What if I didn't dress

I have a difficult time not dressing in some of my Sandy clothes even in guy mode. I had to run to Home Depot yesterday, you know the home of so called masculine endeavors, I put on denim shorts with a 5 inch inseam, light canvas sneakers, button up women's Hawaiian blouse and a Mickey Mouse baseball hat. The blouse didn't have a collar and was a v-neck type of blouse with a curved hem. I didn't feel what I had on was unusual because it's what I wear the majority of the time during the summer. Every item I had on is classified as women's clothing. But it was comfortable and I felt wonderful wearing what I had on. Yes there are some things I have that would have really stood out as being female wear but I don't feel the need to scream out I'm a guy dressing as a woman. What I had on was to me perfect for a quick run to get something. Had I planned to go all day shopping then I would be completely dressed with makeup, skirt, wig and other things that are completely obvious female. But I can wear total male clothing and feel fine even though I think the clothing is boring and ugly.

Sandy

I like going out an about and being "in the middle". Sandy, and ladies, I am so close. I am so close.

Diane

That's a great way to put it Diane, going about in the middle. I guess that is what I do a a lot. That describes me quite a bit.

Sandy

I have always had a difficult time with "under dressing" or "partial dressing". For me, it's all out or nothing at all. I have tried "drab with girl jeans", "drab with a feminine top" -- and I always feel like I'm not being who I really am. When I can, Julie gets ALL dressed up and goes out - skirt, heels, wig, make up. But I know that works for me and isn't for everyone. As a wise woman once said, "That's why Baskin Robins has 31 flavors" !

Other than work, which is full drab (on the outside), I usually go out in some combination. I have shorts, jeans, and a couple t-shirts that are women's, but look androgynous enough that they can pass for men's. That way, I can blend in, yet I'm still expressing my feminine side in a little way. Now occasionally, I do push the limits toward the feminine side while not making any attempt to pass. For example, I've gone out in short denim shorts, that really scream, "I'm a guy wearing women's clothes!" And I may get some glances from people when I do so, but no one has ever said anything to me about it. I have also worn women's sandals out, and wear my big framed women's sunglasses out quite often.

I think I would wear the flats in guy mode and not worry too much, especially if they were black, brown, or something subtle.

Birel

I think I'm ok with partial dressing, because I don't feel that I pass, even when fully dressed. If I were able to pass, then yeah, maybe I would want to stick with either a strictly feminine or strictly masculine look when I go out. But, for me, it's more just a matter of how far I want to go with my feminine appearance for any given outing.

Birel

Ladies,

I know how you feel. Though I will admit that I still struggle with such feelings, I made the decision about 4.5 years ago that it was more important to be me.  As such, today, I dress how I wish to go about my business in town. I do admit that I am much less overt with family and at work. I do this without issue, and often receive compliments for both my wardrobe and my courage. To be clear, I do not mask that I am a man (my goatee and military short haircut would make that difficult.) whether I am wearing a dress or something more androgynous.

MacKenzie Alexandra

I think it is worth noting that, in cases like this, the struggle only exists between our ears. Enculturation is as powerful a force as we let it be. The shame, the guilt, the fear of getting caught...we can move beyond these. It does take some work, chipping away.

I don't get the chance to go out full fem very often but I don't feel right unless I'm underdressing with panties and a bra.

When I can't 'dress' I transition into a muttering curmudgeon.

Araminta.

I have a black merino wool tunic. In the cooler months I love wearing it in guy mode.

Hi Lea.

apart from work, I wear female clothes nearly all the time, there's no struggle....grace won the battle a long time ago.

Huggs 💕💕

When the mask mandate hit us a bit over a year ago, I went grocery shopping a few times as a guy in a denim skirt; then I added my flats. Since then, my wardrobe has gradually become more femme, to the extent than I'm always partially dressed, I'm more comfortable in a skirt than in my GV jeans, and all shopping is done as Bettylou. Except for my brows, no makeup unless I'm going shopping, and my drab time is limited to Sunday church. I suppose you could call me "almost nearly, but not quite hardly" a full-time girl. What if I didn't dress? No longer possible.

Bettylou

I underdress in panties almost everyday. I try to fully dress a few times a week but only in the house. Other days I wear a pair of camo female shorts and a men's t-shirt. It does not feel right going half and half
The shorts easily come across as men's so it is not very apparent.