Questions for those that go out in public dressed on a regular basis.

[JessicaC]

I have been thinking about going out enfemme lately, I get a chance to dress maybe 4-5 times a month and would like to spend at least some of that time not in the house. Where do you start? How do you get the nerve up to actually do this? Do you start by going out at night? for a drive somewhere there is no-one around? or does your give a $#!÷ button just quit working one day and you dive in head first? Sorry if this has been asked many times before and not sure I would be able to do this when the opportunity presents itself, any advice or personal experiences about your first time out would be appreciated.

Jess

[Jenniferathome]

Jess, it's all those things. Some take baby steps and drive at night others jump in the deep end. For me, I went out with two others from this forum my first time out and that made it easier. Just seeing that it could be done. Now I tend to fall into the "I don't give a crap" because I know no one really cares. I've never had a bad interaction but certainly people know I am a man or think I was once a man. For me, knowing that people know has made going out easier.

[Dana44]

Jessica, I did jump right in. I can remember that that I probably did not pass very well. Walked right by a cop on the street and he didn't give me a second look. I was in my highest heels and a pencil skirt with a nice blouse. I have a big dodge RAM and it was fun getting out like a lady in heels. First time makeup LOL and walked right up and ordered tickets for a movie. LOL it was inside the theater and it seemed that they read me but was very nice. Then out to dinner. Yep the waitress was very nice and did call me mam even though i might not have looked it. She came by the table to talk. I think she found it interesting. A great first time out. It was exciting.

[joanna4]

Where you should go?

To a place where you can shop or browse would be a good place to start.

When?

Anytime there are the least amount of shoppers. Opening or before closing, not weekends, late night/early morning if 24 hours. Mid day during the weekdays are fine as well. If you are in a large city in the Midwest, if people see you, chances are they don't know you, won't recognize you, or remember you.

Your mentality...

"I really don't care" just like the Demi Lovato song featuring Cher Lloyd.

If you're contemplating going out then you should do it. That's how it started for me and that's where I'm currently at.

[kimdl93]

Not quite. I had confined my dressing to home for a couple years. The desire to get out indeed built up, but my first foray was out the front door to move a sprinkler. The world did not end. The next day I came out to my hair dresser and made my first stop at a Dress Barn. The next day I bought my first wig at a wig shop and got a makeover at MAC.

So for me it was one baby step, or one toe in the water, then in with both feet.

[Maxi]

I would recommend a sunrise walk in the park. The bad element does not wake up early. Morning people seem to be very excepting.
I love my sunrise walks on the weekend.

Or go to a Dressbarn. They will roll out the red carpet for you. They have a way of making you want to come back again.

[Teresa]

Jessica,
You don't say if you've been out at all even underdressed, but if you haven't try that first .
I found taking a drive at night fully dressed is fairly safe and good fun, maybe take a walk as the next step .
I still don't dress to shop only underdress in case I need to try on clothes or shoes so that could be the next stage.
The point is do it in stages, if you jump right in and have a bad experience it could set you right back ! Even now I still say sometimes what the heck am I doing ? but still go ahead and do it because nothing really goes badly wrong, I find the interaction between people is just good fun !

[Eryn]

Make a plan and execute it!

Do you have a friend that can accompany you? A local TG group you can attend?

[Ceera]

My first 'baby steps' were stepping out my front door very early in the morning while en-femme, to get the paper off the lawn, and taking a short drive through my neighborhood at about sunset.

My next step was a headlong plunge, driving a few miles to a gay/lesbian nightclub that was having a drag show, chatting with people, including at least 4 other trans girls, having a few drinks, watching the show, dancing with girls and with guys, and driving home several hours after I arrived. But by that point I had practiced my female voice at home and could do a passable female voice, and my dressing and makeup skill level was relatively good. I had waited until I felt my presentation was good enough that I wouldn't stand out like a sore thumb, and I chose a venue that I hoped would accept trans girls like me. It went quite well!

[Donnagirl]

My first baby steps were to the local TG group. Drove there but wore a hoody and covered up so I guess it didn't really count. My first real steps in public were at the Seahorse Ball last year. Even though the hotel was quite full of CD/TG I still needed help to walk out of the door. That really was a 'thrown in the deepened' experience but there was no looking back from there.

The hardest steps are the first ones in any experience... That first shopping trip, first bar visit or dinner, they are all a little nerve wracking on the first occasion. After that, even though you can actually walk into whatever place you are visiting, it is still a little scary and I found that my nervousness really made me stand out.

Once you finally get confidence, and it takes more that a few trips out, it really becomes easy. Then you calm down, really enjoy the experience and, if you're lucky, attract no attention.

Don't worry about passing and you'll find you will. I'm still amazed by the mistakes people make about me. At last weeks ball, quite a mixed environment with cross dressers and their wives. I was at the bar chatting to the batman whilst getting a wine when a woman standing beside me and asked which one was my husband. She was surprised when I pointed out that I was the husband... We had a great chat, introduced our spouses and now we are Facebook friends!

[LucyNewport]

My first non-Halloween outing was with a local TG group at a very trans friendly restaurant. I had to walk about 10 blocks to get there. I was terrified! I thought that I would get called out and humiliated, or worse. Nothing happened. We met, had dinner, and that was it. All my fears were overblown!

Over the years since I have gone out more and more, overcoming little hurdles along the way. I still remember my fist time riding the train, hailing a taxi, walking down my own street in daytime. Each one a tiny victory.

I've been clocked, sure. Most people don't care. At all. People sometimes go out of their way to be friendly. I get approached for directions or small talk almost every time I go out. You just have to take that first step out the door. The rest will follow.

[Jenniferathome]

Make a plan and execute it! ...

Eryn brings up an important point with these few words. You have to commit to the decision. When I am resolute I have found that turning back was just impossible. For me, that worked for stepping out the hotel room door the first time dressed, to skydiving, to cliff jumping to whatever. Tell yourself you ARE going to to x and just do what you told yourself.

[Sometimes Steffi]

My first baby step was "A giant step for [wo-]mankind." But, like Jennifer said, I had a plan.

I went to the Maryland Renaissance Festival for first time out. I rented a wench costume. The girls at the costume shop had a lot of fun helping me get dressed and doing up the waist cincher.

There must have been thousands of people there that day, but most of them didn't even give me a second look. I few GGs figured it out and gave me a big smile. And one drunk guy just about went crazy when he saw me, but his friends just pulled him along with them.

Almost all the other times I was out in public, I met up with one, two, four, a dozen, several dozen or hundreds of T=Girls, which made it easier.

[Nadine Spirit]

Where do you start?

I started by choosing a place to go. I happened to choose Hollywood Blvd. This is about 3 hours away from me. So I had to drive there and fret about it the entire time there!


How do you get the nerve up to actually do this?

I remember thinking asking myself if I personally thought that cross dressing was wrong. And if my answer was no, then there should be no reason I should be afraid to go out in public.


Do you start by going out at night? for a drive somewhere there is no-one around?

I never did the drive around at night thing. Or ever really go to places there were no people. On Hollywood Blvd there were LOTS of people.


or does your give a $#!÷ button just quit working one day and you dive in head first?

Not for me. I go out all the time now. I have been to numerous states, and public places, and even on a plane. But somewhere in my head is still that freak out voice that was still there on day one. But now there is a whole lot of positive memories of real events and real people, all being totally positive that far outweigh the negative nervousness. I don't know if that even makes any sense!

[JenniferYager]

Hi Jessica!

So my first time was crazy. I went to a makeup artist to get my makeup done, then got dressed and went to a second-chance prom. I was 26 at the time. It was awesome! I met a bunch of new friends and just had fun.

You can get dressed and just walk around a park. I recommend wearing a maxi skirt, a nice top, some comfortable wedges and maybe a shrug. If you dress like that, you'll most likely blend in. I did this at a museum in California and basically nobody paid me any attention.

249530

After that, you can go shopping. Seriously, store clerks like crossdressers. I've gone to Ross, Walmart, Target and a variety of thrift stores. Nobody ever cared. Big thing is that if you dress like a woman, expect to be treated like a woman and act like one. You do that and you'll be fine.

And oh, by the way...
249531

[Paula_Femme]

Lots of good advice here, another easy place to blend-in would be an LGBTQ event/fair/festival, I've attended numerous ones en femme and have always been made to feel very welcome. :battingeyelashes:

[Alice_2014_B]

I do not go out on a regular basis, but I can share how I've done it.
I started by just going to the post office at night to check my mail.
I would drive there in flats and switch to some nice heels when I arrived.
That helped to eventually go to a department store, some nights two.
I've only been out once during the daylight, and that was to just get some gas.
Drive extra careful.
It all really depends on the individual and when you're ready to take each step.

:)

[AngelaYVR]

It's like the high diving board. Looks scary but if you just say Geronimo and run at it you find out that it's not scary and also very fun!

[Rachelakld]

I dislike night, to many hoons, drunks & trouble makers using darkness to cover their tracks.
early morning, when the trouble makers are asleep (6 am- mid day mostly) is when I tend to go out.
I have done movies and dinners out, but at nice locations ....
like golf
249534

[nicolelovescrystal]

Jessica, try a gay/ lesbian bar or club. In a different city if you are worried about seeing someone you know. Do you have someone that could go with you? It is a lot more fun that way.
I am one of the lucky few that has a wife who loves me for who I am.
We live about 3 hours from Atlanta. ( little chance of running into someone we know) We searched online and found a LGBT club across the parking lot from a nice hotel. We checked in and I got dressed. When I got nervous, she encouraged me and reminded me that we don't know anyone in Atlanta. We walked to an adjacent restaurant and had dinner. The waiter referred to us as "ladies" and me as ma'am. Even though I knew I wasn't fooling anyone, this made me very happy. We went to the club and had a few drinks, danced, and mingled. We met and talked to some really nice people who were nonjudgmental. We had a blast and have been back a couple more times.
This was a wonderful "first time in public" experience and highly recommend it.

[Loni]

well that is the question.

best if you can do with someone that has been out and about before (group?).
the moral support is great.
but if you are not able to have support then just dress down a bit, just be a lady out for ? pick a area that has a number of boutiqes, do a bit of window shopping. maybe even go in a try on some clothing and buy your self a pretty top? dress.
pending on your voice, maybe stop in and buy some coffee?

99.999% of the clerks, sales people do not care, most have see others out buying clothing. only your green cash matters to them.

sad but yes there are rude people out there. kinda like that line in the old rock song " sometimes you hear them, sometimes you dont".
but not to worry they are not going to point at you and screem "tranny".
you are doing nothing wrong, so no police escort to?,
Ca law says ok to use the room as you present.

you will find the rush is great,
just dress right for your age, and where you will be, be the lady you want to be, and have fun.


around here " mid west" says kansas,
any chance sacramento Ca soon?
gret very actave support group here. " the river city gems"

but if just out for a drive/walk in the park, just never do what, go where a real lady would not.
that does draw bad lookers at night.

.

[Janet Bern]

Once I walked through a Mall about 10 miles from my home and
no one gave me a second look, it got very easy..

[Kate Simmons]

I originally started out driving around at night then graduated to driving during the day. Shopping en femme never did a whole lot for me though.Eventually I joined a TG group that met one Saturday a month for demonstrations of femme products, vendors, a get together and chatting. I went from there to my local LGBT resort and met new friends and enjoyed socializing and dancing en femme.Now I'm kind of an interactive people person en femme. We are only limited by our own imagination with the things we can do my friend.:battingeyelashes::)

[carolyn todd]

Hi Jess
Just put this in the media section http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?230837-Alex-Drummond.

Carolyn xx

[Stephanie Julianna]

Jessica, The variations for how we have entered the world ouside are as varied as we are. I had the good fortune to have a makeover by the late, great Lee Brewster in NYC. I was so transformed physically in appearance that my confidence went through the ceiling and I left her store in broad daylight in NYC never to look back. I was adicted to my feminine persona and within a few years I was actually sharing makeup secrets with Lee that she even agreed were better than what she had been doing. Until you can reach that level of skill, night light is usually more forgiving for starting to go out in public. However, You Tube has some great videos that can help speed up the learning process. Done right, going out during the daytime is a great experience. First, when out shopping in general public, no one is looking for crossdressers like they do at crossdressing bars and events. I find that people are just to busy shopping to care what you look like. This advice is all based on the assumption that you are dressing and doing makeup at a level equal to GG's or close, remembering that all GG's are only so-so at using make-up as well. Going out looking like a runway model to shop can actually bring more attention than you want. Second, watch what the "everyday ladies" are wearing and dress accordingly. Save the 5 inch heels and satin dresses for evenings out on the town. Everything I know about appearing as a lady in public I learned from ladies. Hone your skills at observing them so that you can enter their world with confidence and enjoy your girl time in the real world. Dressing age appropriate is also good advice. It sounds like a lot of work but if you love your girl persona it can be a lot of fun. Leave the angst at the door.

[sara.rafaela]

I travel for work and the first was a walk in the hotel parking lot, late at night. Then, a drive somewhere and a walk close to the car. Then I went to a transgender bar in San Francisco. Then gay clubs. The breakout day for me was when I went shopping in broad daylight. Now I am pretty comfortable and will go out most everywhere; although I still will not go out to a place like a sports bar. The first steps were quite scary, although nothing bad happened. I think I pass at a distance or in the dark, but up close you can tell what I am. I have had a few incidents while dressed, locked keys inside and had to deal with tow truck guy, pulled over by cop, guy hitting on me at bar, lady talking to me at MAC counter (I think she thought I was real). But, each incident really made me stronger and braver, and gave me the feeling afterwards that it is all ok. Good luck.

[binair10]

I remember my first time out. The Wife was away for a long weekend (she does not want anything to do with my dressing)so I decided that it was about time I took the plunge. So, on the saturday night I got ready, coat on and bag over my shoulder, and decided to have a cigarette first. Checking that I had got everything (an extra set of door keys on my person...just in case) and out into the darkness I went, locking the door and putting the keys in my bag. Once outside it was a wonderful feeling. So I walked around a bit and then came home and had a coffee and another cigarette. I am not a car owner so it is a bit more difficult for me. Anyway, it was a chance too good to miss so off I went again. This time I was out for over an hour. It is just the initial "plucking up the courage" that is holding many girls back.
Even at my age (72 y/o when I went first out ...and quite passable. Have seen a few people out at night and quite a few police cars have passed me on various occasions. I have been out to a party at a club with the Wife who was none too happy about it, but as I said to her if you want me to go with you then you will have to put up with it. A good night was had and I even used the ladies (it was really al a posh). Nothing was said in there and just mingleing with the girls and touching up my make-up as though it was something that I always did everyday.
So, dont be afraid to go take the plunge. The first time is always the hardest, but once outside you will wonder why you did not do it before. Get up and go girl you will not regret it.

Enjoy.

Julie.

[Angela Marie]

The first time I went out I did my makeup. Horrible job but I was just learning. I drove down to the gas station at the corner. It was a frigid winter night. I got out. Pumped some gas then ran back home. LOL. Then I began, as another person recommended, driving around at night. Later that year I went for my first makeover. It was awesome. I drove home and on the way stopped at a few places but quickly got home and changed. This routine basically lasted about one or two years. Then I got another makeover and drove home; again only stopping at a few places. I got home and was going to remove me makeup when I basically thought "this is silly I have to start going out". I left the house and went to a local supermarket. I was scared but as most people have noted, no one gave me a second look. From that point on it has been an evolution. I now go most anyplace I want; shopping, dining, etc. Still I must admit to a bit of nervousness sometimes. But it is less and less. You will find your way. Patience is the key.

[Krisi]

I think that unless you have an unusual living situation like having blacked out windows on your car and keeping it in a garage, your biggest difficulty will be getting out of your home and back in without being seen. You could rent a motel room and change there but that gets expensive after a while and if you use a credit card, that will leave a trail that the married folks won't want to leave. This all assumes of course that you don't want to out yourself to the neighborhood and be known as the "neighborhood tranny".

I take care of that problem by underdressing and then finishing in the car, away from home in a shopping center parking lot.

I think folks who skulk around late at night dressed in high heels and overdone makeup are calling attention to themselves and risk being stopped by the police. The best thing to do is walk around in broad daylight dressed appropriately for the time and place. The mall, the park, the business or tourist section of town.

To get past the nervousness, make a plan and stick to it. Tell yourself you're going to get out of the car and walk through the mall and then just do it.

[Cheryl T]

I began by doing a few night time drives around the area. Then I progressed to attending local support group meetings. It was there that I met others who had no difficulty going out and they encouraged me to go as well. After that it was Open door, Go Out !! Just as I would any other time.
Now it's simply doing what I always did. I need something or want to look for something or I'm hungry or whatever...I just go.

[AbigailJordan]

You do whatever you feel comfortable with Jessica.. I started with the late night drives out where nobody would see me..

As time went on I got brave enough to go to drive thru's and order and even into a garage once for fuel and cigarettes.

Then one day, after I'd confided in a few close friends, and found out in return that quite a few people around town knew, my give a crap button just flipped.. the following day I was round at my friends house en femme at around 12:30pm, stayed the day, even went into town and just owned it.

Your first times will be what you are brave enough to face.. and those first steps out the door even at 2am will have your heart racing like crazy.. enjoy it and remember.. you're doing nothing wrong, just being yourself..

Best of luck hunny.. hope it goes well

Lots of Luv
Abi XxX

[Judith96a]

Jess,
Let's see...
Everyone's different so all I can tell you is how I started. Your mileage may, as the cliché says, 'vary'!
I have a 100 mile 'no fly zone' centred on home (seriously in the closet so far as family etc are concerned) so all of my adventures have been while away from home. I started by going out to a well known Trans-friendly haunt in London. My hotel was within walking distance. I got myself shaved and showered, applied my makeup, slipped into the most wonderful dress and high heels, donned my wig grabbed my handbag and made for the door. I put my hand on the door handle and... FROZE. I swear that it took my a good half hour going back and forth to the door before I finally actually opened it! Stepping through it was scary. Hearing it close behind me - I nearly panicked. But I kept going. How does anyone get up the nerve to actually do it? Eventually, your desire to 'do it' becomes greater than your fear of the unknown. And once you're 'out there' you slowly realise that most folks either don't notice or don't care. My first forays were after dark (winter evenings) - people are less able to get a good critical look at you - and to somewhere 'safe'. Now, I'm quite happy to go shopping on Oxford Street in the daytime, travel on the tube etc. And I'm usually a very cautious person.

I'd suggest a visit to somewhere that's known to be T-friendly as a first outing. If you can find a friend to go with, even better. If there's a dressing service handy that offers escorted trips that's an excellent option (if you're ever in London or LA then check out Jodie at the Boudoir - she'll have you looking like a million dollars and look after you too). Above all, have fun and be safe.

[Gladys]

I have just started dressing and going out. I agree, early morning during the week is best when not too many people are out. A trip to Dress Barn would be an excellent start as I am sure you would get affirmative comments. If no Dress Barn around, I think most plus size stores would fit the bill.

[Tracii G]

I started by taking a stroll in my neighborhood after dinner and there were lots of people around and no problems at all.
I will agree going out in the daytime is best but be sure to go where there are plenty of people for your own safety.
Going out to a park at night and walking around in a mini skirt and 6 in heels is asking for trouble in most cases because people will think you are a prostitute.
The bad element are out at night so keep that in mind.
A lot has to do with how you are dressed too. Dress like the people you see wherever you go so you blend in.
Malls are great for your first time.Having a friend with you is safer and more fun.

[JessicaC]

Looks like this Saturday May be my first chance to get out of the house, going to go the safe route and just go for an evening drive without any stops. I already have my outfit and route picked out, this is seeming way too planned out to be too exciting (which is probably a good thing for my first time out), will let you know how it goes.

[CynthiaD]

The first place I went out fully en femme was to Goodwill to give away some male clothing. Another of my first places was Office Depot to buy some pencils. Another was Pet Smart to buy treats for my dog.

You see a pattern here? Go wherever you normally go (unless you normally go to biker bars :) ) just do it en femme. I'm not a big fan of going out at night. During the day is much safer.

[Adriana Moretti]

my first time out was like 10 years ago to a local cd party put on by a cd support group, it seemed like a safe bet.....sure I was nervous...but ya gotta start somewhere right? that goes away.....now i could really care less where I go

[Barbara Black]

I started dressing regularly a few years ago, but only to the extent of underdressing. Since the wife discovered me, I've been slowly working my way outside, a skirt at night for a short trip, then during the day for a drive, working my way to driving out of the city, about forty miles while dressed, but always in a car. Until last night. I dressed, blouse, skirt, stockings and heels, and stood under a bright lights while filling my vehicle with fuel, right next to a busy intersection. A police car even cruised by, about ten feet from my car (and I recognized him as having worked with him while I was still on the fire department). So anyway, I keep taking small steps and going a little further each time. These may not be your steps, but you'll know which steps you want to take and how far to go each time until you are out and about like any other GG.

[BillieAnneJean]

Some background info first:
I was a late bloomer, started later than most, if not all. I didn’t dream about this all my life. I found out about CDing accidentally. I do this for fun. I am happily married and told my SO about it before I started. I keep no secrets from her. I had it easy compared to most.

I was looking for a place to get glamour photos taken of my wife. She is the most beautiful and amazing woman in the world to me. She is not only a feminine wonder but also a pilot, rides motorcycle, races boats, has run a successful business, and since working for a company, makes them 2.5Million$ per year. Smart, kind, faithful, beautiful, sexy, everything to me. But to her, she sees flaws where there aren’t any. So anyway I thought I she should get pictures to see how I see her.

I found a place. Holland Photo Studios. And Holland is just a short drive west of Grand Rapids. The photos were AMAZING! The poses, wardrobe, makeup, set, everything fabulous. And the women were regular women, not models, who looked FANTASTIC! So I thought a great find for her. They have videos of the photoshoots. I clicked on one…………………………………

…………………………………………†¦â€¦..

…………………………………………†¦â€¦..

OMG!!!!OMG!!!!

I couldn’t believe it!!!!! THEY WERE GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

??And it looked like FUN!!!!!!!!!??????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where did THAT come from???? I NEVER ever thought about crossdressing!????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I showed my wife and told her that it looked like fun. The usual feminine look of “nutty man�. And it ended right there. WHY?

BECAUSE Holland Photo Studios was in Holland, Rotterdam, THE NETHERLANDS! NOT Holland, Michigan. It would have cost me $6000.00!!!!! That is NOT being financially responsible. I found that they called it a “transformation�. I had not heard of this before so I Googled it and found that there are services like this, to one extent or another, scattered all over the civilized world. And then gave up on the idea as too costly. The nearest was quite a ways away, at least one that looked equally professional, TG Miss in Racine, Wisconsin. (I eventually ended up going there and had the time of my life! But that’s another story.)

I travel for work. There was a transformation service in one of the towns I regularly travel to. About a month later I was in that town for work, the job finished early, my flight wasn’t out for two days, the rental car, hotel, meals, and flight were paid for. And I would be getting paid while having the transformation. I had not preplanned this. I called them and asked if I could stop in and check them out for a future trip. An hour later they called and said that the scheduled transformation had cancelled. OMG! I was NOT NOT NOT that far yet. But what the heck, it was never going to be cheaper. So I went for it. That day. Right then.

She was busy arranging an event for the next evening, we got started late, she was able to do one of three makeup styles and one of three outfits. So she suggested we resume the next morning. And we did so. Then she let me spend the day trying on clothes! She had a room the size of a two car garage full of clothes and I got to try on as many as I wanted!!!!

Mid afternoon she asked me what I was doing that evening, I had no plans. So she suggested I join them for the event, an OUTing.

WHAT?!!!??? OMG!!! I was NOT anywhere near that page yet. But what the h311? Paid for so it would never be cheaper. So she got me ready, loaded me in the minivan, and off we went!!!! We went OUT right down main street. I was in the whole kit. Right through all the people, in to a club, and dancing. As part of an entourage of six. For me a comforting perimeter.

Recap:
Less than 24 hours after my first ever dressing, I was OUT enfemme in the general public.

This set the pattern for my CDing thereafter. I always go OUT, don’t know anything but dolling myself up and going OUT, like out walking around, the mall, restaurants, EVERYTHING. And it just seems right.

I have always gone OUT.

Our Group routinely takes new gals for their first time OUT enfemme. Find someone or a Group to help you. In the right city and with the right people going to the right places, you will at first feel EXPOSED, VULNERABLE, SCARED, and then in an hour or so you will just feel like it is the most natural thing. And exposed, vulnerable, nervous, happy.

I go OUT enfemme regularly. I was OUT today. Probably ten stores, two restaurants, and a club. I take three or four outfits and change every few hours during the day. I tried on a few blazers right next to the racks in a few of the stores. Tried on dresses, skirts, suits in the dressing rooms. I found some GREAT buys!

This is SUCH FUN!
Billie

[sherri]

To each her own, but at the time of my first outings I didn't just wanted to be out driving or whatever, I wanted to interact with people. So knowing absolutely nothing about what I was doing (long before this forum etc) what made sense to me was to seek out the most tolerant environment I could think of, which was, of course, an lgbt club. And I still think that's a newbie's safest and least nerve-wracking bet. It's still a big plunge for a first-timer, but hanging out in a relatively non-judgmental environment a few times sure helps you get your sea legs, so to speak. Whether you decide to venture out into the straight world later on is up to you, but as you gain experience and discover that most (although not all) your fears were unfounded, don't be surprised if you get the urge ... and the courage.

Just be smarter about it than I was. First, have a decent look put together before you plunge. It will make a better first impression and help you feel way more confident. Second, R-E-L-A-X, smile and don't take yourself or the outing too seriously. You're there to meet people, have fun and get a fuller sense of the fem you, so act like it. :-)

[SexyMarianne]

Sometimes I wish I could go all the time. But I am not comfortable doing it around certain people(extended family et al). But if it was way more accepting I would do it 24/7 and dress like a woman and remain male.

[Claire Cook]

My first time out was kinda bizarre ... I went for a bike ride. Rode to the nearest mall, didn't have the nerve to go in, and came home. Didn't go out for years after that ... occasional walks at night. Once drove to a TG meeting, but these were all isolated instances. What really got me started -- and I haven't looked back -- was when I was attending a conference at the U. of Georgia and was staying at their conference dorm. I just decided one morning to have breakfast dressed, and when a charming gentleman opened a door for me, and no one seemed to mind, that was it. Went out that night and bought my first nightie, and the rest, well, is history ... and what fun history!

I guess I have to echo what others and the Nike folks say -- plan it, then just do it!