There's a thread by Cathleen about why we dress if we don't go out. She restricted the responders to those who don't go out.
It seems like many of the responders to the other thread don't go out because they don't think that they could pass.
I think we all agree that most of us will never pass a close inspection. I'm 5'9" and I wear a size 12/14 dress and a size 10/12 jeans. That's about the average size of an American woman. Because I am average sized, I can say that I probably pass at 30 feet. I probably don't pass at 3 feet to someone not wearing "beer goggles".
And, I do go out, sometimes in a large group (50+), and sometimes in a smaller group (3-4). I go out because I can. I got to safe places and don't walk alone in dark alleys, so to speak. I love it when I get positive affirmations from GGs. To me, in indicates a level of acceptance. It also is an affirmation of my fashion style. I work very hard on my fashion style, and always try to look "well put together" whether I'm in an evening gown or yoga leggings. I always try to present different looks. I don't go out in sweats, because to me, that's not crossdressing. I could wear my own male sweats and not present female if I just wanted to wear sweats.
I used to underdress in panties all the time, but I hardly ever do now. I have a different outlet. I take a yoga class three time a week, and always go in feminine (think floral) yoga pants and a women's racerback or tank top.
Maybe someone else wants to comment.