It’s still months away
Well, yes Halloween is still months away. But there is no reason that we can’t start thinking about what we will be wearing then.
Halloween is sometimes referred to as a crossdressers’ national holiday because so many of us take advantage of the occasion to go out dressed as our femme self. So I thought I’d write about this opportunity as you ponder the big night.
Before I go on, yes the photo accompanying this Stuff was me in my theme park tourist outfit from last halloween.
So many options
We have a lot of choices to make when picking our Halloween costume. Some have more practical considerations than others. Indeed, it depends a bit on the venue and the company.
Are you going to be with a group of CDs? That gives you a bit more flexibility to dress more flamboyant. If you’re out with a group of people that already know about you, then you can chose to be what ever costume a GG would wear without fear. Of course there are different costumes that you might want to do. Perhaps a princess gown? A sexy nurse? A witch? Elvira? Or maybe just a low key, everyday kind of outfit like black jeans and a Halloween theme top and appropriate accessories. It’s all up to your sense of comfort and style.
Are you going to a random party where most people don’t know about your girl side? You’ve still got plenty of options. However, in this situation you might want to consider how “femme” you get unless you don’t mind outing yourself to everybody. Do you want to appear as a convincing female in your costume? Or do you want to just be a guy in a dress? If you are too convincing you might have to answer some questions about how you learned to do your makeup or walk in heels. It might be a giveaway to your otherwise secret life.
Women have fun, too
I read somewhere that in girl world, Halloween is the one night a year when a girl can dress up like a total slut and other girls won’t think anything bad about her. It gave me a chuckle. But the point is that the holiday is a good night to change up your staid self and be somebody different. So if women can do that, why shouldn’t we?
I’ll be back
I’m currently considering my Halloween options and will report back afterwards. I welcome comments and suggestions here on Stana’s page or by email at Jenn6nov at-sign gmail dot com.
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| Wearing Ann Taylor |
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| Stefano Ferri |
My first outings totally en femme were nothing more than driving my car and eventually taking a stroll in safe neighborhoods. That was more than four decades ago. There was a pull to intentionally mix with the general public. Halloween afforded that opportunity. The first time I dolled up in a jade green with black flowers below the knee dress, black heels and hosiery, all the proper undergarments in black, full makeup and a curly blond wig. One stop was a Winchell's Doughnut shop where I did get a compliment on my presentation. The following year I traded the jade dress for a traditional little black dress with otherwise the same attire. One of the stops I made was a Safeway store. There, the young female cashier was totally silent. I think she was young and probably had not experience with a man attired as a woman, Halloween or any other time. There was also a guy, who seemed to have had too much to drive already, who was buying beer. He roared with laughter in a not approving manner. The 1980's were still the "dark ages" when it came to cross dressing in public. At the time I wished there was some venue that would be welcoming.
ReplyDeleteMy first and only public outing was Halloween, 1977. I was 22 and I was with two girls I knew. They were invited to a costume party and asked me if I wanted to come along. Then to my utter shock they offered to dress me up as a girl. At first I said, "no." The girls were persistent and I wondered if they saw something in me that I'd been hiding since the first time I crossdressed when I was 12.
ReplyDeleteOne of the girls had graduated from college and worked in an office. She wore dresses and skirts everyday and told me they'd fix me up as an office girl in pantyhose, a skirt, blouse, and sweater. I felt weak in my knees when I finally agreed believing I'd feigned enough reluctance to allay suspicion.
The girls went all out even insisting I wear a slip under my skirt. My hair was just long enough so that they could fix it enough like a girl's. Nervous as could be I went to the party and felt very satisfied for doing so. Though I haven't repeated the experience.
I have found that the casual cross dresser will have a go at Halloween but not put their best heel forward as it would appear they may be too good at it. Everyone gets a good laugh at the outrageousness of the costume or the drag queen (king) look as well. If I present too well and by that meaning being age appropriate and passing then the conversation may turn to "this guy has done this before" . Also safety is important that night because there are those that hide under the pumpkin and take their anger out on innocent people. I dunno, I prefer to keep it secret BUT if I had a partner with me it would be different because "she made me do it and she did my makeup" and we would be among friends that do not judge. Going to a Halloween Drag show enfemme would be hilarious fun. I think that being a Anime character (there are AnimeCons that offer venues for cosplay and crossdressing in a much accepted manner) or dressing up like a movie star would provide a good excuse to enjoy Halloween enfemme. Which movie star or icon tickles your fancy? a slut or a Mrs Doubtfire?
ReplyDeleteThere was a time here in Chicago Halloween was the one day the city orderince didn’t apply. Men could not crossdress. I think things have changed. Trick or Treat
ReplyDeleteI'm closeted, and Halloween has been my only opportunity to appear in public en femme.
ReplyDeleteBased on this experience, I've learned something crucial: when we dress for Halloween, we should embrace actual women's costumes - not simply dress as women in everyday situations like housewives, career women, or someone out for a night on the town. Here's why this distinction matters.
First, dressing as an "ordinary woman" isn't really a costume - it's simply you being authentic. When you call your true self a "costume," you're essentially insulting your own identity.
Second, dressing as an "ordinary woman" is the fastest way to out yourself. People notice when someone seems too comfortable, too natural in women's clothing for it to be just a Halloween gag.
Third, avoid the tired cliché of being "a guy in a dress." This overdone approach, favored by closeted men who won't commit to the effort, does nothing but demean women and reinforce negative stereotypes.
Instead, be bold. Choose an actual costume - a witch, superhero, movie character, or fantasy figure. Most people will see a man fully committed to a creative women's costume as fun-loving and admirably dedicated to the challenge. Surprisingly, women are often the most supportive - they respect the effort you've put in and many will want to take pictures with you.
The key is commitment and creativity. Have fun with it.
Hugs,
Dixie
Totally agree...
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