Posted: 24 February 2010 at 9:25pm | IP Logged

  You know, it's people like you that get their taxes done so early that give us procrastinators a bad name. Glad you're getting some of your own money back anyway.

  Your question is broad in scope, what 'look' are you hoping to achieve? I could say just go to Rori's and do a full service make over. But then that may be the place to start with and then further shop. Use the search area for past comments.

  Are you starting from near nothing or major upgrading? You've been on the forum long enough to know to ask a specific question and get gobs of insight.

  Do tell, is Aimee kinda rich for a few weeks? I'd say, throw the most cash towards the area that needs the most help. Want my mailing address? 

  Hugs, Terri

Posted: 25 February 2010 at 7:05am | IP Logged

Aimee,

  I'm glad SOMEONE is getting a refund....We can't remember ever getting a tax refund!!! (The joys of owning a business!!)

  Anyhoo, Like Terri said!  Where do you feel you need to spemd the money?  Wig?  Makeup?  Forms? Lingerie?  Wedding dress?

  Like remodelling the house, pick the most important thing first!!

  Maybe you need an LBD and heels?

  Only you know for sure,

  Lisa E

Posted: 25 February 2010 at 11:33am | IP Logged

In the interest of providing some specific help, and because I seem to enjoy hearing myself talk these days (talk in this case being figurative since I am actually writing) . . .

What would someone need who is just beginning to venture out of the closet and into the bigger world? (en femme of course)

As the Goddess Lisa and the Duchess Terri correctly pointed out, what is needed will vary depending on how you wish to present yourself. But I think there are some basic areas to be considered:

Body Shaping - Including breast forms, fanny pads, hip pads, thigh pads, etc. I would recommend getting good quality forms as they should last a long time. However, get some advice from someone about size. Mine seemed like the right size for my height and build, but I now think they should have been smaller. Whether you need pads obviously depends on your shape, and the type of outfit you intend to wear. Transformations can help with forms and pads, or try http://www.thebreastformstore.com.

Foundations - Bras and shapewear. It is probably a "duh" statement, but you should get the breast forms first before deciding on bras. Depending on the type of form you use, you can try special bras that have a "pocket" to hold the form, although most available bras will hold the forms securely against your chest without the pocket. You can also use adhesive if you need additional hold. Shapewear such as waist cinchers, corsets, and the like can help to modify your shape. Again, whether you want or need these depends on your own shape and what you want to achieve.

Wigs - "A woman's crowning glory". This is probably the item where it is most important to look for quality, and to enlist some help. You know the image that we probably all have in our heads of what beautiful hair should look like? Well, I know that hair will not look good on me, and there is a good chance it will not work for you either.  You really need to go to Transformations or Rachel's Wigs or Janna's Place or someplace else where you can take time to try on different styles and colors. Find out what works for you, then buy something that will last.

Makeup - Experience has shown that cheap makeup from the Dollar General is not worth the effort. On the other hand, help and advice from the average salesperson at MAC might not take you in the right direction if you have a typical beard. So, start by getting advice from someone who is experienced with makeup on t-girls like us, like the wonderful places and people mentioned under Wigs above.

OK, have I gone on long enough? Did I say anything useful? I hope so!

Hugs,
Greer

Posted: 25 February 2010 at 11:47am | IP Logged

I've found that high heels might look great in the store and even for a short walk but make sure you get the right style and size if you'll be in them for a long time or distance. I once had a super hot pair of high heeled boots that were fine around the house or in a car but weren't when I had to walk almost two miles in them after a bad date. When I got home my toes were rubbed raw through the nylons and were bleeding. So think about how your sexy high heels will be used and buy the right ones.

Dona

Posted: 25 February 2010 at 7:18pm | IP Logged

 walgreen's sells a line of nail polish called SinfulColors. Very inexpensive. Don't Buy! It's cheap for a reason.

  Terri

Posted: 10 March 2010 at 9:46am | IP Logged

Ditto to what Rori said :)

I went in there to purchase my wig.  I don't think I would have picked it out myself based on the style it had sitting there on the shelf.  But when she put it on me - totally different!  What we like and what will look good on us may be two totally different things :)