Makeover - Wardobe Planning

There's a huge difference between buying clothes versus "building" a female wardrobe. I find wardrobe planning an essential component of my ongoing femme development.

After you get past buying the basic items you always wanted, you begin to recognize the truly massive array of female garments available - and the variety of looks each type offers.

If you're a "bozo" like I was - you've already bought a ton of "impulse" items that don't work - and look "average" at best.

What's a bargain? A "bargain" is something you don't need - at a price you can't afford to pass us.

Thus, a "purchase" should only occur when we find a high value garment that matches our needs and desires. New gals are notorious for buying "junk". What's "junk"? Clothes that only look "average" - on you. Don't feel bad - I did "this" more than any other t-girl I know. It happens for two good reasons. First, when you're just getting started - almost any female garment "feels" good on your body. It's fulfilling - just to "put it on".

Second, we don't yet understand our particular strengths and weaknesses. Thus, we buy a "look" we see in a catalog - or on a stunning mannequin. We do "this" - because we want to look - "just like" the gal in the catalog. Unfortunately, we forget that those models in a Victoria's Secret catalog could "look good" in a gunny sack. We - usually don't have that luxury.

Having purchased so many "average" outfits - I discovered that "great outfits" - are great - for one simple reason...

Great outfits - are "outfits" - not just "clothes". Outfits are not "one item" - they're complete "ensembles". In other words...when you "start" a great outfit - finish it.

I failed to "finish" great outfits when I began shopping "as a tranny". I'd buy a great dress - only to add another dress - before I found the perfect shoes, earrings, necklace, belt, etc. - for the "first" dress. Eventually, I ended up with the most average, incomplete, and worthless closet - in the history of transsexuals. *Laugh*

To solve this dilemma - I began retaining photos of ensembles I considered "great" - from fashion magazines. I noted that catalogs like " Victoria's Secret" - included few additional details to an outfit. "Fashion" magazines include more photos of total looks. I then "cut to the best"...completing long awaited alterations, added unique trimming or buttons - name it. In other words - I made them "perfect" - for me.

Complete outfits are unique. You won't see them on anyone else - because they include your personal tastes and "additions". I promise you'll get far greater happiness making one number "perfect" than you will adding two more "unfinished" outfits to your closet. ((hugs))

It is at this point you must start planning your wardrobe. This takes a lot more time than you might first think. The first part of planning is determining your "needs". If you're like I was in the early years, you buy most of your clothes to look hot for clubbing or photo's. (I have no intention of doing church en fem! *Grin*) Okay, I'm a party girl - sue me! *Smile*

If most of your outings are geared to mall adventures - or exotic lingerie sessions around the house - your needs must be adjusted accordingly. It is easy to get in the habit of buying what looks nice - versus what we need. When you must maintain clothes for both the guy and the girl in your life - need outweighs want.

A good way to keep yourself on track is with lists. I keep a detailed inventory of all the items I own - and quite frankly - Renee has a lot of clothes. Subsequently, I'm always looking for holes to fill in my closet. Nothing exposes where I'm a little "light" - quite like seeing it in black & white.

I make a rule that each new outfit must match in some manner with at least two other outfits I already own. This is why you see so few dresses amongst my photo's. As fun as they are, they are not as practical from a wardrobe standpoint. For me to take it home, a dress has to be pretty hot.

One advantage we have in mixing and matching as t-girls, is our bodies are basically the "opposite" of our female counterparts. We typically have larger rib cages, and thus require more "full" tops. We also tend to have more narrow hips than our GG sisters. Thus, we need a smaller size in this area.

If you ever shop for a fem bathing suit you will be in for a field day. Women are notorious for breaking and rearranging sets in the stores to "fit" their needs. In turn - they often leave us with the "exact" inventory we require. The same usually occurs amongst panty & bra sets. Try to take advantage of this phenomenon at the sale racks.

You'll need a variety of different styles of clothing depending upon your "needs". I classify my outfits by their "function".

I lead a very active t-life. Thus, my "needs" exceed most gals. Here's my "major" categories. I subsequently break these up by seasonal weather changes.

I don't classify my "accessories" - because I list them with particular outfits in my "inventory.

A "wardrobe engineer" - that specializes in organizing people - gave me "this" idea for really getting my outfits "together". I keep a listing of my favorite matches for easy reference - and keep the essentials to each outfit "hanging together". I keep specific notes (that only I understand) on how to optimally "wear" the outfit.

Here's examples of a couple of Renee outfits. Collectively, I keep details on 65 outfits from all categories. The rest - I just "throw" together.

· Red Formal "Tearaway" Dress: Wear Scarf to Cover Collar if Necessary

· Red / Black / Rhinestone Trim & Pendant Bustier – Neck left “Open”

· Black Bra with Breasts – Pull Bra Straps “All the Way In”

· Red / Black / Silver “Cut” Thigh Highs

· Red / Black / Silver Arm Gloves

· Black Bathing Suit Bottoms

· Black Leather Hanging Belt – Tight – Covers Waistline

· Silver Alabama Belt “Underneath” Bathing Suit Bottoms – Covers front of Crotch

· Red Thong Panties

· Optional: Black Angel Wings, Silver Armbands, Ruby Necklace, Red Slave Anklets, Leopard Jacket Wrapped at Waist

· Jewelry: Silver Choker, Diamond Pendant, Matching Diamond Bracelet, Rhinestone Earrings + Silver Earrings,

· Shoes: Silver Heels

· Hair: Red & Black Show Hair

· Make Up Notes: Red Glitter Lips, Red or Silver Glitter Eye Lids, Large Eye Lashes, Red Nails

· Magic Notes:

· Blue Sequin Jacket

· Pink Marilyn Skirt

· Pink Sequin Thong

· Pink Lace Bra with Pads + Rhinestone Pendant

· White Rhinestone Belt

· Silver & Rhinestone Chain Belt

· Jewelry: Blue Rhinestone Necklace, Large Rhinestone & Pink Choker, Longer Gold earrings, Watch, Silver Rhinestone Choker Bracelet

· Shoes: Clear Heels

· Hair: Marilyn or Blondish Veronica Lake

Keep up with the details - and your favorite ensembles will always look their best - and so will you...((hugs))

If Jack Welsh could shed 10% of the worst performing divisions of a company the size of General Electric each year - us tranny's can do "20%".

To do "this" effectively, you "must" get active on ebay - and create the habit of "selling off" your extras each and every year. You'll start looking your very best when you retain this habit - and subsequently find it challenging to "rid" yourself of the 20% requirement.

It wasn't until I couldn't decide what to get rid of - that I finally quit buying "crap".