Stuff 54: Resolutions

Did You Resolve?

By J.J. Atwell

Here we are just starting the new year and tradition holds that we make resolutions for the coming year – things that we want to accomplish as the year progresses. I’m writing this a few days before 2025 officially arrives and have thought about some resolutions for my girl self. 

Mine

I narrowed the field down to four achievable resolutions. Here they are:

1. Lose 12 pounds

2. Get my ears pierced

3. Try going blonde

4. Experiment with larger boobs

Exciting? Maybe not. Some are just practical and others are aspirational. I’ll explain.

Lose Weight

I suspect this is something that just about everybody resolves for the new year. For me, it’s needed because after getting down to a new low weight around the beginning of last year, I’ve slowly added it all back. You might have read a couple of posts back in that I’m too fat for my skinny jeans. Yes, I want to get back into those skinny jeans in the new year. 

More importantly, it works for my guy side as well because it is a health risk. My doctor tells me that I’m bordering on diabetic. I’ve been managing to keep that at bay by watching my diet, weight and getting exercise so far, but I need to get back down to where I was.

The Other Three

The remaining three resolutions are more about my girl self and making by best presentation when out as JJ. 

I resolved to get my ears pierced because I really am a rebel at heart. I’ll wear simple studs in guy mode. But in girl mode, I want to wear noticeable jewelry like dangly earrings. Or perhaps, something simple but feminine like pearl studs or diamonds. I currently use clip-on earrings, but they hurt after a few hours and my selection is rather limited. With pierced ears I’ll have a wider range of options including borrowing from my SO.

I also have been thinking about a different hair color and perhaps, style. I think that JJ might look good as a blonde. Not a platinum blonde, but a more natural, highlighted blonde look. This will require a trip to a wig store to experiment with different colors and perhaps, styles as I do it. One of my CD sisters and her SO have chatted with me about wig shopping. We will probably mount a joint wig excursion hunting for the right one shortly after the new year. 

The last one, bigger boobs, is more than just a fun thing. I’m thinking that a slightly larger breast will look better on JJ than how she looks now. Not a big change. Going up one cup size might be enough. That will probably happen in the first half of the year as I replace some older forms with new ones. 

I’ll Be Back

I’ll occasionally report back on my progress towards my resolutions and I’d love to hear what you might have resolved. I welcome comments and suggestions here on Stana’s page or by email at Jenn6nov at-sign gmail dot com.

Wearing Shein

Shawn Pyfrom femulating on an episode of television’s Desperate Housewives.

Someday Funnies

Damsel in Distress

Norah's account on Wednesday about Tiffany’s car accident en femme led to a discussion about good and bad encounters with the police. Knock on wood, but I have never had a car accident en femme, however, I have had an encounters with police while crossdressed... all were positive... not a negative word was heard. 

The most memorable encounter occurred when I attended the Transgender Lives Conference at the UConn Health Center in 2015.

The Damsel

I arrived at the Health Center at 8 AM and found the shuttle parking lot where attendees were instructed to park. There were no other cars or a shuttle in the parking lot, so I decided to drive right up to the Health Center to see if parking was available there.

I saw a UConn police officer working with a group of guys setting up traffic cones in the middle of the parking lot. Almost simultaneously, he spotted me, detected a damsel in distress and walked over to my car to speak with me.

I told him I was attending the “trans conference” and wondered where to park. He went above and beyond to help me out. 

First, he said I could park anywhere in the lot where we were standing. Since the lot was not near the best entrance to access the conference, after I parked the car, he escorted me into the building and through a maze of doors and hallways until he was assured I would find the conference “just down the hall.”

He was as friendly as could be, did not seem put-out helping me and treated me like a lady. It was an affirming moment for me and a great way to start the day!

Wearing Ann Taylor

Longtime Femulate reader Jeanine Williams wearing a skirt suit from Newport News.

Friday Femulations

Wearing Bebe

Alex Reid

Remembering Newport News

Mail order shopping was how I built my wardrobe when I began crossdressing (shopping online was not an option way back then). 

My wife purchased a few things from the Avon mail order catalog, which by the way, was not associated with Avon cosmetics. Make one purchase and the mail order catalogs just keep on coming not only from Avon, but also Spiegel, Lane Bryant, Roaman’s, Jessica London, etc. Somewhere along the line, Avon changed its name to Newport News and their catalogs replaced the Avon catalogs in our mailbox.

Newport News products were reasonably priced and I bought a lot of their skirts, tops, dresses, suits and high heels (that is a Newport News dress I am wearing in the sidebar photo). In general, their quality was good and I still have a few Newport News dresses and high heels in my wardrobe.

In the early 2000s, the catalogs stopped arriving. Spiegel owned Newport News and filed for bankruptcy in 2003 and that ended my mail order shopping. After all, who needed mail order shopping when online shopping was revving up? And even better, shopping in person en femme. 

So except for some vintage items in my closet, Newport News is now just a fond memory.

Wearing Shein

Frank Thornton femulating in British television’s Are You Being Served?

A Bad Day En Femme

By Norah Blucher

We’ve all seen the little cartoon of “A Bad Day En Femme,” and I think it has been on Femulate a few times as well. The drawing depicts a damsel in distress besides a broken or smashed up car and sometimes even stating “it is still better than a good day at work.” The cartoon always makes me laugh.

It also fills me with dread though, as that was always my worst fear of going out. I’ve logged a few thousand miles behind the wheel as Norah and I know the day will come when something goes wrong. What would I do? Would I have a chance to change? Would I just go with it? A right many questions for sure.

That was until I met my friend Tiffany. At a recent outing, Tiffany brought up her worst outing, and I listened intently as she described her experience through my own worst nightmare as the beautiful damsel in distress we have all seen depicted. She agreed to let me share her story, as long as I wrote it, so what follows is what happened to her on a very bad day en femme a few years ago.

One “Smashing” Evening

Tiffany was all dolled-up and off to an evening outing with friends. Her clothes and shoes selected with care, her hair done to perfection, she was all set for a great night out on the town in Massachusetts. Off on her way, little did she know what a “smashing” night out to remember this would be.

Heading down the highway, a vehicle drifted across the line and Tiffany’s car was struck in front by a large truck causing her to spin across the road and smash the back side of her car. Air bags deployed, it all happened so fast that she was left in a bit of a daze for a brief time. Tiffany, most thankfully, was unhurt except for a scrape on her left palm from the airbag, but as she regained her composure, thoughts raced through her head.

What do I do? She thought. She had an emergency change of clothes with her, but was there time to change quickly? Funny how given the circumstances, her first thought was being caught out en femme. I can’t say I would have been different though, as we all often live in fear that being found out would be the worst thing ever. 

Her mind raced a few seconds before she smartly realized she was still in the middle of the highway and needed to get to safety, which is what she did. With little choice at this point, Tiffany resigned that she would just have to deal with the situation as she was and prepare for the worst.

Here Comes the Calvary

It was not long before a host of first responders descended upon the scene. State Police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel and a tow truck driver all turned out to the scene of Tiffany’s accident, but their response was a bit unexpected for her. No one snickered and no onlookers stopped to see the femulator on the side of the road. 

As she described it, the situation was handled with complete professional demeanor. They all ensured she was okay and took her license and paperwork, and got a brief statement from her with no mention whatsoever about being out as Tiffany. The truck that struck her was some distance ahead on the side of the road and the police did the same for the other driver and gave each driver the other’s information.

The large truck was still operable, though the same could not be said for Tiffany’s car,and in short order the tow truck was taking her car away from the scene, as well as Tiffany herself. Tow trucks, if you have ever dealt with them, can usually not take you home, but are obligated to get you to a safe place if necessary. In this case they took Tiffany’s car to a garage and deposited her at a local shopping center off the highway, where she was able to call for an Uber ride home.

The Damage Report

Tiffany’s night out was certainly ruined, but it could have been so much more dreadful and she was very thankful for that. In the end, she blames herself for the whole ordeal and was glad it turned out okay. It was also a surprise in some regards that the whole situation was not the hugely embarrassing ordeal we all (myself included) would have expected. No one cared that she was dressed as a woman and she was treated with the courtesy and respect anyone would expect and deserves.

Though no one ever wants to be in this situation to find out for themselves, Tiffany’s ordeal gave me a sense of relief and I felt it important to share, as I hope it does for you as well. Though we must always be careful, perhaps a bit more so than others even, calamities of life will always happen and we cannot let the fear of those things keep us inside. We sometimes fill our heads with our own fear and forget we are not the first femulator to break down, have an accident or get a flat tire. Tiffany and I even joked that with a flat tire or anything else, we might get help quicker en femme than we would otherwise as well, LOL.

So, loves, I hope this was a good story for you all, and questions or comments are always welcome below or you can e-mail me at nblucher at-sign proton dot me. I will also relay any messages to Tiffany as well. I’d love to hear about your worst experience en femme and how you got through it, so please share!

Wearing Michael Kors Collection cape and skirt, TOTEME boots, FENDI bag.

Deepak Subramanya femulating in the 2024 Indian film Mr. Rani.

Womenswear for Men

The feminization of men's fashion reflects the cultural shift toward more fluid and inclusive expressions of gender. This transformation includes men embracing clothing, accessories and styles traditionally deemed feminine. Some key elements include:

Bold Colors and Patterns: Men are exploring vibrant hues, floral prints and other designs once associated with women's fashion.

Silhouettes and Fabrics: There’s an increased interest in softer fabrics like silk and satin, along with flowing or fitted silhouettes, ruffles and lace details.

Makeup and Accessories: Men are incorporating makeup, nail polish, jewelry, handbags and scarves into their everyday looks.

Unisex and Gender-Fluid Labels: Many designers are creating collections that blur the lines between men’s and women’s fashion, offering pieces that can be worn by anyone.

The movement signifies a broader acceptance of individual expression and the breaking down of rigid gender norms.

The inclusion of womenswear in men’s fashion has been gaining momentum, reflecting an evolving landscape where traditional gender boundaries in clothing are increasingly fluid. Here are some popular elements of womenswear that men are incorporating into their wardrobes:

Skirts and Dresses: More men are experimenting with skirts and dresses, often paired with traditionally masculine items to create a unique and balanced look.

Blouses and Tops: Soft blouses, crop tops, and off-shoulder shirts are finding their way into men’s fashion, offering a break from the conventional button-downs and t-shirts.

Heeled Footwear: Men are embracing shoes with heels, from subtle lifts to bold high heels, challenging the norms of what footwear is deemed appropriate for each gender.

Lingerie and Intimates: Some men are exploring traditionally feminine undergarments like lace bras, corsets and other lingerie pieces as a form of personal expression and comfort.

Accessories and Makeup: Incorporating items like handbags, statement jewelry and makeup helps men to diversify and personalize their style.

Brands and designers are increasingly catering to this trend by offering unisex or gender-fluid collections. It’s a fascinating movement that celebrates individuality and encourages everyone to wear what makes them feel confident and expressive.

Wearing Audray

Jonathan Van Ness wearing Christian Siriano the red carpet at the 2025 Golden Globes.

Stuff: The Right Outfit

By J.J. Atwell

What to wear?

I’ve been out in public for a few years now, but I still feel like a total newbie. As I keep going out, I still struggle to figure out what to wear for different occasions. How do you decide how fancy to dress? 

Most women have got this down pat because they do it over and over again. For them, it is just a part of getting ready to go out. So, how does a CD learn to do this? Pretty much the same way women do.

Consult

Sometimes women will be in a quandary about what to wear. What do they do? They ask their friends what they are wearing. I’ve found this works for me as well. I sometimes check with my GG friend Alicia or my CD friends as to what they are going to wear. A couple of recent examples. 

Holiday Dinner

Our group had a holiday party at a local casual chain restaurant. For me, it was a battle between dressing up super fancy or going with the usual jeans and a simple top that you see women usually wear at this kind of place. JJ, being the fashionista that she is, leans towards going all out for these occasions. But then again, when out in public, JJ prefers to blend in rather than stand out. I asked Alicia what to wear and guess how she responded? Jeans, a top and flats. That’s pretty much what I ended up going with, too!

Seeing a Play

A bit more complex situation was when some of us went to a local theater to see the play Some Like It Hot. I’ve been to this venue before, but only in guy mode. The venue is very much a “See and be seen” kind of place. As a good CD, I did observe what the women were wearing. Unfortunately (?) there was a huge range of styles. Some very casual. Some very dressy. What should JJ wear? As I noted above, I tend to dress to blend in. But what does that mean for this event? You guessed it, I checked with my GG and my CD friends before deciding. In the end, I went with a very holiday dressy outfit.

I’ll Be Back 

I’ll be back with more Stuff in the next installment. Comments are welcome either here on the blog or by email to Jenn6nov at-sign gmail dot com. JJ is always looking for more stuff so let me know what you would like to read about.

Wearing Cole Haan

Deepak Subramanya femulating in a 2024 Indian film Mr. Rani.

Someday Funnies

Wearing Venus

Patrick Walshe McBride femulating in an episode of British television's Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators.

Saturday Funnies

 

Wearing Allsaints

Victoria Elizabeth, Actor, Model, Magician