Crossdresser wife support for your dressing is truly a gift. My wife has always been a great help with my crossdressing even though she chose not to actively participate in the beginning. Wigs, makeup, shoes, outfits and accessories are areas she has helped me with. Most things I willingly accepted but the short wig took decades for me to buy into.
Crossdressing Wig
My wig style was pretty much shoulder length through most of my dressing career. Like a caring crossdresser wife support she was constantly suggesting the shorter ones but I never liked how they looked on me. That changed a couple of years ago when we returned to our hotel from the CHIC Christmas Party. She took off the short wig that she was wearing and asked me to put it on. She wanted to see how it looked on me as it was a complimentary color. I knew what she was up to but put it on anyway. She teased it up a little higher than she wore it and the look on my face said it all. I loved the way it looked but, the wig cap was too small for me. The two wins for her was I now was ready to explore the Micki in short hair concept along with she one the argument.
Godiva’s Wigs
I was fortunate to discover Godiva’s Secret Wigs online because they are great quality and come in large cap sizes. I have purchased several large cap wigs from them but what I call a short wig they refer to as medium which, refers to the length. The two wigs below come in large cap size but are medium length.
Freedom in Nutmeg F colorTrixie in Creamy Toffee color with roots
For a Traveling T Girl like myself there is a wonderful advantage to these wigs. I pack them in a large zip lock freezer bag with the wig turned inside out. When I arrive at the hotel I open them up, hold them upside down by the tag and shake hard 3 times. I style them later when I go out with my long fingernails. It only takes a couple of minutes and has cut down my time getting ready.
Trixie wig Creamy Toast R (with roots)
On trips where my wife accompanies me she takes over on the styling which always looks better than mine but, she has been at it longer.
She has also bought me numerous Betty Boop figures over the years because she knows Betty was my first love as a child.
Maybe Betty was the influence that made me dress in the 1st place.
I like them but have some issues mainly about the weight which is 1.68 lbs each. I need two so I am looking at over 3 lbs added to my 50 lb luggage limit. Because of the weight I did not take them to DIVA Las Vegas 2019 this year as planned.
Normally I ship my luggage ahead of time and weight is not as big an issue. I think I will appreciate them in the long run. They were attractive because I assumed the wigs would stay put on the stand without slipping like my other portable stands.
$40.00 is too high given the fact that they are just cut from sheet plastic. In addition I had to widen one of the slots so the pieces would fit together without rocking.
WIG BANDS
I also found a new wig band that I liked because it has a flesh tone closer matching my skin. I followed the directions placing the label on the right side, it stayed in place all day and night. My wig fit over it and was secure in place.
I did wear the wig band everyday at DIVA this year and it was great. The only thing I would change is to order the 23″ size to give me some extra room.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
I am currently planning my next adventure which will most likely be San Francisco, Portland, Seattle or back to Las Vegas. The later will be a weekday event most likely and the others a weekend adventure. Hotels in Las Vegas are a bargain during the week while the others are more expensive. I will definitely be shipping my luggage this time.
Being a traveling T Girl road trips are something that most of us do to at one time or another. Some often like myself others only occasionally but we all have the same challenge. What to take and how to get it there in addition to how to pack it all. If driving, you can take everything you own depending the size of your vehicle but flying takes some planning. My wife organized my packing process years ago and I have used her system for years with great success.
WHAT TO BRING
My traveling T Girl road trip starts with planning my evenings out differentiating between casual and dressy nights. Once I decide on an outfit for a night, I lay it on the bed and pick out some jewelry to go with it.
ACCESSORIES CAN MAKE OR BREAK THE OUTFIT
Setting the jewelry on the garment gives me an idea how it will look when worn with the clothing. Then I hang it on a door nob or cabinet nob so I can lay the purse and heels I choose below it.
ACCESSORIES
Once I am happy with the nights look the jewelry goes in a zip lock sandwich bag and hung on the hanger by punching a small hole just below the zipper.
I do this for every night I will be going out along with days outfits. Daytime outfits are far easier to put together because the emphasis is on casual as opposed to the night time glamour. Makeup is toned down also as not to stand out so much in the crowd. Shopping rules the days so jeans and flats come first followed by a thin top so I can try clothes on over it. My preference weather permitting is a light jacket with a zipper in front. That way I don’t have to take my wig or blouse off before trying things on. Jewelry is conservative also with smaller earrings and bracelets. My wig for daytime will be light brown as opposed to flashy blonde shades. Again, the jewelry will go in a zip lock over the hanger.
When all the outfits are selected, I put a clear trash bag over the hanger of each outfit to guard against wrinkles.
TRAVELING T GIRLS
Packing wigs depends on the wig short or long full or straight. I have used cases which take up lots of room but protect the styling and they are great if you are driving. Flying traveling Tgirls are another story due to luggage limitations on size, weight and quantity of suitcases. I have used a trick for traveling crossdressers taught to me years ago by the late JoAnne Roberts for longer and full hairstyles. You place the wig in a plastic bag folding the excess bag under the wig and insert it into a plastic she box. Takes up very little room in the suitcase and preserves the styling well.
You can take collapsible wigs stands with you or you can buy large pop bottles to use for wig stands when you arrive at your destination.
Milano 2 piece wig stands slide together with offset slots in each of the halves
My wigs are all short and can be packed inside out then shaken upside down. I can style them quickly and I bring portable collapsible wig stands. I just purchased two new stands pictured above that I will be trying out but think they are going to be great as they are very compact.
Fake fingernails are a must for crossdressers and they can easily be bought on line or in most drug stores. Size can be a problem as they are designed for women who have much smaller nails. Some of the prepackaged nails will fit but thumbs usually don’t. My solution is to but unpainted nails in my size form Talon Nails and shape them myself.
FRENCH MANICURE
A couple of years ago I started experimenting with doing nails in a French Manicure style. It takes more work than just cutting, shaping and painting fake nails but is worth the effort.
The process is the same as the one detailed on my CROSSDRESSER FAKE FINGERNAILS page. The big difference is when you paint the fake nails it will be with a French Manicure polish designed to look like your natural nails.
On the nails above I painted 3 coats of the polish on the right using my nail wheel.
I let the Polish dry overnight and then mask off the section of the nail I will paint white the next day.
Because I will be using an airbrush to paint the tips I need to mask off the back part of the nail. The masking strips are available at most any beauty supply or of course Amazon.
Now its time to fire up the compressor and get to work on the tips. I use the white tip paint mixed with nail polish thinner 50/50 so it will spray easier. I tried brushing the white tips on but, it was always too think. The fake nails did not look natural like you see women wearing on the street.
I let the paint dry overnight and then remove the masking the next day.
After letting the dry another 24 hours I put two coats of Orly topcoat on and i am all done.
I bought my airbrush equipment from Amazon and the compressor from Harbor Freight.
Closeups are very popular for some people in the trans world when it comes to selfie photography. Mature crossdresser’s magnifying mirrors allow for another closeup. The days of simply leaning forward to put you false eyelashes are gone sadly so we seasoned gurlz need technology.
Magnifying Mirrors
Magnifying mirrors are a wonderful aid for those who lack the vision of the younger crossdressers. Over the years I have used a variety of them and had to rig an adjustable mounting system in order to adapt to various challenges. My dressing is done traveling staying in hotel rooms which vary in bathroom layouts so adjustments are needed. Over door hooks, suction cups, and braided cord has suited me well.
I found the JiBen lighted makeup mirrors last year and ordered the 7X and 10X lighted one from Amazon for about $26.00 each. I tried them out this last trip and absolutely love them both. The 10X is perfect for putting on my false eyelashes allowing me to get the corners right. It also works great for putting eyeliner gel in between my eyelashes. Mature crossdresser’s magnifying mirrors make this possible without poking my eye out.
The 7X is better for eyebrow detailing and mascara along with other tasks that don’t need that much magnifying.
7X Magnifying Mirror
Both mirrors are lighted using AAA batteries but I did not use them this time. They install on any smooth clean surface like window or mirror by pressing the base against the surface and then rotating the suction grip clockwise. The mirror will suck down on the surface and hold tight for days. When you remove the mirror just rotate the suction grip counter clockwise and the pull the small rubber tab on the back toward you. Thats It!
Crossdresser colors you say! What is that? Years ago I found out quite by chance at California Dreaming a San Francisco crossdressing event. I was wandering around the vendor area looking at all the wares available when I came upon the Donna Fujii Cosmetics booth. There wasn’t much going on during the day in that most everyone was in the city shopping. As I was talking to the lady in the booth she asked if I wanted my colors done. I replied crossdresser colors? She explained that everyone should know their colors especially crossdressers.
COLOR CONSULTATION
I sat down in the chair and she explained the difference between cool colors and warm colors. My skin is medium and I was wearing a dark brown wig so while my skin says warm my hair said cool. She started with cool and placed a piece of silver metallic cloth on my shoulder and asked me to look at my face especially my makeup. She then placed a gold metallic cloth on the other shoulder again asking me to look at my makeup. When she then removed the silver cloth it seemed like my makeup changed looking much more complimentary or warmer. She advised switching to warm tones like blond wigs and warm palette colors for makeup.
Clothes such as red really pop when worn with a blond wig.
Micki Finn crossdressed in red jacket.
Finding anybody wearing much color is difficult today women, crossdresser’s or anyone else. Yes black is slimming but gets old seeing everyone dressed that way.
HAIR AND MAKEUP
The most important colors to get right are makeup and hair so if possible get the makeup right for your skin then do the wig color and style. The ideal would be to try on wigs dressed with your correct makeup on. Shorter styles are easier to work with because you don’t get distracted with the style and concentrate on the wig color complimenting your makeup. I think you will be surprised pleasantly and please purchase a wig if you take advantage of the Solon’s expertise.
Another possibility is to attend a crossdresser convention / conference where there is a wig stylist exhibiting but again if at all possible purchase something from them. Diva Las Vegas this spring should have a wig company working with them.
Overdressed is a term heard often when people contemplate going somewhere and have concerns about how others will be dressed. Crossdresser’s are no exception and you here it all the time especially when people are going to Trans or Crossdresser events.
Activities like shopping and where you will be going typically dictates what you will be wearing. Shopping at the mall in Las Vegas in hot temperatures sees thongs, shorts, tank tops or short sleeve blouses. Unfortunately some “T” people wear the same thing to dinner like so many non “T” people do.
SHOPPING
I very seldom go out shopping when I travel largely because most of my shopping is done on the internet. I also hate daylight preferring night time lighting which is much softer. Besides I can buy anything I want in DUKE mode and nobody cares.
Therefore I live for the night and overdress to my hearts content. I looked like a parade float when I went to Diva Las Vegas this year but did not care. I have been dressing up not down since I was a little boy and have no plans to stop now. Being dressed to the hilt is what I enjoy so that’s the way its gonna be. I accept the label of Glamour Pussproudly!
Overdressed
Last weekend I went out in Long Beach Friday, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday nights and overdressed every single night.
Friday night I met friends at a very hip mainstream restaurant in downtown Long Beach.
Saturday night was our CHIC club meeting night so I joined 14 other members at a different main stream favorite.
Monday & Tuesday nights I went solo at favorite pubs on Naples Island near Long Beach.
I did not fool anyone not passable and do not care nor did anyone else. My Uber driver greeted me opened the car door and took my hand when I exited the car. Present like a lady, act like a lady, and be treated as a lady.
Crossdressing has been around since the beginning of time and most everything that you read about the experience comes from someone born after 1950. I’m Dressed you’re not is a look back at the adventures and friendships formed over 6 decades of being out and about. It is based on the experiences of John whom I have always known by her fem name Lane. Lane recently turned 92 years young and is still buzzing along.
Full Disclosure
I first met Lane at a CHIC meeting almost 20 years ago and immediately assumed she was the real deal. I figured she was married to one of the crossdresser’s attending the meeting. It was not until someone introduced me that I found out the she was one of us. In addition she was one of the founding members of CHIC (Crossdresser’s Heterosexual Intersocial Club) and it’s first president.
Friendship
The book jumps around somewhat but, the most important point is the long term (Non Sexual) crossdressing special relationships. It describes friendships between the people in the book. It is not written like a who done it mystery novel but, rather a collection of stories about what is was like dressing as a woman in the 1940’s, 50’s 60,70’s’ 80’s and through the 1990’s.
Most books on this subject written today are from Baby Boomers and start in the 1960’s at the earliest. Lane gives a 92 year olds perspective on what it was like to go out in public fully dressed as a women in the pre 1980’s era. Crossdresser’s in those days you could be locked up in jail for impersonating a female. Crossdresser’s just going to a club dressed as a woman was all you had to do to be arrested and prosecuted. Being caught dressed resulted in many divorces, lost jobs and ruined lives.
Younger readers might want to ponder that for a while!
The world assumed that you were trying to fool an unsuspecting men into sex otherwise why would you dress like a woman? Thankfully the world has changed today and things are far better for those who cross dress.
Those who came before the crossdresser’s of today pioneered the movement and passed on what they knew. It was Lane who taught me the technique I use for my false fingernails.
The stories she tells have been verified by others I have spoken with and are true. Most of us are envious that we cant but she was lucky enough to pull it all off!
Crossdresser wig choices vary but, it is important that you get it right preferably the first time. I didn’t and it took years for me to get to a point where I am finally satisfied with my wig style.
Thinner
I recently changed to a shorter look for several reasons the first of which was the short sides and high top make my head look thinner. Maybe its just my face but the look is thinner which is more feminine.
Styling
The second reason is that short wigs are easier to style making traveling much easier with them. Crossdresser wig washing is also simple to do with my wigs.
The third is better ability to travel under the radar if I want to blend in a little better. I am not talking about passing but, a crossdresser wig can make you stand out from a distance. Big hair and long styles attract more attention than shorter styles especially blonde and red.
I discovered Godiva’s Secret Wigs last year and ordered a shorter style called Freedom in Nutmeg-F color. I subsequently ordered another in Creamy Toffee-R witch stands for dark roots for a softer look.
Click on the video below for a demonstration on wig care and styling.
Just think about being on a crossdressing adventure in Las Vegas when the wind kicks up blowing dust everywhere. When you finally head up to your room your wig is flat and looks dirty. You only have one more day in town and not time to get is cleaned and styled.
If you are traveling with the wig hangers like the ones I use and covered in my post HAVE WIG WILL TRAVEL you could do a quickie wash then hang it in the shower to dry.
Plastic Wig Hanger
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The great thing about Godiva’s Wigs is that after drying you can just shake them out and easily style them with your fingers,
Crossdresser bathroom? Not really, it was the ladies room at the hotel I was staying at and yes I did go in. The problem never escapes us and is always a delicate situation to handle. Diva Las Vegas is just three weeks away and everyone who attends the event is going to have to make some decisions on where to take care of business. San Francisco, Portland, Seattle and long Beach California are places that I feel comfortable using the ladies room while crossdressed. Crossdresser bathroom doesn’t exist as an option so you have choices to make depending on where you are when the need arises.
Crossdresser Bathroom
The picture above was taken on the second floor of the hotel in a very low traffic area. My own room is my first preference but if I am away from my hotel I look for the most isolated ladies room I can find. Most hotels don’t have a crossdresser bathroom but, if they have banquet or large meeting rooms bathrooms will be close by. If no events are going on the bathrooms are usually open and empty. Gender neutral is a great option but they are few and far between and I have only seen one or two in my travels.
Crossdresser Bathroom
Even if the ladies room is empty when you go in don’t dally, read a magazine, or re do your makeup. In and out is the best approach to avoid problems with women who might take issue with you being there. I am not sure about the laws in Las Vegas so I will try to use my room most of the time just so I don’t have to worry. I don’t pass as a woman and most CD’s don’t no matter how good they think they look so I don’t take chances. Las Vegas has no shortage of meeting facilities so that would be preference number two. I also keep my eyes open when walking around to find suitable places before the need arises
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