Heh Er, My Face Photos

[Guest Neuro]

These are all great ideas. I think it'll be easier to ease my parents into the idea if I ask for small things (like shorts, or shoes first) before letting it all come to surface. (Though it's very hard NOT to, fffff~) My parents are also huge on modesty--especially because my younger sisters are 100% girl, and love to show it off <w< the black sheep, I am.

[Guest StrandedOutThere]

These are all great ideas. I think it'll be easier to ease my parents into the idea if I ask for small things (like shorts, or shoes first) before letting it all come to surface. (Though it's very hard NOT to, fffff~) My parents are also huge on modesty--especially because my younger sisters are 100% girl, and love to show it off <w< the black sheep, I am.

I got to use the modesty appeal because my mom was constantly wanting my younger sister to be MORE modest. I think my sister got sent home from school at least twice for wearing shorts that were too short. My mom was (initially anyway) thrilled that I wanted to be modest and cover myself.

With shoes, I started getting men's shoes because I didn't like pink or purple. A lot of times I would pick a color I knew they didn't have in women's shoes and use that as an excuse.

"...but mom!!!! They don't have the black ones on the girls' side!! It's really the same thing, just in black."

Yeah. That worked.

In this case, being the "black sheep" will work in your favor!

[Guest Neuro]

I asked my therapist about that today. He said it was a good idea, what you said StandingOutThere about the modesty. The key word he said was to use 'COMFORTABLE'--she wants me to show off my 'figure.' Look 'cute' in those purple frills.

"But mom, it's not me. I don't feel comfortable dressing like that."

Have to at least give that a listen, eh?

[Guest sphere]

Dude, if you think you have a baby face, you should see ME. Stupid Gosh darned cheeks!

Code Geass is an awesome anime btw.

In the top pic you could easily pass as a guy, the second looks pretty androgynous though.

I concur with everyone else--cut the hair, dress male, and you'll pass very well.

[Guest joe0117]

Hey Michael,

I don't see anything girlish about you. You definitely look like a teenage boy. If your mom will let you cut your hair then deffinitely go for it. It may give you some more confidence. Another thing with shoes, I have wide feet, so with sneakers men's have more room. Women's tend to cut in narrower. Also, if you say you want to work out or run, men's sneakers have more support. They are designed for performance rather than fashion. You could always tell her you want a comfy outfit - something roomy - just to start. Guys t-shirts have more graphics available. You could always say you like what is on the t-shirt and that they don't have a comprable one in women's. The modesty thing is a good call. I think telling your mom that you are not comfortable in ruffles and tight clothes is a good way to be direct and get your point across. This is terribly worded, I'm sorry. Anyways, good luck with your mom. You are looking good!

Joe

[Guest Neuro]

I'm getting it cut this week, ish.... Hope it goes good >8D And then, I ask my mother for graduating, I have permission to wear mens clothing. "For modesty" aheh. She's gotta know sometime~

[Guest Jeannine Bean]

This year: I vow to perfect my look. Someday, I will wear men's clothes. I have the spirit!!!!

I think you must be too young for the 1990s. Everyone wore "men's clothes" then. I think no one would think twice if you walked into the men's section of a mall store and picked out what you liked and tried it on... I don't know if this helps or not but I several women I have dated shop a lot in men's sections of places like pacific sunwear... just because the clothes looked laid back and cool.

As for me, I try to tone down people's freaked out-ness by walking into women's stores wearing women's clothes in a way that looks as close to what they consider "normal" as I can manage... I miss Atlanta where this wasn't such a big deal, but in small town Taiwan... well, it turns out I took atlanta for granted for a long time :-).

So, if you feel you need to, then maybe you can use a similar strategy. If you have some bigger men's cut pants, wear those... just wear it all like it's your style (even if you haven't nailed your style yet)... and buy more stuff that you like. I think that in most metro areas in America, you'll probably not cause any fuss at all. And if someone says something, just say, "I think this looks cool... Do you think this is pretty cool looking?" or whatever. The sales people want to sell you stuff. It's their job!

I think we've passed through some waves of fashion that really make the notion of "men's clothes" and "women's clothes" a lot less clear.

--Jeannine