Fire Sale

My mother-in-law used to say it looked like my wife went to a "fire sale" when she would purchase the same exact item of clothing in a variety of colors.

I am guilty of the same thing. When I find something that is just right, I will purchase more of the same figuring that the item may not be available in the future. That's how I ended up with four pairs of the same high heel pumps, two in black and two in nude. Or the same sets of bras and girdles, one pair in white and the other in black.

Previously, I mentioned the pencil skirt I bought at Macy's last month. I did not mention that it is figure-hugging and one of the few skirts I own that shows off my derreire.

I have no rear end! My wife has commented more than once about my flat dupa. But somehow, this pencil skirt manages to adjust what little I have to give me a shapely butt. I assume it is the result of the tightness of the skirt and the stretchiness of the skirt's scuba fabric.

I bought the skirt in a beautiful shade of blue (called "Lazulite") and regretted not buying it in other colors, too.

Last week, I noticed a pop-up ad from Macy's showing the skirt on sale. And if I bought two, shipping was free, so I sashayed as quick as a Playboy bunny to the Macy's website and ordered one in black and one in red.

I am my mother-in-law's daughter-in-law!

Wearing New York & Company (Source: New York & Company)

During a fundraiser for Alzheimer's research, Kennesaw, Georgia, Mayor Derek Easterling performed as Christina Aguilera and was highly criticized by the local transphobes and haters. (Thanks to Peggy Sue for the heads-up about this story.)

Someday Funnies

Wearing Veronica Beard (Source: ShopStyle)

This is not a femulator. This is a male modeling the latest in men's fashions from Spanish designer Palomo. 

Happy Aphelion Day!

A nurse femulation, circa 1920

Tuesday, I went to the doctor for a physical ― my first in the 21st Century.

This was a brand new doctor for me. My old GP moved years ago (probably in the 20th Century) and his office is now nearly an hour away, so I have been looking for a new GP.

When I had my first bout with poison ivy in May, I went to the local urgent care center and while I was there, I asked if there were any GP's in that medical building (which is a very convenient 10 minutes from my home). They gave me a list and when I returned home, I researched the list and chose one as my new GP.

I think I made a good choice. He is young, personable and seems to know his stuff. Instead of giving me a physical, he wanted me to get blood work and then come back for the physical after he gets the results, which makes sense to me. (I got the blood work done Thursday morning.)

They did check my vitals and took a urine sample. The doctor gave me a clean bill of health regarding my vitals and urinalysis, so so far, so good.

Since colon cancer runs in my family, he referred me for a colonoscopy (my third ― I hate the prep, but don't mind the test) and he also referred me to a vein center to deal with the varicose veins in my left leg.

I had varicose veins in that leg surgically removed over 25 years ago, but they returned about ten years ago. Now, instead of surgery, they stick a needle in my leg and insert some drug that dissolves the veins, so I will not have to go to the hospital as I did 25 years ago.

And so it goes.

Wearing BooHoo (Source: BooHoo)

Patrick Timsit (right) femulates in the 1995 French film Pédale douce.

Thor's Day

Dental Role Reversal Dept.

My first dentist from about age 5 to age 30 (circa 1956 to 1981) was a my father's boyhood friend.

His wife was the receptionist in his office.

When he retired, I searched for a new dentist and started going to a fellow my mother recommended. He eventually retired too (three years ago) selling his business to a woman fresh out of dental school and I began going to her.

Her husband is the receptionist in her office. (No, he does not wear a skirt.)

Tighten Up Dept.

Here is a tip from Dressing a Male as a Female:

Form-fitting clothing looks better than you think. It may look and feel a little awkward at first, but deciding to wear form-fitting clothing instead of baggy, relaxed styles is definitely the way to go. It creates the natural outline of a woman's body easier, and helps you create the full illusion. Whether it be dresses, skirts, pants or tops, clothing cut close to the body works best.

Shaken, Not Stirred Dept.

Best Bond Bond: Sean Connery

Best Bond Flick: From Russia With Love

Wearing Boston Proper (Source: Boston Proper)

David Michaels femulating in the 1998 film Rough Draft.

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Happy Independence Day!

The Fourth of July is just a reference to a calendar date. No matter how much they try to brainwash us with "Fourth of July," remember it is really Independence Day, the day that the colonists thumbed their noses at the British and said we will do it our way, not your way.

Independence Day was the precursor of our Constitution and the Bill of Rights that some of our current leaders and fellow citizens are trying to amend to better fit their idea of what this nation should be: a nation under their “god.”

Well, their god is not my god. Their god does not have compassion for anyone that does not follow what they consider to be their self-defined "norms." There is no room for transpeople, as well as the other segments of GLBT in the nation under their god.

Our forefathers separated from Britain to get away from people like these so-called theists and it is time we reclaim the real meaning of Independence Day here before it is just a fond memory.

Wearing Boston Proper (Source: Boston Proper)

Femulator Shaun Mitchell and girlfriend Mel Wood in 2013. I wonder if they are still a couple today.

Cheeky Monday

Mark Your Calendar Dept.

A Reminder: Independence Day falls on the 4th this year!

Passing Interest Dept.

For Many Trans People, Not Passing Is Not an Option is an interesting article in Slate's GLBT Passing series. 

Cary Grant Never Said "Judy, Judy, Judy" Dept.

The three "Judy" songs on my iPod that I know by heart: Judy In Disguise (With Glasses) by John Fred and His Playboy Band, Judy's Turn To Cry by Lesley Gore and Suite: Judy Blue Eyes by Crosby, Stills and Nash.

Thanks To You Dept.

I want to thank everyone who has contributed to my Coffee Break fund. Your generous contributions help defray the costs of operating the blog and also motivates me to keep on blogging! Thank-you!

Wearing Intermix dress, Alexandre Birman sandals and Simon Miller bag (Source: Intermix)

A Femulate Favorite: the lovely British artist Grayson Perry

Someday Funnies

Wearing New York & Company (Source: New York & Company)

The femulating Le Cagelles of La Cage Aux Folles

Friday is for Femulating!

I See Nothing, I Know Nothing Dept.

Victoria kindly sent me this link at The Pegasus Archive, which contains hundreds of POW images in its Photo Gallery. The Gallery is arranged by country, camps and topic. Search the "Theatre" topic for possible femulations (like the one in today's "Femulator" slot below).

Glamulate Dept.

This week's glamulator is Alana, who recently underwent a glam makeover using the online app "Your Face on a Glamorous Magazine Cover In Seconds!"

What's Up Doc Dept.

I am going to a new (to me) doctor for a physical examination next week. If he sees the shaved parts of my body that males don't normally shave and asks why, should I admit I am trans or should I lie like a president?

Wearing a skirt or dress is not always a safe option for a crossdresser, but wearing manly garb like a pair of pants should not cause much concern. And if someone complains, just hit them with your purse. (Source: Pinterest)

A womanless wedding at Stalag XXIA (Copyright Michael Turnbull)

Thursday Tomfoolery

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First Gent: Who was that lady I saw you out with last night?

Second Gent: That was no lady; that was my brother.

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How many crossdressers does it take to change a lightbulb?

Three. One to climb the ladder to change the lightbulb, one to hold the ladder and one to take photos of the event.

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Did you hear about the crossdresser who wanted a night on the town? He wanted to eat, drink and be Mary.

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When should you discourage your husband from exercising and dieting?

When he wants to fit in your clothes!

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At a busy bus stop, a beautiful young crossdresser wearing a tight leather skirt was waiting for a bus.

As the bus stopped and it was his turn to get on, he became aware that his skirt was too tight to allow his leg to come up to the height of the first step of the bus.

Slightly embarrassed and with a quick smile to the bus driver, he reached behind to unzip his skirt a little, thinking that this would give him enough slack to raise his leg.

He tried to again take the step, only to discover that he couldn’t.

So, a little more embarrassed, he once again reached behind to unzip his skirt a little more and for the second time attempted the step. Once again, much to his embarrassment he could not raise his leg.

With a little smile to the driver, he again reached behind to unzip a little more and again was unable to take the step.

About this time, a large guy who was standing behind the crossdresser picked him up by the waist and placed him gently on the step of the bus.

The crossdresser went ballistic and turned to the would-be Samaritan and screeched, "How dare you touch my body! I don’t even know who you are!"

The guy smiled, "Well, ma’am, normally I would agree with you, but after you unzipped my fly three times, I figured we were friends."

Wearing Paige (Source: Paige)

Garland Strate gets made up for the Mess Guymon Pageant at Guymon (OK) High School in the mid-1960s. (Thank you, Starla, for the photo.) 

Gulag Gurls

Cassidy wrote, "Quick question. I, from time to time see on your blog and others WWI and WWII POWs dressed as women (femulating) and performing for other inmates. I always wondered where they got the clothing to do so. Could you offer an answer?"

I had the same question when I discovered all the photos of POW femulations.

I wondered if the Geneva Convention required every POW facility to be stocked with the latest in female clothing, wigs, makeup, etc., to permit the prisoners to dress en femme?

Did the POW camp commander ring up his favorite dress shop and order some frocks for the prisoners whenever they wanted to put on a show?

I asked those questions (with tongue in cheek), but I was curious because it seemed to me that these "girls" were not wearing homemade outfits put together from scraps of material that they scrounged up in camp. Rather they were dressed as fashionable women of the day would dress in outfits that came off the rack of women's clothier.

What's the real story? 

With nothing but time on their hands, the POWs would make their costumes using whatever scraps of material they could find, repurpose or barter from the prison guards. They even made high heel shoes! If you ever saw the film The Great Escape, it shows the prisoners making civilian clothing and Nazi uniforms (for their escape) the same way.

(Reminds me of the time before I had the courage to shop for women's clothing in person that I made a red satin micro-miniskirt from a scrap of material that my mother had left over from a sewing project.)

As they say, "Where there's a will, there's a way."

On the other hand, there were POWs who performed as female impersonators for the troops before imprisonment and brought their makeup and gowns along with them into captivity. Since wigs were a scarce commodity, some of the "girls" were permitted to grow their hair out!

(Sources: The Barbed-Wire University: The Real Lives of Prisoners of War in the Second World War by Midge Gilles; Cultural Heritage and Prisoners of War: Creativity Behind Barbed Wire by Gilly Carr and Harold Mytum)

Wearing Bebe (Source: Bebe)

British World War II POW Arthur Butler AKA Gloria d'Earie brought his female impersonator garb along with him to a Japanese prison camp.

Friends

The friends and acquaintances I know fall into two categories (and four subcategories).

Category 1

There are the people who know me only as a woman. They never encountered the male me. Some of them may be aware that there was a male me and some of them are unaware and believe that I am a cisgender woman.

The latter subcategory is a small set of people. Most of them are people I encountered so briefly that they did not have the time to figure me out. For example, the female shopper who approached me one day in Macy's, complimented me on how fashionably I was dressed and asked me for my opinion on the clothing she was about to purchase.

Then there are people who do figure me out eventually like the two transwoman I befriended at Fantasia Fair. They initially thought I was the cisgender female spouse of another Fantasia Fair attendee.

Category 2

There are people who knew the male me first and the female me later. They fall into two subcategories: people who are ok with the female me and people who are not. Luckily, those who are not ok with the female me are a very tiny minority. (There may be people in the first subcategory who pretend to be ok with the female me face-to-face, but behind my back, may not be ok with the female me.)

The board members and officers of my ham radio group comes to mind. When I came out as transgender to the board and officers, it was composed of people who had known the male me in person for 15 to 20 years and even longer if they were familiar with the hundreds of articles I had written about ham radio as far back as the late 1970s.

No one was as surprised as I was on how well they accepted the female me. There was some tripping over pronouns initially, but they got over that hurdle quickly and I have never detected any inclination that they were only ok with the female me face-to-face.

Then there are board members and officers who came along later. Some of them might have been familiar with my writing, but none of them had ever met the male me and only know me in person as a female. They accept me as a woman because that is the only option I afford them. Whether they like me or not is another matter, but that is there reaction to me as a person, not me as a woman. In that regard, the folks who knew the male me probably are ok with the female me because they are ok with me as a person no matter my gender.

Put the Shoe on the Other Foot

By the way, I try to put the shoe on the other foot and think about how I would react if a longtime friend or acquaintance suddenly came out as trans and presented as a woman. My first thought is that I would be perfectly fine with it, but that is not fair because I am trans and presupposed to being very sympathetic to other trans folks. (In fact, a ham radio acquaintance of about 10 years came out as trans to me last year and of course, I had no problem with it even though I was very surprised.)

And so it goes.

Wearing Bebe (Source: Bebe)

Bill Bain femulates Carmen Miranda in a 1950 Kiwi Concert Party production.