November 2, 2008
In Europe, where styles are quite a bit dressier than here in the US, women
still appreciate what a pair of silky pantyhose can do to complete an outfit. With
so many fabulous European brands of hosiery to choose from, it's no wonder.
Fortunately, for those of us stranded here in Barelegistan, a number
of internet retailers such as Figleaves.com,
My
Tights.com, and Bare
Necessities offer the latest legwear fashions from across the globe. Recently
I discovered the French hosiery retailer Collants.fr
which offers many elegant styles of stockings and pantyhose (a.k.a., "tights"
in Europe) in brands unavailable elsewhere. With a little help from the Google
Translator I was able to order a few pairs of the Sublim
Ultra Gloss Pantyhose by Dim that I am wearing in the new
pictures I've posted here. Try a pair of these and you'll know why European women love dressy fashions.
November 1, 2008
With election season finally closing out (thank heavens!!), the one book
that I've read on the subject of politics that bears mention is The
New Feminized Majority by Katherine Adam and Charles Derber. Though its
title will have Fictionmania's
fans heads spinning at the possibilities, this book isn't about a plan to
solve our social and economic crises by putting everyone in dresses, heels,
and hose. Instead, the authors look at how women's values meet the general
interests of society and how embracing the values of cooperation, empathy,
and an appreciation for equality will benefit us all. Adam and Derber argue
that we are witnessing a cultural shift in which feminized values - the values
into which women are socialized - have become the predominant guide for what
will be long-term changes to a nation that will be brought together by compassion
and no longer ruled by fear. I, for one, am hoping Adam and Derber are correct
in their analyses; we will find out this Tuesday for sure.
October 15, 2008
Simcha, on her blog at The Frisky, writes about her delight over the onset of she calls "pantyhose season":
Fall is what I like to call pantyhose season. Nothing makes me feel more ladylike than silk, er synthetic, stockings. When it gets cold enough to wear them, they give me flawlessly smooth gams which in turn lets me wear even shorter skirts.
While I'm sure this sentiment is shared by frequent visitors to these
pages, the above posting is remarkable because it is made by a real, genuine
woman. I must say, it's great to see that there are still some ladies who appreciate
what a fine pair of hose can do for our legs. Of course, for most of us here, every season is pantyhose season!
October 11, 2008
If you've been visiting my pages for more than a few years, you've probably
noticed a major change in my photos in 2008. Even those that are newcomers
to my site can see the differences between my recent pictures and those from
days gone by. Of course, I'm referring to all of the weight I've lost this
year. With the help of Nutrisystem, as well as by cutting back on my pinot
noir consumption, the pounds have literally melted away. Because I'm a
bit embarrassed about it, I would rather not tell you how much I lost, but
I can say that today I'm back to what I weighed 20 years ago. One of my inspirations
has been to fit into some clothes I bought when I first became serious about
dressing femininely but have been unable to wear because they were too small.
There is one skirt suit in particular that I've
kept hanging in my closet, hoping that I would someday be as slim as I was
back in 1988 when I purchased it. Anyway, as you can see from these new
pictures, it once again fits! With all the weight I've lost, it's actually
one of my few outfits that I can wear. I guess that I'll have to spend the
next couple of months burning up my credit card buying things to show off
my new figure.
October 9, 2008
In case you hadn't noticed (and I don't know how you could not have), jungle prints are very popular this fall. From dresses and suits to purses, belts, and high heels, designs featuring giraffe, tiger, and especially leopard prints rule the boutiques. Even the lady who is a bit more reserved can embrace her inner feline with a lace and satin leopard print full slip, or half slip and camisole by Intimate Appeal. This season, we are all Edith Prickley.
October 7, 2008
An article
in the London Telegraph gives us a peek into the purse of Sarah, Duchess
of York. As you might expect, she carries everything a well-turned out royal
might need while out doing whatever it is royals do. In addition to her four
cell phones (one for the UK, one for America, one for business, and one for
e-mail), ‘Fergie’ also carries a spare pair of pantyhose as a backup
in case of what the British call a "ladder." As any queen –
or princess or duchess – could tell you, it always a good idea to have
an extra pair of hose handy should you suffer a tragic run at an inopportune
moment.
September 21, 2008
As you might have guessed from looking at my pictures over they years, I
have a bit of a “thing” for fine hosiery. O.K., so maybe it's a
bit more than a “thing.” Maybe instead it's a “deep appreciation”
for silky sheer pantyhose. But now that I've discovered Stocking
Showcase and all of their exciting styles, this appreciation has the potential
to turn into an “issue.” For instance, here
are some new pictures of me wearing a pair of their Cecilia de Rafael
brand pantyhose. Made in Spain, these 40 denier glossy pantyhose have a wonderfully
silky feel and a lovely shine designed to bring out the best in a lady's legs.
After wearing a pair of these, I'm starting to think that perhaps my “thing”
is becoming an “obsession.”
August 10, 2008
Recently I celebrated my birthday (yes, that's right, my 29th)
with a salon visit and then dinner with friends. For my day of beauty I visited
Trixie's
Beauty Bar in north Portland where I was treated to a facial, a brow tidy,
make up, a manicure, and hair styling. The team at Trixie's – including
hair stylist Tyler, nail tech Amber, and the owner and esthetician Tracy –
were truly a delight. Although they are serious about making you look good,
these ladies have entirely too much fun on the job which made my visit truly
enjoyable. It's probably a good thing that birthdays only come around once
a year, because a girl could get used to their pampering. After they worked
their magic, I looked and felt fabulous!
June 23, 2008
A few weeks ago I attended the
Esprit Transgender Conference in Port Angeles, Washington. It was a wonderful week of fashion, self-discovery, sorority, beauty, and parties (especially parties). Click here for some pictures from that event and remember that there are
days until Esprit 2009.
May 10, 2008
Spring is upon us and that means you need to put away all those stuffy sweaters
and clunky boots you've been wearing for the last six months. It is time for
you to rejoice and celebrate the warm sunshine with dresses in silky fabrics
and blouses and skirts in pretty pastel colors. Add a strappy pair of sling-backs
and some ultra sheer nylons and you are set for the season in ultra feminine
style. I've started a new page of pictures for 2008 beginning
with some shots of me feeling very springy in a lovely coral colored skirt
suit. I hope that you'll like them and that you'll look forward for more to
follow.
April 20, 2008
It used to be that finding women's shoes in larger sizes was impossible.
Today, however, there are many sources on the web offering elegant and stylish
high heels in sizes to suit even the most difficult to fit. In fact, with
so many on-line stores selling ladies shoes, it is difficult to know where
to start. To make things a little easier, I've created a listing
of 10 different sources of large and wide size footwear that includes
links that will take you directly to each store's high
heels in your size. With the provided chart, you'll no longer spend all
day trying to find a pair of high heels that is stylish and comfortable.
April 15, 2008
An article
in the Brisbane Courier Mail takes a look at the new book Mary:
Princess of Style which details the style transformation of Mary Donaldson
from laid back Tasmanian girl to the elegant Crown Princess of Denmark. In
her reign, Princess Mary has gained a reputation as a fashion trendsetter,
creating a style that is admired the world over. "As a Princess,"
she told a reporter from Vogue Magazine, "it is important that I look
smart and elegant and appropriately dressed for every occasion." Signature
elements of her style include tailored suits, pointed high heels, wide brimmed
hats, and, of course, she almost always is seen wearing pantyhose or stockings
in a natural shade. She truly is a royal role model for us all.
March 22, 2008
As the transgender community grows there are many more opportunities for us to come together to share ideas and experiences. Over the years, the number of transgender events has flourished, making attendance possible for the majority of us. By my count, there are now at least 13 multi-day events held coast to coast and lots of friendly places in between.
You'll find that taking part in a TG event is a great way to meet new friends who share common interests. Participants of conferences such as Esprit (in Washington State) or Southern Comfort (in Atlanta) usually find the experience very emotional and life changing. You'll definitely not feel so alone in your journey afterwards.
To make it a little easier for you to find a nearby event, I've created a Google map showing the TG events planned for the next year in the US. Clicking on a ruby shoe icon (could I have used anything else?) on the map will give you a link to the specific event website for further information.
Also, if you don't see your TG event on the map, please do send me the particulars
and I will be happy to include it.
March 15, 2008
One of the more confusing things for beginning crossdressers is finding women's
clothes and shoes that fit properly. It can get expensive for those gals that
are just starting out who, through a process of trial and error, end up with
clothes and shoes they just can't wear. Plus, when things don't fit right,
they just don't look right. To try to help out those ladies who need help
finding their size in women's clothes, I've added a Guide
to Women's Clothing Sizes to this site. There you will find measurement
charts and tips for fitting women's day and evening wear, lingerie, and high
heels. I hope that you'll find it useful.
March 8, 2008
Spring is in the air, and so are deliveries from the Friedman's
Shoes Spring 2008 collection. They offer a lovely selection of large and
wide size ladies high heels in styles - such as the stunning red and white
ankle-strap spectator pump shown to the right - that are classy and elegant.
And when you are in Atlanta for the Southern
Comfort Conference you'll want to make sure to visit their downtown retail
store; just remember to bring your credit card, because with all their great
styles in sizes to 13 Wide, you are going to need it!
March 1, 2008
From what fashion designers are showing on the runways of Paris, Milan, London,
and New York, sheer pantyhose are finally coming back into fashion. A number
of Fall
2008 Ready to Wear collections featured designs accessorized with black,
brown, taupe, and even nude shades of pantyhose. It would appear that the
designers are finally catching up with we transgendered ladies who have always
known that sheer hosiery are de rigueur.
February 23, 2008
In an advice
column printed in today's Chicago Tribune, fashion expert Clinton Kelly
declares that pantyhose and stockings are now back in style. As the star of
TLC's
What Not to Wear put it, "you can wear hose whenever the hell
you feel like it!" Kelly suggests wearing nude hose for smooth, blemish-free
legs. However, he cautions, you need to choose a shade that is as close as
possible to your skin tone for the best look. Kelly also recommends black
hose, opaque tights, or fishnet stockings as the outfit dictates; "if
you'd like the world to know that you're wearing hose, that's cool."
Finally, some fashion advice that T-girls can live with.
February 17, 2008
I know, I know... It's been a while since I've updated my
pictures. For those of you who have been waiting, here are a couple of
picture sets including pictures from the 2007
Esprit Conference as well as a classic little black dress accessorized
with silky nude hose and a cute little curly hairpiece. I do hope that they
were worth the wait.
May 25, 2007
One of the most difficult things about being a tall gal is finding blouses with sleeves that are long enough. It isn't like with skirts where a little bit short is just O.K. So I was happy to discover the online eBay outlet of the retailer Long
Elegant Legs. It's a dream to find stylish fashions that really fit at wonderful prices. Here are a few new pictures of me in one of their lovely styles.
April 15, 2007
It's been a crazy busy year for me with a number of big changes on the horizon. As such, I have been neglecting this site. For those of you who have been waiting, I've added a few new pictures with, hopefully, more to follow.
November 25, 2006
I've added a few new pictures from
earlier this year including photos of the after effects of a beauty salon
visit in Las Vegas and a set of pictures showing how a pair of glossy pantyhose
can glam up your everyday business wardrobe.
October 29, 2006
As you've seen in many of my photos,
one of my favorite styles is the businesswoman look with a skirt suit, pantyhose,
and high heels. So you'll understand my delight to have found Lew
Magram,
a new on-line retailer that offers a lovely range of elegant skirt suits and
business dresses. Take, for instance, their lovely emerald
green jacket dress featuring a sleeveless dress combined with a long,
princess-seamed jacket. It’s a classy outfit that’s tasteful enough
for the office yet sexy enough for a hot date or a night out on the town with
your girlfriends. Look for images of me wearing one of their lovely outfits
on these pages soon.
October 17, 2006
Over the past few years it has become fashionable to wear dresses and skirts
without pantyhose or stockings. It has gotten to the point in some circles
that nylons are a definite
don't! One of the main instigators of this unfortunate trend is Sarah
Jessica Parker of Sex
and the City fame. Carrie Bradshaw, Parker's character on that extremely
popular show, basically lived in Manolo
Blahnik high heel sandals without the benefit of sheer hosiery. Of course,
just because something is fashionable doesn't mean that it looks attractive.
A comparison of Ms. Sex and the City's feet with and without hose is
a case in point (see
picture below). I mean really, the callus and swollen vein look is neither
sexy nor fashionable. Perhaps someday she will regain her senses and learn
what all crossdressers already know: pantyhose and stockings make your legs
and feet look much more beautiful.
October 1, 2006
By request, I've finally taken the time to update my pictures. Follow the Images of Kathryn link to the left to view 32 new pictures from this year. Hopefully I won't take so long to update the next time.
August 21, 2006
Last night I returned from a two week vacation, part of which I spent in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada. For the shopping, the nightlife, and the chance to soak up the sun, Vegas is one of my favorite places to visit. It's a great destination for the transgender woman looking for a glitzy and glamorous getaway to a place where almost anything goes. It's as they say... “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”
For variety and value, shopping in Las Vegas is a sure bet. You'll find two
different outlet malls in Vegas. To the north of the Las Vegas strip is the
Las
Vegas Premium Outlets center featuring upscale designer shops including
a Wolford
Hosiery
boutique. A few miles from the south end of the strip you'll find the Las
Vegas Outlet Center which offers 130 different merchants such as Liz Claiborne,
Calvin Klein, Jones New York, and Hanes/Leggs
Hosiery
all within indoor air conditioned comfort. For even greater bargains, you’ll
want to make sure to visit the Fantastic
Indoor Swapmeet which features a number of merchants offering costume
jewelry, accessories, cosmetics, high heels, club wear, and six different
merchants selling wigs (including the eBay favorite Vegas
Girl Wigs). Open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, this swapmeet is truly
a crossdresser’s supermarket. Even the airport in Las Vegas offers great shopping
values; while you are waiting on your baggage you’ll want to visit the
Bijoux Terner boutique
which offers fashionable accessories at a great value including watches, evening
purses, belts, jewelry, and many other accessories all for only $10 each.
Before you head out on the town in Vegas you’ll want to treat yourself to a visit to one of the many fine salons in town. On this trip I discovered the A Harmony Nail Spa, a TG friendly salon which offers the usual manicures and pedicures as well as facials, waxing, cosmetic makeovers, and an entire range of hair care services (including coloring and perms as well as formal up-dos and roller sets). While there I had an updo by Gladys followed by a wonderful manicure done by Paula. The next time you are in Las Vegas you will want to plan ahead and make an appointment with one or both of these delightful ladies. They are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with special appointments available by request.
Once you are all dolled up and ready for a night on the town you’ll find an amazing array of places to party. Aside from the various lounges and night clubs in the casinos and resorts, there are many night clubs that are much more trans-friendly. For starters, you might want to visit one of the gay and lesbian bars off of Paradise down on the “fruit loop” such as Gipsy or Suede. Or you could visit the notorious Las Vegas Lounge.
My favorite place for a night on the town in Las Vegas is Zingers
Night Club. This friendly yet sophisticated and elegant lounge, offering
“old style” Las Vegas entertainment at its finest, is a favorite
of the transgender crowd. On Friday and Saturday nights Zingers features the
music of Ms. Karin Denise
and her All Star Sin City Band. You are sure to enjoy dancing and socializing
the night away at Zingers where it’s like Vegas used to be.
August 1, 2006
After a number of years of the old style, I felt it was time for a change here. The whole brown and pink color scheme was getting a bit old, if you ask me. So, I've decided to change things up a bit here with a redesign. I've brightened up the color scheme, cleaned up a bunch of the links, and added a few new resources.
You'll notice to your left the main menu items for my site. I still have
listed my ever popular shopping pages as well as links to a few photos of
myself (if you are so inclined). A new feature I've added is a set of links
to some of my favorite places on the web. While my “Favorites” section
is still a work in progress, I do plan on adding onto it fairly regularly
so that others might visit some of the best places on the web for transgendered
women.
| You are a 1950s Diva |
 High heels, pretty dresses, classic makeup... You're a feminine beauty who knows how to play up her assets! What Decade Diva Are You? |
| You Are 84% Girly |
 When the term "girly girl" was invented, they were thinking of someone like you. You're a feminine and sweet and very high maintenance lady, but you're worth it!How Girly Are You? |
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