Think Julia Roberts shopping on Rodeo Drive in Pretty Woman or Dwight Schrute shopping at the Steamtown Mall in The Office. In both cases, their appearance determined whether they received better service or no service.
Similarly, a “man in a dress” is likely to get poorer service than a man who appears to be a lady. (A “man in a dress” is a femulator who does not put much thought and effort into his femulation. His wig looks too wig-like because it is cheap or has not been styled since it exited its shipping box. His makeup is Bozo-like rather than Bazaar-like. Unsightly hair is visible where it should not be visible. His clothes are wrinkled and unkempt. Etcetera.)
A lady, on the other hand, is likely to have attentive sales people at her beck and call, assigning a personal dressing room for madam and fetching clothing off the racks when the sizes madam selected are not quite right. I’ve experienced this treatment many times and it sure affirms my feelings of being a lady.
When I go shopping, my goal is to femulate a professional woman dressed for work, who may have slipped out during lunch to pick up a few things or is on her way home after a long day at the office. Think dress and heels, modest jewelry and makeup and nicely styled hair.
That’s me whenever I go out and since I am dressed to shop – guess what – I shop!
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| Wearing Boston Proper |
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| Nicole, Jamie and Kim out and about at a Denver restaurant celebrating Nicole’s birthday |
I agree wholeheartedly (what a surprise!) In fact, I also could be a charter member of OA. And that scenario of "office lady on her lunch break/on her way home from the office" is what runs through my head whenever I am out at the shops. Plus, I feel SO much more feminine when "fully" dressed that the experience makes my head swim - no matter how much time I am out and about.
ReplyDeleteDON'T be 'man in a dress'.
ReplyDeleteBe a woman --in a mans body-- in a dress.
"An OUNCE of IMAGE beats a POUND of performance"*
Nice, unexpected compliments from women in the public sphere are a huge dividend of the entire 'Art of Femulatiion'.
Velma
*quote from Dr. Lawrence J. Peter --"The Peter Principle"
Good post. When shopping, I try to dress down to blend in with other women, but I see your point. It's true that a well-dressed person gets better respect than a humdrum one. I may now change my approach ... Sue x
ReplyDeleteYes exactly, Stana. I am a member of Overdressers Anonymous too and have often femulated a professional woman, who has nipped out of the office for something. I have also femulated what we in the UK would call a "Boden mum" - a sort of nicely dressed but casual look. My A-line denim midi skirt is an example of this. It is feminine but casual and "middle class" for want of a better word.
ReplyDeletePenny from Edinburgh.
Guilty as charged and a proud member of Overdressers Anonymous! I do tend to get great service when I'm shopping, but I dress nicely because it just feels right. I tend towards feminine business attire which looks nice, can skirt the edge of being sexy, but is still very appropriate for most occasions, especially shopping. Women shop on their lunch breaks and on their way home from work, which allows me to fit right in. I get the whole "blending in" desire and I don't disparage anyone wanting to do that, but I like making a fashion statement and I won't deny that I like standing out.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Sally