Crossdressing 101



		*Crossdressing 101*

	A Story by: Amber Nicole Richards

I was talking to someone from my area recently who is just getting started crossdressing and after talking for a while I realized I might just have enough helpful information to warrant making an article about it. I forget sometimes how hard it was for me to get started now that I'm out and living freely. It was less than half a year ago, and I already forgot the paranoia and self-doubt that I constantly went through. Some people can't just take one giant leap out of the closet; they need to take baby steps, so I thought I would share some of the baby steps that I took, and some that I learned from other crossdressers. So, if you aren't a crossdresser yet, you will be soon.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when you go out to stores to buy female things for yourself in male attire is that most people are not going to assume that it is for you. It may help you feel better if you have a 'list of things the wife needed' and if you buy other stuff at the same time. It's a lot easier to buy clothes around the holidays and everybody has a birthday. My girlfriend's birthday was always coming up, and of course she's about the same size as me. That line never goes bad, unless you use it on the same salesperson too many times, but that's easy enough to avoid. Another good tip is to shop out of town. For a lot of beginners a half-hour or hour drive is not too far for a little peace of mind. After all, it truly is a big world out there, and believe it or not, there is no one following you waiting to catch you buying female things. You will probably never see these people again and none of them are part of a complex web of informants that will tell your friends and family, so relax.

Now that I got you out of the house and on your way to the store, what should you buy? Well, everybody is different as far as what they like. The best way to figure out what you like is to... now say it with me... look at women. Chances are you've seen them around. Rumor has it that they're everywhere! On the television, walking around on the streets, and if you're lucky you might even work with some. If you are too squeamish to 'buy fashion magazines for your teenage daughter', or not old enough to have a teenage daughter, then go to a busy mall, buy a cup of coffee at the over- priced coffee shop, sit down in the main concourse and watch the women walk around. While you are there, you can even look at what the mannequins are wearing; they're always in style, those bitches. The easiest way to shop is via catalog, or now, thanks to technology, via the Internet. Most catalogs will have sizing charts and tell you how and where to measure to come up with the right size for you. Remember to be realistic about your size when you're buying clothes. They're made for real women and often you will need to go a size larger because women's shoulders and chests are usually not as broad as ours are. Its also important to remember that just because it looked good on the model doesn't mean it will look good on you. They hire the cute ones for a reason. If you are a plus sized man, then you are definitely a plus sized woman. There is no way to get around that. You just have to accept it and move on. A special note to keep in mind for later when you finally get around to buying formal gowns, and you will: for some reason they always run at least one size smaller than the tag says. I don't know why they do this, but you will almost always have to go another size up for those.

Now you have some clothes, but clothes alone don't make the woman. Unless you are truly blessed you will definitely need some makeup. Now makeup is going to be a different story. Unfortunately, there is no really easy discreet way for you to buy the right shades of makeup for yourself without actually trying it out. Some of you might be really lucky and have a wife, daughter, or girlfriend whose skin tone and hair color are the same as yours, if so, count your blessings and write down the colors they use. Some of you might also be lucky enough to have a GG friend who is willing to help you pick out your makeup, again count your blessings. But, what about the rest of us? Well, there are two ways to go about it. The first and most common way is the "I'll try this one cause it was closest to the end of the isle." method. You may eventually get the right colors, but chances are you'll be too old to enjoy it anymore. The second way is far superior in effectiveness, but requires a little bravery, but you've come this far and you're almost there, so why not try it. Go to one of those big department stores in another town and ask the lady at the makeup counter for assistance. You'll find that they're more than accommodating in most cases, and you'll find out why when they tell you how much it costs, but they will get you what you need.

Another important topic is adding and removing hair. The easiest way to get a wig is again through the catalogs. I bought most of mine from Freddie out in California, and I think they are pretty good quality and they look good on me. You can also try small salons/hairstylists. They will often deal with wigs, and can usually get one for you. It particularly helps if you happen to know someone in this line of work. The best way, again will take a little bravery, is to go to a wig shop. They will get you the right color, style, and length for your face, but of course they will also be the most expensive. Now as far as removing hair, the best time-tested method is the old razor. Now, its not permanent but nothing short of electrolysis is. I've tried some of those hair removal cream products, but they work just about as good as shaving and last just about as long, so you may as well save time and not take the chance of a chemical burn. The most important thing to remember when shaving any part of your body is to moisturize. Moisturize before, after, heck, moisturize while you're shaving. Just be sure you do it or you'll be sorry. I find it easiest to draw a nice hot bubble bath and soak a while, lather up with a moisturized shaving cream, and slowly shave away all my body and facial hair. Take your time. Hurrying will usually only result in garish gashes all over your legs, or at least those tiny little blood spots, which make you look like you're sweating blood. Ewww gross!

Now, you look like a girl, so go out and have some with it! "But I can't go out like this!" Why the hell not? You took all that time and energy, don't waste it! At least go out and drive around a little, one step at a time. Work your way up to going into a store. I am usually very paranoid about what people think, but it became more important to me that I get to be myself. I think I look pretty good, but I know I'm not perfectly passable. Even the best of us get read sometimes. You'll get looks and the occasional giggle, but what does that amount to really? It's not necessarily a matter of looking good enough to go out, but feeling good enough. If you feel good about yourself then you worry less about what others think. Most people won't say anything to you anyway even if they do read you. Just don't be confrontational. Say: "Yeah, I'm a crossdresser and proud of it!"

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