We had our annual work Christmas party last night. As I sat there in my men's slacks, dress shirt, and tie, I could not help but be envious of all the women wearing their dresses or skirts and blouses with pantyhose and high heels. I really do like the fall and winter time the best. Gone are the flip flops and bare legs, and they are replaced with heels, boots, tights, pantyhose, and nice clothes.
It is also the time of year that allows me to dress the most. The sweltering Texas summers make it really hard to wear makeup and arm concealing blouses and dresses. Not to mention pantyhose, which are a necessity for me (thanks to years of leg and calf abuse as an active young man). So I definitely look forward to this time of year.
I stopped by storage last night and finalized some of my wardrobe plans for Tulsa. It is going to be so much fun! In the past I have restricted myself to dark colors, but with some of the outfits there will be hints of color. Brightly colored tights, tops, and shoes are finally a part of my wardrobe. In fact, one outfit is a teal knee length dress with matching high heel t-strap pumps I found at Cato. There are a few outfits that have matching tights and tops.
I think I am stuck on patent leather. Of the 15 pairs of shoes I plan on taking to Tulsa, 10 of them are patent leather. 7 pairs are black, 1 pair is navy, 1 pair is teal, and 1 pair is tan. The 5 non patent leather are 3 black and 2 navy. I just think patent leather looks pretty. It seems lots of women I work with agree. I counted at least 7 ladies last night wearing black patent heels. That is around 8% of the attendees at the party, and probably 1/8 of the women in attendance.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Epic Fail once again--sort of.
Every Tuesday my TV is tuned to Fox from 7 - 9 to watch the three shows I am addicted to: Glee, New Girl, and Raising Hope. Glee was excellent as usual, as was New Girl. Raising Hope was going great until main character Jimmy and his coworker Frank decide to go confront former school bully Tommy. When Tommy comes to the door--big surprise--Tommy is now Tammy. The reason for the title of this post is what happens next. Tammy is portrayed as a butch woman who beats up both Jimmy and Frank. Granted, the two men threw the first punches, but Tammy is portrayed as a burly person who just happens to dress and talk like a woman. I think this was done for comedy's sake, but I am getting tired of TV and movies portraying the transgendered community as a freak show. Of course, this was just a TV show and not real life, but how will the public ever come to an understanding about transgendered people if the media portrays us as mindless buffoons who are nothing more than guys in dresses (or ladies in jeans and flannel shirts, depending on which side of the TG community you are on)? I do not think that the general public will ever understand what it means to go through life every day wishing you could present as the individual you feel you are. I am a woman in every sense except for my physical appearance. Can I scream that from the rooftops? Sure, if I want to be locked in a padded cell in Terrell.
OK, enough with the soap box. It is hump day! I am so glad the week is almost half over, although it means we are one day closer to Christmas. That wouldn't be a bad thing, except that I am only a third of the way through with my shopping. The guy in me says I still have 17 days, but the woman in me says that is not enough time! At least I love to shop!
Well, after looking through all of the items I have purchased and what I have at storage, I think I am almost ready for my trip! A few more pairs of pantyhose and a few more sets of nails (since I will have to remove them each afternoon--sucks) and I will be set. I am still trying on different outfits to see if any need to be changed or altered, but I think I am almost ready. I have decided that I will be wearing a black sleeveless shift over a black longsleeve turtleneck sweater with black patterned tights and black patent 1 1/2 inch kitten heel pumps. I think the outfit will look extremely cute, yet will be warm enough when I am outside of my car. Most of the outfits I have chosen were picked because of their practicality as well as their fashion. Remember, the key is blending, not sticking out like a sore thumb. Lots of tights, lots of slacks and jeans, lots of sweaters and thick shirts and boots boots boots.
Of course, this plan will be thrown out the window and I will be scrambling to make other wardrobe plans if the weather is not its usual bitter cold for early January in Eastern Oklahoma. Luckily, I have plenty of light and cute dresses and skirts that I can wear if that is the case!
Until we meet again,
XOXO
Janet
OK, enough with the soap box. It is hump day! I am so glad the week is almost half over, although it means we are one day closer to Christmas. That wouldn't be a bad thing, except that I am only a third of the way through with my shopping. The guy in me says I still have 17 days, but the woman in me says that is not enough time! At least I love to shop!
Well, after looking through all of the items I have purchased and what I have at storage, I think I am almost ready for my trip! A few more pairs of pantyhose and a few more sets of nails (since I will have to remove them each afternoon--sucks) and I will be set. I am still trying on different outfits to see if any need to be changed or altered, but I think I am almost ready. I have decided that I will be wearing a black sleeveless shift over a black longsleeve turtleneck sweater with black patterned tights and black patent 1 1/2 inch kitten heel pumps. I think the outfit will look extremely cute, yet will be warm enough when I am outside of my car. Most of the outfits I have chosen were picked because of their practicality as well as their fashion. Remember, the key is blending, not sticking out like a sore thumb. Lots of tights, lots of slacks and jeans, lots of sweaters and thick shirts and boots boots boots.
Of course, this plan will be thrown out the window and I will be scrambling to make other wardrobe plans if the weather is not its usual bitter cold for early January in Eastern Oklahoma. Luckily, I have plenty of light and cute dresses and skirts that I can wear if that is the case!
Until we meet again,
XOXO
Janet
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
My Fashion Influences
As I was surfing the internet this morning, I came across a site that had the 10 most popular TV series concluding episodes of all time (MASH's Goodbye, Farewell and Amen was naturally #1--same in my book), and while fawning over the understated elegance of Jill Taylor (Patricia Richardson on Home Improvement) it got me to thinking about the ladies that have influenced Janet's fashion sense the most during these 34 years.
In no particular order (names abbreviated to protect the innocent):
Mom, my HS Spanish teacher Mrs. A, My Jr. High Orchestra teacher Mrs. J, office ladies in downtown Dallas, my former neighbors B, L, and A, my former roommate A, my friend T's mom, and all of the ladies on TV and in movies that realize that you can still look elegant without going overboard.
I try to emulate all of these ladies' styles. Mrs. A's sky high black stilettos and knee length skirts, Mrs. J's black patent pumps, sleeveless shift dresses, and silk long sleeve blouses, the Dallas ladies' skirtsuits and pantsuits, B's skirts and blouses with high heel pumps, L's stewardess outfits, A's different colored pumps and shirt dresses, and Mom's secretary fashion, nylon panties, colored tights, sweater dresses, and control top pantyhose all influence my style.
Just a small pictureless peek into my wardrobe speaks to all of these fashions. I have a nice pair of black 4 1/2" heel stilettos, 2/3 of my shoes are black patent (they go with everything and range from a pair of pointy toe flats to my 4 1/2" Jessica Simpson Oscars), several knee length skirts, sleeveless shift dresses and long sleeve silk blouses, a few skirtsuits and pantsuits, pumps in a rainbow of colors, and my collection of navy blue shoes and outfits would appease any flight attendant. As for Mom's fashion, I have several office appropriate dresses (some of which look remarkably like ones she had worn in the past), I wear only nylon panties and bodybriefers, and I do not go anywhere without my control top pantyhose or tights on. That part of the list of influences is in order because she has influenced me the most. I can still recall the image of my Mom standing in the bedroom ironing her gray skirt while wearing a white and pink cap sleeve blouse, white nylon panties, pale pink control top pantyhose (the 80's--they came in all kinds of colors), and gray slingback pumps. I got a lot of the ability to color coordinate and put outfits together from Mom. Some of the outfits I am wearing in Tulsa next month are Mom inspired. I can't wait to share those outfits with the world.
In no particular order (names abbreviated to protect the innocent):
Mom, my HS Spanish teacher Mrs. A, My Jr. High Orchestra teacher Mrs. J, office ladies in downtown Dallas, my former neighbors B, L, and A, my former roommate A, my friend T's mom, and all of the ladies on TV and in movies that realize that you can still look elegant without going overboard.
I try to emulate all of these ladies' styles. Mrs. A's sky high black stilettos and knee length skirts, Mrs. J's black patent pumps, sleeveless shift dresses, and silk long sleeve blouses, the Dallas ladies' skirtsuits and pantsuits, B's skirts and blouses with high heel pumps, L's stewardess outfits, A's different colored pumps and shirt dresses, and Mom's secretary fashion, nylon panties, colored tights, sweater dresses, and control top pantyhose all influence my style.
Just a small pictureless peek into my wardrobe speaks to all of these fashions. I have a nice pair of black 4 1/2" heel stilettos, 2/3 of my shoes are black patent (they go with everything and range from a pair of pointy toe flats to my 4 1/2" Jessica Simpson Oscars), several knee length skirts, sleeveless shift dresses and long sleeve silk blouses, a few skirtsuits and pantsuits, pumps in a rainbow of colors, and my collection of navy blue shoes and outfits would appease any flight attendant. As for Mom's fashion, I have several office appropriate dresses (some of which look remarkably like ones she had worn in the past), I wear only nylon panties and bodybriefers, and I do not go anywhere without my control top pantyhose or tights on. That part of the list of influences is in order because she has influenced me the most. I can still recall the image of my Mom standing in the bedroom ironing her gray skirt while wearing a white and pink cap sleeve blouse, white nylon panties, pale pink control top pantyhose (the 80's--they came in all kinds of colors), and gray slingback pumps. I got a lot of the ability to color coordinate and put outfits together from Mom. Some of the outfits I am wearing in Tulsa next month are Mom inspired. I can't wait to share those outfits with the world.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Ready for Tulsa!?!?
In 35 short days I will be heading up US75 to Tulsa for 6 days. The reason for going is quite masculine, but while I am there I will have tons of time to express my feminine side. It is a time for great excitement, but I am very nervous about it. I have dressed as Janet in Tulsa before, but it has been a while. I have increased my wardrobe and my ability to blend, but I still am worried about being in a strange place. I will be dressing from the time I leave on Tuesday until about 3PM that afternoon, and then from 11PM that night until 3PM Wednesday. I will continue this cycle Wednesday night and Thursday night. My real nervousness comes Friday night. There are some LGBT clubs in Tulsa, and I intend to go to one on Friday night. I am both nervous and excited, because it will be the first time I have been around other LGBT people since the TriESS meeting I went to a year or so ago. This will be a big test.
There is one thing I have learned about the experience this time: it is expensive to take Janet along on trips! With the pantyhose, makeup, nails, body cleansing essentials, and other items that I have had to purchase in the past few weeks, I have spent a lot of money. Hopefully it will be worth it. I plan on stopping at Choctaw on the way there and on the way back, going to the Equality Center and Library while in Tulsa, and hitting a couple clubs. I will also take in a few movies and go mall crawling. This will without a doubt be the most time I have ever spent as Janet at one time. I have started packing everything for the trip. The plan is to leave the house at around 6AM, leave storage at around 7AM, pick up breakfast on the road, make it to Choctaw at around 9AM, and pull into Tulsa at about 3PM. I cannot wait! I am taking my laptop and camera with me so I will be posting updates each day with pictures!
There is one thing I have learned about the experience this time: it is expensive to take Janet along on trips! With the pantyhose, makeup, nails, body cleansing essentials, and other items that I have had to purchase in the past few weeks, I have spent a lot of money. Hopefully it will be worth it. I plan on stopping at Choctaw on the way there and on the way back, going to the Equality Center and Library while in Tulsa, and hitting a couple clubs. I will also take in a few movies and go mall crawling. This will without a doubt be the most time I have ever spent as Janet at one time. I have started packing everything for the trip. The plan is to leave the house at around 6AM, leave storage at around 7AM, pick up breakfast on the road, make it to Choctaw at around 9AM, and pull into Tulsa at about 3PM. I cannot wait! I am taking my laptop and camera with me so I will be posting updates each day with pictures!
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