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.
Passable vs. Acceptable is the question that prompted me to update my CROSSDRESSER PASSING IN PUBLIC page. Summer is almost behind us and my thoughts have drifted toward getting dressed again after a summer of doing guy stuff.
Micki is planning a new road trip and in that process security is always an important factor. Because passing is something I am not able to do. I don’t attempt to pass as a woman when I am dressed en fem. Micki made a decision many years ago that it is not practical for me to pull it off.
PASSABLE VS. ACCEPTABLE
That is not to say that I don’t put a maximum effort to look as glamorous and feminine as I can. I just chose not to attempt to deceive people into thinking I was a real woman.
Ladies Room Break
The real me is far more interesting and fun than the hybrid I would be creating. Given the choice of being passable vs. acceptable as a crossdresser I choose acceptable crossdresser.
Most importantly there is no guarantee that I will be accepted when out and about which is why I take precautions to minimize my risk of danger.
Day 2 of my crossdressing San Francisco trip started slow because I had some work to do so I worked in my room until noon then, got some lunch down the street. We only planned on shopping in Union Square area so we could do that in one day Saturday. Ashley was getting in around 2 then would be getting ready until around six.
We met in the European Bar downstairs for cocktails (Read Cosmo) at 6:00PM. Tonight we were having dinner at Boulevard restaurant in east San Francisco at 7:30PM so we had plenty of time to relax before calling UBER.
Boulevard
Boulevard has become a favorite for both Ashley and myself along with everyone we have taken there. The hostess greeted us warmly and took us to our table in a great location.
Dinner
Ashley ordered the Angus Filet Wood Oven Roasted Uptown Succotash with Fava & Romano Beans Vidalia Onion & Truffle Vinaigrette White Sweet Corn & Summer Truffle Hushpuppy Roasted Beef Jus with Summer Savory
I chose theBerkshire Pork Prime Rib Chop Wood Oven Roasted Caraway Spaetzle, Sauerkraut, Bacon & Gruyere Blueberry Apple Butter with Smoked Cinnamon Tokyo Turnip & Wood Oven Spring Onion Roasted Pork Jus with Apple Balsamic
Both entre’s were outstanding which is part of why we love the place. The other is the decor of the more than a century old building.
I would be remiss if I failed to note that the service at Boulevard is excellent and we are always treated as elegant ladies with never a missed pronoun. We have several staff that we make a point to speak with regardless of who is serving us that night.
OVERDRESSED AS ALWAYS
Needless to say we look forward to our next evening at Boulevard which is already in the planning stages for San Francisco this fall.
San Francisco is one of my favorite crossdressing destinations and I was able to squeeze a trip in this month. Summer always creates problems with my dressing schedule so this was a last minute deal. My BFF Ashley flew up to meet me for the weekend but I was on my own for Thursday night.
Night 1
Thursday afternoon my early fight got me to the hotel around 2:00PM. My luggage shipped ahead so it was waiting. After a quick lunch it was back to my room to start the magic. Plenty of of time for my 7:30 dinner reservation at Jardiniere in downtown San Francisco.
I finished the process early enough to visit the European Bar overdressed as usual downstairs to get them warmed up for my Cosmo.
Just after 7:00PM I broke out my phone and ordered my UBER Coach to Jardiniere for dinner.
I have been going to Jardiniere crossdressed for a long time alone and with others and it is one of my favorites.
They know me there so it is no problem dining alone in my cozy booth upstairs. I started with the Warm Bread Salad then followed with the chicken padron, meyer lemon, eggplant, black garlic.
Jardiniere caters mostly to the San Francisco theater crowd so by 7:30 they are off to the performance and the restaurant is not so busy. The slower pace gives me time to interact with the servers and have an unhurried meal.
I skipped desert preferring to head back to my hotel for my night, night Cosmo. The alarm went off at 5:00AM that morning so I wanted to make it an early night getting some rest for the shopping extravaganza Friday.
Day’s two and three will follow this post with more San Francisco fun dining and shopping adventures.
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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
Makeup is the number one area of interest to crossdresser’s whether they are just starting out or have been at it for a while. I am not a big fan of trying to pass because I don’t think it is achievable for most of us. One thing is for sure though without it you have no chance of passing. After a bit of work I have updated the Crossdresser Makeup page with more detailed instruction and new pictures. I hope the illustrations and procedure make sense to you. I am attempting to give the reader more of a step by step tutorial along with product pictures.
PROCESS
My procedure has sped up my makeup time considerably by simplifying the process. It emphasizes doing the areas that are the most difficult first. The eyes have the most detail with multiple different products and techniques applied in a confined area. Doing them first allows you to make corrections without screwing up your foundation or contouring.
Women’s clothing for crossdressers is not as simple as it may seem there is much to consider depending what your goals are. Are you trying to pass as a woman in public or just blend in without attracting attention? Either way what you should wear depends where you intend to wear it. Summer in Las Vegas or winter in Seattle will be very different in addition to day or evening, casual or formal. Once you have all that sorted out now comes the difficult part which is what looks good on you.
Who Cares
Another school of thought is I don’t care how it looks I just want to wear it. Those in this category buy what they want, wearing it where ever they want, when ever they want. Maybe they are fetish or exhibitionist crossdressers so it is the article of women’s clothing that is important not passing. From my experience it takes them about a half hour to get ready to go out. If I see them coming I cross to the other side of the street and look the other way.
Daytime
My goal is to look good passable or not and want to achieve it every time I present in public. Most women wear toned down makeup for daytime along with lower heels or flats. Jewelry is minimal and not flashy. Pants are preferred with tank tops weather permitting over dresses and skirts. A long sleeve blouse or light jacket over the top of the tank. Everything in the casual range like most everyone else. The fabrics and colors should be subtle and fit properly. For daywear looking good depends on your choices.
Crossdressing in women’s clothing
I gave up passing a long time ago and concentrate on blending in to some degree . Maybe trying not standing out so much would be a better choice of words. I am under six feet but over 200 lbs. so I try to look thinner dressing in layers and dark colors. Light blue jeans and white blouse with a dark open jacket is very slimming. The viewers eye will focus on the what blouse and the vertical lines created by the jacket. I have switched to shorter hair teased high on the top making me a little taller but thinner too.
When crossdressed I am always in skirts and sometimes dresses with hose and heels. The skirt is usually a lighter color than the top or jacket. The top is usually solid black with a vertical zipper unzipped to the breast. If I wear a blazer normally it is a one button so the deep Vee accentuates the vertical slenderizing lines.
Micki Finn at Warwick San Francisco
Dark colors on the upper body make it appear slimmer while lighter colors on the lower body are only for contrast. Crossdressers typically are slender below even after adding hip pads. I always wear heels at night. Normally 3 1/2 inch heels and rarely 4 inch depending on the occasion.
Necklines
Some crossdressers have broad shoulders (ME) so dark colors on top will make them seem narrower. Horizontal stripes will make my shoulders seem wider so I keep the stripes below the waist. Square neck lines or off the shoulder looks create the same horizontal line problem again. Scoop or Vee neck tops work great along with scarves, anything that creates a vertical line.
Tight is different than fitted which contours the body leaving room where needed. Tight is absolutely form fitting which some call body con because it hugs every curve on the body. I can’t remember ever being able to get away with this look and am too old for it now anyway. If the crossdresser is built slender with little or no muscle definition many can get away even if they are older. Most men are muscular to some degree and if they are well defined this tight look will give you away. People will see muscles first and look closer to see if it is one of those body builder women. Most will see a muscular guy in women’s clothing. Fitted makes more sense unless attention is your goal.
Age Appropriate
Designers of women’s clothing have a target market they expect to sell to so the colors, cut, patterns and over all style are geared to a certain group. The younger the woman the tighter the look and the more skin shows with the size range being limited to smaller sizes. When the age increases less skin shows, the hemlines drop and the sizes increase along with the prices. I have heard it said that your age plus or minus a decade is a good rule of thumb and I think I follow it at least to some degree. I am over 60 so I might change my mind in a few years.
Impressions
When you are out in public dressed in women’s clothes people will form an impression of you based on what they observe. If you wish to influence that impression as I do then you will plan what you wear accordingly. In my case the goal is to have women be impressed by my sense of style in the clothing that I choose. To be appreciate my hair and makeup presentation knowing what it takes to get there. Finally to have an overall impression of class and elegance of me. Not saying I get there but that is what I work for none the less. Men notice too but are not interested in me or my presentation which is perfect because I have no interest in them either.
In contrast if I wore blue eyeshadow, bright red lipstick, a red and white tube top with horizontal stripes and a Kardashian style skin tight mini skirt. A pair of platform heels and fingernails that extend an inch beyond my normal nails. Topped off with a long platinum blonde wig cascading down over and beyond my shoulders. My target audience would most likely be repulsed and very likely angry thinking I was mocking them. Men might not be able to resist ridiculing me and feeling they had a license to do so based on my presentation.
I hope this is useful especially to those just venturing out for the first time and they find some women’s clothing they can feel good in.
Hold your head up, point your toes, be safe, and go enjoy yourself in the New Year.
I have heard about the City of Portland Oregon being very crossdresser friendly from folks on YELP last year. I knew there were crossdressers there but did not have a solid feel for it.
Ms. Micki became a member of the Vanity Club this year which opened access to crossdresser VC members in the area. Carolyn a local member graciously agreed to meet me for diner on Friday night and gave me some pointers on the area.
Micki Finn takes to the road
I stayed at a hotel I had been scoping out for sometime and was not disappointed at all because it lived up to my expectations.
The Hotel Deluxe was built in the early 1900’s but is meticulously maintained. The Deluxe promotes a theme of the glory days of Hollywood throughout the facility.
From the Deluxe lobby to the halls on every floor old Hollywood is the prevailing thought every where you look. Pictures adorn every available wall and speak elegance everywhere.
The food was excellent and the service was quick in addition to friendly.
Once the doorman opens the front entrance you are greeted by impressive stairs leading to the lobby where the Hollywood theme takes over.
Micki was the only crossdresser there and as usual over dressed for the occasion. I think given the theme of the hotel I should be looked at as an example of properly attire for a lady in the hotel. The weather was in the 50’s but most ladies were casual in booties and quilted coats. That doesn’t work for this it’s always dress up time for Mz Micki.
The Driftwood Room bar was of course my favorite place in the hotel with a very friendly staff. The bartenders made sure that I never had an empty glass. ( God I love that) The bartenders also make a great Cosmo. The staff takes the time to chat and make sure that you are having an enjoyable experience. That is one of the big reasons I stay in Boutique hotels almost exclusively. The room reminds me of the fancy restaurants I went to as a kid in Hollywood.
The Driftwood Room
The Driftwood Room
I just thought this elevator was so cool with Mother of Pearl inlays made from Abalone shells and deep black lacquer walls. I felt like such a star!
I just returned from a trip to one of my most favorite cities San Francisco with my BFF Ashley. We both crossdressed and met up with two of my Vanity Club crossdresser sisters Kelli and Diane. Diane lives in town but Kelli drove some distance to meet us at our hotel for drinks.
We Uber’d up then we went for dinner at Waterbar Restaurant. Water Bar specializes in seafood and it is the best along with the service. We got an awesome table next to the window with views of the harbor and Bay Bridge. The ambiance is wonderful with large 2 story column aquariums filled with large salt water fish.
This picture with my new short wig was taken in the Warwick Regis Hotel lobby while waiting for the other girls to meet me in the bar for cocktails.
I don’t do crossdressed pictures too often but, this one taken in the hotel lobby with the bar in the background. San Francisco is a special place so I make an exception while there.
I bought the Moto jacket this last summer but had the skirt already and fortunately the zippers matched. San Francisco is the most friendly place to crossdress in my experience anyway. I am crossdressed the entire time that I am there usually and shop to my hearts content.
Shopping while crossdressed is no big deal with Macy’s and the other stores in Union Square. I would recommend wearing flats though because the hills are killer for heels.
I have been wearing high heels for many years and pretty much putting up with the pain. The toes are smashed together in a triangle like the bow of a boat. My toes are bent upward until I walk a few feet barefoot.
Pain Relief
A couple of years ago I discovered Vivian Lou Insoles for high heels which, are shown in the picture below.
Toe Relief
The clear gel pad going from the arch to just shy of the heel back shifts your weight back. It moves your weight from the ball of your foot to the heel. It more evenly distributes your weight over the whole foot.
Ice them up
Vivian Lou insoles help a great deal but the old ice trick makes high heels even more comfortable. A couple of years ago I wrote about this technique on my other site www.chicladies.org. Recently I made a discovery that makes it even better. I was getting ready to go to a Vanity Club outing in Atalanta and had two new pairs of high heel pumps to wear.
I inserted the zip lock plastic bags with the corner deep into the toe of each shoe pushing it in with my finger. Make sure that the corner is all the way in. Filled the bags about a third of the way full with water and put them in the freezer over night.
I did this three times on one shoe but the other needed a fourth time. I put them on in between to check the fit. When the water froze each night it expanded gently stretching the shoe a little each time. The high heels pictured above are satin but the ones I did multiple times were black kid and black patent leather.
Ashley ordered the Angus Filet
I chose the Berkshire Pork Prime Rib Chop
