Monday 31 December 2018

New Year's

Hello and a Happy New Year to all!

It's hard to think of any achievements I've made this year. It's all just rolled along rather nicely. I do have some changes coming at work in the New Year and although I'm not entirely looking forward to possibly working from home it will mean that I could dress if I wanted and I have seen some lovely dresses that I have been tempted by but they look like the sort I would totally wear for work if I could. I did come close to asking our HR rep about trans issues but I have let it lie for now as I'm not entirely convinced it's something I want to follow through with.

There's been a lot I wanted to blog about but either I just didn't have the time or inclination and I do make my annual promise to blog more if anyone out there even still reads this or wants to read it. One thing I will add about this year though is it reignited my interest in cosplay but there's just so much I want to do. At the moment I'm considering Daphne from Scooby Doo, a classic Harley Quinn and one of those lovely lace collar velvet dresses from Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Oh and I had an idea for a Thirteenth Doctor outfit. People have been asking me if i'm going to do the Thirteenth Doctor and I haven't wanted to so far plus it's been quite a popular cosplay outfit so I want to do something a little different.

I have learnt this year that what I do can inspire people. I was talking to someone at a Star Trek convention that I realise I should have talked to more. However at Halloween I did meet a man at one of my regular events dressed as Wonder Woman (movie version). I could see he was a bit nervous so I went over to talk to him and he actually said I was an inspiration having seen me dressed at previous events. I was very touched and realised the consequences that my actions have had. I hope I can do this more in the future.   


Saturday 29 December 2018

Pink Library #10 Princess to Orc TF

I found this story recently and although its themes are not normally what I would go for, I really found it interesting.

Princess to Orc TF by Quantativeeasing

It's a F2F tale about a snobby elven princess who slowly gets changed into a slobby and smelly orc who eventually delights in her own BO and new position in life. There have been a couple like it recently that I've latched onto where we find the heroine start living like a slob, not shaving and enjoying her own BO so if you like those themes then give this a go. Perhaps as feminisation chimes with me masculinisation in this context does too. I may share more at some point.

Thursday 20 December 2018

Vintage Makeover

Just a little fantasy I've had recently...

I like many different looks including the 1940s/50s look and vintage-look clothes by makers such as Hell Bunny. My recent fantasy involves me going to a vintage fair (and I've been to a few but not had the nerve to dress) and finding some female singers there dressed in a similar style and singing classics into the big 1940s style microphones. I'm wearing a dress I have from Ro-Rox Boutique.

Fairly standard TF from then on I'm afraid. The girls give me a makeover; putting victory rolls in my hair, perhaps some bright red lipstick and maybe some stockings and suspenders or perhaps I just draw down the back of my leg with an eyebrow pencil. No silk, there is a war on you know. Some new shoes, touch of make-up and gloves. Either some short lacy ones or long black ones like I've always wanted to wear (not sure it would look good with my shoulders though) and a handbag filled with cosmetics and other things a girl like me needs (this handbag fantasy goes back to school) and finally I join them on stage to belt out a tune. 

So fairly standard and not at all Christmassy but I thought I would note it anyway :) 

Wednesday 28 November 2018

Cor Blimey Mary Poppins!

I saw the below picture in the Metro newspaper today and was very taken with it.

The picture shows actress Emily Blunt in a photoshoot for the January 2019 edition of Harper's Bazaar UK in celebration of her new role as Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins Returns. I just adore her outfit in this picture and it feels like the perfect blend of the masculine and feminine. A very male shirt, jacket and tie (love a woman in a tie) coupled with a long, flowing skirt and boots. The colours all blend so well together especially the red of the umbrella providing a drop of colour.

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/

Photograph by Richard Phibbs for Harper's Bazaar

Sunday 30 September 2018

Perfect Plaid

Now, anyone who reads this blog (and I hope there are still people that do) will know that I'm a fan of the movie Clueless and Cher's wonderful range of outfits and in particular her iconic yellow plaid skirt suit (which I hope to cosplay one day).

A couple of months ago I was saying how I bought a yellow plaid skirt (zip still needs to be fixed before I can wear it though) well the style seems to be making a comeback as I've seen yellow plaid jumpers, skirts, jackets and dresses pop into numerous shops over the past few weeks. Various colours of plaid skirts are also about and also checks, the main being houndstooth, continue to be popular. In fact most of the patterns I associated with my Grandad's jackets growing up are now being worn by young women.

So now I have decide exactly how much yellow plaid I want to invest in...

Saturday 29 September 2018

Quantum Leap #4: 8 1/2 Months

8 1/2 Months

(15 November 1955)

Sam is...Billie Jean Crockett, Expectant Adolescent 

The Mission...Ensure Billie Jean doesn't give up her baby for adoption. 

Yes, the Quantum Leap reviews are back after three (!) years. OK, so I didn't expect it to be quite that long however I did put the DVD by the TV to remind me. On New Years Day. That was this year though so there's progress. In the interim I've been thinking that crossdressing is a little like Sam Beckett's leaping. I still look down at myself now with painted nails and bracelets on my wrist or maybe wearing a skirt and tights and it still looks a little out of place after you've been used to yourself looking a certain way for so many years. I have gotten used to myself like this more as the time go on but there's still a sense of something off-kilter about and, yes, like I've leapt into a completely different body because you look down and think 'this can't be me.' 

Anyway, on to the review and on our big Quantum Leap checklist of feminine situations reaches pregnancy which is such an obvious one that I'm surprised it took them three seasons to get to it. Billie Jean is an unmarried pregnant teenager in mid 1950s Oklahoma currently living with her friend Dottie Billings and working in her salon. Her mother died and her father threw her out. In the original history, Billie Jean gave her baby up for adoption, regretted it and tried to track her down for the rest of her life. Sam's mission is easy enough in that all he has to do to make sure she keeps the baby is to not sign the adoption papers with the agency but Deborah Pratt's script looks at the wider problems facing the young mother. Placing Sam in the 1950s means he is up against the prejudices of the time and he has to ensure that Billie Jean is cared for and he does so be reuniting her with her estranged father Bob (played by the episode's director James Whitmore Jr) who eventually marries Dottie. We get little info on who Billie Jean and her baby go on to be but it is presumed that they go on to live a good, happy life in the usual QL way.

Again Scott Bakula shines and has some really great scenes in this episode. QL always played a little loose with exactly what happens to Sam when he leaps and how much of the person remains. As stressed in this episode, Sam leaps into place and retains the 'physical aura' of the person however throughout this episode he begins experiencing symptoms of pregnancy. Sam and Al seem to flip their stances as usually Sam is the more rational whereas here Sam fully believes he is experiencing the pregnancy while Al is prepared to put it down to flu. Throughout the episode Sam not only feels the baby kick but he experiences hot flushes, cravings, cramps and increased urination. Towards the end of the episode in among the confusion as he gives birth Al pops in to tell us that Billie Jean has done the same thing - and the baby has disappeared from her womb!

Scott's performance is great throughout. When Sam first leaps in we find him dressed in a large shirt and jeans but he then spends most of the episode in a maternity dress. At first his physicality doesn't change to reflect the pregnancy but subtly he begins to walk with the weight, holding his back, and all without a fake pregnancy belly too. His scene with the lady from the adoption agency is especially well played.

The supporting characters are decent enough with Dottie and Effy the standouts. Dottie's boyfriend Keeter is the typical jerk just there to stir the pot and then we also have the father of Billie Jean's baby, Willis. It's interesting that he more or less gets away with little responsibility. A likeable chap, Sam decides to let him follow his dream and go to college to get out of their small town rather than push on with making him share responsibility. The plot was always heading towards a resolution between Billie Jean and her dad as the way to make sure she gets to raise her kid in a decent future although with Willis as one of his workers I'm suprised we never got the inevitable showdown.  Overall a very good episode.

Monday 27 August 2018

Making a Match

Hi everyone,

As usual I have a number of things I would love to post about and have meant to over the past few months but haven't because of things and stuff and reasons so I thought I would combine them in one post (which I haven't written yet and will be a bit long) but there is also a new entry in my Quantum Leap series (which is long and mostly written) so I thought I would just put something up as to that effect but luckily I have something to say.

A few months ago I bought some coloured tights (red, green, blue) cheaply and today being a Bank Holiday and I'm at home so I thought I would try the red pair out but I was a little stumped as to what they would go with so I sought some answers online (it holds the answers to everything).  I came across an article by Jessica Booth on Gurl.com from 2014 which was very enlightening for example pairing a pair of coloured tights with all your neutral colours, a striped dress, a black dress or using them to give a pop of colour to an outfit. Alternatively you can just go for it with whatever outfit and see what happens. I know from experience that things just go together sometimes when you didn't think they would.

Here's the link: How To Wear Coloured Tights

The one piece of advice I really took on board was to draw a colour from your outfit. For example, when I wore the green tights I paired them with a black dress that has green bird shapes on. There's also my Lost dress (which is not named for the mystery island TV show which ran from 2004-2010 but because whenever I wear it I get lost. This is the dress I got myself stranded in London in) which has pink and light blue flowers on it so I began thinking of the combinations I could use.

So what did I go with in the end? I am presently wearing a pair of blue denim turn-up shorts, black T-shirt (with Optimus Prime on) and a black cardigan with the red tights of course (not a a bright red but more of an earthy colour) plus bright red nails. They've also gone quite well with a pair of brown faux-sheepskin boots I have and some blue trainers. Ended up going for a walk in them too which still takes a spurt of confidence.

Saturday 21 July 2018

Changing Rooms

Today was not one of my betters ones. 

So anyway I mentioned in my last post about a few skirts I had my eye on and today I went into the shop to try them on. Trying things on in a shop is one of the more stressful things I find about my little adventures in crossdressing. Luckily most around my way have a single unisex room (even though in most I have to approach an assistant and mumble my way through asking for a key while trying to conceal my possible purchase. Those are mostly second hand shops though but this time it's a chain store with both a male and female department. 

I picked out my stuff, three miniskirts a black leather look one, a pink leather look one and a light brown one. There was a yellow tartan one which I have been coveting since I saw it because it looks very Cher from Clueless but unfortunately it wasn't there. Not wanting to take my chances with the women's changing room I slunk upstairs to the men's, grabbed a t-shirt to cover the skirts, and tried on the skirts. All too small for me. I picked out my usual size but it seems that means a touch smaller in this store. Oh well, that's sometimes the way it goes. I searched in vain for the right size but it wasn't there so I left. I was quite stressed at this point due to the usual fears and paranoia. 

However, after a cup of tea and a look round some other stores I decided to return. Managed to find my size in the black mini and I finally found the yellow tartan skirt! This time I got a little bolder and went to the women's changing room and was promptly asked to go to the men's upstairs because it was the women's department. Of course I could have explained that although I was a man I was intending to purchase articles from the Womenswear department but I couldn't be bothered to offload all this on the poor shop assistant and cause a scene. So I slunk back up to Menswear (which must always be said in a John Inman type deep voice. I'm imagining it now), grabbed another t-shirt and tried to avoid eye-contact with the guy I met before.  

Well, this time they seemed to fit except that the yellow tartan one had a fairly dodgy zip on it which I managed to get stuck! Yes, sometimes TG captions do come true. It was a fairly hot day anyway and I was getting more stressed with this thing plus I think there was a bit of a gap in the curtain in the changing area too so sweat was pouring down my face. Even though I've done this so many times I'm still aware of what the world at large thinks of it. My own fears, stresses and paranoia get the better of me and it makes me so angry and that causes me to crash and get depressed. So anyway I was able to wriggle out of it and get out of the changing room. Swapping the skirt for a better one and paying for it was a breeze compared to that and I was relieved to get out of there. 

Except that when I got back home I found that I had inadvertently bought a smaller size in the yellow tartan skirt. The hanger lied to me. So anyway, I'll probably head up there early tomorrow to change it and hopefully I might even enjoy my purchases. 

Oh and the girl in the bakery said she liked my nail polish. Which was nice. In case you're wondering, this weekend it's a sparkly red. Try to imagine Dorothy's ruby slippers from Wizard of Oz in liquid form and you have it. So anyway, swings and roundabouts. 


Thursday 19 July 2018

July Update

I've had a few ups and downs this month.

I did go to a friend's birthday wearing a dress (the one I bought last time) and did get a little self conscious. Not too sure why this time, sometimes I just get attacks of doubt especially with the amount of travelling I have to do although I am learning to manage it more. I did have someone ask me my pronoun though for the first time.

I haven't bought much recently but again I had a few doubts when I was trying on some stuff. I just thought I looked lumpy and hairy and horrible. However this can change because I also saw some skirts I really wanted earlier that same day.

Lots more I've wanted to post about recently but I never seem ti have the time to sit down and do it. Hope to have more soon.


Saturday 23 June 2018

Think Pink

Today is National Pink Day so it's no better time to make a post I've been meaning to for a few weeks.

I'm never really going to a pink girl. Bright colours aren't really my thing and indeed since I've started dressing it's interesting to note that I've seen how much black I wear without blue jeans to break it up. However being a pink girl for a while would be fun. As a man I've never really wanted to experiment with different styles that much, grunge, goth, preppie etc but I would love to explore different styles in female clothing; dressing as a chav or a goth or a cybergoth would be really cool. As I've said earlier, I would just as much love dressing as punky chick in ripped tights and a tartan skirt as much as a smart preppy girl in pussy bow blouses, houndstooth skirts and carrying a large handbag.

So at least once I would like to be the pink girl with bright pink nails and a short pink dress maybe with some fluffy pink shoes or a bag. I would probably feel compelled to wear a blonde wig too just to complete the set. I did spot a nice pink dress in a charity shop the other week and was going to try it on just to see what it would look like on me with no intention of buying it (no really honestly. Stop laughing at the back I'm being totally serious just like those guys who want to remake The Last Jedi. I said stop laughing!). I did paint my nails bright pink a couple of weeks ago and really liked the shade and in fact today I have like a metallic pink glittery shade on which does look a bit teen airhead.

Funnily enough I saw a girl in a shop today in such a cute outfit: fluffy pink hooded jacket, hot pink strappy top, denim mini skirt with frayed hem and sandals with pink fluff on. Totally not my style but I would love to wear that outfit. So maybe a little smattering of pink may do me some good.

Wednesday 20 June 2018

June Update

So then after a brief wobble last time, I actually had a really good night a couple of weeks ago when I did a pub quiz. Seriously, I was still smiling the next morning in work and a Monday morning at that so it has to have been really good. I wore a dark blue top with a white Peter Pan collar (which I adore and it fits me so well. Not too tight or too loose) and a lighter blue skirt with a some black tights and my trainers (which always make me feel more at ease anyway).

It wasn't a great night for us in the quiz but I ended up in some interesting conversations especially on the bus back about why I do this. So yes, overall positive.

As for any recent shopping, I bought another dress. I totally didn't mean to though as I have enough already... but I thought I would just try it on...just to see what it looked like...and I loved it. It's black with a small collar with squares and flowers and is a bit Clara Oswald which I suppose it part of why I like it. Rule one - don't fall in love. Oh and there was also a bright red heart necklace.

Saturday 26 May 2018

The Shopping Forecast

Here's a mini-update things that may turn into a rant.

I've been getting really frustrated recently with myself for not going out dressed more. It's like I see women in the street now and feel more jealous than I usually do. Sometimes just opening the door is a big step for me and for a while I've wanted to do my Saturday shopping dressed. Part of it I think is because this area is so familiar to me and with London I can keep moving and get lost in a crowd plus there's also the fact that most of my clothes have come from the charity shops round here. I do suffer from chronic indecision and this time my fears got the better of me and I didn't today. In case you were wondering, it was going to be a denim miniskirt (which I'm wearing now) but I do have bright red nails at the moment so a bit of it was there. Nearly went out dressed to a quiz the other week but the dread words 'replacement bus service' made me decide against it. I can just about do the train but not that. Not that I mean all buses but any travel issue will send me reeling.

Only bought a shirt today. A male shirt.  I know, I'm disgusted with myself too.

I'm still looking to buy some new shoes but can't seem to find anything I like. Shoes have never really been a thing for me as I wear trainers a lot but I think in some situations it calls for something a bit smarter just to fit the feminine aesthetic. This is also the reason why I tried to shave off my body hair last week. Now, I did see a nice pair today, shiny black and with chunky heels and they did have a bit of a gothy/alt look about them. I saw them in a charity shop before, tried them on and left it to chance. they disappeared the next week but turned up in another shop. I tried them on again and came close to buying them but I left it to chance again as I'm not sure about the height of the heel. Never worn heels before so of course it felt a bit odd. I'm undecided about them so should they be still there next week I may even get them.

Also nearly bought a jumper from ASDA in the sale which i really liked but it's near the end of the month and while money is not tight I still think I should stop for a bit as I seem to be buying clothes every week. Just last week I bought what I have dubbed 'The Most Impractical Jumper in History' which is green and white striped with bell sleeves and ties on the end. I would still like the other jumper so perhaps if it's still there next week I'll nab it. Oh and I also tried on a pair of light blue boots. Trying now to recall what else I've bought. There was an octopus necklace which looked like a cursed idol from a horror film, a black rose ring and a grey midi pleated skirt. Also, as you know I was looking at mod dresses from Atom Retro and now there's a sale on so...yup back to chronic indecision.

 

Monday 7 May 2018

May Update

Well, time does fly and it seems I've missed out any sort of entry for April so I'll endeavor to update a bit on this Bank Holiday Monday while I have some time of from a stressful time at work.

I have bought a number of things over the weeks and in fact nary a week goes by without me picking up something new but it still does give me a lot of pleasure looking round all the clothes shops of a Saturday and picking up something. Two things I've bought recently among some new necklaces a ring and some skirts is a lovely red plaid dress with a black pleather collar (a bit worse for wear unfortunately) and some shorts. Now, ever since I started thinking about getting in to CD proper, I've wanted a pair of denim turn up shorts and love the look they give when paired with black tights. They have some fashionable rips in them which is to be honest not a style I like but I can bear it although some people take it up to stupid levels, walking along the street in jeans with such huge rips and tears in you wonder if they had just been attacked by a wild animal. The shorts are a little big for me but otherwise I'm loving them.

I've had my eye on a dress with a Harry Potter theme recently and I've just taken the plunge and ordered it. Vintage clothes are something I've dipped my toe into especially those from around the mid 20th century, I already own a 1940s style Land Girl dress from Hell Bunny and something else I've been thinking about now is a 1960s mod style dress so I've been eyeing up some of the stuff at Atom Retro. Perhaps paired with some Go Go boots too. I do mean to invest in some more shoes as well. I've been looking around but nothings seems to catch my eye.

I continue to dress quite often, usually when I get home from work as a way of reclaiming myself, but sometimes outside which I still hope to do more of. I have considered putting on a dress to go shopping in but although I can brave London, my local area feels a little too much for now.

Speaking of work, I've often had the fantasy of getting up at the normal time, catching the normal train...and then turning right round and catching the next one back. This started years ago back when I was in college and I used to see the bus home leaving just as I arrived. Now I'm wondering how cool it would be to wear a dress just for this little trip (on a day off obviously) and there are obviously thoughts of whether to get breakfast (this is a very important point). So that's a little fantasy of mine to round off.

Thursday 15 March 2018

Cosplay: Intentional or Otherwise

I haven't done a big convention in a while...and the last few weeks have been no exception however there was a cosplay contest at a quiz I've started doing every few weeks so I brought out my Amy Pond for another spin. Getting changed inside a pub was a challenge but I have become quite a quick change over the past year due to the fact that I always seem to be changing clothes in toilets (mainly in train stations) for various occasions.

Unfortunately I didn't win which left me feeling unusually disappointed. I never expect to win these things as there is usually someone whose costume is so much better and more detailed however despite a good standard I felt I would at least place within the top three. I don't mean to sound like an egotistical prick (despite the fact I'm writing this on my own blog) so please forgive me and I was as shocked as anyone that this actually surprised me. Still, it was a good night and I have some good photos plus I had some people come up to me afterwards and say that I should have won.

Staying with Amy, last week I picked up a nice denim mini skirt perfect for more adventures as Ms Pond - now all I've got to do is pick an outfit out. I did want to do pirate Amy from The Curse of the Black Spot at one time but I think that's the wrong colour skirt.

The same day I also went to try on a  skirt I had my eye on and also a dress I thought was cute. True to form, I ended up buying the dress instead. I really love it and am looking forward to an opportunity to wear it. I did wonder if it was something Clara wore and posited it could have been like the pinafore from the Under the Lake two-parter or the dress from The Name of the Doctor. Turns out it was neither but it certainly looks like something she would wear. There may be something in it after all.

Wednesday 7 March 2018

Bum Bags

Here's a little fashion tip for you, it looks like that old Nineties staple the bum bag is going to be making a comeback.

Now in case a few of you are wondering what the hell I'm talking about they were also called Fanny Packs in the US (to the amusement of us here in Blighty) and McDonalds, for some reason, also christened them the Hip Pouch an they used to give them away with Happy Meals. I used to have one back in the day and they were quite useful but after a few years they drifted into the kind of naffness reserved for shell suits and other tat.

Now it appears that they are coming back and with a bit of a twist. Back in the day the bag fitted round the waist but it seems more people are slinging them over their shoulders and wearing them as a cross body bag. An article I saw the other week also renamed them as belt bags. Certainly it seems like a viable alternative when you have little or no pockets (especially in the summer months when you don't have a big coat) and don't need to cart around a large bag. I know from the occasions I've worn dresses out that you need something and I don't like loading up my coat with my wallet, phone etc. I can only imagine what some people cart around especially if you put make-up into the mix.

On set photos from the new series of Doctor Who have also confirmed that Jodie Whittaker will be wearing one in at least one episode.

So if you want to stay in style it seems that a trip back to the Nineties may be in order - and at least you'll know where to put your keys.

Basic black bumbag as featured on Boohoo.com





Saturday 3 March 2018

Other People's Clothes

I was reading one of the Sunday papers the other week and comedian Jenny Eclair, when asked who her style heroes are, answered "young women on the street" and I have to agree with her. The best thing you can do to know what's in and how to wear it is by observing other people. That's not meant to sound/be creepy by the way.

For example, I could tell you that big coats, hats and scarves are in especially this week. Go figure. Well, if I were to go into more details I would say that bobble hats are in often with a big furry ball on top (some have two for that extra Minnie Mouse look). In fact fake fur is in now especially dyed all sorts of bright colours. This winter I've seen lots of coats, many green anoraks with the hood covered in bright fur (often pink or blue). Furry gilets are still in and coats of fur that are many different colours and patterns. I think I did mention this before and I feel that it's Game of Thrones inspired.

I have to also admit that while my interest in Take Me Out has waned over this last series, I still like seeing what outfits the girls wear and there have been some lovely dresses and tops/skirts combos this year. I'm noticing necklaces more these days too. I've also very recently been looking at 60s Mod dresses too. So cute.

Saturday 24 February 2018

February Update

Wow, it's been quite long since I last updated this. My apologies to anyone still reading.

Well nothing startling has happened during the last couple of months apart from my work situation getting progressively worse and I'm actively considering a change. I also played football for the first time in 20 years (because I'm totally all macho and stuff). I have also been buying some new clothes including a couple of skirts and the absolutely marvellous find of a green and black Ro Rox Boutique dress for £6.99. Really looking forward to wearing it...now all I need is an opportunity.

I did have such an opportunity a few weeks back when I went out for drinks with some friends. First thing that went wrong was that I had recently bought a new pack of tights which weren't as thick as I was expecting and ended up showing that I hadn't shaved my legs that evening. The next thing was that I went and got lost around Chelsea looking for a pub...and wearing the same dress I got lost in a few months ago. There's almost a cap in there somewhere. I seemed to do what I do most times I drink and drag and that's to end up feeling sorry for myself near the end of the night. I feel silly and end up almost cursing myself for not just dressing 'normal' instead and saving myself a lot of trouble.

Not that I get in trouble though because thankfully the other shoe hasn't dropped yet. In fact I'm getting very nice comments on my nails especially from shop staff. That night I also had some lovely compliments especially about the necklace I had on. However my regrets didn't stop me from going out again the next night wearing a denim skirt and pair of purple tights. That got a few looks. Luckily I remembered to shave my legs and some of my arms. Not the best idea during all the cold weather we've been having as I've learnt the past few weeks.

I'm also still experimenting with the nail polish I got for Christmas and I'm hoping to try some eyeshadow I bought soon. Also bought a new bracelet. Oh and today I tried on a few things, white skirt, a dress and some shoes, but didn't come away with anything. I think I may have to resist the dresses for a bit.