My Version Of Transitioning...

 

Executive Business Woman Look - NOT

Both photos were taken in the last two weeks at my local mall. I had a return, so after a Dr. appointment and breakfast I dropped in. Yes, the photo on the left was what I wore for my doctor visit. I am typically only about 10 minutes away from the mall, so that was last stop that morning. 

I receive questions from time-to-time about how do I dress every day or when just running errands? Have I transitioned? Clothing wise, there is not much of a male wardrobe that still exist. As I write about the "clothing differentials", I try and add something feminine even when not overtly seeking an overall all female look. I let the audience choose and usually sense a female acceptance. 

It is very difficult to escape the now long hair. The position of the pony tail does have designation, when not wanting a total feminine look.  

80's Executive Business Woman

Jeans, shorts, flats, sneakers, hair in a pony tail.  Sometime I wear a skirt or dress if having dinner out in Palm Beach; heels optional. Make up minimal, unless I am dressing for an evening outing or event; foundation, lipstick, eyes done, jewelry.  Makeup and hair take about 15 minutes.  

It took many years to shed my coveted executive business woman look. Then, after work when out of town, I would dress and have dinner out and many times stroll the mall after; way over-dressed without question. I likely attracted far more attention then, than today.   

Today, I love this version of myself. She is comfortable in her skin and her presentation. At peace. No escape necessary, as I slip into the land of femininity un-noticed. A permanent resident? Not completely. 

However, this is my version of transitioning. Self-acceptance!

  

Why Is The Big Deal...

 
When Men Wear Women's Clothes in Public

Hope Alexander Updated: Jun 25, 2023

Men Wearing Women's Clothes

For most women, wearing women's clothing in public is not a big deal. It's something we do every day without so much as batting an eyelid. We can also wear men's clothing out in public without too much trouble either. When was the last time someone took issue with a woman wearing a sweater and jeans, for example (besides in some whiny online forum posting, and these posts don't count as reality anyway)?

For men, however, the act of wearing women's clothing in public is something of an act of defiance. It breaks the rules. It shocks onlookers. It draws furtive glances and giggles.

Double Standard

Not all of these things are bad. Most of us grow up within this double standard, never questioning it. I know I certainly didn't until I actually met a man who wore lingerie and began to see the world through his eyes.

It's easy to judge people for not seeing the inequality, but the fact of the matter is, as humans we tend to see only those things which affect us. You could call it being self-centered, but in reality it is probably more a result of the fact that there is just no real way to comprehend all of the social issues in the world at one time. We only have so much brain space, and much of that is taken up with the task of not falling over when we walk.

So then, when we first see a man wearing women's clothing—be it a skirt, a dress, some panties, or even just carrying a purse—our little minds are blown.

Types of Reactions

Some people react to this change with anger and try to reject it. 'It's wrong', they say, or 'It's gay'. (Thereby rejecting the behavior by associating it with a group which has traditionally been marginalized and stigmatized.)

Other people are more on the fence. 'Huh. Okay. I guess if he wants to it's okay.'

Still other people love the idea and embrace it fully. There's some evidence that there are genetic markers associated with being receptive to change. People highly receptive to change are generally liberal in political outlook and don't get too upset when they encounter worldviews markedly different from their own. People who are not receptive to change tend to become defensive or aggressive when presented with views, ideas or realities which conflict with what they have come to accept. It doesn't make the behavior any less bigoted or wrong, but it does explain the logical disconnect which occurs when people become outrageously upset over things that really do not affect them (ie, when men wear women's clothing.)

Of course, the genetics of temperament only indicates how we feel about a subject on a reptilian, primal level. It is not an excuse for ongoing bigotry, or for hurting those around us by enforcing our limited worldview upon them. When we understand the motivations which drive us, we have the chance to overcome them, live a happier life, and leave others to live happy lives as well.

Feminine Image 7

 Motivation to Escape...

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Why A “60 Minutes” segment from the 70’s made me cry.

Much to the reporter’s consternation the "60 Minutes" staff have become the news for the last two weeks. True journalism as we know it is under attack. To deny this one only wants one side of a story told and is unwilling to be open-minded and listen. George Orwell's most famous quote on journalism is: 

"Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed: everything else is public relations."

I would like to add to that by defining propaganda: It is the systematic dissemination of biased or misleading information designed to manipulate public opinion, attitudes, or behavior. Or, as Orwell also called it “public relations”. 

According to Google AI: The purpose of “60 Minutes” has been to deliver hard-hitting investigative journalism, agenda-setting newsmaker interviews, and in-depth profiles through a magazine-style format. Since 1972 I believe it has upheld the purpose. I always came away, better informed to make my own decision on the facts presented.  

There is a “60 Minutes” segment in their early archives that left me in tears. 

I am dyslexic. I went through my primary school years knowing something was wrong (different) in the way I saw and read words. Reading out loud was torment for both me and anyone that had to listen. My written papers typically looked like someone had bleed-out with red marks everywhere. I endured being called “retard” and sniggers when I had to read before the class. 

A great analogy is to understand dyslexia is to language/words that color blindness is to perceive color. That is a great and common way to describe it! Just as color blindness is a difference in how the eyes perceive color, dyslexia is a difference in how the brain processes language. In fact, doctors in the past literally referred to dyslexia as "word-blindness".

Up until the airing of that “60 Minutes” segment I had never understood dyslexia or even heard the word. That was my first realization that I was not the only one and there was nothing wrong with me. It was explained that those of us with dyslexia just processed language differently. In fact, dyslexia is common and, in some ways, enhances logic and critical thinking. 

I had already graduated from college and was excelling in a new, to the 70’s, career of system engineering.

Watching that "60 Minutes" segment I literally sobbed. It was the revelation of knowing why I was different. 

“60 Minutes” for its decimation of information has always held a special place in my heart. Many consider it to be the gold standard of investigative journalism. The loss of that source of information and many times it’s “truth-to-power” approach, will be a tragic loss to journalism as we know it today. 

Scott Pelley on Bari Weiss and His Last Days at ‘60 Minutes’
The Interview

Pelly: "You become a Journalist because you love the country. There is no democracy without journalism". 

Two Summer Outfits

 Mix and Match - Why Not

Political Cartoons 6-7-2026

 

I Beleive...

 

Leading the Charge for Equality

 
ENDING DISCRIMINATION. PROMOTING EQUALITY.

We are dedicated to building a community where everyone in Palm Beach County can live free from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Leading the Charge 

The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council is on the front lines, ensuring the rights of the LGBTQ+ community are protected. We provide the education, advocacy, and outreach necessary to build a future where discrimination is a thing of the past.

Upcoming Event:

Our 2026 Summer Soirée

Time & Location:

Saturday, July 25, 2026, 7:30-10 p.m. National Croquet Center

Mix and mingle with elected officials and candidates at our biennial Summer Soirée. Sandy James Fine Food & Productions is catering and the event will feature passed heavy hors d'oeuvres and an open bar. Attire is Palm Beach Summer Casual.  Tickets

I Love to Shop - Two Skirts

 

Tuesday was a rainy / stormy afternoon. What better to do than go to the mall.  I had a $20 coupon that needed some love.  My Talbots store was almost empty and I had a good fun talk with the manager. I had worked with her before. I worked at Talbots about three months.  

I love there merchandise. Although without sales and markdowns there clothing has become almost un-justifiable. The skirts above were $89 and $99 each. There was a buy-one-get-half-off going and I had the $20 coupon. Still I am going back-and-forth with buyers remorse.  I will give it a day or so. 

Still they are beautiful casual / dress skirts and the scoop neck top I already have. The gingham item is a skort and a lot longer on me than the on-line model's photo. The fit size 8 are a vanity sizing. 

Still the fun was trying them both and  taking selfies in their full-length mirror. Being able to do this would have been just fantasy in my early CD years. Now pure, live fun.     

Talbots:   Seersucker A-Line Skirt - Tropical Hibiscus    $99

Talbots:   Bellevue Gingham Skort   $89

Amazon:  Dress Ballet Flats, Slip On, Round Toe with Floral Eyelets   $20.39

Was It Worth It?

 

Have we said goodbye to high heels?

 

By Orla Pentelow
August 2023

Once synonymous with elegance and sophistication, the towering symbols of “femininity” have been making a quiet exit from the limelight, replaced by a new wave of comfort-driven options. 

In the ever-shifting fashion sphere, where trends wax and wane with the changing seasons, one particular change has caught the eye of experts of late: a gradual decline in popularity of high heels. When was the last time you spotted a teetering stiletto? [And, not at a CD event?]

______________________

My Note: I attended a wedding for a young 30's couple this weekend.  The full deal. Bridesmaids, all in elegant dresses, bride in a long drop shoulder low cut dress with train. Barley visible under her wedding gown, were the shoes - sneakers.  At the wedding party and reception there were a good mix of ages, predominately thirty to fifty. And, then the older family members, me included, in that group. Among the female fashions were many very elegant and colorful dresses that you would expect for a late spring outdoor wedding, country club reception.  Dresses, live and well! 

With my passion of people watching and shoe obsession, I studied extensively.  Not one pair of what I would call stiletto [high] heel pumps. Many ballet flats, low wedge heels, Espadrilles, Mary Janes, kitten heels, and block heels all under two inches. What alternate reality did just fall into?  

___________________

CNN Style: Could the pandemic hold the masterstroke that led to high heels’ demise? The altered course of our lives undoubtedly played a role in the downturn of the striking style.

Before the world stood still, high heels reigned supreme. These marvels of design not only elevated one’s stature but also evoked a sense of elegance that transcended mere clothing. High heels were billed as not just footwear but a gateway to confidence, allure, and a dash of untamed glamor.

“High heels alter body posture and create a distinctive walking style which can affect the way individuals carry themselves, promoting a more upright posture and enhancing perceived attractiveness and admiration from others,” Dr Carolyn Mair, cognitive psychologist and fashion business consultant, author of The Psychology of Fashion told CNN over email. ”This can contribute to feelings of confidence and a sense of being noticed and appreciated as feminine, glamorous, or professional.”

...  Read More 

As we bid a temporary adieu to high heels, questions linger about their future trajectory. Will they stage a triumphant return, reaffirming their position as the epitome of allure?

“High heels are likely to remain a popular choice for special occasions such as parties and weddings,” says Mair. [not what I saw in generation "Z" event]

However, she adds, “the evolving societal perception of beauty and femininity has encouraged a broader acceptance of diverse body types, prioritized comfort and practicality, promoted self-expression and individuality, and challenged traditional gender norms.”

Without a doubt the pandemic rewrote the rules of fashion, ushering in an era where comfort seamlessly intertwines with elegance, but only time will illuminate the future path of high heels. For now, the style no longer is seen as an essential marker of femininity.

___________________

Also see:   Outdated Heel Trends To Step Away From In 2026  

My afterthought:   

What do you think? I have not given up my tall heels although three inch or less are my go-to.  However, the heels are not as high as before and for casual, sneakers, and flats. 

          

Feminine Differential - Dressing Head to Toe

Few, if any, men would ever plan an outfit to include matching patters or a  theme head-to-toe. Even if gingham is not your thing, the sheer pleasure of planning a head-to-toe look is so much fun. Something only a girl at heart would do.  

Gingham is simple, almost a country casual look that is perfect for a casual summer evening out, picnic, or sight seeing; cool looking.  It seems to be in style this season with this cotton staple being everywhere.  Dress, tops, accessories. 

Here it is from head-to-toe: 

Loft Gingham hair Scrunchie

Amazon CIDER Midi Dresses for Women Gingham Square Neck Puff Sleeves Plaid

Amazon Gingham Tote Bag Canvas Casual Cute Plaid Tote

Amazon Checkerboard Bracelet Chunky Bangle Bracelets

Tamu Spring And Autumn New Plus Size Fisherman Shoes Slope Heel 

Why not put together your own head-to-toe outfit
Something only a girl at heart would do.