Notes on style and manner of dress:

Even though when DLV was started, it was not thought of as "an opportunity to dress", many of our people use it as such, and that is well within the scope of the current intent and purpose.

While there have been what appear to be two opposing schools of thought regarding dress at Diva Las Vegas, a consensus is forming, and can be observed in two comments, the first coming from Tina, written on her finest stationery, and received in a wax-sealed pastel envelope:

The mere name Diva implies glitz and glamour. While daytime dress is normally casual, and casual dress will certainly fit in at any evening activity as well, many DLV girls use the night activities to strut their finest sequins and silks. This is a trend that should be encouraged.

The second comes from Denise (Densie), composed on a Palm Pilot and e-mailed:

My opinion is presented only as a suggestion, and only to those who are actually concerned about blending in with the crowd and not being noticed; after all, we dress for a lot of different reasons ...
I've always agreed with Annie's ideas on this, casual during the day and optionally formal to dressy for a show or dinner. I think that this is the best way to enjoy all of the activites.
You might want to take a good look at yourself in a full-length mirror (perhaps even before you pack your bags) and ask yourself, honestly, if the look really suits you. It should flatter your figure and be consistent with your age.

I would suggest dressing comfortably because, after all, you are on vacation.

Dressing for Diva Las Vegas:

This next part is intended primarily for those who are new to going out in public, especially in real-life settings such as Las Vegas, but it might be good for all of us to review it. GG's have the advantage of having years of experience regarding what is appropriate for any given occasion. TG's often do not.

There's a tendency in some people, often those who are new to public exposure, to want to go all out and put on the dog. I would suggest to those who don't yet have a style of public presentation to go easy, observe others, ask for advice and feedback, and please be patient.

Oh, and yes, there *will* be opportunities at DLV to put on the dog, if you should choose to wear one. :)

That being said, let's discuss what does and does not work for most people, and what may and may not be appropriate for DLV.

Those who don't have much public exposure frequently try to dress in public as they have in private. Sometimes this works, often it does not.

There is no general dress code for Diva Las Vegas, but some activities may have one, set by the organizers of the activity or the management of the facility in which the activity happens.

For all activities, everybody is asked to please dress and act in good taste, and in a manner appropriate to each activity.

For those who would like some explicit examples and some DOs and DONTs, here are a few:

An evening gown is appropriate for an evening on the town, such as a nicer production show, a limo tour, an elegant restaurant, a formal party, or, even such things as our annual mixer, if you wish to dress up for something like that.
It's not appropriate for daytime casino/strip/tourist activities, nor for casual restaurants, buffets, shops, etc.
A cocktail dress is primarily intended for an upscale early evening activity. It's often appropriate for dinner in a nicer restaurant, an evening party, or an evening show.
It would be appropriate for such things as our welcome celebration and our annual mixer, if you prefer to wear something like this.
It might be appropriate for the more elegant buffets in the evening, but again, most people dining in these will be casual.
It's not appropriate for daytime casino/strip/tourist activities, most buffets and coffee shops, mall shopping, etc., nor is it appropriate for breakfast/brunch/lunch.
Bluejeans, shorts, cutoffs, t-shirts, etc., are appropriate almost anywhere in the daytime, and most places in the evening, but are not appropriate for such things as the nicer restaurants, evening production shows, etc.
Casual separates and coordinates are appropriate most places in both daytime and the evening, as well as for many of the nicer activities, if you should choose to (pardon the expression) "dress down" for them.
Such items as spandex, PVC, leather, underwear-as-outerwear, crop tops, miniskirts, bare midriff, bare tummy, etc. do not work unless you're fortunate enough to be under 30, under 130 and have a high fitness level.
Same goes for such paraphernalia as upper-arm bracelets, ripped tops or jeans, fake tattoos, obvious bra straps, see-thru tops, nipple enhancers, body glitter, etc. Most women over 30 do not do those things. Those who do will not attract the type of attention they desire.
Remember, women (both GG and TG) come in all shapes and sizes. (Including yours!)
When somebody dresses in something not appropriate to her size, shape, and age, the public reaction is NOT to the effect of "oh wow, whatababe", but more along the line of "jeezyougottabesh*tting me" or "heythatsadude".
Yes, it's a common misconception that something tighter will make somebody look more slender and more appealing. Nope, it doesn't work that way.

Although many of our people have a very good feel for what is to be worn to what activity, some of our people who may be new, or aren't yet comfortable with the casual femme look tend to overdress. Casual is the norm for daytime wear in Las Vegas. (Yes, you can dress **UP** in the evening. :)

We also ask that you please refrain from dressing and acting in a manner that is intended to flaunt transgenderism or call attention to yourself or the group. (Many of our people want to have as little attention as is possible.) This includes obvious out-of-place outfits, partial crossdressing, and such things as "skag drag", an example of which would be a full beard and an evening gown. When you are with the group, we ask that your outfit and presentation be a serious attempt at either complete girlmode or complete boymode.

"Skag drag is a political statement." -- Lee G. Brewster

Common blunders:

From observation, those new to appearing in public often fall prey to one or more of the following:

Overdressing. I think we've discussed this enough, but it is a very common mistake, especially by those new to going out in public.
Dressing one generation behind. Many of our community seem to like to dress the styles that were popular during their teenage years.
Retro is cool (when appropriate), dated is not. A suggestion by one of our vendors is "Try to remain within one decade of current fashion." :)
Those girls you knew and admired in your teenage years have adapted to the times and have a style that is far different and much more up to date. Use their style in 2003 as an example to follow.
Dressing one generation ahead. Someone in her 40's looks grossly out of place dressing as her teenage daughter. Many of those outfits you see in the single-digit shops just don't work for somebody who is over 40 and not as fit as a teenager. Ditto for such things as t-shirts and tank tops with cutesy sayings "Hot Stuff", "Yes I am a model".
Not considering size, height, weight, and fitness level in selecting an outfit. GG's who are 6'3" do not wear 5" spike heels to the mall. (Most of them don't wear spikes anywhere!) Likewise, BBW's who are over 200lbs don't wear bare-midriff outfits, period.
There is a certain kind of look, which is somewhat difficult to describe, but if you've seen it you recognize it. I call it the "groupie" look, from its prevalence at t* groups and mainline t* conventions, and one of my esteemed colleagues calls it the "Walter Matthau" look.
Being TOO natural! Unless you are youthful and have no facial hair and flawless skin, yes you need at least SOME makeup. This attempt at being ultra-natural seems to be common with those who have recently shunned the label of CD/TV and adopted the label of Pre-Op or No-Op.
Likewise, the average male body does need at least *SOME* padding and/or control to assume a feminine figure. Girlmode dress with a boymode face or figure just doesn't work!

Is passing important? Some swear it is, others swear it is not.

One opinion is that passing is 90% attitude. Many agree. It may be difficult to get out of that "guy in a dress" mindset, but developing a degree of attitude, style, and poise is important to anybody who plans to venture out in public. Attitude in passing also pertains to your desire to dress and behave in public as is expected of a lady of your age, height, and body type.

Bottom line:

When selecting an outfit for any DLV activity, consider all of the following:

Your personal style, your likes and dislikes, your comfort level.
Your age, height, weight, body type, and fitness level.
The time, place, and circumstance of the activity.