Out in the Real World

[Steffie]

Hi girls,

I went to my second meeting on Saturday. I thought it would be just a routine meeting but guess what? Unexpectedly a couple of the girls asked me if I wanted to go to Dress Barn shopping for a while. This has always been one of my dreams if I ever went out. I thought to myself: why not? Thus I actually went out in the real world en-femme. I was nervous at first (my heart was beating loudly).
I went into the store and then, when walking in the store, I passed a mirror and saw myself. The person looking back belonged there, I decided, and I then tried to walk confidently.
I tried on a couple of outfits (even asked the sales girl for help). I thought they looked nice and I bought them. When I tried on for my wife after I came home, she liked them.

The important thing: the world didn't come to an end when I went out enfemme. That means I can walk outside and won't be tar-and-feathered. lol It's a start. I still would not go out all by myself but only with other girls. I never thought I would go out this early in my CDing but I am truly glad I did. I had a wonderful time and finally bought an outfit I picked out. Just wanted to share my happiness. I'm not going to suddenly become a social butterfly but at least now know I can sometimes walk outside! Thanks for reading!

Steffie

[Loretta Ann]

Thanks for sharing that experience with us Steffie.
I am glad you were able to enjoy your time out.

[Beauty]

Hi Steffie!

I'm so proud of you! Thank you so much for sharing that with us. Wow! It's so awesome that you finally did something you've wanted to for a long time and that it was fulfilling.

Beauty

[Anita]

Thanks, Steffie. I got a lot out of reading that. I'm happy for you!

[Virginia]

Way to go girl!! You got past one of the biggest hurdles that some of us struggled with. Not so much the going out, but the results! No the world did not come to an end, you did not have a cadre of people following you threatening to burn you at the stake, there was no new flash on the local television - things just kept on turning! Ain't it great??!!
Congratulations again,
Virginia

[Phylis Anne]

dear steffie,wow you go girl.i have been going out dressed for quite a while .i belong to cdi and i always go to our get toghethers dressed,i have to take the subway to the city and then i must walk from broadway to 9th ave .i have gone shopping on the way and also when i get to our apt i am asked to go out and pick up some food for our dinner.this is the best part of being out among the masses who may not know that we are among them.what a feeling just to be a woman in new york city,all my love phylisanne

[Steffie]

Hi girls,

Thanks for all your kinds words and support!

Phylis Anne: That sounds cool what you do. Sometime I'd like to try walking in NYC. Maybe the group I'm in will do that eventually. Riding the subway en-femme: that would be another adventure to try!

Steffie

[DeniseL]

Hi Steffie:

Congratulations on your first time out, and that you were accepted as the lady that you are. I am sure it was a real thrill to go shopping dressed, being able to try on and buy clothe.
While I have never shopped enfemme, I did have a pleasant shopping experience in Dress Barn when vacationing in Virginia last March.
Went in, and looking around, saw a nice skirt suit i liked. Asked the sales girl if I could try it on, and they were more than happy to oblige.
As result of that, I bought one skirt suit, and one skirt, both of which I wear often


Denise

[Linda S]

Hi girls,

Thanks for all your kinds words and support!

Phylis Anne: That sounds cool what you do. Sometime I'd like to try walking in NYC. Maybe the group I'm in will do that eventually. Riding the subway en-femme: that would be another adventure to try!

Steffie

Steffie,

I think you'll find that both of those activities are tremendous thrills - a little scary, but lots of fun. I do both, and find a subway ride (Washington, DC in my case) is the biggest challenge because you're in close quarters with lots of people, and can't easily "escape". Besides making sure your clothes, makeup and hair are passable, I think the key is to just to get your head in the game. You really have to *become* the woman you appear to be. If you're just pretending, you'll be too self-conscious to pass well, much less to enjoy the outing.

Finally, as I said in another thread, I do NOT recommend going out with a group of CDs. Unless you're all extremely passable, it greatly increases your chances of being "read". And it makes it much harder for you to really think of yourself as a woman.

Linda

[Sallee]

good goin' girl
going out dresses to shop is a great kick. Going to a dressing room with an arm full of cloths is a great buzz. I am sure that you'll get out again abd again...Sallee

[Linda S]

On a Friday night a few weeks ago, I rode the Washington Metro to a popular nightclub and restaurant area in DC. I knew that many of the riders on the crowded trains would be college-age people headed downtown for an evening of fun, and I tried to put together an appropriate outfit.

I wore my black, fitted Xoxo jacket, cream-colored sleeveless turtleneck, and tight black leggings. Over the leggings I zipped up my black Colin Stuart (a Victoria's Secret brand) knee-high, smooth leather boots with a 3-inch spike heel (as seen in my photo), which I'd embellished with a heavy gold chain on one ankle, fake Chanel purse (black quilted leather), gold earrings, watch and bracelet. My wig was curly, shoulder length, dark brown.

One great moment came as I was riding a long escalator down to a Metro station. A young couple was standing a few steps behind me, chatting with each other. After a lull in their conversation, the woman said to her companion, in a lowered voice, "I LOVE those boots!". That sure made my evening!

Linda

[Stephanie H]

Steffie,
I too would caution you on going out shopping in a group. May be just one other girl as it would keep the process more simple. You will than be focused on why you are in the store. Also, it would not put undue stress on the sales staff and they can focus on your needs and not be concerned about other customers being in the store at the same time as you and put there business at risk. What we all need to be is sensitive to the store sales team and also how the store is perceived by all there customers. If the store gets an incorrect label, It will have a negative impact to their business and potentially have an impact on your future ability to shop there en-feme.
Stephanie