Tips and Suggestions for Beginners

I'm know there are many things that I don't know about cross dressing and I don't feel that there is a lot of information for those like me that don't have a good idea as to where to start or what being a cross dresser entails.

I don't even know of the many names given to the various clothing. I'm still thinking in a guy perspective when it comes to all of that. To me dresses are dresses and I never considered there were different styles of dresses designed in different ways but still classified within those styles. I didn't know there were more then 3 types of underwear for women because for men it's briefs, boxers and boxer briefs.

I know that I like being dressed as a baby girl or a sissy at times but other then that I don't know much much else. I'm still not sure what styles of dresses there are for baby girls. For the longest time I didn't know the difference between ruffle or frill and I still don't after reading about them. So if anyone has any advice or tips feel free to share.

First, do you want to wear women's clothes? Second: There doesn't have to be a reason, but there may be. Such as Cross Dressing (CD) for humiliation, sissification, punishment. I wear women's clothing because I 'feel' like a woman, & want people to relate to me as a woman, professionally, in business and socially. I enjoy crafting my own style from the myriad of offerings of women's clothes, compared to the limited men's styles.

To learn something of women's clothing, just read all the ads in the papers, especially the Sunday edition where the big department stores ads come out. What ever is for sale is what women are wearing. Half the population is female, and they are all wearing women's clothes. Look at the clothes--not what's underneath--and focus on what you think you'd like to wear. Narrow the selections to a few items because you have to start with a couple things first.

Acquiring some clothes: First you need to find out what size you are for various garments. Look on line at women's clothing sites and find a sizing guide. That's a good start. When you're ready to buy you know where to start. On the cheap, try used clothing stores such as Salvation Army, or Goodwill. Easy to find a try-on boot, and there are no pushy clerks who hover over you thinking you're a perv for trying on women's clothes. I suggest you start with the skin: get a bra and panty, a slip or half slip. Most women wear pants now. It's easy to buy a woman's pants. However a new cross dresses is going to feel better with a skirt & blouse or dress. Shoes: problem depending on size of foot. Women size is men +2. If you wear a 9 men look for 11. Few women's shoes are larger.

I have no experience with sissy, forced fem, adult baby clothing. If you want that I suspect it's all on line.

All of bratwurst's suggestions are a great place to start. You can also want to find "how to" books on fashion.

There are also many Web resources for CDs. One is tgforum.com. There are usully ads for breast forms and other speciality items.

For make up tips, I have had good luck with Merle Norman stores. I just tell them I like to wear make up and they have been very helpful. I suggest you should be prepared to purchase some items. Also think about what look you may be interested in before you go. For example my last visit I wanted some day time make up that I could wear even if I was in my male mode.

For the shoes, I recommend you try them on to find out what works. I for instance wear a size 10 in both women's and men's, because I like my tennis shoes and normal (flat) boots to not be snug. But all my pumps, sandals and ballet style flats do need to fit more snug to feel good. Of course with that being said, I still wear a size 9 for men's sandals. Also, It seem the sizes vary more in women's shoes, especially cheap ones. I have shoes in sizes 9-11 that all fit well.

As for the rest, it has been trial and error for the most part. Though I do have some neat skirts that are handmade. It's not as hard as it sounds, and you can do a fairly poor job on the seams and still make it look good.