wearing the jacket at TDOR, just not with the new white top!!

[Guest Jaques]

THEN - as a kid I hated girls clothes, in the 50's where I came from girls didn't wear trousers, I had ribbons in my hair, dresses with bows - I used to look at the boys and wish and wish I could have everything they were wearing. As time went on I buried it, and in my teens became uber feminine, so I wore the most girly things imaginable and enjoyed it. When the "awakening" began in my 40's I began to feel more and more uncomfortable in everything, started to wear more andro. things, then progressed to wearing mens suits, tie, had my long hair cut off - but I still wore makeup, lol! Its been quite a journey but now I just enjoy wearing anything at all so long as its NOT A FROCK..............

[gennee]

As a male,I knew what I wanted beforehand.Spending hours shopping seemed so ridiculous to me. Now as a woman I could spend all day shopping. If I had the money I would probably come home with the whole store .

[VickySGV]

An element of humor to the event I went to was that the guest of honor had on exactly the same suit jacket and slacks that I did, only our tops were distinct. I met her and we had a laugh about it.

[Guest Lizzie McTrucker]

Oh I hated dressing up! It was such a chore and annoying and stuffy and omg this shirt collar is so rigid and this tie is too tight...

But on the other hand, I'm still convinced pantyhose is the devil's creation...

So there's some give and take involved now. lol

[Cyndee]

The tie, collared shirt, and coat attire was pushed on me since my childhood days at church, how stiffling that was. Later I had to wear a tie as field service technician. So I always avoided more formal wear whenever I could. I was always in jeans and T shirt by default. Lately however since my business trip to our company's HQ last month as my true self, and the shopping trip to aquire more women's business wear (thanks to Meg's soul mate, for her wonderful advice) I have aquired a taste for more "dressy" looks, I could actually envision myself wearing a women's suit coat now, I do kind of like how they are taylored with room up top, trim at the waist, and flare at the hips, (oh yeah).

Glad you had a good time Vicky at the event, and comparing suit coats with "guest of honor", I always wondered what it would be like to show up at some dressy event in the same outfit or dress that some other woman was wearing and then graciously maneuver through that (oh my dear, you look fantastic !)

Cyndi -

[Guest DianeATL]

I guess I spent so many years in suits and ties, I didn't mind them. They were bland and like one of the posters said, I could add some flair with a great tie.

I did hate shopping for all other male clothes and basically have suits and jeans and nothing else. However I love shopping for girl clothes and putting together outfits like you described. I even enjoy deciding what jewelry, hose (or not) and shoes would best compliment the clothes. As a male I was lucky to get my pants zipped up and I wore the same pair of shoes all of the time.

Shopping was the biggest fashion change for me.

Hugs

Diane