My beginnings ... way back when

DianeCD · Post by **DianeCD** » Wed May 19, 2004 9:32 pm

I remember being fascinated by women's clothing from a very early age, particularly with foundation garments. At the age of 11, I felt a strong need to try on a girdle. Being a baby-boomer, this was back in the late 50's and early 60's, when the Playtex rubber girdles were "de riguer". So I borrowed one of mom's Playtex open bottoms and a pair of nylons. It took me a while to figure how to get it on properly, but once I did and had it on right, I was hooked. The feeling of a good tight girdle was fantastic! To this day, I am still a Playtex girl and feel naked without my girdle on.

I almost got caught a few times wearing it (some VERY close calls!!). I suspect she knew I was wearing them, but the subject was never really brought out into the open. During high school, it was difficult to go buy my own things, so I just made do this way for a good while. While finishing college and kiving at home, mom often asked me to slip on dresses she was making so they could be hemmed. Obviously, I liked doing this favor, but did not let on the fact. If I was alone at home for several hours, or even days, I took every opportunity to get into a girdle, nylons, slip and a dress.

Once on my own, I then started buying my own things, usually by making a special trip to the department stores. Imagine how overjoyed

I was to be able to buy my first bra, slips, dresses, heels and of course my favorite Playtex girdles --- and come home and transform to Diane. Then I bought wigs and makeup to complete my femme image.

48 years later, I still dress regularly. But for many years now, I find that I am simply more comfortable wearing women's clothes. I actually feel more natural and relaxed when dressed. I am completely comfortable wearing bras, girdles, lingerie, heels and dresses. I've gotten so used to it that I can get dressed easily & hardly even think about it - why, even putting on my bra is second nature. Mostly I just dress at home, but I have been out in public a few times fully dressed. When I go out, I always wear dresses or skirts. Being out fully dressed actually makes me feel more "free", if you know what I mean. So far, I think I have passed OK; I dress very conservatively and try to just blend in. Just wish I could get out more, but I must be careful for a variety of reasons.

That is my beginning. I could go on and on, but this is a start. I have enjoyed reading all the other posts here and figured I should chime in...

Diane

Loretta Ann · Post by **Loretta Ann** » Wed May 19, 2004 10:36 pm

Hi Diane,

Interesting read. You don't tell us if you are married or still in the closet etc. And you don't have to if you don't want to. Just curious.

Anyway thanks for sharing your story with us.

Beauty · Post by **Beauty** » Wed May 19, 2004 11:03 pm

Hi Diane,

That was a very cool beginnings. Like Darlene said. Is there more?

Thank you for posting!!

Beauty

Barbra · Post by **Barbra** » Thu May 20, 2004 5:31 am

Hello Dianne.
Since you mentioned the fifty and sixty's I suspect that we are in the same age bracket. I don't know about you but I can't remember when I didn't love feminine things. I don't really have anyone to talk to about this so please keep writing.
Barbra Carolyn

Virginia · Post by **Virginia** » Thu May 20, 2004 3:01 pm

Hi Diane,
You kinda fall in line with a lot of your sisters here, but like Darlene asked what is your current situation, and yes it is up to you whether or not you wish to share with us. We welcome you and look forward to hearing more from you,
Love,
Deborah

DianeCD · Post by **DianeCD** » Thu May 20, 2004 5:28 pm

Sorry about that ... it was rather late when I did the first posting. In my bleary-eyed state, I imagine I did leave out some details. I am single living alone (unlucky at love) ---- but I am 100% straight and definitely not gay. And with medical problems now --- for which I have the doctors to thank --- it's not likely I'll find an SO or wife at this stage of the game. But I do love the girls --- maybe so much that I try to emulate them.

I guess you could say I'm still pretty much in the closet. There are not many people who know of my dressing outside of my Tri-Ess group. I have not been able to make a TriEss chapter meeting in many moons, but I did dress nicely for those meetings I did make. And I've been out on my own only 2-3 times, and that was mostly just driving around. Haven't got the nerve up to try the mall yet

---- but I would love to! I would love to go out dressed often just doing everyday things. As I said in my original post, I'm more comfortable dressed than not, so I think I would feel proper being out dressed.

I'm in VA too (as I see from Darlene's and Deborah's profiles). I may be up in northern VA pretty soon for work purposes.

I'll be happy to talk about things in more detail, and to help anyone out in any way I can...... just did not want to write a novel for the first post!!

TTFN ------------ Diane

Caroline · Post by **Caroline** » Fri May 21, 2004 4:57 am

Hi Diane,

Thank you for sharing your story with us--I look forward to hearing more from you when you feel up to it.

One thing, I note you say that when you have been out en femme, you like to dress conservatively and blend in. I think that's very wise of you, and the sensible way to go about it.

Kind regards,

Caroline.

Josey · Post by **Josey** » Sat May 22, 2004 7:51 am

Hi Diane,

You have a very familiar story. I remember the fifties and those same playtex girdles. Actually, having been a rather ehavy child, I fell in love with some of the older foundation articles that my grandmother had. They were more corset styled with strings which helped for a nice small waist and a more feminine shape.

Thanks for bringing back some nice memories.

DianeCD · Post by **DianeCD** » Sat May 22, 2004 12:59 pm

Yes, Josey, they do bring back lots of pleasant memories! I never did try corsets, as they were not available (to borrow) in those early years. But the Playtex girdles were...

These were open bottom girdles, so naturally I have always preferred to wear an open bottom. My favorite was the Golden zipper girdle --- it was exceptionally firm (guaranteed to bring you down two dress sizes

in a jiffy) and was very durable with the cotton flocking lining; you could wear it a long time before it ever thought about splitting. It was a real joy to wear. You REALLY knew you had a girdle on when wearing this one!!!

Now here is a weird thing... In recent years, I have suffered nerve injuries in the pelvic area, due to a botched prostate biopsy done by a sloppy quack doctor. This has caused very severe chronic pelvic pain which is aggravated by sitting, driving, etc. ---- anything that puts pressure on the affected area. I have found that wearing a good firm girdle can help to cut the pain down a bit. It's not a cure-all, but if I wear it for several hours, it really seems to help. Then as soon as I take it off, I'm hurting like the dickens again. I'm guessing the compression the girdle provides has something to do with it, but I'm not sure. And, I find a dress or skirt infinitely more comfortable to wear, since it looser and does not chafe the pelvic area like pants do. In short, I think life would be a lot more tolerable, from a purely practical standpoint, if I could dress enfemme all the time. Sounds totally contradictory, but that's the way it is. I am so desperate for pain relief I'd do just about anything --- and these pills the docs push on me don't do a darn thing for the pain, other than give me all the side effects.

Sorry for rambling on --- felt I had to get it off my chest --- (but my bra stays on my chest

...........)

Diane

Virginia · Post by **Virginia** » Sat May 22, 2004 6:08 pm

Diane, honey, my heart goes out to you! Those medical problems are most unfortunate. I would imagine that women's clothing would be a bit more comfortable for you. If I may make a suggestion about going out. My first couple of times I went to an afternoon movie matinee. The theater isn't crowded, you can park close or far away, I park away so I can "proactice my walking in heels. Anyway, you usually get very few looks and you talk through a window so the voice is no problem, then just walk in and pick a seat and you can practice sitting and crossing and uncrossing your legs while being entertained. I was called a "slut" while leaving one movie by an older lady. At "Cold Mountain" four ladies came in and one sat right next to me so for almost two hours I HAD to maintain my feminine personna, I hope she did not choke on my White Diamonds perfume? HA ha. Oh, once I had a young, cute policeman actually hold the door open for me - when I thanked him his reply " anytime, Honey!" I think I floated to my seat after that! Anyway try it.
Love ya and thanks for sharing-- we are here for you,
Deborah