The Beginning of Something Wonderful

[Celeste]

I've already posted on my first time in the 'How old were you' thread, so I'll take this opportunity to talk about when I totally knew:

The only time I've ever gone out in public was when I showed up at an ex-girlfriend's house in full drag at the age of 24. It was Halloween, so I knew I'd be safe. Not wanting to dress at home since my parents were there, I went to dad's office, got all dolled up, and then drove to her place. She was surprised because I was never one to engage in childish things like Easter egg hunts, Christmas stuff, wearing silly hats at birthday parties, and especially putting on a costume. As impressed as she was, it didn't take long for her to realize that I was enjoying it a million times more than she was.

I'd been doing the makeup thing since 15, occasionally throwing in nylons, panties, and dresses, but the clincher was the wig. Knowing I'd not be questioned buying anything girly in late October, I actually bought three wigs and then chose the best one for my presentation to my ex (a luxurious blonde updo). The others were hidden in my bedroom and trotted out anytime my parents were out of town.

To this day, I most often focus on my makeup and hair (back up to a dozen or so wigs since the last purge) rather than the clothes, which I can just randomly choose from my wife's closet.

In that sense, I feel after reading so many of your comments in the various threads, that I am an anomaly: the vibe I get is that most of you are about the clothes while I am all about wigs and makeup. Does anyone else prioritize the way I do?

[Anthony Simon]

I'd been doing the makeup thing since 15, occasionally throwing in nylons, panties, and dresses, but the clincher was the wig. Knowing I'd not be questioned buying anything girly in late October, I actually bought three wigs and then chose the best one for my presentation to my ex (a luxurious blonde updo). The others were hidden in my bedroom and trotted out anytime my parents were out of town.

To this day, I most often focus on my makeup and hair (back up to a dozen or so wigs since the last purge) rather than the clothes, which I can just randomly choose from my wife's closet.

In that sense, I feel after reading so many of your comments in the various threads, that I am an anomaly: the vibe I get is that most of you are about the clothes while I am all about wigs and makeup. Does anyone else prioritize the way I do?

Well a lot of it, maybe, has to do with availability. Like the first things that strike people as femme and available to try are characteristically clothes. So then they try them and then go that route. Like a frequent progression is eventually to "full femme" which would be the clothes, the makeup and the wig (plus stuff to give you more of a female shape).

But, within that, wig and makeup are seen as the things that "complete" the image - and with good reason, often. Like you put a wig on your made-up face and suddenly there's a woman there. That's how it is for me - and that's why, for me, the wig and the makeup are actually the key things. I don't feel I'm "properly" doing the CDing until I have got them on. Because my whole big thing is to look in the mirror and see a woman looking back.

[Leeza]

I think we all have a favorite aspect of cross dressing. For some it is clothes, makeup, shoes, foundation wear, nylons ect.

I have some wigs that I wore before I could let my hair grow longer. I haven't put any f them on in years as I have too much hair to get into the cap. (I also have a large head so that in most wig caps there isn't much room for my hair.)

Leeza

[Ralitsa]

I would say that for me it changes. At first it was about skirts, I was totally enthralled with skirts, the flowing fabric around my legs, the wind blowing it around, the "swish" when I walked............
Well actually skirts were second, panties were first. Then bras, then nylons, then cami's, then dresses, earrings and jewelry, then nails, then make-up and wigs.
Right now I'm kind of at the point where bras, panties, nylons, skirts, tops, dresses and basic make-up are just the necessities of life. For something special I go shopping for new shoes or get my nails done. But that doesn't mean I don't get excited about a really cute dress

[Rikki]

And I will echo that we are all different. For me it's the full-skirt silouette of the late 50's, early 60's that drives me insane. Hardly anyone else on the forum thinks that I'm sane, but I just adore the retro look. So square dance outfits with petticoats and heels fit the bill for me. Can you say, "Bouffant"?

Rikki

[Anthony Simon]

I feel after reading so many of your comments in the various threads, that I am an anomaly: the vibe I get is that most of you are about the clothes while I am all about wigs and makeup.

This comment of Celeste's absolutely stuck. Mostly, I suppose because I've felt like an anomaly pretty much forever - and part of that is the CDing. So, when someone says she feels like an anomaly amongst (a society-defined) bunch of anomalous people, it really gets to me.

It actually reminds me of being a scapegoat amongst the scapegoats, which is not a good place to be. Or maybe it's a very good place to be, if the core of CDing is being anomalous. FWIW there was a thread we had before (from Ralitsa) that suggested that a lot of us are against the standard in other ways:

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