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nikkiwindsor
08-19-2018, 08:16 PM
Most people outside our community would never understand how we feel and the lengths we will go to express our femininity. The things we do to present our feminine nature can be laborious, expensive, and time consuming to say the least. Most recently, I just had an enormous desire to model an "off-the-shoulder" and very short-sleeve
gown. You'd think that would be an easy enough look to create but for me the things it required me to do was lengthy. Let's take a look.

First...permission to shave

I had wooly arms...fortunately, my hair color is light but it was very noticeable nonetheless. Off-the-shoulder/short-sleeve gown and hairy arms isn't a good combination. So, most of it had to go and that's where the wife came into the equation. Took some time to get her approval via a quid pro quo (think, expensive options on a recently purchased vehicle to bring her around) for almost complete hair removal.

Second...shave chest

Shave the top of the chest...nah, didn't get wife's approval for this one...just went at it with a clipper followed by a recently purchased and expensive epilator...did I mention the pain of epilation, OUCH! Then the expected rash to deal with for a few days.

Third...rid myself of farmer's tan and then some

I had farmer's arms. Solving that required getting recommendation from forum friends...since I limit my sun exposure as much as I can I chose the suggestion to apply Neutrogena's "Build a Tan" to my under exposed upper arms until the line of demarkation lessened...fortunately, it worked...but then I was dark on the arms but much lighter in the shoulders, upper back, chest, neck and face - areas that would show when modeling my new gown. Have you read Dr Zeuss' "The Cat in the Hat Comes Back"? It was like my body was experiencing the infamous pink ring. One problem led to another.

Fourth...tan some more or should I say a lot

Apply repeated doses of "Build a Tan" on my shoulders, upper back, upper chest until it more closely matched my arms (now, as you'll see in my pic, I have a tan like Brooke Baldwin on CNN).

Fifth...purchase gown that unfortunately was too tight in the bossom

Buy the beautiful pink mermaid bandage gown in largest size available (size 12) only to find when slipping it on (or should I say shimmying it on, it's a snug garment for sure!) that it fits absolutely perfectly in my size 41 inch hips and 29 inch waist (corset included as another thing I must do) but is too tight across my 40 inch bust (I could zip it up but my forms were squashed and I risked busting the zipper (ever had that happen?...I have...what a mess that becomes). Yep, I'm a size 10-12 in the hips and waist and a size 14 in the bust...they don't construct gowns like that...custom is where it's at as a thing to do.

Sixth...gown alterations

Take the gown for a fitting and alterations by a seamstress to enlarge the bust area a bit. I went to the seamstress in "male mode" which is an unpleasant experience for me but I'm too scared to go out in public en femme at this time. But, I really don't like to be partially dressed. I'm an all the way transformation kind of t-girl. But, I did what I needed to do...oh, the things we do. The seamstress robbed some fabric from my overly long gown and transposed it into two triangular lengths of fabric on each side of the zipper in the bosom area. Made a second trip to the seamstress to pickup her handiwork...tried on the gown, again in male mode, and it fit absolutely perfectly! I tipped the seamstress' assistant who did most of the work and the seamstress who was initially uncomfortable serving me had so much of a smile on her face, a "thank you!" from her lips, and a rush to the back of the shop to tip the assistant before I could even turn around to get out the door. Another thing t-gals often do is tip others very well who provide important services to us (and I tipped her very, very well!).

Seventh...create hour glass figure

Are we still counting? - cinch the corset to an uncomfortable but not painful 29 inch waist (down from 33 inches) creating an hour-glass figure of 40inch-29inch-41inch proportions, haul on foundational garments, slip in forms and squeeze into the bandage gown.

Lastly...makeup & wig

And almost coming to an end of the things we do...complete the makeover transformation which for me takes about an hour and a half because I'm such a perfectionist...we won't even include the expense and research necessary to find my beautiful European hair wig that I just love. And lastly, take and post the pic which you'll find below! Whew! I'm winded just typing and sharing this post and pic with you!

BLUE ORCHID
08-19-2018, 08:39 PM
Hi Nikki :hugs:, What great story, It was like I was watching it unfold right before my eyes.

~~~~You look so lovely~~~~~~~~~~>Orchid ..0:daydreaming:0..

Crissy 107
08-19-2018, 08:39 PM
Nikki, With all your effort and running around I can say it was worth every bit as you look gorgeous!
Crissy

Tracy Irving
08-19-2018, 08:42 PM
Wow. Even I need to kick back and relax after all that!

Sami Brown
08-19-2018, 09:12 PM
You look fantastic! That was a lot of effort, and I appreciate reading your story.

Sami

Julie Denier
08-19-2018, 09:21 PM
Wow, what a story! And you look fabulous ;)

sarah_hillcrest
08-19-2018, 09:52 PM
Wow, so much effort, but you look so fabulous, I have to say it was worth it.

--Nina--
08-19-2018, 11:21 PM
lots of work but you look stunning.

Tracii G
08-20-2018, 12:03 AM
You look fabulous

Lux
08-20-2018, 01:04 AM
Definitely worth it. Great pic!

Becky Blue
08-20-2018, 01:57 AM
The things we do hey, but well worth every second and every $ Nikki, you look awesome

Kiwi Primrose
08-20-2018, 03:11 AM
Congratulations, you look great, it was worth all the time and trouble you went to.

Samantha2015
08-20-2018, 04:19 AM
Wow, I'd say it was worth all the trouble :daydreaming:

Beverley Sims
08-20-2018, 04:34 AM
If I threw cold water on this thread it would boil.

Was it worth the trouble?

I think it is a fabulous result all round, from the dressmaking to the final product.

Where did you go after all this.

Brandi Christine
08-20-2018, 05:19 AM
That was soooo worth it, you look amazing!

Elizabeth G
08-20-2018, 05:38 AM
Hi Nikki,

First let me say you look fantastic in that dress! I can see why you went through so much effort and it paid off imho.

I too am doing a similar thing. Some months ago I was looking at some pictures of myself en femme and what jumped out at me were two things; farmers tan and shoulder hair. I have been slowly working on the tan but still need to use a tanning product to even things out and I have been getting electrolysis done on my upper arms and shoulders as well as using an epilator on my inner arms and a trimmer on my lower arms. I too corset myself and have various other foundation garments etc that go into my presentation.

Is it worth it? Ymmv, but it works for me.

Elizabeth

alwayshave
08-20-2018, 06:16 AM
Nikki, you are so lovely. I understand all the steps taken. From your picture, well worth it.

mary spence
08-20-2018, 06:19 AM
Definitely a great look--worth all the effort!

Teri Ray
08-20-2018, 06:21 AM
Great story great picture you look wonderful. Your efforts were successful. Thanks for sharing.

deebra
08-20-2018, 06:32 AM
nikki I think you will agree, the hardest part is having to undress, you look like a woman anybody would like to be.

Karen RHT
08-20-2018, 07:38 AM
You look terrific Nikki, and I enjoyed your thought provoking post. I trust you enjoyed your journey as much as your destination.


Karen

Helen Waite
08-20-2018, 10:00 AM
Well worth the effort for such a fabulous result!

Tina Davis
08-20-2018, 01:47 PM
Gorgeous dress, Nikki, even with all that time and money adding up over the days of preparation. I hope you enjoyed the dress longer than the photo session lasted! :hugs:

Linda P.
08-20-2018, 03:26 PM
The stunning end result makes the time and effort well justified.

Becky Blue
08-20-2018, 07:18 PM
Nikki perhaps if you could edit your OP and make your list of activities a bulleted list it would be easier for the girls to digest just how much effort you went to :)

nikkiwindsor
08-20-2018, 09:14 PM
Hi Bec, thanks for the great suggestion! I just began typing the post, the momentum picked up and before I realized it I had quite a lengthy story to share. Thought only about myself as author without thinking about the reader. My self-centered nature reappears but in a different venue. I'll reconfigure the post as you've suggested...should have time tomorrow.

And to everyone who has left a note...I've really enjoyed reading your comments and compliments...thank you girlfriends for helping me feel good about myself! My GD constantly bothers me and I'll go to just about any length, as you've read, to express my femininity short of more permanent procedures that my life just cannot enable at this time. Nikki

Cassidy
08-22-2018, 01:15 PM
Hey Nikki,

As you suggested I will share parts of the PM I sent you regarding this post

...you certainly do that gown justice. You perfectly proportioned yourself to wear such a gown. I just love the way you look in it. remember what Coco Chanel said '...dress impeccably and they notice the woman, dress shabby and they notice the dress....' you scream woman. Absolutely beautiful.

...I had to smile when I read your post as I had just finished rebuilding the front suspension on one of my bikes. I think there were less steps in rebuilding it than what went through to dress magnificently.

Cassidy

Teresa
08-22-2018, 02:45 PM
Nikki,
I'm breathless just reading all that preparation . It does look good but come on girl if we are to get you out the door one day you've got to hone it down some !

As a matter of interest could you still move ? Could you have danced the night away in all that ?

Lea
08-23-2018, 07:09 PM
Thank you for all the work you went through because you look great. Love the dress. I do not know if I am the only one but I also enjoy seeing the back of an outfit. If you have other angles please post them.

I have also thought about all the preparation involved and the extra foundation garments I wear. In the end it is wort all the extra effort.

Jaymees22
08-23-2018, 09:37 PM
Definitely worth the effort, you look great. I doubt if I could put that much effort into anything, if there's an easy way to do anything I will find it.

Becky Blue
08-24-2018, 09:01 AM
My question to you Nikki is.... have you ver done things in your male life with so much effort and determination? is it a T thing. I know I put a lot more effort into many Becky activities than i do for my male self.

Gwyneth
08-24-2018, 02:31 PM
Nikki you have a fabulous look! Definitely a confident smile! Looks like you're about to embark or perhaps coming home from a wonderful date. You really wear that well!!

nikkiwindsor
08-25-2018, 06:47 PM
Hi girls...thanks for all your wonderful comments and feedback!... and speaking of backs, here' what the backside looks like

Crissy 107
08-25-2018, 07:22 PM
Perfect!

Joanne108
08-25-2018, 07:32 PM
Nikki it was worth it you look gorgeous!

Rayleen
08-25-2018, 07:41 PM
Wow, what a perfect dress, looking fabulous.

Lana Mae
08-25-2018, 07:44 PM
Nikki, you look lovely! It was well worth all the hassles! Hugs Lana Mae

DanielleDubois
08-25-2018, 07:56 PM
Let’s forget about how fantastic you and the dress look...okay that could be difficult to do.

But it does seem with all the preparation you did that your wife has become more accepting of Nikki. It doesn’t seem so long ago you were negotiating back and forth with her about shaving your legs. It is always so much less stressful when our spouse can accept the temporary feminizing activities such as body shaving which are so important to us in our transformation process.

Jamie Christopher
08-25-2018, 08:22 PM
Stunning Nikki; beautiful!

Jamie

Kelli_cd
08-25-2018, 11:34 PM
How lovely it must be, to be able to dress as you like.

Gwyneth
09-04-2018, 09:09 AM
The sound you just heard was my jaw hitting the floor!

nikkiwindsor
09-08-2018, 06:33 AM
Thanks so much girlfriends for your compliments! I wish the picture was higher resolution...I'll try posting a better picture to IMGUR and providing a link...now, back to refining my far more natural look! Nikki

Angie G
09-08-2018, 06:53 AM
all the work you put into getting in this gown payed off Nikki it look great as do you girl:hugs:
Angie

CherylFlint
09-09-2018, 03:51 PM
Great post and another great photo.
I'm not quite there yet.
Since I quit drinking and smoking I gained 20 lbs and it took me a whole year to loose it.
Another few pounds to go but a little bit each day.
Just spent $3,000 for the PERFECT SMILE, which is money well spent because girls smile a LOT more than guys do.
Great photo. Thanks for sharing.