What is feeling feminine to you?

[Tina_gm]

Thanks for the suggestions SFwarbonnet, although I was not really seeking help for the frustration of not being out in public or a full dresser. My thoughts on this thread are more about what it is that drives the desires. I do find a chicken or the egg type of discussion interesting, as in is/are there triggers to our feminine side/femininity from our environment, or physical sensations we get from doing things or wearing clothing that are primarily designed for women?

At least on this site, a large majority of the CDers also have secondary interests besides just clothing which are feminine based. Things we like to do, the way we behave or react to certain things...

[Angela Marie]

Wow. This is such a hard question to answer. I struggled with my dressing for many years. Yes the feel of pantyhose, a nice skirt and blouse with a dabble of perfume certainly helps. But those are but an entree into our feminine side and more often the result of societal defined roles. I became more comfortable with Angela once i opened my mind and accepted what I had known for years; my preference for female over male company, the non judgmental female attitude, the caring and nurturing that allows women to see the goodness in people. I could go on and on but you get the idea. Of course the smooth legs and short skirt don't hurt either

[KellyJameson]

I have never felt feminine or masculine and I do not try to act feminine or masculine. I just simply try to be natural and live effortlessly as that feeling of being comfortable in my own skin. I cannot tolerate that feeling of being self conscious as that concern for how others perceive me. I do not want to constantly be standing outside of myself as if I'm trying to see me through their eyes.

In my opinion this leads to emotional problems and reminds me of emotional aspects of gender dysphoria which I have finally escaped from and do not ever want back in my life. I'm done with the crazy train thank you very much and do not want to get back on.

People perceive me as possibly being one or the other or some blending of both but that is their perception.

Their perception is unique to them as to what makes a man manly or a woman womanly.

Some experience me as a masculine woman and others as a feminine woman and both would be true because I move between them depending on my moods or interests.

[Robin414]

I find I feel more feminine in guys clothing oddly enough, I think it's because my body is in transition and in guys clothing I feel like a woman pretending to be a guy but in woman's clothing still a residue of feeling like a guy pretending to be a woman, i think that makes sense right?...yikes I think more and more that I really am TG 😮 yah thanks Dr. Phil, I got this! 😎 (I think..)

[sfwarbonnet]

Finding women’s clothes that fit a GM is a challenge, as a bust and an hourglass figure are often presumed in women’s clothes. Particular examples are all-in-ones and garter belts. In the former, if one gets a large bandwidth, the cups are usually too large for underdressing, and garter belts, which are supposed to keep stockings from falling down, often fall down themselves as GM’s usually do not have a large difference between waist and hip measurements. For me, a short 38 slip with no bust darts makes an OK undershirt, although most of my shirts are 42-44 and narrow, non-adjustable straps on a slip fall off my shoulders (probably due to lack of boobs) unless I wear a bra with adjustable straps. To get an appropriate bra size, use the largest chest measurement as the bandwidth, and get an AA cup.

[Rebecca Sue Willams]

For me it was when I went to a local casino and I was feeling good and when I got to the door I had a man hold the door open for me. I was flying on cloud 9. This week I was on vacation, I went to Phoenix for a night of fun. I was dressed up and looking good, went shopping at a mall and then came back to my room and put on my bathing suit and went to the pool. This was the first time I had done this. I felt real good stepping down into the pool as a woman. When I can do everyday things dressed it is a big thing for me.

[Saikotsu]

Very interesting topic. Defining what it means to feel feminine, to be feminine is like describing what it means to be "red". However, I will try.

Whether I'm feeling feminine or masculine, most of my hobbies don't change, my personality doesn't change, my interests don't change, etc. And yet, deep within me is a fundamental shift. When I feel feminine, I feel as if I am a girl. To me, being a girl isn't about being pretty or wearing makeup or frilly things (neither of which are my bag of tea). Its about experiencing the world through a female viewpoint.

This is a lot harder than I thought... I need to put some more thought into this. Thank you for giving me something to mull over for a bit.

[Sharon B.]

Having just gotten out of the shower where I had removed all body hair, applied scented body lotion, seeing my toenails with nail polish on them, spraying perfume on my body, donning panties, bra, pantyhose, slip, heels, dress, makeup and women's jewelry. That is when I feel the most feminine.

[fiona frisson]

Wow what a wonderful description .. ofB eing you

[Saikotsu]

I've been thinking since I posted earlier, and I think I've come up with an answer.

For me, femininity is equivalent to strength. Emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical strength. I have a deep respect for women. I know quite a lot of women who have been through terrible life events.

My mom. She was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and stage three brain cancer. The cancer cells from her lungs traveled through her bloodstream and took root in her brain. Her body was growing a cancerous lung up there. But despite how dire things were, she endured. She fought. Not only the cancer. She fought the notion that cancer was an end. Rather than get depressed and gloomy, she reevaluated her life and started living more vigorously than ever. But now, she is currently living cancer free, and she'll be celebrating her birthday in a few weeks.

My great grandmother: at 4 feet tall, she was described as a tank. Nothing could stop this woman. She didn't take guff from anybody. She spoke her mind and wasn't afraid of anything. I wish I could have met her.

My friends: two have been raped. Three have been through terrible abuse. All of them are amazing people, full of warmth and love and compassion. Despite all the s*** they've been through, they are some of the most energetic, passionate people I've ever met. Far from being delicate flowers, these women have been an example of tremendous strength to me.

The women on this site, both genetic and otherwise: you embody these traits too. Whether you realize it or not. It takes strength and courage to show the world your true self. It takes emotional strength to be supportive and loving. Even if you're still in the closet, you are stronger than you realize.

I'm not saying men are weak by the way. But so many women have been an inspiration to me because they were strong, that I associate strength and resilience with femininity.

I like to think that I have these traits in me too, whether I'm feeling masculine or feminine. But how they manifest, and how I tap into them, that's what changes when my identity switches.

[ReineD]

I find I feel more feminine in guys clothing oddly enough, I think it's because my body is in transition and in guys clothing I feel like a woman pretending to be a guy but in woman's clothing still a residue of feeling like a guy pretending to be a woman, i think that makes sense right?

Yes it does and I feel the same way. Our experiences are different because I present as a woman all the time (I'm not trans), but the similarity lies in the fact that you picked up on the contrast. You feel more feminine when you must wear men's clothing because they are no longer natural to you. I feel especially feminine when I am surrounded by masculinity. It's all about vibes for me, the contrast between the testosterone in my male companions, and myself. There are subtler things I pick up on, like the fact that most men are bigger than me, their heads and shoulders are shaped differently, the body hair is different, their muscle mass is different, their voices are different.

When I'm with a bunch of women, I just feel .... normal. Not particularly feminine or masculine, just unremarkably me in my natural state. I feel this way because there is no contrast between myself and the other women there, we're all made of the same cloth, we have the same chromosomes, the same estrogen, even if we are all dressed differently, casual or fancy, are different ages and have different body types. All these things are just facets of being a woman, just styles or life phases but there is no fundamental contrast between myself and them and so my femininity is not highlighted, not like it is when there are men present.

Yes, I understand what you're saying.

[lynda]

Hi girls, let me just say, over the last year, I have lost 120 lbs , by turning veggi, I say this for a reason, I have gone from a size 22 to wearing a size 10 jean, so I am finding it easer to present female, heres my story , I was out at a fli market and I was dressed in womens jeans , a rosy t shirt and sneakers, no forms and bandana covering my hair, just like about 90 precent of the gg out there ,and I was carring a large shoulder bag to carry stuff I bought in, I had to use the rest room, so I walk into the mens room and there are to guys in there and as I walk in, one turns to me and say says wrong room lady , mens room...I was going to say what the hell you talking about , the I relized he was not trying to be a wise guy , he was warning me, he read me female, I could feel we were deffernt and I never felt more female ,then at that time so I just said sorry and left and I used a porta potty, I mentioned my wt lose because , now I am smaller then a lot of men, and in losing all that wt I have also lost most my upper body strent and I am only 5' 7 " tall so I am not that big guy,so when I am around guys now , I just feel deffrent then them......... Love peace Lynda

[Brandy Mathews]

Lynda,
Good for you hun! I lost alot of weight too, years ago, makes me feel alot sexier, wear alot of things now that I could never wear before. Love to be able to wear anything I want, depending on the mood. From bathing suits, to formal dresses. Way to go Lynda!
Hugs,
Bree

[Claire Cook]

Well, definitely I "feel more female" when dressed but there is no doubt that the woman is always there within. I find an interesting contrast with Reine's post. I would much rather be with other women than with men. I feel more normal, I feel more "me". Maybe I am absorbing all of those estrogen essences, but it just feels right. When I'm dressed and around males, I don't feel comfortable.

[Stephanie47]

Interesting question. Since a MtF crossdresser is not actually a woman, I'd say it is impossible to feel feminine. You'd have to ask a woman to define femininity. When I go to the mall and see women I see a wide range of "airs." "Airs" in the sense of how a woman is attired. There are absolute "slobs." "Slobs" in the sense of being totally unkept. I see men fitting the same description. On the other end of the spectrum I see women who have paid a lot of attention to the trip to the mall. The woman may be wearing a gorgeous outfit. One woman may be wearing a dress, heels and hosiery, and, have done her makeup. Another woman may be in cute jeans and top and boots/heels, etc. I have not ascribed any description of height and weight, etc. That's the perspective of the viewer, me! So, what's the difference. I have also seen many women who give off an "air" of total femininity attired in work boots, flannel shirt, dirty jeans, smudged face and hair thrown to the wind. They all seem to project confidence in who they may be.

I will say the same for men I observe.

So, when I put on a pretty dress, hosiery and heels, all the proper undergarments I feel comfortable and totally at ease. It really is the same feeling I get when I am in male mode. I truly forget I am wearing women's clothing because the clothing has really become immaterial. Also, how I feel when attired en femme or as my male self, it has nothing to do with how I feel sexually. There still is the strong heterosexual attraction to women. There is absolutely no kindling of the fire toward men. I hope all this make some sense.

[Quintaseg]

I feel feminine when,
I wear saree.
Wear a very short extendible skirt

[Victoria Demeanor]

Feeling like myself when I take off my male mask.

[ashleyjane15]

I feel instantly better and more confident when I dress up as to when I just roll out of bed and put on my "street clothes."

[Dana44]

H'm Feminine feelings have been with me all of my life. When I switch, I am not that feminine but dressing helps me feel more feminine as I'm focusing on that and I glad to finally let some of those feelings out. As a woman I feel strong and feminine. Women have the strength as they faced many things in life. As a male we are to be stable and unfeeling. I have never felt that way and my female side is a great part of me. It is getting harder to switch back to male mode and leave my femininity. I believe that I'm not quite the unfeeling male anymore. But age may be mellowing my male side also. I went though five hard years starting with my Father's death and a very heavy divorce then a pushed retirement out of my job. Had to take care of mom and then she past. All of this in five hard years. I am sure that that has changed me also and I am trying to find all of my feminine emotions.

[Alisonforme]

For me it is a heightened sense of freedom. In drab I feel like there are bounds I can't cross (keep hands below shoulder-level, for instance).
En femme, I can do whatever I want. I can dance and look good doing it, I can giggle, I can hop and clap if the mood strikes me, I can swish my hips when I walk, and I can cross my legs however I feel like and rub my legs and feet.

Freedom, a sense of calm, and just let Alison do her thing...she knows what's good for her

[MissDanielle]

This is such a subjective question but just wearing a sexy lace push-up bra and panties, at minimum, is the least amount for me.

[Kimberley May]

Me? Well, I'm still figuring it all out Attachment 252663

But right now, dressing up in women's clothing, shaving my body hair, talking in a softer voice whilst walking with a wiggle is about as feeling feminine as it could possibly get for me right now

It also helps me to see things a little better from a woman's persepective too. Particularly with all the pervs begging me to look at their male C word photos before asking me to meet them. Now I'm beginning to see why many GG's prefer to stay single.