Stuff 77: Long Nails

By J.J. Atwell

Press-on Nails?

When I dress I love to use press-on nails (Kiss brand usually) to make my hands look a bit more feminine. How about you? 

Some CDs have difficulty finding press-on nails that adequately cover their own nails. I’m fortunate that I have relatively small hands and my own nails aren’t that wide. So I have a wide range of choices in nail color and length. For some reason though, I’m a sucker for longer, red nails. Yes, I do have some shorter ones. And some pink or French manicure style press-ons. I try to select a style, color and length that compliments my outfit and is suitable for the occasion. 

Some Things Are Harder

My normal guy nails are nothing special. I do get a manicure every two weeks combined with a pedicure every second visit. But I just get a normal guy manicure with clear polish. By the way, nobody has ever mentioned the fact that I wear clear polish on my nails in guy mode. If you haven’t had a manicure you are missing a fun experience. 

In guy mode, I don’t have to think about how to do things with guy nails because they are my everyday reality. But I find that in girl mode, when I use the press-on nails I need to make adjustments. Trying to pick up something small off a hard surface can take several attempts. Using a touch screen device sometimes requires tapping with a knuckle instead of a fingertip. Those are just a couple of examples of things I’ve learned to do by trial and error. I think the biggest issue is that using press-on nails is an abrupt change for us. We don’t get to learn as our nails grow over time or deal with them day-to-day as women do. 

Still, I enjoy seeing feminine looking nails when I’m dressed. Just looking at them on the steering wheel driving or when I’m picking up my beverage at a restaurant – those are some of the different sensations that I enjoy experiencing when being JJ. 

I’ll Be Back

As always comments are welcome either here on the blog or by email to Jenn6nov at-sign gmail dot com. JJ is always looking for more stuff so if there is something you would like to read about please let me know!

Wearing Ann Taylor

Diedrich Bader femulating in the 2005 film Miss Congeniality 2:Armed & Fabulous.

Someday Funnies

Four-Inch Heels

They marched, grilled, and mowed the lawn…
Now they powder, preen, and stretch at dawn.
They ruled the house with fists of steel…
Now it’s aprons, blush, and four-inch heels!

Men in Diva Dresses

Your Face Sounds Familiar is a popular international reality TV format that originated in Spain as Tu Cara Me Suena and has been adapted in many countries, including the Philippines, the UK, and various European nations. The show is known for its weekly celebrity impersonation performances, where contestants transform into famous singers, often of the opposite sex. One of the most entertaining and memorable aspects of the show has been male celebrities impersonating female pop divas.

Why It Works

Male-to-female impersonations on Your Face Sounds Familiar are fan favorites for several reasons.

Transformation Challenge: Watching a man convincingly embody a female icon like Beyoncé, Whitney Houston or Lady Gaga requires vocal control, dance skills and total commitment to the character — including wardrobe, wigs, heels and makeup.

Entertainment Factor: The performances balance campy humor with genuine talent, often drawing laughter and admiration simultaneously.

Cultural Commentary: These impersonations play with gender norms in a lighthearted way, challenging traditional ideas of masculinity on primetime television.

Favorite femulations include:

• Cher
• Celine Dion
• Adele
• Diana Ross
• Tina Turner
• Lady Gaga
• Britney Spears
• Mariah Carey
• Madonna
• Whitney Houston

Reception

Audiences tend to respond positively to male contestants "cross-performing" as women, especially when done with authenticity and commitment. The performances are rarely mocking — they often become heartfelt tributes. Some of the best are praised for the emotional resonance, particularly when male singers take on female power ballads and deliver them with unexpected vocal skill.

Your Book Sounds Familiar

Curves is a 174-page book compiled by Femulate reader Anja, which documents the femulations that have appeared on Your Face Sounds Familiar. For a very limited time, click here to download a free pdf of the book. (Note that the file is large: 485 Mbytes.)

Wearing Elàgia

Kuba Molęda femulating Margaret on Polish television's Your Face Sounds Familiar.
Click here to view this femulation on YouTube.

Tips for Male Bridesmaids

Here are practical and thoughtful tips for male bridesmaids (sometimes called “bridesmen” or “bride's attendants”) to help them confidently support the bride and blend into the wedding party with grace and style—no matter how traditionally feminine or creative the vision may be.

General Role Tips

Honor the Bride’s Vision

You’re there to support her, so whether it’s a pastel suit, matching dress or floral robe—go with the flow and be her champion.

Be Emotionally Present

Bridesmaids are emotional support too. Check in with her often, offer encouragement, and help calm wedding-day jitters.

Help With Traditional Duties

This can include dress shopping, bridal showers, bachelorette parties or helping organize logistics with other attendants. Bring humor, grace and a good playlist.

Outfit Coordination

Blend, But Stay You

Coordinate your look with the bridesmaids without losing your own comfort or identity. If everyone’s wearing lavender, consider a lavender shirt, tie or suit lining.

Dresses? Own It or Adapt It

Open-minded? A dress or gown can be fabulous. Go all-in with shapewear, accessories and heels if the vibe calls for it.

Prefer pants? A chiffon blouse with soft trousers, a flowy jumpsuit or a pastel-colored suit keeps things aligned while staying true to your style.

Shoes Matter

If you’re wearing heels for the first time, practice. Otherwise, chic flats, loafers or even satin sneakers can be perfect with the right attitude.

Beauty & Prep

Participate in Beauty Routines

Join the hair and makeup session—even if it’s just a light touch-up. Manicured nails, light concealer or a dewy glow can elevate your look (and mood).

Confidence is the Best Accessory

Whatever you wear, wear it proudly. You're not a “gimmick”—you’re part of the bride’s chosen circle.

During the Ceremony & Reception

Walk the Walk

Practice your aisle walk if you’re paired with another bridesmaid or groomsman. Walk with poise—heels or no heels.

Speech or Toast? Be Sincere & Lighthearted

Share a loving memory, keep it short and celebrate the bride’s joy. Humor’s great, but avoid embarrassing stories unless you know she’d love it.

Extra Touches

Carry a Clutch or Feminine Detail

If you're dressed femininely, a matching clutch or bouquet completes the look and adds polish.

Embrace the Photos

Pose like a pro. Don’t be shy about group glam shots, bouquet tosses or mirror selfies with the girls.

Post-Wedding, Be Proud

If you're breaking gender norms, remember you’re also expanding what’s possible for others. Celebrate that.

Wearing Boston Proper

Male bride and male bridesmaid

Why Vintage Dresses Never Go Out of Style

By Monika Kowalska

There’s something truly magical about vintage clothes. For me, it’s not just about fashion, it’s about history, memories and a beautiful connection across generations. I discovered this treasure trove tucked away in my mum’s wardrobe and those of her sisters, where I found dresses that seemed to whisper stories from decades past. Wearing these pieces feels like slipping into a different time, but also like carrying a piece of my family’s story with me.

Luckily, I’m the same size as my mother, so no tailor is needed to wear her dresses. I’ve worn some of her beautiful vintage pieces to different occasions, parties, weddings and special gatherings. It’s amazing to me how her clothes have survived so many years, still looking elegant and wearable, while my own modern clothes often become unusable after just a couple of years of wear.

The word “vintage” originally referred to the year a wine was produced, the older, the better. Today, it’s come to mean much more: clothes, accessories even music and cars, that come from another era, but still have a life and purpose today. Unlike fast fashion, vintage is about traditional craftsmanship, timelessness and the idea that something well made can last for generations. And thanks to resale platforms and vintage shops, it’s easier than ever to find authentic vintage pieces or even modern clothes inspired by the past.

Vintage dresses are the heart and soul of this retro revival. They’re versatile, timeless and full of personality. Whether it’s the oversized collars that bring in 80s vibes, puffed sleeves recalling Renaissance elegance or the flattering A-line silhouettes made famous by Christian Dior in the 50s, these dresses add a touch of uniqueness to any outfit. I love how a vintage dress can be casual and cool with sneakers or dressed up with boots and silk stockings in colder months. And they always feel like they have a story.

My mum and her sisters have always had exquisite taste in clothes. Their wardrobes hold vintage dresses in every style, from flowy floral prints inspired by Art Nouveau to timeless satin skirts that bring an elegant sheen to everyday life. They’ve passed down not just garments, but stories, style lessons and a respect for quality that feels rare today. It’s inspiring to see how these pieces have been loved and worn through the years, proving that great fashion really does last.

I’m not alone in my affection for vintage. Many women, including my mother and aunties, cherish these pieces for similar reasons. Vintage clothes remind us of eras gone by and often bring memories of family members and moments in time. It’s common to hear someone say, “My mom had a dress just like this!” which makes wearing vintage feel like a shared experience across generations. Vintage fashion offers something truly unique in a world of mass-produced fast fashion. Each vintage piece stands out, allowing women to express their own style and creativity without blending into the crowd.

There’s also a well-known saying, “They don’t make ‘em like they used to.” Vintage dresses often boast superior materials and attention to detail, from delicate stitching to intricate prints, that are missing in many modern clothes. Choosing vintage is also a statement against the fast fashion industry’s environmental toll. By giving old clothes new life, we help reduce waste and slow the harmful cycle of overproduction.

Mixing vintage with modern pieces is the best way to keep these timeless styles feeling fresh and wearable. Pairing a retro floral dress with a sleek leather jacket or modern sneakers can create a look that’s both nostalgic and totally now. It’s also about finding vintage pieces that truly resonate with your personal style, whether that’s the glitz of the 80s or the bohemian spirit of the 70s.

In a world of fast trends and disposable fashion, vintage is a breath of fresh air. It’s about history, quality, individuality and sustainability. It’s about honoring the past while making it your own. For me, it’s deeply personal – each dress from my mum’s or aunties’ collection feels like a gift, a glimpse into a time before me, yet very much alive in the fabric, cut, and colors.

If you haven’t already, I encourage you to explore vintage, in your family’s wardrobes, at local shops or online. You might just find a piece that tells your own story.

Monika has been interviewing trans people in her blog, The Heroines of My Life, since 2013. Click here to see who she has interviewed lately.

Wearing StyleWe

Before: Kamil Bijos , After: Sylwia Grzeszczak

Via Polish television’s Twoja Twarz Brzmi Znajomo (Your Face Sounds Familiar)

(Dziękuję Anja)

The French Confection

Why do some men enjoy dressing as French maids? (I have done so myself for Halloween.)

Erotic Roleplay and Power Reversal

The French maid outfit is a classic fetish costume: revealing, submissive and domestic. For many men, especially those used to being in control, dressing as a maid plays into power exchange fantasies — they take on a subservient, decorative role, often serving a dominant partner.

Femininity and Escape from Masculine Expectations

The frilly, hyper-feminine nature of the maid costume allows men to temporarily escape rigid gender norms. It’s exaggerated, theatrical femininity — a safe way to explore softness, prettiness, or submissiveness without judgment (especially in private or play settings).

Humor and Kink Overlap

Sometimes it’s not just sexy — it’s funny. Men may enjoy the absurdity or theatricality of cleaning in heels and lace. For some couples, it’s about shared humor, inside jokes or playful humiliation (“Yes, dear, I’ll do the dishes — but only in the outfit.”)

Crossdressing and Identity Exploration

For men who are curious about crossdressing or gender expression, the French maid look is a recognizable and socially coded costume. It’s a “starter outfit” for gender play: clear-cut, over-the-top and often accepted in fetish/kink contexts.

Psychological Comfort and Ritual

Some find the routine of dressing up and cleaning ritualistic and calming. The outfit becomes part of a private world of fantasy, structure and sometimes submission — like cosplay with a twist of domesticity.

Et ainsi de suite.

Wearing Ann Taylor

Femulating in a North Carolina womanless beauty pageant

Stuff 76: Spring Cleaning

By J.J. Atwell

Time to clear out stuff?

Traditionally, spring cleaning is a time to go through the whole house cleaning things and tossing out junk. Yes, I’m aware that we are into summer as I write this so I’m a bit behind the calendar, but bear with me while I muse about how this relates to our femme sides.

It’s the woman’s role

How is that for a loaded headline? Is spring cleaning something that only women do? Perhaps coercing their men to help? Or at least, getting them to do the heavy lifting? So many politically incorrect lines we could go down on the subject. But that’s not at all what I’m talking about.

I’ll be clear; I don’t see spring cleaning as being something that is exclusive to the female population. It applies to all the guys out there as well. But as CDs, we have a task here, too. It’s a good time to clear out the cobwebs in the back of our closets. I’m sure you have things that forced behind your current favorites. Or, behind your newest acquisitions. 

How to clean

I’ll call it cleaning just to maintain the theme. But it’s more about just making sure things are clean and fresh. Take out each item and carefully look it over. This exercise is about critically deciding if the item has outlived its usefulness. Warning, it can be depressing to make those kind of decisions. You might also pull some things out to send to the dry cleaners while you are at it.

Where do you draw the line between a pair of nice comfy skinny jeans and a pair that have been worn a bit too much? Same with your lingerie drawer. Is that bra only comfortable because it’s all stretched out of shape? Is it time to replace some of that underwear? How about that camisole you bought to go with a certain outfit – the one that you no longer have. Yes, it’s time to be ruthless. And don’t call me “Ruth.”

It’s not a “purge”

“Purge” has gotten such a bad connotation in the community. Basically it’s the term we used to describe that fit of insanity where we think we can “cure” ourselves of the desire to crossdress and we throw out all our femme stuff. That’s not what we are doing for spring cleaning, though. We are going through our femme life and keeping it up to date. 

You could also have fun doing this if you wear a maid uniform. That would insure you get to keep your girl card for another year!

I’ll be back

I hope your closet has gotten a good cleaning this spring. Mine has. I welcome comments and suggestions here on Stana’s page or by email at Jenn6nov at-sign gmail dot com.

Wearing JustFab

Nancy Mary

Someday Funnies

Yet Even More Men in Dresses