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Am over 60 years old and have been faithfully married for 25+ years. No change in marital status is anticipated. Translation: not interested in romance outside of my marriage. Period. However, I admire women - in addition to looking like, and being accepted as, a woman, as much as possible in daily life.

 

Many years ago, my better half helped me into pantyhose and tights, and did not object to my wearing panties, either. She was/still is fine with them. However, as I've gotten older, doctor's orders are that I must wear pantyhose without socks or panties, to help improve circulation in my legs. So, she made a few changes to insure that I follow doctor's orders and wear them every day. All my socks, and all but a couple panties (one black, one white) and 2 pairs of knee high nylons, went to charity. The panties she keeps safe for me "somewhere". The only times I get to wear them are on pedicure day, and the few times I wear my pair of thong sandals or on particularly hot days. I've gotten comfortable wearing the rest of my sandals with pantyhose.

 

When my better half does laundry, she jokes that her work sorting my lingerie has become quite simple. Now that my "socks" are permanently attached to my panties...all the pantyhose are mine, loose panties and socks belong to her. And, more importantly, my "socks" are always perfectly matched....

 

She was also instrumental in my carrying a purse every day. With me wearing sleek pocket-less stirrup pants (but more often than not, the Capri's she now prefers) on an everyday basis, I no longer have those unsightly wallet and key bulges. But I need someplace to carry my things. Since girls must carry purses, it's only right that I must, too. Over the years, she's even helped locate some of my pretty women's tops and sweaters.

 

The every-day tops I wear with my feminine pants are all from the women's' department, though many aren't blatantly feminine (other than buttoning the "wrong" way. Where else would a girl want to do her shopping?

 

For years, I've been wearing dresses every day around the house and yard. You seldom-if-ever find me in stirrups or Capri's at home. That's just opposite of the better half, who never wears dresses at all. So, I guess that means she "wears the pants in our family!"

 

In short, she tolerates most aspects of my sartorial style. Lately there has even been a bit more acceptance of us being addressed as "ladies" when we are out and about, with me in Capri pants or stirrups, women's tops or turtlenecks, and flats or sandals, while wearing light makeup. Being addressed as two women as often as we are means that in the summer of 2012, I'll have to wear Capri's and Keds or sandals on our trips...if we're going to be seen as two ladies, she thinks I might as well look the part.

 

Perhaps that's a good sign for things to come, particularly now that I've officially retired, effective the end of 2011. On my last day of work, the girls confided in me that they were hoping I'd be wearing a dress, makeup and high heels. But that wasn't to be...just my stirrup pants, turtleneck tunic and flats.

 

Once all my pants are gone, and I only wear dresses or skirts, the girls want me to come back to the office for a visit, and we'll enjoy a girl's lunch out. When we return, they'll introduce me to the girls who couldn't join us for lunch, and hinted that I'll get to meet my former supervisors. Gulp. I'd better look my most feminine and attractive that day, since wearing a dress and heels, with full makeup, painted nails and styled long hair, I sure won't look like they remember me!

 

To sum it up, one day soon, I'm looking forward to wearing skirts and dresses exclusively...

 

Update June 2012:

 

It's been the best week-plus of dressing that I've ever experienced, and I can honestly say I'm thoroughly enjoying it! I guess you could say that "when the cat's away, the mice will play!"

 

As a result, I've been been out and about in daylight, going shopping at thrift stores, naturally, plus everywhere else I normally do. It's just that the daylight part is new...that was relatively rare until now. The new skirts and blouses you see in my recent pictures can attest to my purchases...all for a total of under $16! I've spent more than that for shipping on "one order" from the ladies' mail order shops!

 

I've been to grocery stores, home improvement and auto parts stores, gas stations, shopping centers, shoe stores, etc. All with no problems whatsoever. And often with clerks at the ready, to help me find what I need.

 

Bless the clerk at Payless! She was very nice. I haven't heard "sir" at all, though occasionally they don't say Miss, either. Then it's "sweetie" or "honey." But today at the thrift shop, I was politely asked if I qualified for any specials today. Huh??? "What specials do you mean, Miss?" was my response. The clerk laughed and said "Sweetie, you're not a regular here yet, so I don't know you. But you get a 20 percent discount on Wednesdays and Thursdays if you're over 55. I just haven't found a polite way to ask a lady her age!" Wow, that REALLY made my day, week, and probably, year!

 

My fears that the world will collapse around me if I'm not totally passable but out in public during the day, are rapidly dissipating. And it's taken a long time to come to that realization. No, I don't delude myself into thinking I pass...it's likely that I stand out "like a bloke in a dress." But I try to be as feminine as I can, blend in with other women, and just go about my business. People are generally polite...

 

That brings to mind the folk song "Time" by the Pozo Seco Singers from 1966 - which unfortunately shows the world my age! The words are (in part): "Some folks treat me mean, some treat me kind...most folks just go their way - don't pay me any mind." In reality, what more can I hope for?

 

In the area where I live, I'm still quite careful. My neighbors are used to seeing me in stirrups, Capri pants, generic blouses/tops, house dresses, sandals, light foundation, concealer, and face powder, but not wearing skorts or skirts, necklaces, earrings, an engagement ring, and lipstick. Fortunately I can get into the car in the garage and use the automatic door opener to open and close the door!

 

The better half has been helpful and tolerant as far as I've come, but still doesn't approve of my wearing dresses out and about. Even wearing a kilt is off limits (I actually asked) - at least until I start taking bagpipe lessons...which isn't going to happen in this lifetime!

 

On the other hand, 15 years ago I never would have ever dreamed that I'd have as much freedom to dress as I actually have right now, nor would I have figured I wouldn't own - or want - any male clothing or shoes. So, progress is being made, but on a monthly/yearly calendar basis!

 

Thanks for reading...and looking at my pictures...helpful comments are always welcome!

 

July 2013 Update:

 

Last fall, things started moving toward better half acceptance of my dressing, but this past winter, that all went away when she had some serious medical issues. Those are taking a long time to straighten out. At this point, we are back into "toleration" mode of most of my feminine pants and shorts, and of wearing housedresses at home. But progress toward wearing dresses full time, has ceased completely.

 

Oh well, the pendulum will go the other way one day...I just don't know when. Till then, I'll dress when I can...and show some pictures here.

 

Enjoy!