"Your color was a very pretty natural blush!"

March of 2011, was a memorable month for me.

One day that month (I really should remember the date, but I don't) I placed a large plastic bag in the trunk of my beautician's car.  In that bag were all my traditional ladies' slacks and pants, destined for her church's big rummage sale.  As I watched intently, she smiled at me, closed and locked the lid, then tucked the key safely in her purse. She gave me a hug, and a kiss on the cheek, then together we walked into the salon for my hair appointment.  I was kind of quiet, so she cheerfully reminded me that I'll love my new look.  And we kept walking.

It was the beginning of my "new appearance." That day I was wearing my stirrups, and giving up the bag of regular pants meant that from then on, my daily choices for both work and play were from among supremely comfortable (but very feminine) Capri and stirrup outfits like in the following pictures.  Bare shoulders and arms are sometimes frowned upon in a work environment, but my wardrobe of tops included a number of sleeveless blouses, which I would ultimately have to wear.  Thus I put a couple of sweaters at the office, year-round.  Whenever I came to work sleeveless, my arms and shoulders could be kept covered if appropriate. 

Just a sampling of a few work outfits:

                        On a cool fall day...stirrups, sleeveless top, sweater and flats to work.
 

                  Relaxing by the pond near home after work on a hot day, in Capri pants and flats.          

There were some rumors that guys preferred me in sleek and feminine outfits like this.  So they probably were happy on casual days, till the weather got warm and turtlenecks were put away!
             

                                                     Another great workday outfit...

The gals at the salon and at work, who were guiding " the new me" all insisted that I wear outfits like these to emphasize my femininity.  And the attention the gals at work gave me when I followed their wardrobe "recommendation" was always so enthusiastic and bubbly, that I found myself actually enjoying it.  After donation day in March, I was "with the program," freely wearing these outfits around my immediate co-workers every day.  But, my secret was not very well-kept,  and some realized I finally had no choice in the matter!

One day I met reality head-on.  The day before, the girls had insisted that I wear this particular outfit the next day, which turned out to be the day my department's Administrative Assistant (who made sure she wore nothing the least bit feminine) escorted me to my first meeting.  (For some odd reason the meeting didn't appear on my calendar, but was on hers - so it was a complete surprise to me.)  Once I was seated, she moved to a seat across the room, and stayed to take notes for the department (as well as to keep an eye on me.) 

Trust me, even though I was in pants, a top and shoes, that's where my similarity to males of the species ended.  It was (and still is) impossible to feel the least little bit masculine with my arms and shoulders bare, my tan stirrups (picture above) far more contour-hugging than men's pants, and my nude-pantyhosed insteps and heels plainly visible between the front and rear arches of my stirrups and my cute, but very obviously feminine, skimmers.  The guys were all businesslike, in shirts, ties, dark socks, and loafers, but I couldn't help notice their eyes focusing on (and roving between) my bare arms. contoured legs, and feminine ankles and feet.  I felt like a woman on display in a room full of horny men, and probably wouldn't have been any more uncomfortable if I had been wearing a business-length skirt suit and 3 inch high heels.

Yes, that first time, it was a challenge to pay attention during the meeting,  and I felt that I was blushing almost constantly.  But I had to get through it...and actually managed to survive!  The Admin Assistant said I did very well, even though she told me "You didn't need any makeup today, sweetie, your color was a very pretty natural blush!"

Luckily, each successive meeting became easier.  The guys started to give me more eye contact, with less checking out of my arms or ankles.  Because of that, I blushed a lot less.  Plus, a couple of the guys got laughed at, when I used some girly techniques to politely bring them in line after inappropriate comments. Although I truly couldn't appreciate it at the time, the girls obviously knew what was best for me, and planned and taught me well!

My stirrup and Capri outfits were pretty well-accepted by everyone at work, but the girls made it clear that they (and they told me this included the guys too) were prepared and anxious for my feminine side to take over. All the girls told me that I should start wearing dresses with dainty little kitten heels, jumper dresses with ballet flats, or tailored skirt suits with high heel pumps, all with full makeup and feminine hair styles.  I just didn't (couldn't) do it. And in retrospect,  now that I've retired, I sort of wish I had moved forward...with a support system like mine, I'd be wearing dresses or skirts every day now, and my transition would be long over.  But hindsight is always 20-20.

Since becoming "one of the girls" in March, I can better understand why we're always chilly, while the guys are too warm. Our clothes are much flimsier than the guys, and they expose more of our skin. The girls told me that once I'm wearing those cute sundresses they've picked out for me (to keep my arms and legs on display), I'd find it even more chilly in the air conditioning.  It's just another of the things we gals must endure, in order to look pretty for the boys...

One day in October 2011, when I had my hair done, my beautician was wearing a pretty black sleeveless shell, a pair of gray pull-on pants, and peep-toe 2" heels. I commented on how nice she looked, though she wasn't wearing her usual skort or skirt. She smiled, and asked if I recognize the pants.  I told her that I used to have a pair just like that.

Then came her confession: "These ARE your old pants, honey. Since we're both the same size, when you brought in your donation last spring, I went through your stuff and picked out four pairs of pants that I liked, and bought them before they ever hit the rack. So now you know that at least some of your clothes went to a good home!" "Well, they look really cute on you, much more feminine than they ever did on me." "And you look so much more feminine in Capri's and stirrups than you ever did in these pants, sweetie, that I'm really glad you gave them up."

"So I guess since we both look more feminine, we both came out ahead, didn't we? Now I'm curious, though. Are you planning to wear my old pants for dress, or just casual?" "Most likely for beauty conferences I attend, though I'll enjoy wearing them to your hair appointments.  You can plan on being relentlessly teased about my finally being able to 'get into your pants!'"  I blushed and said "Well, it's true...they were my pants at one time, and now you've gotten into them.  So, you and the girls earned the right to tease me.  I'll probably just blush for you - I do that very well."

"Well, sweetie, can I expect that going forward, you'll be here each time in skirts or dresses?"

"No, I don't have enough of them yet, but I'm working on it." "That's an easy thing to fix. We're both plus-size girls, sweetie, and we've confided in each other that we wear the same dress size. I'm going to be donating some of my skorts and blouses to the next rummage sale. So till then. each time you come in, I'll have one of my older outfits in the car. You know which ones they are...I've seen you ogle me when I was wearing them. When you arrive for your next appointment, the receptionist will usher you right into the ladies' room. Quickly take off your stirrups and blouse, fold and put them in a bag. Then hang it on the outside of the ladies' room doorknob, to be picked up by whichever of the girls comes by first, and wait patiently in the ladies' room. Keep the door locked since you'll be wearing just your bra and pantyhose. The girl will bring me the bag, and when my prior appointment is finished, I'll take it out to my car, returning with an outfit for you. One of the girls will pick up that bag, hang it on the ladies' room doorknob, and knock, so you know you have something to put back on. After you get dressed, come on out to the salon, check the mirrors to see how much prettier you look wearing a skort and ruffled blouse, then model your new outfit for us, and spend a few minutes talking with the ladies. They'll all be friendly and genuinely supportive of you - and happy that you've chosen to become one of us. Socializing will help you get comfortable with your new appearance."

"Since your old clothes will be safely locked in the trunk of my car, you probably will have realized you won't be changing back.  Once we're finished with your hair, we'll apply lip liner and a coat of bright red "kissable lipstick" that won't require touch up that day, paint your fingernails a matching red, and give you some business-appropriate makeup.  If the girls like how you look (and I can guarantee that they will, since they all think you should be wearing dresses) then it becomes your newest outfit. You'll be wearing it when you leave the shop, and .you can be sure that lots of female eyes will be watching as you walk across the parking lot and get in your car! "

"As for your stirrups outfit - I'll wash it and put it into the rummage sale in place of my skort and blouse. They don't care what they get to sell, and I might even be buying it. Stirrups are a retro style I haven't worn yet, and I think they'll look good on me. Since I want to try a pair, I know yours will fit me, and this way I don't pay much."

I laughed to her that it would be fun for me to be wearing one of her cute skort outfits, and have her working on my hair while wearing one of my stirrups outfits. She said "That's definitely going to happen, sweetie - remember, girls trade clothes all the time!   And my plan is going to drastically enhance your girlie appearance over a several-month period, while painlessly eliminating stirrups from your closet, one pair at a time. Just make sure you're always wearing your stirrups and an old blouse to every appointment, have your legs freshly shaved and in new pantyhose, because your skorts will be a couple inches above-the-knee, short enough to showcase your legs!"

Her plan has actually started, but that's a topic for another post!