Eye Candy of the Month: Stacey Bushes

Meet Stacey, our Eye Candy Girl of the Month from the heart of England! Her first outing in a white Marilyn Monroe dress sparked a love of dressing up that’s still going strong. These days, she’s drawn to bold colours, playful outfits, and accessories that deserve a closer look. Read on for the story behind her name and the support that means so much to her!

Let’s start by telling everyone where you are from?

I live right in the middle of England. A trip to the beach is a mission, which is funny when I live on an island.

When did you first start dressing, and how did it come about? 

I loved costume parties. Whenever one came up, I used to put in too much effort, which was a massive flag looking back. There were costume hire shops with a huge list of outfits that you could hire, and I was fascinated by princess ball gowns and glamour. The first time I properly tried dressing up, I was 16, going to a costume party. I chose a white Marilyn Monroe dress. Looking back, it was probably a mess as I had no femmine shoes and I was too scared to put on makeup, let alone buy some.

How did you come up with your Femme name?

There’s a district within a town near to where I grew up actually called “Stacey Bushes”. You’d see it on road signs, looking so odd.  Name felt more like a person than an address.

How often do you dress?

I have a family, so they come first. If I find an occasion that feels safe to dress, then the fun starts. I love to spend time planning the look. Researching and shortlisting clothes, shoes, wig. Constantly trying to find a balance.

Are you married/in a relationship? If yes, are you able to share your female self with your partner?

I have an incredible partner who supports me. I feel incredibly lucky to have her in my life. I told her I crossdress when we first started dating, but I still feel guilty and shameful about it frequently. It can be easy to suppress your feelings because you don’t want to let down the ones you love. But you have a duty to yourself to be happy, and if they love you, they don’t want to see you miserable. As with everything, honest communication is key.

Anyway, if she’s reading this, I love you!

Tell us what goes into getting the perfect photo?

Time and confidence. I have a tendency to rush and minimise time to get ready as I have a fear of holding people up. When I’ve had my makeup done by professionals, it takes time to get it right. Confidence shines through pictures. When you believe in yourself, people can tell.

What are some of your favorite outfits/fashions? 

I adore cosplay and drag. I find men’s clothes typically stuck in earth tones; lots of browns, greens, and greys. The clothes are all so drab. When the chance to dress up arrives, I want to be a bright, shiny explosion of colour or patterns. There’s a monthly meet-up called London Colour Walk where everyone dresses to the maximum, it’s so bold and joyful. They are all an inspiration.

Stockings or pantyhose?

Depends what works best for the outfit. Stockings have more drama, especially with suspender belts. Just got to watch all the clips stay in place.

Heels or flats?  

I prefer heels although the downside to being 6-foot tall is that with heels on, I end up feeling like a giant. Heels force me to slow down and change my gait, so it reminds you to calm down, which feels nice.

Favorite places to go when dressed?

There’s a club in England called Pinks that has a monthly event called BNO (big night out), and I found that to be safe and welcoming. Also, comic cons have been very accepting when cosplaying (crossplaying) as female characters.

Go-to accessories for a night out?

I love matching a bag to an outfit. I had a sushi themed dress once, and found a cross shoulder bag in the shape of a sushi roll, and then found earrings like little soy sauce bottles. Also, I always carry spare lipstick.

Who is/are your female role model(s) and why?

Miss Piggy! She’s confident, unapologetic, and has incredible outfits. The perfect diva! Regarding non-pig people, the person I’m in awe of is artist Grayson Perry. Turned up in a prime time tv show in makeup, big frilly dress, and carried themselves as if it was just as normal as wearing a suit. Then later learnt they were married, had kids, felt like the world to just be yourself was possible. To have that confidence would be magical.

Tell us some fun facts about yourself. What are your hobbies (either when dressed or not), likes, things you do in your spare time, or anything else you would like to share? 

Spare time is mostly spending time with family, trying to find crazy adventures to go on. I’m a bit of a geek, so I love anything in that world, especially if it involves creating something new.

Any stories you would like to share about yourself and your journey?

I learnt the hard way to test an outfit before going out. I went to a comic con once dressed as Giselle from the film Enchanted. Huge puffy white bridal gown, and it had this long train, and everyone kept accidentally stepping on it, pulling it off the back of the dress. It was fine when just in front of the mirror at home!

If you have social media, what is the best way for others to follow you?

I’m on Instagram as @staceybushes.

Before we go, would you like to send a message to your fellow girls out there or a closing statement?

Life is so short, don’t waste time thinking what if. Be honest with those you love, but also be honest with yourself. Love all the people. 

Would you like to share your story and become an Eye Candy Girl?

Let us know by emailing us at [email protected] or message us on our Facebook page. And be sure to check out more great tips and articles on our blog!