Tag: Crossdressing in Portland

MATURE CROSSDRESSING HISTORY

Posted on January 19, 2020September 24, 2020 by Micki Finn

MATURE CROSSDRESSING HISTORY

Crossdressing history comes in two parts, one is the personal crossdresser’s history. The other is part of the collective history of crossdressing men wearing dresses over the ages.

Younger crossderesser’s will have a relatively short history but, are none the less part of the collective history of crossdressing. The younger crossdresser’s are the inspiration for this post. It also pertains to others regardless of their age that have recently made the leap to explore crossdressing.

CROSSDRESSING FEAR AND TREPIDATION

Crossdressing in public isn’t what it used to be and the young and newly launched gurlz benefit from the efforts of those who came before. Long before Caitlyn Jenner drew so much attention to the subject when she came out to the world others were pushing the envelope. Some at great personal cost like divorce, job loss and in some cases jail. The farther back in history you go the worse it was.

30 years ago I would have been extremely uncomfortable going into the 555 Steakhouse dressed as a woman. It is an upscale restaurant in downtown Long Beach near the convention center. The 555 is always crowded liquored up convention folks. Getting the cold shoulder from the management and frowns from the customers would have been my expectation and that would be the good part. Fearing being asked to leave or having customers request being moved were also a consideration. My worst fear though would be to have had some dunce pull my wig off and play catch with his boozed up buddies.

Please understand my paranoia of the 555 Steakhouse was in no way based on the establishment but, my fear of society in general in those days.

Last month I made a reservation at the 555 online for 10 people on the Friday night before our club (CHIC) Christmas Party. I did not notify them in advance that we were going to be crossdressed. I did years ago out of consideration for the restaurant. The reason being that they know me there. Micki has eaten their many times in large and small groups being treated as a lady every time. I think I am in their computer system so they know what to expect when we arrive. That Friday night the place was really crowded but our food & service were exceptional. Other than we were dressed better than most of the women there nobody paid us much attention.

MATURE CROSSDRESSER HISTORY

I have posted before on mature crossdressing history when I wrote about a book my friend John C. Gunn authored called I’m Dressed Your Not. John went by the name Lane when we met at a CHIC meeting about 30 years ago. She is in her 90’s now and I and others learned a lot from her especially the fingernail technique I use. Another post I did was about Laverne Cummings who would be about the same age as Lane had she not passed a couple of years ago.

I recently came across some information on the internet that took me back to the early stages of my crossdressing history. It along with seeing how different things are nowadays for younger and newly launched crossdressers are what inspired this post. Possibly after reading it those with less crossdresser history will gain an appreciation for those who came before and blazed the trail.

CROSSDRESSER DOCUMENTERIES

I came across a series of YouTube crossdressing videos by JoAnn Roberts from the mid 1980’s along with a tape from the Phil Donahue television daytime show.

JoAnn passed in 2013 but not before making a significant impact on the crossdressing history of many of us.

She started her own publishing company and began producing LadyLike Magazine.

In 1985 she wrote and published Art & Illusion, A Guide to Crossdressing.

She was also one of the founders of the Renaissance Transgender Association, Inc. This was all done in an era where you could easily lose your job on just the rumor that you were a crossdresser.

Her courage and others like her eased the path for others by educating the public on crossdressing. In 1995 she was a partner in the online website Trans Gender Forum later named TG Forum.

It was TGForum and JoAnn that hosted the 1st CHIC website that I built almost 20 years ago. JoAnn was very patient with my lack of knowledge of websites back then.

Below are the links to the All dressed up series.

All Dressed Up and Nowhere To Go TV Documentary With JoAnn Roberts 1

All Dressed Up and Nowhere To Go TV Documentary With JoAnn Roberts 2

All Dressed Up and Nowhere To Go TV Documentary With JoAnn Roberts 3

All Dressed Up and Nowhere To Go TV Documentary With JoAnn Roberts 4

All Dressed Up and Nowhere To Go TV Documentary With JoAnn Roberts 5

All Dressed Up and Nowhere To Go With JoAnn Roberts 6

Enjoy,

Micki Finn

CROSSDRESSERS PASSING

Posted on April 21, 2019June 14, 2019 by Micki Finn

DIVA LAS VEGAS 2019

Crossdressers passing is a popular topic across the INTERNET and the world in general. I don’t worry about it and have discussed my thoughts in another post dealing with acceptance vs. passing.

I attended DIVA Las Vegas 2019 this year but only attended a few evening events. My days were spent shopping at the Miracle Mile Shops and the Fashion Show Mall crossdressed of course. Did I pass? Was I one of the DIVA crossdressers passing among the crowd? I will never know because everyone treated me as the lady I was dressed as. They addressed me with the correct pronouns, greeted me with a smile and in general gave me good service. I was surrounded by hordes of people all over town doing what people do in Vegas.

DAYTIME SHOPPING

The first day at the Miracle Mile I wore a black denim jacket with lace accents sewn on. Blue jeans and clack suede flats. The second day at the Fashion Show Mall I wore black jeans with a buckskin faux suede jacket and black suede flats again. Nobody gave me any significant looks or attention. I did get looks mind you but considering everyone else was in shorts and thongs can’t judge one way or the other. Was I read or a crossdresser passing? Did they look because I was a nicely dressed woman? Could being over dressed cause them to look longer? Who knows? Based on their demeanor I will say they accepted a crossdresser for how she was dressed and moved on.

DINNING WITH CROSSDRESSER FRIENDS

I joined Wanda & Susan friends from CHIC on Tuesday night at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse for dinner followed by cocktails at the Cromwell Hotel.

Wednesday after shopping I had a 5:30 dinner reservation at Stack Steakhouse in the Mirage Hotel. I dined with four CHIC members who were attending DIVA Las Vegas 2019.

Dinner was earlier than normal because Wanda had gotten us tickets to the Terry Fator Show. The show was at the Mirage so it was a short walk to the theater.

Thursday night was the DIVA Las Vegas farewell dinner at Off The Strip.

I attended with four CHIC members and met two prospective members. I also had dinner with Cassandra and Susan from the Rose City “T” Girls in addition to Michelle the current Vanity Club President. CHIC members Wanda and wife Susan joined for a picture below.

A fun week for sure and if you have never attended DIVA Las Vegas you might want to try it. They have a big sister program for newbies.

Micki

CROSSDRESSER COLORS

Posted on December 4, 2018March 23, 2019 by Micki Finn

CROSSDRESSER COLORS

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.

Crossdresser in red — 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.

CROSSDRESSING FOR HALOWEEN

Posted on October 30, 2018January 20, 2019 by Micki Finn

CROSSDRESSING FOR HALOWEEN

Crossdressing for Halloween is probably the ultimate fantasy for every crossdresser at least when they first begin anyway. I think like me everyone thinks it would be the safest way to venture out for the first time crossdressed in public. Although I thought of it I went out dressed for many years before finally going to a Halloween party. It was safe given by a crossdresser and her wife in their home. I got ready in my home and my wife sneaked me out the door keeping watch for neighbors.

HALOWEEN 2018

After many years one of the CHIC members threw a Halloween party last weekend, Of course everyone was crossdressing for Halloween. My wife talked me into wearing a “Queen of Harts” costume. She was not attending with me so I was to go alone. That is not a big deal other than I was not staying at a motel. Motels often let you park right outside your door so you only have a few steps to get in the car. I was staying in a high rise Marriott hotel on the 7th floor.

THE ELEVATOR

I have stayed in this Marriott many times and am comfortable with it. The staff knows me and I think they are always interested in what I will be wearing each night I am there. I am always overdressed and I think the ladies approve of my taste.

Saturday night was different because my wife goaded me into getting dressed in my costume at the hotel. That meant I was going to be driving to the party dressed in it. I wanted to rent rent a second room just for that night to get ready but had trouble selling her on the cost.

CROSSDRESSING MARRIOTT

All dressed and ready to go I ventured out of my room and down the hall to the elevator as the Queen of Harts. I was probably only 20 feet down the hall when I heard a door slam behind me. I would have company in the elevator going down and he showed up 2 seconds behind me. Fortunately he asked if I was going to a party and I said yes, to which he said well you look great. I thanked him and we got into the elevator.

Lucky me!

The usually quiet lobby was full of people checking in for a big wedding that night so I gave them something to talk about and left.

The party was about a hour away and was great fun but I left a little after ten. after changing into a more contemporary jacket, skirt and heels.

Another great crossdressing adventure.

Micki Finn

CROSSDRESSING ALONE

Posted on October 14, 2018December 15, 2018 by Micki Finn

CROSSDRESSING ALONE

We have all done it, everyone pretty much starts out that way unless someone dresses you as a joke or experiment. Most of us indulged in our fascination with women’s clothes all by ourselves. Many men will always be crossdressing alone away from prying eyes and the possible negative repercussions of others.

21ST CENTURY CROSSDRESSING

Thankfully there is much more acceptance of crossdressing today and there isn’t the stigma that existed in years past. I go out today to all kinds of mainstream businesses and entertainment venues without getting much more than a glance. It wasn’t always that way though.

GROWING UP

I grew up crossdressing alone and just had an article published in SisterHouse based on my early crossdressing experiences. Actually lack of experiences would be more accurate combined with lack of knowledge of crossdressing. You can follow this link the the article GROWING UP ALONE. Tasi says it is somewhat sad in the beginning which is true but don’t feel sorry for me I have moved far beyond that time.

GROWN UP

I am firmly invested in 21st century crossdressing and only look back only to share with others especially the younger ones what it could have been like for them.

Forget about using the ladies room you were more worried about being the scourge of the community and shunned by virtually everyone. Mothers would not want their children playing with you and you would never get invited to a birthday party. If discovered you would be immediately mistrusted and you’re motives questioned. It was against the law to impersonate a female in public and you could be arrested. I guess they assumed you were trying to trick some unsuspecting lad into being attracted to you.

Follow the link to SisterHouse for more growing up in mid 20th century California and crossdressing alone.

Enjoy,

Micki

PASSABLE VS. ACCEPABLE FOR CROSSDRESSER’S

Posted on September 3, 2018 by Micki Finn

PASSABLE

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.

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.

PORTLAND CROSSDRESSER ROAD TRIP

Posted on November 21, 2017February 24, 2019 by Micki Finn

I was as usual over dressed for the occasion but 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.