I counted how many times I crossdressed for Halloween since my first outing in 1969 and I crossdressed about half those past 55 Halloweens... for parties, work or to just get out en femme for the holiday. 
I no longer work, so that is not an option and I have not been invited to any parties. That leaves going out en femme to shop, dine, bank, etc... things that ladies do when they are out and about.
But for me, the bloom is off the rose called “Halloween.” I’ve done it all on the 31st of October and prefer to go out en femme when there is no safety net.
Civilians are not surprised to see a man in a dress on Halloween, but if they see that same man in a dress any other day, they might not be so sure about who they are seeing. And when I am out, I’d rather have civilians be unsure of who I am rather than clock me as a man in a dress (or a Playboy bunny costume).
And so it goes.
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| Wearing Bebe |
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| Dave Foley in costume for the Halloween episode of Newsradio, which you can view on YouTube by clicking here. |
Presenting en femme is my usual presentation. It's quite seldom I ever present en homme. I have never been insulted or harrased for my presentation. Like you, Stana, I don't attempt to raise the pitch of my voice, which is bass. However, very few people react to my voice while I wear my dresses. I have beyond shoulder length hair, a bust, and painted nails which help my presentation.
ReplyDeleteJohn
My boss thought I should attend work in boy mode for the first time in two years for Halloween. I'm going as Marilyn Monroe instead.
ReplyDeleteHi Heather, the infamous white dress?
DeleteYes it was!
Deletevery VERY few bio males can pull off a Bunny like Stana
ReplyDeleteI sure would have to lose a lot of weight to pull off a Bunny costume.
DeleteStana, well done.
Halloween holds a special place in the hearts of many. It's a day where we can step outside of societal norms and embrace our true selves. For transgender individuals, it's a unique opportunity to express a part of ourselves that often remains hidden.
ReplyDeleteI have fond memories of past Halloweens, and this year is no different. My condo association is hosting a Halloween party tonight, the perfect occasion to wear my favorite Glenn plaid skirt, Marino wool sweater, black pantyhose, and cute heels. It's a chance to share a glimpse of my authentic self with my neighbors, a small act of self-expression that brings me joy.
Happy Halloween, my dear sisters. Embrace this day to be your true selves, without fear or judgment. Let's celebrate our freedom and individuality Paula G
I have only crossdressed in public on three Halloweens that I can think of. Back then, it was an excuse that "made it OK" for me to dress in public. These days, I don't really think about it on Halloween. I have worn three costumes already this season while taking my kids to events. But, I don't really look to my pretty clothes for costumes. Well... I actually did think about adding dressing pretty to my costumes this year, but I did not take myself seriously.
ReplyDeleteI am happy to see you write this post, Stana, because while it may help some get out for a day who are otherwise closeted, it really doesn't do anything to change the paradigm of how people view us gurls. In fact, it may hurt acceptance, which is soooo badly needed today given our current political landscape. In full disclosure, I am guilty of doing the very thing that I now see was wrong and for those who are closeted and feel that you can get away with it for a day, that may be true but go out en femme more than one Halloween and you may inadvertently out yourself to others. Believe me, I know. A friend who I used to go out with on Halloween en femme gave me several copies of her women's fashion magazines out of the blue one day post-Halloween and I was so shocked that I never said a word to her in that moment for fear of being outed back then to mutual friends.
ReplyDeleteToday I'm going in femme to work for Halloween. I took a break from getting ready to look at today's post. It startled me enough that I considered taking off my pantyhose and not wearing anything except traditional male garb. However, I took several deep breaths and decided to continue going through with my plan which is to show up nicely dressed as a typical woman in our office.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time doing this since I've entered the working world and none of my co-workers who are mostly women know that I'm coming this way. I'm wearing a wool navy gaberdine jumper, black pantyhose, a white blouse, and I'll wear a grey cardigan sweater.
I'm trying not to feel too nervous and I'm working up my courage to actually leave for the office. I'm giving my look a B-, but I'm excited.
One Halloween, about 14 years ago when I was 11 in my sister's dress I trick and treated as a girl.
Ladies, wish me luck today.
Susy
Good luck Susy! Know that the entire Casa Stana community is rooting for you:)
DeleteSusy, maybe someday you will have the courage to present en femme everyday, as I do.
DeleteJohn
Suzy hope you had a good day we would love to hear more about it. Perhaps you could write about this for Femulate?
DeleteI was never big on using Halloween as a reason to dress. For me, dressing is an expression of my authentic self and I don't need a holiday to do it at this stage. Still, it represents an open door for people to test the water with being dressed in public and in that regard, it is a very good thing. I hope all of those who get out get out dressed today a completely fun, fulfilling and enlightening experience!
ReplyDeleteLauren
I've been out at work for two years. I lost my Mom in October 2023 so this is the first Halloween I'd been to work since coming out. My youngest kid bought me a dress for my birthday. I went to work in a copy of the iconic Marilyn Monroe white dress. It's the first time I ever felt like I was wearing a costume. I feel a bit disappointed.
DeleteIt looked good on me and my rarely worn blonde wig actually worked well but it didn't feel authentic. When I go to work, I'm just being me so becoming Marilyn was a bit of a stretch.
Heather
Sounds wonderful Susy, please do come back and tell us all about it? Love Linda
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Jessica Rabbit had a twin sister! Such lovely curves, Stana❣️
ReplyDeleteNo feminine costume for me today but I'll be thinking all day about what I would love to wear. I'm curious what everyone would be for Halloween if they could be anything their pretty little heart desired. I would be an Alpine fraulein...prost!
I'd be a beautiful pageant girl in a flowing chiffon and silk crepe gown with a sash saying "MISS........." I'd be dressed totally to the nines in every way and I'd look so feminine and perfect.
DeleteThe only times I went out en femme with the intent of engaging with fellow humans has been on Halloween. I did the entire transformation of dress, heels and hosiery, all the proper undergarments, wig and makeup including fake nails. As an observer and not dressed I saw women huddled together trying to figure out whether the en femme guy was a cross dresser by his mannerism and the ability to walk in high heels. Women seem to know Halloween is a day for cross dressers to come out of the closet.
ReplyDeleteHaving seen Dave Foley's femulations on 'The Kids in the Hall' you just knew he would be dressed pretty on the Halloween episode of Newsradio. And he certainly was, he even got the tiptoe run of a lady in heels right! His girlfriend was mad he looked better than she did in her dress.
ReplyDeleteI certainly remember waiting for Halloween and then still being nervous re: what people would think about me. Very tough going out on Halloween and then back in mothballs . 1/365 just doesn't hack it.Girls should consider finding an alternate location where no one know them and they can pursue going out en femme more frequently . Alert- even that might do it as being enough satisfaction -wise
ReplyDeleteI had only ventured out as "my male self in drag" for Halloween once before, for fun. This year, my new job place had a Costume Contest with a hefty 1st Prize. So I decided to shoot for the moon and go en femme. But I needed a hook, I didn't just want to be a guy in a dress. Our Receptionist was a flight attendant back in the 80's and 90's - so I went as her! I did it all up full - pantyhose, (low) heeled pumps, full 80's make up, press on nails, and a large name tag/wings. (contact me for photos!) I kept it all on for the whole day, making deliveries, going out to lunch - the works.
ReplyDeleteI won.
This was my second (and last) Halloween at work en femme, I'm retiring. I used the same pleather skirt and faux suede fuchsia coat I used in 2019. The good news, they fit better, probably down 5 to 10 lbs. I had my nails color changed to match my outfit, got a new wig, bought lots of cheap detail jewelry, good a used purse. Then got my make-up done at a M.A.C. Put on one of my many knee highs. And had fun.
ReplyDeleteC
I do envy you US girls with Halloween giving you the opportunity to dress. We don't have that option in Europe. We do have Carneval and I have dressed for that but generally as part of a group look and the emphasize is more on grotesque than glamor. All my wife went away for the All Saints holiday I used that as an opportunity to dress even going for a long walk dressed as dawn broke over the deserted streets
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