Getting Hip

By Penelope “Penny” Patience

It was a lovely, bright summer morning when I walked into the Gyle, the light and airy shopping centre on the western edge of Edinburgh. As I passed a plump older woman with a bobbed hairstyle, wearing a knee-length pale pink floral dress, I couldn’t help noticing the sad expression on her face and the way she held her arms crossed defensively in front of her.

I think it was her body language that prompted the thought: I wonder whether she is trans? There was certainly nothing else about her presentation that stood out. After a few seconds, I stopped and turned to look. In the distance, I saw her about to leave the mall, and the width of her shoulders in relation to her hips seemed to confirm my suspicion.

Had I been thinking more quickly, I might have said, “Cheer up,” or offered some other friendly word.

Two things struck me about the encounter.

First, in my opinion, overlooking the hips is one of the biggest mistakes even experienced femulators make. Online, it is quite common to see photographs of someone wearing a great outfit, beautifully accessorised, with skilful makeup and a well-chosen wig. Their presentation is first-class except for one thing: their hips are simply too narrow in proportion to their shoulders.

Of course, not everyone wants to pass. Even for those who do, the hips may not present much of a problem if they are young and slim. For those of us who are somewhat older and carry a little more weight, however, the difference between the width of the shoulders and hips can be much more noticeable.

The good news is that the problem is not difficult to address. Plenty of padded hip products are available online at relatively modest prices, and they can make a real difference. Even inexpensive foam pads can help a skirt sit properly and flow more naturally as you move.

For those who can afford them, however, nothing beats large silicone hip pads. This type of pad has a tapered section that extends down the outside of the thigh, creating a much more realistic effect by adding fullness to the thigh as well as the hip. Correctly positioned beneath shapewear, they can produce a convincing hourglass figure and provide the confidence that comes with it. As an added bonus, much like a good pair of breast forms, you may soon forget that they are not a natural part of your body.

Second, even without paying special attention to the hips, a little optimism and a smile can make an enormous difference to one’s presentation. In this case, it was the woman’s unhappy body language and apparent lack of confidence that detracted from her pretty pink dress.

If only she had known that not everyone she passed was indifferent or disapproving. Among the strangers around her were probably unknown friends and allies as well. Knowing that might have helped her walk a little taller, smile a little more brightly and feel much happier and more confident.

And isn’t that a comforting thought for all of us?

Wearing Balmain

Frank Beaty femulating on television's long-running soap opera Guiding Light.