At last 2022 see the return of many of the amazing Transgender Conferences that are held all over the U.S. A. We have updated our post on ‘packing for your first TG Conference’ to help all you ladies getting back out there after the long lay-off. Enjoy!
Have you booked in for your very first makeover at a transgender conference? Do you need to do any preparation? What should you bring? Should you let the makeup artist do their own thing or should you give guidance on the look you want? Our resident Glamour Boutique makeup artist is getting ready for the up-coming Keystone CD/TG Conference and we ask her for her tips to newbies when having a first professional makeover.
Is this the year you are going to a transgender conference? Not sure how many outfits to take? Does the thought of fitting in with the clothes you have available stress you out? Fear not, we will help you navigate the issue of what to pack and what not to pack to ensure you are not out of place and like a good girl-scout, well prepared. Read our tips on ‘must-haves’ and ‘must-have nots’ for the conference to be safe or ask other girls who have been before.
Tips on what to pack for your first transgender conference
What luggage should I take?
Many of the hotels where the conferences take place are big so we recommend you use good sized luggage with wheels. If bringing dresses and maybe even a gown for the big gala dance then make sure you have a case large enough to pack these flat without creasing them. Alternatively, use a suitor for your dresses so you can travel with them hanging and then hold them in one hand as you check-in whilst the other hand pulls your suitcase.
Dress casual or formal?
Most girls will be smart but casual throughout the day. Activities can vary from seminars to wine-tastings to off-site shopping trips and lunch with girlfriends. Think of the time of year and season you are attending an event. If it’s winter in the N.E. then don’t forget a coat if you are going out!
Make sure you are comfortable and that you have worn all your clothes before so you know they have a good fit and comfort level. Evening time can be more formal where cute cocktail dresses may be the order of the day. The larger conferences will often have a dinner/dance at the end where gowns will not be out of place and you can really glam it up. Just know that these events are not judgemental. You will feel comfortable no matter how you choose to dress and you should not feel pressured into wearing types of clothing that you are not comfortable in.
How many outfits should I take?
This all depends on the number of days you are attending, the activities you will be taking part in and how many clothes you have. For many attendees the conference will be the one time in the calendar to spend more than a day dressed en femme and so you want to take advantage of that freedom. For novices a good guide for a 3 day stay would be 3 casual daytime outfits, 2 cocktail dresses and possible a gown for the final night. Again, there are no rules and you should not think of it as a competition – just be comfortable.
Heels or flats?
If you normally dress a few times a year then the chances are you will not be comfortable wearing 4″ stiletto’s all day, every day for 3 or 4 straight days. Take a selection of shoes including flats (especially if you drive there en femme), sexy heels and some chunkier/lower heel shoes that are feminizing but comfortable too. Top Tip: keep heels separate from your prosthetics. A common accident is a breastform being punctured by a stiletto when not packed carefully!
What about accessories?
If you are clever with accessories you can dress up a little black cocktail dress up 3 different ways so you only have to take one dress for 3 evening occasions. Think of matching or contrasting belts, shoes and clutch bag. Don’t forget some bling, particularly at night time. For daytime a good sized handbag is a must to keep your wallet, makeup, perfume, wig brush and even spare pair of hosiery in case of a mis-hap.
Cosmetics to bring along
If you do your own makeup then be sure to pack everything you need from brushes and tools to foundation and makeup remover. There’s nothing worse if you are part-way through your makeover and discover you left your favorite lipstick at home. Plan ahead and check all your makeup products before the event to make sure they are in good condition and there is enough. Clean all your brushes and tools before you pack. The conference days are very full and go extremely fast. You don’t want to have to waste time cleaning all your cosmetics before you can use them on the first day there. Remember to keep some translucent powder or blotting paper, small compact foundation, mascara and lipstick in a small makeup bag with you during day and night events. You will need to do touch-ups throughout the day.
If in doubt, over-pack and take too much. Most girls like to have choices and part of the fun is laying out your outfits on the hotel bed and choosing what you fancy wearing that day or night. Make it a fun part of your day not a stress. If you are organized then do your shopping before the event at a recognized online retailer of quality femme clothes or visit your favorite big box store. Wear everything before-hand to get used to the fit and free and break in any new shoes or corsets. Go shopping with other girls when there and get their opinions on what looks good for you. Above all enjoy and remember to email us some pictures of your event and share your experiences at [email protected].