Chances to dress in public as a teen. Did you take them?

[Estefania]

After reading what Katrina wrote (Getting started on How during a group event where others were also dressing) it reminded me of a couple chances I had to do the same.

I did belong to a church related group and attended some week long retreats with a large group of teenagers. We were from several different cities.

On the first one, near the end of the event somebody suggested to have a "fancy dress" dinner ("costume dinner"). This girl in my local group suggested that we go together as bride and groom, she would provide the clothes and do the makeup. She was my same height and very likely her clothes and shoes would have fit. But I resisted the idea... (Fearing that people would be able to tell that I loved it!) So by the time I reluctantly said yes, it was almost too late. So I ended up wearing a skirt and a blouse but on top of my own underwear (I don't know for sure but I'm almost sure she was willing to provide with lingerie in her original plan). In any case, she provided some makeup but since we were running late I had to take it with me and get it done myself in my room. When done, I got several compliments from the girls saying I had done a very good job with it. And one of the adults from my local group told me I looked exactly like my mom. (which was a great compliment!).

The following year we had a similar event. I know that I dressed up as a girl again. Different than the previous years where maybe about half a dozen boys had dressed up as girls, it was only another one and me. I really can't remember much details. I remember that I borrowed some ballet flats and a denim skirt, and that I joined a group of girls who were wearing similar outfits. Again I did my own makeup and again I had compliments about it.

Those were the only two times I had the chance to dress as a girl in public some 10-12 years before I started going out in public "for real". I can't believe I had pretty much forgot about them. I know that before then I didn't want to audition a HS play... "Charlie's Aunt" because I was too afraid that if I got the role, people would know that I was a crossdresser.

So my question to you all... Without being forced by anybody, Did you get a chance to dress as a child/teen, in public, and did you take it, or not?

Gaby

[Carole Hill]

Yes, I had two opportunities and I took them. The first was for a skit in high school. The second was for a skit in college. A memorable part of the college skit was that I wore a full skirt with crinolines.

[Anthony Simon]

I did get a chance - to play Titania (from Midsummer Night's Dream) - and took it. I was 9. It got reviewed in the local paper and they made a point of saying what a convincing girl I made.

[DonnaT]

No, I wussed out.

[KimberlyS]

No teen dressing for me. At that time in my life my CDing was off and on, mostly off. Did not have a big need to CD. It was not until my mid 30's I dressed fully enfemme and got out and about. Too bad think it would have been easier for me to CD.

[Stephanie M]

This one time at band camp.....

Seriously though in boy scouts in the early 80's we had a weekend getaway at someplace that must have been a theatre or something because it had a stage and costumes and props, the details are a little fuzzy, but we divided up in groups and my group did a little rascals skit and guess who they picked to play Darla.

I had to wear a dress and say my lines in a higher voice. I didn't really enjoy it because the other kids were making fun of me.

At that time I can't recall if the cding bug had bit me yet or not, all I really recall was how embarrassed I was. The CD bug either was shortly before that or after I honestly can't remember.

[Estefania]

Don't blame you for wussing out Donna. You never know what people is going to think if you are not at least a bit reluctant to accept... (in particular if it is true!)

That's cool Anthony, Stephanie, Carole! I'm trying to get one photograph I know to have existed at some point of me on one of those occasions. Will let you all know if I can get it.

Kim,

Like you, my first real time going out was at around 30. I wish I had know I was going to keep on dressing so I would have grown my hair long and pierced my ears when I was in college in the mid 80's (as it was fashionable then). I also wussed out, to paraphrase Donna. But then any girlfriend I might have got would had have to accept that as part of me (or even liked me more because of it!).

Ah, life...

Gaby

[Requal Jo]

Two times. The first I played the girl in a play put on by the all male group I belonged to. The second was a "come as opposites" night at my work.

[Hanna]

Yes, a little scary though.
I remember when I was probably about 17 years old, I bought a pretty , short, sexy,light blue sweater dress. I went out for a few hours at night and walked around the local mall.
I thought I looked pretty hot, and I guess so did some guy whom I walked by outside.
He groped me, I didn't know what what to do, so swung around and hit him with my pocket book. (Hmm-maybe it was Donald.)
Nothing else happened, but it sure shook me up.

[Estefania]

Woah! Hanna, that would have been enough to scare me off from ever going out again in my life! I'm glad that it didn't seem to have deterred you from it!

I never ventured out dressing up like a girl, but I remember clearly how I would go to stores like a walgreens with a piece of paper in which I had wrote a brand name, color, size of pantyhose and I would ask one of the ladies shopping at the store to help me since my mom had asked me to buy them for her since she was about to go out to an event and had got a run in her hose so she needed them right away... I stopped doing it after one time when I asked a lady to help and after she helped me I realized that she was the mom of one of my classmates at school... Gulp!!

Gaby