Who Am I Dressing For?
Fashion for a 70+ transgender woman
On one of the first Spring-like days this year, I stopped in at a local bakery. I was wearing a flower-print top and a pair of jeans. The woman behind the counter complimented my top and pulled aside her apron to show me that she was wearing flowers too. She said something about how it seemed to fit the nice weather we’d been having. I confided to her that I’d been wearing flowers all winter.
Sometime last Fall I realized that I only had solid-color tops. I bought a flowered top, loved it, and bought (and wore) a few more over the winter months. I guess there are seasons for such things, but I have trouble stirring up much enthusiasm for seasonal restrictions. I like flowery tops, so I wear flowery tops, whenever I feel like wearing them.
I’ve only been wearing women’s clothes for a few years. When I was first starting to buy women’s clothing, I looked online to find out what women my age “should” wear. Some said to focus on solid colors, staying away from loud prints. As far as I can remember, all suggested shorts at the knee, no higher. Particular styles of skirts or slacks were deemed to be more appropriate for older women. Then there is the whole color wheel question. As a Cool Winter, I’m told to stay away from pastels or earth tones.
At some point, I came across some pictures of older women in multiple semi-clashing bright colors or prints. I dubbed that “crazy old lady style” (which I think I can say since I am an old lady). I admire those women, wearing what they want to wear regardless of anyone else’s opinion, or perhaps precisely because some people will be shocked.
I will never be pretty. I’m okay with that. But I am a woman, and wearing clothing or jewelry that expresses my gender makes me feel good. In one sense I do care how my clothes are perceived by other people, but only to the extent that I want it to be clear that I see myself as a woman. Beyond that, I’m the only person I have to please.
Am I edging toward crazy old lady style myself? Maybe. If so, great. I will happily wear every bright color, vivid print, and surprising outfit because I’ll like what I’m wearing. For me, at least, what I feel like wearing today is the only fashion question worth asking.
