I don’t want to get too bogged down with the basics so we
can get to exploring the fun stuff, however, it is important to acknowledge
that the begins of any adventure in fashion come from learning your body, and finding
your own personal style.
Learning your body:
Honestly knowing your body is the foundation of learning how
best to find a style that not only expresses your personality, but also
flatters and achieves a more genuinely feminine image. Here is a list of the 4
things I believe help give you a complete picture of the canvas that you have
to paint with your own personal style.
- Learn your measurements: Hips, Waist and Chest are the three measurements that are referenced most frequently in sizing charts. A quick Internet search can lead you to detailed instructions on taking your measurements. I always keep a fabric measure tape handy in hopes that its presence will encourage my body to change quicker… it hasn’t worked yet, but being able to track changes in your measurements can be rewarding as hormones do their thing.
- Learn your troublesome areas: As trans-women, we generally all face several common physical characteristics that make feminine lines tougher to achieve. Broader shoulders, subdued curves, built-up musculature or chiseled facial features can all undermine that quintessential female look. Identifying these areas allows you to make smart choices in what styles you work into your look. As I write, I’ll do my best to try and address what I do to help these areas.
- Learn your awesome areas: Do you have long, lean legs? Blessed with a narrower waist? Softer jawline? Fabulous! Accentuating the positives is just as important as coping with the troublesome areas. As the saying goes: if you got it, flaunt it!
- Recognize diversity: Always remind yourself that all women (both trans and cisgender) have unique sizes and shapes, and we all deal with the same problems… luckily there are many fun, stylish ways to cope with all of them, so don’t let it get you down if it is a struggle at first.
Finding your personal style:
Finding one’s “style” is a constantly evolving process that
changes with everything from moods to the seasons themselves. Think of it as continuous trial and error. My start saw more than a fair
share of blunders … I’m constantly making mistakes, learning from them, and
evolving to make new mistakes. I’ve heard people argue that there is “no right or wrong when it
comes to fashion”… I disagree. Though tastes and trends vary… I will say this,
if you want to look good, there are right ways to do things and wrong ways.
So how do you choose a look or style to make your own? With so
many options out there reflecting a broad spectrum of personalities, it can
be a daunting task just starting out. What I found worked best for me was to
simply note what women are wearing that I find myself most drawn to. On a daily
basis I find myself distracted by a cool outfit or unique accessory worn by a
passerby. I find women I wish to emulate, be they in everyday life, in magazines, on TV or online and make note of what I like. For example, one of my
favorite people to watch is Robin from “How I Met Your Mother”... I'd love to get my hands on her wardrobe. Also, If you
haven’t discovered Pinterest yet, it is the perfect tool for this… once you
have a collection of ideas, its easy to start playing with things and see what works.
Another important thing to maximize the success of this is to try to find women
who have characteristics that match your own. For example… I’m a 28 year old,
5’10” tall, brunette, so if I see a cute outfit on a petite, blonde teenager,
chances are it will not look nearly as cute on me (though I’ve been guilty many
times of trying to force the issue). With experience, I’ve slowly been able
to get a sense for what will look good on me, which has allowed me to observe a
much wider range of people for ideas.
To see an example of this in action check out my Pinterest page
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