Crossdressing safety should be a top priority when going out in public especially if you venture out alone. Things are far better today than decades ago. However the world will never run out of A-Holes so always be careful. Friday night I was going out to dinner in Long beach by myself so I picked a restaurant that I know the owner and most of the staff. I always use UBER for my transportation for both my crossdresser safety and avoiding a DUI. I do love my Cosmo’s and Friday was no exception both during and after dinner. The place I went has a piano player so I sat at the bar listening to the music after dinner. The couple seated down the bar started talking with me and we chatted for a while. They invited me to go to another bar down the street with one of the servers I knew. In the interest of crossdressing safety I declined but they were persuasive so I agreed to go for just one drink. You guessed it that turned into two and I was feeling no pain. I did not finish the second drink thanked them for their generosity and headed for my hotel. Even though I deviated from my normal crossdressing safety rules I knew the area I was in. It was only two blocks to the hotel through a very busy entertainment area called Pine Ave. The police heavily patrol the area to keep a lid on things so I felt safe. I walked quickly past everyone and reached the hotel in a couple of minutes safe and called it a night. If I had it to do over again I think I would politely decline the offer and call UBER.
I paired my new black jacket from CHICO’s with a favorite red skirt. Really like the jacket which is made from a heavy material that conforms to your body when you wear it.
Saturday night was our monthly CHIC dinner and crossdressing safety was no problem at all because the restaurant was across the street from my hotel. MY BFF Ashley gave me a ride to the restaurant so I only had to walk back across the street to my hotel after the dinner. I was a good girl Saturday and limited my drinks to three for the whole night and was back at the hotel by 11PM. Some of the other members invited me to join them at the Irish Pub two blocks away but I steadfastly refused. I did offer to have one more at my hotel bar but they were set on the pub so we said good night.
It turned out to be a very wise move because I would have walked back from the pub barefoot. My wife is always telling me to wear something other than black all the time. I went through my closet and dug out my cream colored jacket. I’ve had it for a couple of years but it was an impulse buy and I never had a plan for it. I paired it with a copper mix skirt and bone pumps that perfectly matched the jacket along with a bone purse. I received a lot of compliments and my wife is pleased I ventured out with no black on. The barefoot part comes in with the pumps because I have not worn them in quite a few years. I checked the heel tips which were worn but still looked to have a bit of life left on them. Not so! The first one broke off in the restaurant and the second when I crossed the street to the hotel. I never heard of anybody breaking two heels on the same night but I did it. Fortunately I have extra tips and am an expert at replacing them.
Crossdressing adventures in the late 1990’s were becoming more frequent for me once I joined the crossdressing club CHIC. Some of the meetings/party’s were at members homes and were very popular with almost all members attending. CHIC member wives came to the home party’s because they were considered safer than going to public restaurants. One of the wives fears was that if someone recognized her they would soon notice who she was with outing the husband. My wife had no interest in attending in the beginning but was fine with me going. She only requested that I stay the night in a hotel as close to the party as possible. I agreed and found hotels close by that were secure and allowed me to go in and out with minimal exposure to the public.
CROSSDRESSING ADVENTURE HOTEL
Finding a Residence Inn by Marriott near Jo Ann’s house where many of the party’s were held. Especially pool party’s in the summer. It was pretty much surrounded buy commercial Monday thru Friday businesses that closed on Saturday. A freeway behind so the only people around on weekends were at the other hotels on the same street. The Marriott was at the end of the street and had one building in the back by the freeway separated from the main facility. It was usually empty because they filled from front to back of the hotel by the pool and other amenities. PERFECT!!!!! I always requested a ground floor room in that building so I did not get complaints about walking late at night in high heels. I backed the car in so it was a short walk so I could leave quickly if I encountered someone. It was a favorite spot for a couple of years and worked out perfect. I could even get an early check in because they were not busy on weekends giving me much needed time to get ready.
CROSSDRESSING ADVENTURE POLICE
Then I had a crossdressing adventure like never before. After a fun night with friends at Jo Ann’s house at a January meeting things wound down and I said my goodbyes. Taking the least traveled route back to the hotel it was time to turn left onto the street my hotel was on. To my surprise the street was full of police with lights flashing and people sitting on the curb in handcuffs.
ABORT!
ABORT!
ABORT!
Flashed through my mind while I continued straight down the road without turning. Possible alternatives flashed through my mind but were quickly dismissed because there was still only one way into the hotel. The only feasible alternative was to go into the industrial complex the other side of the fence from my room. It would require me to scale a small fence in a dress and high heels. Police noticing a woman climbing a fence in an industrial park at midnight on a Saturday night. Not good!
Not thinking I could pull that one off I thought maybe I could just drive through the police area. I thought possibly they would just wave this nice lady on her way. Wondering what would happen if they stopped me to inquire where I was headed down a dead end street. Albeit at midnight on a Saturday night. Thinking this was not the time to create a believable female voice I had never practiced. Especially given the fact I had been drinking that night I dismissed it also.
CROSSDRESSING ADVENTURE DRIVING
I thought about just driving up making no attempt to fool anyone show my room key and hope they would let me through. Today not so much a problem but in the the late 1990’s they might be very curious what I was up to and ask lots of questions so I dismissed that one also. I was not good at getting ready in those days and had girly stuff all over the room. If they escorted me to my room I was sure they would think it was a violent crime seen. So on I drove for hours making loops down this freeway to another then another. Then circling back to the hotel.
Cop’s were still there every time and I remember thinking that Al Capone was convicted and sentenced in less time than this. I even thought about calling in a bomb scare momentarily figuring they would have leave and go to it. But then I thought they might only send half the cops so I would still have my problem. All this on top of the fact that I had to pee in a big way.
Finally after about 2 hours I returned and found the street empty and drove to my room. Then immediately went to the bathroom and almost passed out from relief then cleaned up and went to bed. I only slept for about 5 hours and got up. I cleaned up the crime scene packed and went home. Once home I got to explain to my wife that the reason I was so tired. Because I was up late dealing with the cops!
Kinda true right?
She had a good laugh and asked what I didn’t just explain everything to them.
Thank God for UBER I wish they had them back then.
Crossdresser style varies greatly in our community and reflects differing tastes depending on motivations along with the occasion. Motivation we all are familiar with based on each one of our internal driving forces. Style in my opinion over the years is connected to puberty to some degree. In my case while I became fascinated with women’s clothing around 6 or 7 years old I did not understand why so just looked and liked. I never heard of a crossdresser and did not know I was one so I had no crossdresser style. That all changed when I matured and took a greater interest in women. I say women because I was more attracted to a well dressed lady than a girl who dressed her age. In those days virtually all women who worked wore nylons and high heels so there was much to look at. My crossdresser style is based on that period which fortunately blends with today’s fashions.
CONSERVATIVE CROSSDRESSER STYLE
The above picture was taken last Friday night wearing a blouse from White House Black Market with a gray skirt. The pumps are 3 1/2 inch and the whole outfit could have been worn to work in the 1960’s. When shopping I look for classic looks that will always be in style. Its very cost effective to be able to wear your clothes for years so I tend to spend more on quality items for my crossdresser style. Friday night we were going to a new restaurant in a conservative neighborhood with a jazz club in the bar. I have been there dressed as Duke before but never Micki so I chose my outfit not wanting to stand out. We had a great time and were very well accepted.
Saturday night we were going to a familiar restaurant and our group was small enough that we could fit into a private room. I am very comfortable there so I wore a red jacket, navy skirt, and navy pumps. Both the skirt and pumps are classic but the jacket with zipper accents is newer however, the jackets classic cut I think will be in fashion years from now.
NOT SO CONSERVATIVE CROSSDRESSER STYLE
DIVA LAS VEGAS is just 10 weeks away and all kinds of crossdresser styles will be on display there. Everything from trashy, to flashy, to conservative all will be there. Crossdresser style based on fetish will most likely be there also but I don’t know if puberty influences fetish desires. I have noticed that fetish dressers don’t seem to be restricted by there age. They tend to wear what the want where they want. That pretty much fits with modern day Las Vegas so I don’t expect to run into and conservative fetish dressers.
The important thing is to have fun in Las Vegas and I am sure all will regardless how they are dressed.
Mainstream crossdressing is something I only dreamed of when I was a young crossdresser. Actually fantasy is probably a more accurate term because it occupied my mind mostly while awake. Leaving the house dressed did not really start until my mid 30’s. It was still something you could be arrested for so was an irregular occurrence. My mainstream crossdressing only existed on business trips and consisted of driving around late at night then back to the motel. I think it was in the late 80’s when I made my first mainstream crossdressing trip In Dallas Texas.
MAINSTREAM CROSSDRESSING THE 1ST TIME
While at one of the beloved Texas “T” Parties friends insisted that a friend and I join them for dinner. We assumed it would be a Gay restaurant which was the typical (SAFE) destination in those days especially in Texas. I knew I was in trouble as the city lights faded behind us but hoped maybe dinner was in Houston. Nope! They reserved a very nice steakhouse in a suburb of Dallas filled with regular folks. Not my idea of a perfect place for a paranoid CD to do mainstream crossdressing. Everything went well when they seated us at a nice table until we took our seats. There were crossdresser wives with us so I let them decide who sat where and I guess one of them hated me because I ended up directly under the spotlight. Its the perfect place for a CD who rushed to get ready and not ecstatic about her presentation that night preferring a dark corner of the restaurant.
My first time mainstream crossdressing was an education as the guys I was worried about in the restaurant really did not want to look at us. It was the women they were with that kept looking at us all night. They kept pointing us out to the poor guys who obliged them with a brief glance then back to their meal. The staff was very nice to us and when we left their was no gallows or rope tied into a hangman’s noose so it was all good. Then again maybe the fact that we pulled up our friends new Rolls Royce Silver Shadow that night made a difference. The first and only time I have ridden in one but it was cool. So it was two firsts that for me that night mainstream crossdressing and the Rolls.
MAINSTREAM CROSSDRESSING TODAY
Fast forward to today and mainstream crossdressing is very common especially in big cities. Last weekend I met with 5 other CHIC members for dinner Friday night at a favorite place in Long Beach. We had two wives and 4 crossdressers for dinner and had a fun night eating inside for a change. I reserved a private room in the back of the restaurant which gave us a relaxing unhurried atmosphere to socialize in.
MAINSTREAM CROSSDRESSING WITH THE PUBLIC
I got a pleasant surprise when GG acquaintance came back to say hello after noticing me walk through the bar. I had just come in from going outside to take a picture for this article. She had not been around for a couple of years so it was good to know she was doing fine.
I intentionally blurred her face because I did not have her permission to put her picture online. I liked the picture of me so I included it.
This post was getting a little long so the rest of the weekend will follow shortly.
Public crossdressing is being done more and more as CD’s become increasingly comfortable being seen in the open. Years ago most preferred the relative safety of Gay bars or DRAG clubs. Pretty much all of my dressing is done at mainstream venues whether they be stores, restaurants or bars. The world is pretty tolerant if not accepting of crossdressers now especially the younger folks.
PUBLIC CROSSDRESSING FOR DINNER
This month our Friday night group went from 7 to 4 because of last minute scheduling conflicts. I arrived first and opted to sit in the bar so I could people watch. It was a bit cool to sit outside and you see eveyone that comes in. The owner Mario is an old friend and came to sit with me until the others arrived. We talked about how long he has known our club CHIC along with his successful restaurant. It has been 25 years since we started doing public crossdressing at his first restaurant and he expressed his gratitude for our support over those years. I thanked him for being there for us too. Many a beginner went to his restaurant for their first outing en fem and was made to feel comfortable. We have gone to his restaurants through good times and bad and are especially enjoying his current success.
PUBLIC CROSSDRESSING WITH THE PUBLIC
Many times I have walked into a restaurant alone public crossdressing to rendezvous with friends and had patrons take notice of me. Most don’t have too much reaction some smiling while others sort of take it in then look away. Some though give kind of a WHAT IS THAT DOING HERE look then check to see if others noticed me also. My favorite outcome to this situation is when the bartenders and servers notice I have arrived and great me warmly by name. Often if the owner is around they come over and shake hands or hug me again calling me by name. The reason its my favorite public crossdressing is the negative folks figure out the only person with a problem with this crossdresser is them so maybe they are the one out of step.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Saturday night we had a much bigger group for dinner with 18 club members total. Our group was seated upstairs due to our size but it worked out well because we had the whole upper level. The only drawback was upstairs is all booths so we were in many small groups. Around 10 PM most went on their way but a few of us descended the stairs to the bar for more cocktails and public crossdressing. Once in the bar seating was scarce so I went to the ladies room to freshen up and get ready for a picture.
When I left the restroom I had to walk behind the owner who was seated at the end. I did not want him to back into me when I said hello so once directly behind him I put my hands on each of his upper arms then said hi in my deepest Trace Atkins voice. He spun around laughing and shook my hand vigorously asking how I was doing. I said great chatted for just a minute and moved on to my group. A few minutes later my folks were commenting on some guys who rolled their eyes and said some negative things about our group. The bartender heard it and was upset then spoke with the owner. The next thing I knew two of the three left and the one left behind felt bad and wanted to buy us a round of drinks. The owner told them we did not need his drinks and just to be nice.
PUBLIC CROSSDRESSING SUCCESS
It is important in closing to note that each of the restaurants mentioned above are places I have gone public crossdressing to for decades. The relationships with owners and staff are based respect for them and their business. We always dress appropriately, act lady like, spend lots of money and tip well. We are never loud, obnoxious, crude or do anything that could negatively impact the business.
Crossdressing fun with friends is the best especially when they are your fellow CHIC club members. Our latest crossdressing adventure was in Long Beach again at one of our favorite restaurants. Tonya, one of our members is always conjuring up fun stuff for us to do like her Santa Baby event last month. Saturday night this month it was Elvis for a night if singing, dancing and lots of laughing.
CROSSDRESSING FUN WITH FRIENDS & ELVIS
Tonya had confided in me that she was wanting to have some crossdressing fun with friends again. Tonya wanted it to be a surprise so I said nothing. After dinner around nine Elvis walks through the door and the wheels came off. Most of us were somewhat reserved at first being ladies and all. But in a short while we were all singing with Elvis.
To some crossdressing fun with friends includes dancing which about half our group did. Not me, I have not danced since seeing Elaine dance on Seinfeld years ago and recognized my moves. After about an hour Elvis left and one of the members inspired by the singing moved over to the piano. It was a Baby Grand in the corner and she treated us to some fabulous classical music. Crossdressing fun with friends comes in many forms singing, dancing and just hanging out.
The show went on when our bartender took a turn at the piano treating us to some of his favorite songs. How neat to be entertained by such talented people which makes me wonder what happened with me?
For myself and a few others CHIC meetings are actually CHIC weekends as some travel from out of town. Others just want more crossdressing fun with friends so they also make a weekend of it. We stay at hotels and go out both Friday and Saturday nights. Sometimes the Friday night group is as large as the Saturday night group.
FRIDAY CROSSDRESSING DINNERS
We have some favorite places for our Friday night crossdressing fun with friends and we go often enough that we are becoming part of the
ambiance. One of our favorites has a back room we call the clubhouse or lounge and we go there several times each year.
The picture above was taken Friday night at the lounge and I think I look pretty relaxed in it.
Years ago we only went to mostly Gay restaurants or private back rooms when home parties became scarce so back rooms are not foreign to us. Now days we have the option to dine with the other customers but sometimes choose the private room for a more intimate dinner. The atmosphere is more relaxed and the conversation better without the loud voices from the bar.
We always have a small group of us that is not ready to go home so we go mingle at the bar with the other folks. That way they get to have some crossdresser fun with friends too its just that we are better dressed. I think we are also having more fun then they are.
The above picture is very relaxed also like after multiple Cosmos ingested but I like it because it reflects my mood at midnight.
Mature crossdressers face taping is a great way to get rid of the dreaded TURKEY NECK. I did a post last October called CROSSDRESSER FACE TAPE where I talked about a face tape technique.
I used the Secret Lift Pro system for over a year and it worked most of the time but the rubber band broke occasionally on the top one placed on my temples over my head. I had less success with the one placed on the back of the neck. It came loose a lot when I turned my head. Every time they failed my Turkey Neck cam back instantly so I needed something more reliable for nights out.
I started searching on the internet and found a much better mature crossdressing face taping solution on Amazon. I tried this last weekend in Long Beach and it worked great. The straps below are designed for COVID 19 face masks but work perfect for lifting the face skin. They cost $10.99 for the 45 piece assortment and will probably be a 50 year supply in that they appear very sturdy.
CROSSDRESSER FACE TAPING PROCESS
The first night I selected the strap on the far left. I opened the adjuster to the maximum length then cleaned the temple area right under my sideburns with alcohol. Then I coated the area with New Skin liquid bandage letting it dry.
Next I cut a strip of 3M medical tape long enough to cover the temple area I prepared plus 1 inch extra. I placed the tape on my temple area letting the extra curl back away from my head. Taking the strap by the end I attached it to the tape on my temple. Then I ran the strap over the top of my head and attached the other temple the same way. Just like wearing headphones.
It worked great all night with the strap staying in place but stretching when I spoke or chewed dinner. One problem with just taping your face is that it typically does not stretch. If it pulls your skin too tight it can blister. Its fun trying to explain the blister in such a strange place to friends and family.
UPDATE APRIL 2021
I later found that the tape on the ends was hard to remove when the sticky glue built up on it. I went back to the drawing board for a
mature crossdressing face taping solution and found it at Home Depot. I bought a small sheet of acrylic plastic so I could cut it into small squares and glue them to the existing ends of the straps.
I cut the sheet into roughly 1 inch squares then sanded all the edges to remove sharpness. I glued them with clear Liquid Nails onto the flat side of the straps. The upper strap on the right shows the adjustment buckle facing upward which is the side that you glue to. That way the strap lays flat against your head and the strap pulls smoothly. The taping process is the same I just added the plastic tabs for better holding power.
8 in. x 10 in. x 0.050 in. Clear Non-Glare Acrylic Sheet by OPTIX
The strap stays in place all night and you clean it with alcohol before you use it again. The plastic tabs offer a larger holding area for the tape so they stay put all day or night.
Crossdressing fun can happen in many ways depending on your definition of fun. One of mine is getting together with my CHIC sisters and their wives every month for a night out. It is always a great time and this last February’s meeting was one of the best. February meeting was a challenge because of the COVID shutdowns in California. State restrictions made it very hard to find a place to go out as a group. It was my responsibility as the 2021 president of CHIC to make sure the meetings happened. I planned the meeting myself and was able to find a place at a hotel with an outside patio. It had plenty of heaters and 2 fire pits. Its not the kind of place we normally have our crossdressing fun but you take what you can get! I had another CHIC member make a reservation for 6 people at 7:30 PM. My thinking was that would have us finishing dinner around 9:00 PM and they would not rush us out afterward. Very few people eat that late as a rule so it would be to their advantage to let us stay.
The host manager was in shock when we showed up and was a little on the cranky side because we ended up with 13 instead of 12 but we worked it out. I was concerned the night was going to be a real dud because the menu was limited to sandwiches and salads. They sat us a two tables about 30 feet apart so were walked back and forth visiting and so far it was going OK.
CROSSDRESSING FUN
THEN!
After dinner Tonya peeled off her full length coat and Santa Baby appeared then everything changed.
Santa Baby
CROSSDRESSING FUN IN PUBLIC
CHIC had to cancel its Christmas party this year like everyone else and Tonya had secretly planned to give everyone fun gifts at the party. Not to be deterred the gifts were delayed but Tonya as Santa Baby delivered them in February. It was a hoot and all of the other patrons were loving the whole concept with Tonya as the star.
My pink practice golf balls Tonya gave me will be put to good use and might slow my swing down.
I am not sure what Wanda, (pictured with Tonya) got but all the gifts were poking a little fun at the recipient. Raquel usually shows up late to meetings so she got a clock. All the numbers in a pile at the bottom and across the top it said “What difference does it make I’m always late anyway”
The great news was that they did not kick us out after dinner. Partly I think because the other patrons came over and joined our party. They loved the Christmas in February. They had tons of questions about who we are and what we were up to.
I think the restaurant made more money along with the server tips that night than they have since before COVID struck.
CROSSDRESSING FUN UPDATE
I was a little worried that the CHIC members who made the reservations would not be welcomed back because we took over the place that night. This month I found out when I met CHIC sister Erica at the patio for a drink before Tonya picked us up for the Friday night outing. When we approached the previously cranky manager he greeted us with a smile and said “welcome back ladies”. When our server showed up he was all smiles and asked if I wanted another Cosmo?
It might have made a good impression the night of the party when I asked the manager for some trash bags. I told him I wanted to collect all of our trash extra trash from the gift wrapping. We collected all of it so the staff only had to worry about plates and glasses.
Sometimes its the little stuff that makes a difference.
Crossdresser shopping is not new to me but although I have done it for many years I have never done it in Long Beach. San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Las Vegas, Atlanta and Texas yes but, Long Beach no. I guess it goes back to my early years when crossdresser shopping was extremely rare. Crossdresser’s were not accepted and being asked to leave a store was a real possibility maybe by a policeman. Things are different now so I got to thinking about getting a pedicure. I used to do it all the time in San Francisco years ago and then go shopping.
Of course I wore my new mask a Christmas present from my wife and my lipstick was perfect.
I use the 4Ocean frame inside that keeps it from smearing my lipstick and it does look fabulous.
I made an appointment with a local nail shop for 1:30 pm Friday and got ready earlier than usual. There wasn’t time for a sit down lunch so it was Chicken McNuggets in the car then off to the nail shop. Turns out I was a bit early and the place was empty so they took me right away. I got in the chair and she went to work taking off my old polish then the pedicure.
CROSSDRESSING PEDICURE
I picked Marylin Monroe red and loved the way they looked. I wore black thong sandals so the polish would not smear inside closed toed shoes. They had a comfortable 2 1/2 inch heel. I was also going to the seamstress afterward for some alterations then some crossdresser shopping at Macy’s.
WELL DRESSED CROSSDRESSER
Next I was off to the seamstress to get some jackets taken in after losing a few pounds. Then I was off to Macy’s and the MAC counter inside for some crossdresser shopping to replace the eyebrow pencil that broke earlier. The MAC counter was empty so I was served right away got my pencil and left. I regretted it later because it was the perfect time to have the artist explain MACS new creamy powder foundation to me.
My crossdresser shopping adventure was very relaxed as Macy’s was not crowded so I was not rushed. That said I bought nothing again so my spending drought continues until the current trend passes. Tailored jackets are not trending now, active wear is so unless I want sweatshirt type styling I am out of luck. It might be related but fashion jewelry inventories seems to be shrinking possibly because nothing goes with sweatshirts and tennis shoes.
How I yearn for the days that Macy’s added 3 to 4 new tailored skirt suits to their website every Friday. Also leading up to Easter was a high heel extravaganza every year with feminine high heel sandals worthy of my pedicure.
Maybe this summer will bring some change to the fashion world hopefully more toward elegant VS sloppy.
