Tricia's 2nd Favorite Photos (of Tricia!)

Some weeks back, Stana was kind enough to run my photos and story about Tricia’s favorite photo of her in her replica 17th Century ball gown, plus a “normal” shot.

There appears to have been a lack of this genre on Femulate in recent times, so the “ever helpful” Tricia is quite happy to volunteer another duo of photos.

In addition to the “Lady Patricia” gown, I have always fantasied about the Gone With the Wind sweeping down the staircase” style of period dress. So via the US website, www.recollections.biz, I was able to purchase the gorgeous gown you see in the shot. I teamed this with a red head curly wig and other accessories and again, together with my very favorite and ever so skillful makeup artist, was able to have a makeover and if I do say so myself, “look the part.”

No so much as Scarlett O Hara as “Scarlett O’Tricia.” The only drawback was that I could not order a hoop crinoline with the gown to fill it right out. Tricia has a very large “Sheduior” with all manner of male hobbies to provide “nook and cranny” places to hide her femme things. However, a hooped crinoline would have been just too hard.

The “normal shot” has some history as well. In addition to period dress, Tricia just loves classy evening gowns and the one I am wearing came from Light in the Box, one of the well-known Chinese online retailers. Very cheap for the amount of work involved in the dress, but I made a critical error in the bust measurement in the first one and left it at that, until such time as I wore it and the strawberry blonde wig you see in the photo. Then I just had to reorder it in the correct size for as is evident, the hair color and style, plus the superb makeover, make Tricia look at least 20 years younger than her male self. I just love the beading, the color and especially the brush train…

The “downer” with this hair and dress combination came at the Seahorse Society Ball in Sydney in August 2014 when the makeup artist was substandard and made Tricia look not much better than a “man in a dress.” That event was supposed to just about be the pinnacle of Tricia’s crossdressing career, so the night was a bit of a letdown. What was especially disappointing, given Tricia’s SO knows about her, but does approve, it took months of planning to organize a “legitimate” side trip in order to get to the Ball. That “excuse” is unlikely to work ever again.

But there was a funny side. The ball is held at a hotel close to Sydney airport. At “pre ball cocktails” there was circa 200 attendees all “frocked up to the nines” milling in the bar, foyer and reception area. In the same area was a large group of goggle-eyed tourists. Tricia doubts what they saw that night was included in their “Australian holiday sightseeing tour package!!!” Sydney Harbour and kangaroos for sure, but not a very large group, (of in some cases, 6’3”) "women" in killer high heels

Happy dressing everyone!

My open invitation to post your favorite photo along with the story behind it and the reason it is your favorite photo still stands, so don't be shy, send me your fave foto. ― Stana

Source: Intermix

A student in Belfast, Ireland femulated the school principal for charity.

Diane's Favorite Photo (of Diane!)

Hi Stana,

Here is a pix taken at 70th Birthday at Carla's in San Jose.

Hope you can post on your blog.

Hugs,

Diane

That's two days in a row that Femulate has featured photos from San Jose. The Capital of Silicon Valley must be a hotbed of Femulate readers!

Anyway, you don't have to be from San Jose to see your photos here. My open invitation to post your favorite photo along with the story behind it and the reason it is your favorite photo still stands, so don't be shy, send me your fave foto. ― Stana

Wearing Nicholas.

Canadian soldiers performing as the Dumbells during World War I.

Tricia's Favorite Photo (of Tricia!)

Fulfillment of a Lifetime Dream

Tricia Riley, April 2013

Tho’ I have no idea why, since my pre-teens, I have had a fascination with female period dress, especially formal long gowns with crinoline skirts.

Today marks the fulfillment of owning such a garment. Unlike “days of yore” when communications were so primitive, today with the Internet and on-line shopping, Tricia Elizabeth Riley (AKA “Lady Patricia of the Highlands”) has completed her first “dress rehearsal” in a lovely 1700’s style ball gown. A crinoline underskirt would have been too hard to store, so the fact this wonderful creation has collapsible side panniers has more than made up for this.

The colours are a deep pink underskirt and ivory overskirt and top. The bodice is a paisley-covered combination of these colours and features a rose at the bust.

Thus, as soon as practicable this morning, Tricia got herself made up, attached her breast forms and dressed in her best corset and lingerie. Then came the challenge of the dress for the first time. The panniers were tricky for a start, but Tricia soon worked those out.

Then THE moment. On with the dark pink underskirt over the panniers, then the ivory overskirt and detachable “velcroed” bodice. The sleeves are only ¾, so the pink long sleeve gloves purchased to hide the arm hair were a good and necessary investment.

Thence, to the “crowning glory” ― curly blond “Marie Antoinette” wig, long dangly pink and rhinestone earrings,(to match the dress) and a glittering rhinestone necklace. In order to complete the “off to the 17th century ball” picture, a pink with white feather “masked ball mask” was put in place.

The entire dress creation was made for me by E.T. Costumes in Melbourne, Australia. The owner, Christine, did a fabulous job at a very reasonable price.

Will someone please pinch me. Surely I am dreaming all this and I will wake up soon!!. But no… it is for real…

Crossdressing nirvana has been achieved!

Hugs to all!!

Lady Patricia

2016 Update: Sadly Christine passed away after she made this lovely outfit for me. The photo was taken about a month after I wrote about wearing the dress for this first time. This was the first of three professional makeovers by a genius makeup artist, who again, sadly for Tricia has since moved interstate.

P.S. Being a “glutton for punishment,” about a year later I bought a gorgeous “Scarlett O'Hara” Civil War gown from Recollections Inc. in the USA.

If anyone is interested in “Chapter 2” of this “tale,” happy to provide same.

Calling all girls! My open invitation to post your favorite photo along with the story behind it and the reason it is your favorite photo still stands, so don't be shy, send me your fave foto. ― Stana

Wearing Spiegel.

Actress Vittoria Schisano covers Italian Playboy.

Lena's Favorite Photos (of Lena!)

Hi again to Stana from Australia. My alter ego name is Lena or Lenni. A reason for the two photos being among my favorites is they are among the first to be taken in my garden at the front of the property. Behind me are trees and bushes etc, which shield the property from the passing public parade either on their way to the shops or the beach.

Like many other people who read your blog, wish to again say how much I enjoy it. Appearing as convincing as possible is so important and then being accepted for who we are. Emulating females seems to be a high priority in crossdressers' lives around the world. As you are still asking for ''best'' photos, I have many favorites and the two herewith were taken late last year at my block of units that I own. I don't think I look too bad for a 77 year old!

Calling all girls! My open invitation to post your favorite photo along with the story behind it and the reason it is your favorite photo still stands, so don't be shy, send me your fave foto. ― Stana

Stockholm street style

Womanless beauty pageant contestant Number 7 might have shaved
her legs if she knew she was going to be today's Femulator.

Susan's Favorite Photos (of Susan!)

These pictures are from my one-week stay in Hilton Head, South Carolina. I stayed at my weekly timeshare in both 1994 and 1996. I spent the whole week as Susan King. I did not bring any male clothes.

It was my 1996 vacation that I enjoyed the most. The main reason was that I joined the Internet in 1995 followed by joining a "crossdressing" message board. I found a group living in Hilton Head and began to communicate with them.

I left Atlanta traveling to Orlando on Thursday, May 23, 1996. I stopped by to visit my parents for a few days. My mother wanted to take me shopping to buy a few items for my vacation. On Friday, my mother took me to a local department store and we spent a couple of hours shopping for a few female summer outfits. It was so much fun and something I always wanted to do.

I left for Hilton Head, South Carolina, on Saturday May 25, 1996. On my way, I stopped at a nail salon and had a set of acrylic nails put on. It was the first time I had a set of nails. At first I felt apprehensive and the tech had to tell me to relax my hands. But she did such a great job and I enjoyed those nails all week.

Over the week, I met with a few other "crossdressers" who lived on the island. We had a great time shopping, having meals together and touring the island and the neighboring city of Savannah.

These pictures are from the first full day of my trip. One of the friends I met took a few picture of me. I loved the casual outfit. I bought a white hair band to hold my hair back and away from my face.
When I look at this picture, I find it interesting that I am wearing stockings during the warm Hilton Head weather.

I will always have fond memories of this vacation. I knew, after that trip that I wanted to transition.
Now I am finally transitioning. But I needed those past 20 years to build my business and raise my children
.
I would like to thank Stana for making some of those past 20 years easier by living through her experiences discussed in this blog.

Calling all girls! My open invitation to post your favorite photo along with the story behind it and the reason it is your favorite photo still stands, so don't be shy, send me your fave foto. ― Stana

Wearing Badgley Mischka.

Singer Serban Copot femulating on Romanian television's Te Cunosc de Undeva.

Erica's Favorite Photos (of Erica!)

Dear Stana,

I want to say thank you a million times. Femulate has become a very important positive thing in my life for one big reason ― it has helped me find a way out into the world as my true self. What could be bigger?

My goal is to transition to being the woman I am full time. This week has been my very first week of what I am planning to be a three-year process. It has been my dream to be myself at least since I was 12 years old. For more than four decades, I never have been able to see my way to fulfill this dream until now.

Seven months ago, I was at a very low point in my life. I had daily thoughts of ending it. A friend said to me he thought it was good I didn't keep a gun in the house. He maybe was right. A big reason I was depressed was because my marriage had ended. It was complicated, but a lot of the trouble was due to me being transgender. 

Just prior to my marriage, I had promised myself that trans was over and that I always would keep this secret from my wife. I had come out in two previous relationships, neither of which lasted long after that. Many readers here will understand what I mean by "purge." All of my clothes and shoes left one day in a box, picked up by a garbage truck in a Chicago alleyway. In the end, I had to try to tell my wife anyway. She was so angry that the marriage was pretty much over before I could give her a full explanation. (Amazingly, my ex-wife is very supportive now.)

I had to do something. I finally decided to do the obvious thing ― I decided to stop suppressing my transgender identity. What followed has been nothing short of a miracle. As therapy tells us, suppression and secrets take enormous emotional strength and exact terrible costs. So almost immediately after releasing myself, my mood soared to the highest point it had been for years. Body hair came off, I bought some new dressy clothes, heels, sleepwear, and so on for home life (I live by myself now). 

But then I realized this was not enough. I had to be out in public as a woman. My approach was to buy things I could wear everyday. I got some casual wear, sandals, capris pants, etc. and started just wearing these clothes all the time. I even spent a couple of days all around town in Minneapolis during Pride Week in my most feminine casual attire. Nobody said, “Boo.” I was onto something! 

In the seven months that followed, I practiced voice and mannerisms, got a lot more clothes, and even wore toned-down, androgynous outfits to work nearly every day. I wear these wedge-heeled booties all the time ― obviously women's ― no one seemed to notice or care. After a while, though, I came to the realization that what I have been doing is so good, so right, and so necessary for me to live the rest of my life that I decided that my transitioning to full time is the right course of action.

The first week of the New Year has been an intensely joyful launch of my transition. Really, I have been reborn. And I have a new sister, Ava Green, who has helped me enormously. I cannot thank her enough. Emotion wells up in me now when I think of her. 

The pictures you see were taken with Ava.  They, of course, jump off the charts as my favorite pictures of me that ever have been taken. She created an Eva Marie Saint North by Northwest look for me that moves me so much I know I am going to want to recreate and improve it again and again. Wow, I didn't think I could wear a form-fitting dress, but Ava got me into one. Being a woman is so very, very, very much fun!

I did feel some discrimination in my new role as myself ― all positive in my favor. It's amazing how people treat a well-dressed woman. "Yes, ma'am, can I help you,"  ...  "How are you ladies doing?" ... "That's such a pretty ring!" ...  They're all over you with kindness I don't remember getting before. Ava said I was natural at using my feminine face and smile. I suppose it comes from letting my emotions and true self out. Or maybe it was just from batting false eyelashes! 

The restaurant scene is at a great Thai place Ava suggested. Here's to you, Ava! And to you too, Stana!!

The road ahead will be long and undoubtedly will have many difficulties. I am way more public now than ever before. It's getting tricky, so I am trying to plan carefully how to come out completely ― including at work (where I'm not yet) ― at the right time. But my terror is gone. We can live our authentic lives as transgender women! We can do it!

Please let readers know, Stana, that I'm keeping a travelogue of my transition at http://ericajkilian.blogspot.com. I want to try to contribute to our community as much as possible, the same as you and many of the very fine people whose blogs you list. Your links are a wonderful resource. For example, I found Hannah's Diary through you, and from there I found Ava! Don't doubt for a second that you're doing something important here!

Thank you so much, Stana.

Erica Kilian

Calling all girls! My open invitation to post your favorite photo along with the story behind it and the reason it is your favorite photo still stands, so don't be shy, send me your fave foto. ― Stana

Wearing Joie.

Actor Jonas Chernick wearing fur coat in the 2012 Canadian film My Awkward Sexual Adventure.

Kathy's Favorite Photo (of Kathy!)

Hallo Stana,

At first I'd like to thank you for your blog. It's so inspiring and motivational for ― I guess ― a lot of people (including me).

My real name is Karsten (I haven't really decided on a "real" feminine name ― online I mostly go by Kathy so that's fine :D ). I come from Germany.

Always in my life I knew I was different. I also accepted that in a way, but I thought I could just live out those desires in private, for myself. I also have gone out en femme for a couple of years. But I never told anyone except my last girlfriend. She seemed OK at first, but I was still uncertain with my situation, so we eventually broke up.

Anyway, I still tried to keep things private, but in the recent months the pressure was getting worse and I finally decided to seek help. I outed myself to my sister, which was super positive and is now my biggest supporter (love u sis!). We still didn't tell our parents, but will eventually at the end of the year (so I can have the new year as the start of my long journey).

I also recently started to take pictures of me (something that I before avoided), but I never really was satisfied with it until That picture!

It feels like for the very first time, I really caught a glimpse of the beauty that is inside of me. I even started to cry a little when I first saw it on my computer screen :')

That picture moved something in me. I guess for the first time I realized who I really was. I am that girl! I will become that girl inside and outside. I will fight for being that girl ― for being me.

It will be a long journey ― but I'm finally on my way.

Wish you all the best in the world!

Love Kathy

Calling all girls! My open invitation to post your favorite photo along with the story behind it and the reason it is your favorite photo still stands, so don't be shy, send me your fave foto. ― Stana

Wearing Alexis Sonia.

Boys are girls in Brazil, too.

Paula's Favourite Photo (of Paula!)

Hi Stana,

You recently put out an appeal for favourite photos. I feel a bit of a fraud since I sent you a photo a last year. That was the one with my trombone taken as an ad for a concert I was playing with the London Gay Symphony Orchestra. Since then a lot of water has flowed under the bridge and my life has changed in all sorts of ways. Not least that I am now living authentically full-time.

Earlier this year my Friend Vanessa Lees (http://www.vlfmp.tumblr.com) put together a photographic exhibition of portraits of trans people going about their normal day-to-day lives; a welcome change from the usual overly glamorous or sexualized images we so often see.

As one of her subjects, I was invited to the first night, maybe not quite a red carpet affair, but nonetheless, great fun. During the course of the photo sessions, Vanessa and I became better and better friends. She expressed this very generously by letting me have a pair of earrings she had made and a dress she had bought for herself, but had no occasion to wear.

Attending the exhibition I knew I wanted to present myself well. I also wanted to make a big thank you to Vanessa for all she was doing. I could think of no better way of thanking her than by wearing the dress and earrings she had given me. The photo shows me with one of the photos of me at the exhibition on that first night. It is a wonderful memory of a great evening, it was also one of those rare occasions when my whole look came out just how I wanted. I felt like a star, my self-confidence came together and frankly, I haven’t looked back since!

Keep up the good work, it is a very big commitment to keep getting out a daily blog, especially of complexity of Emulate.

Many thanks,

Paula

Calling all girls! My open invitation to post your favorite photo along with the story behind it and the reason it is your favorite photo still stands, so don't be shy, send me your fave foto. ― Stana

Wearing Dolce & Gabbana.

Marty at a New Year's Eve ball in Brooklyn, NY, 1974.

Paulette's Favorite Photo (of Paulette!)

Here's a picture of me, taken about 10 years ago. Born in 1950, I've had over half a century of happy crossdressing, and not "grown out of" my sartorial preferences yet.

However, since every silver lining has a cloud, here are a couple of (im)pertinent questions

1) I've always failed to understand my behavior. Luckily, Stana's recent heads-up on the topic broaches the not-unreasonable possibility of my mother's use of the female hormone diethylsilbestrol when pregnant with me to conquer miscarriage. And now since both parents are long dead, happily (can I say that?) I'm excused aren't I?

2) I've always enjoyed an arousal element and this is not yet extinguished. In my case, dressing still energizes like a dose of HRT. And so it has to asked, would not all seniors benefit from silk underwear and some decent heels?

3) After a lifetime in the closet, I worry just a little at the possibility of a sudden stroke while dressed. If not immediately fatal, surely I'll die of shame when the paramedics arrive?

4) Then how will my executors cope with the sheer quantity of my many extravagances? Will my heirs be forever finding caches of forgotten clothes every time the house is remodeled? ("Oh look, a hidden cupboard full of granddad’s crinolines. There, under that old bird's nest. Oh. It's another wig.")

5) And then there's the 1-in-5 possibility of late-onset alzheimer's. As when confronted by a wizened lady in the bedroom mirror, I shout, "Do I know you? You're not my mother. Get out of my house!"

Crossdressing is not easy at the best of times. All that dodging and hiding. Not to mention smudged lipstick on the teeth. And just lately I feel there should be some recognition of the extra difficulties faced by gender-bending seniors. Luckily, some of this is covered in Amazon's excellent Transparent episodes. And hooray, a new series started 11th December.

Keep up the good work!

Paulette

Calling all girls! My open invitation to post your favorite photo along with the story behind it and the reason it is your favorite photo still stands, so don't be shy, send me your fave foto. ― Stana

Wearing Pierre Cardin.

Two females and one femulator.

Carolyn's Favourite Photo (of Carolyn!)

Here is another favourite. Since sending you the last one, I thought a warmer weather one would compliment the previous wrapped pic.

I am sitting in the atrium of the Midland Hotel in Manchester in front of the sumptuous flower feature. The Midland is a lovely place for afternoon tea or a gorgeous meal; the restaurants are exceptional. 

I am wearing my summer plumage (well, my only summer plumage really). I don't do hot weather so my choice of summer clothes is very limited. Gloves as always, I never am without them, they are my passion, my main fetish, I have fifteen pairs at the last count, all in thin kid skin. What I am without, sadly are my usual f/F stockings, it was too hot for them that day, Ah!

The photo, as usual, was taken by my special friend Madame Margi. She and I just love getting out and about dressed to the nines, especially in winter (which is most of the time) where we can wear our cosy woolens long gloves and of course, fabulous furs. I'm glad I live in a cool climate.

Is it my favourite favourite? Well, maybe but a good one nevertheless, for me to show off. Not bad for a 71-year-old?

Carolyn in dreich Edinburgh

Calling all girls! My open invitation to post your favorite photo along with the story behind it and the reason it is your favorite photo still stands, so don't be shy, send me your fave foto. ― Stana

Wearing Alexis.

Transwomen wedding party in Plainville, Connecticut, in 1974.