The Newbies
Guide to Accessories
For Daywear

By Diane Kaye


Many crossdressers, when they first come out, are perplexed by what to wear out in public.

Perhaps they have a great collection of lingerie and maybe even nice clothes. They want to look like their dream girl, young and sexy. Some of us can achieve that look, but most can't. To be the complete woman, you need accessories.

What are accessories?

Well to start with they include: earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, wallet, purse, belts, eyeglasses if you wear them, or sunglasses, and a wristwatch. Depending on the climate you live in, while not an accessory, a comfortable coat or jacket for day casual use is advisable. Get a woman's jacket or coat. A removable liner will give you the most mileage. Your male coats won't do it.

Back to the accessories. Earrings are not vital for day wear, but they add a nice touch. Most woman wear simple small earrings like small hoops or dangley types. Stay with gold and avoid colors or that teenager look, unless you are a teenager. Remember, dress your age. Clips are fine as many older women never got their ears pierced. Next comes the necklace. Pearls are great for the evenings, but I think they are out of place in the mall. Stay with simple gold chains or a small chain with a simple piece or stone attached. Again avoid colors or teenager styles. Finger rings add a nice touch. If you want to be married, choose a wedding band and engagement ring.

Lerners of New York offers attractive jewlery at modest prices as does Merlite Industries, 114 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10011. One or two rings per hand are acceptable. Don't over do it. After all we don't want to attract attention, just fit in. Wearing a bracelet is not necessary. If you do, a simple gold one is fine. Avoid stones, pearls, or those baubley things. Bracelets with dangly things are out. What about a wallet? If you ever plan to buy anything, you need a wallet. Nothing will get you read quicker that pulling out a mans wallet from your purse. Ever try fumbling for a mans wallet buried in a purse? Forget it. Buy a good woman's wallet. Black or brown. Try to coordinate its color with the purse's color. After all, no need to be gauche. We don't want the fashion police reporting us, do we?

We all need a purse. Depending on what you feel you just have to carry, will determine its size. A black one will fit all occasions. A purse with a should strap is a must. Also a zip-up purse is desirable to protect you from spillage and loss. I carry my wallet, a can of mace, small makeup kit, hair brush, small camera, pen and paper always. After all a girl can't be too careful.

I find that belts are hard to choose. Wide heavy belts can cut into your side when sitting, if you have a short waist. I stick with the woven leather belts, and the shinny thin belts. Short waists mean thin belts, long waists mean wide belts. JoAnn Roberts talks about belts in some of her booklets.

For evenings, the elastic belts with the big gold buckles work well. Day wear begs for simplicity. Thin black and brown belts work with about any occasion. Gold buckles are a nice touch. Finally, if you wear glasses, get a pair of women's glasses. Wearing a man's framed glasses and dressed looks tacky. Male glasses tend to have a bar across the top. To buy a pair you will need your doctors prescription. You can mail order glasses or take it to your friendly eyeglasses store and tell them you want a pair of women's glasses. Pick out the frame you like. If in doubt check out what other women are wearing first. The big question here is: do I go dressed? Unless your makeup is perfect at six inches, go as a guy. They will give you a look, but what the heck, you are a paying customer. If you feel really uncomfortable, lie. Tell them you need them for a play you will be acting in.

One last comment, when in doubt go for black. Its a universal color that will go with anything. Likewise, gold metal goes with about anything. These choices will give you the most mileage for your money. As I've said in past articles, when in doubt about choices, consult the experts, the women in the malls. Watch them and see what they wear. Now go out there in confidence and enjoy your femme self.


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