Did your dressing increase after a divorce or relationship change.

[Paula_56]

The only thing holding me back, is my wife's un-acceptance. I really do desire to live as a woman and probably transition but at 61 have decided not to because of how it would affect so many others.

But if i was living alone I believe I would just start dressing more and more and eventually being living as a woman.

Just curious what so of your experiences may have been?

[kendracd]

Yes I was able to dress more often after my divorce, btw my dressing was not the issue in my devorce, .I totally love to dress and all the time,(except when I work) I'm 61 as well after retirement I intend to go 24/7 woman, throw every bit of male clothing I have in the trash, and already growing my hair longer.

[Lana Mae]

Paula, my wife died 4 years ago! Since then I have discovered that I am a transwoman! I own (but only because I have not got rid of them) very few men's clothes! My name change is on hold but when it is official, I will be Lana Mae 24/7 which I mostly am right now, except at work! I am on HRT now for 16 months! Life is wonderful and I am being me! Elbow Bump Lana Mae

[Paula_56]

Good for you Lana Mae, it is sad that you lost your wife, however I am glad to see you are making lemonade out of the lemons.

Did you cross-dress prior to losing your wife or did your realzation come on as a surprise after she died.

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Good for you I feel that I would follow the same path

[Rhonda Jean]

I was dressing a lot before the divorce. Thus the divorce. But, yes, for a while it did. Once I settled into having the freedom to dress whenever I wanted, I certainly "flattened the curve". Probably less overall.

[Pixie_94]

Sort of. I bought my first feminine garments not too long after a break up.

[carhill2mn]

YES! Since I have been living alone I present as a woman about 90% of the time.

[Dressing up]

Marriage broke up 7 years ago, ex accepted my dressing but let me know that it definitely got in the way of raising the family. I did not like to dress in front of her since she considered it checking out from the responsibilities of our kids and most other responsibilities. I did not want to dress in front of the kids either. My opportunities to dress back then were limited, partly by my fears as well as lack of support. Since we split, I have the kids 1/2 time and that leaves plenty of time to explore my feminine side.
I have dated two women since, 2 + years each, both were very accepting of my CD side, helped me with make up and clothes. Both relationships broke off for reasons unrelated to CD but they transformed my dressing from "the thrill dresses and heels" to exploring how to dress like the women around me. I learned more about make up, and doing the little things that can make me feel more feminine. They also encouraged me to go to meetup groups for CD/Trans ladies. Lately, I find myself with out an SO and getting quite comfortable by myself and with who I am. I like to dress casually, and now wear womans jeans, shoes and light make up almost every day. I am working up the courage to come out to friends and family, very nervous about that.
All in all, I am in a much better place than I was when married.

P.S. Paula, you look fabulous.

[HelpMe,Rhonda]

Just increased it by a couple hundred percent. Didn't get my first wig and boobs until after the practice marriage, then multiple outfits, shoes, some more makeup.

Only drawback was it was before internet shopping got serious...I would have probably bought way more stuff.

[Lana Mae]

Paula, let's just say I was naive! I wore panties and some lingerie but purged them right away! Was not sure what all of this was about! Did not really explore it until the wife passed on and a few months later I bought a package of panties and came to this forum! The rest is history! Elbow Bump Lana Mae

[kayegirl]

Paula, Yes my dressing certainly changed after I lost my first wife. She knew and was accepting and supportive, in fact I would say even encouraging in many ways, but always within our agreed boundaries. Removing those boundaries, opened up new opportunities, and I began dressing much more, came out to most of my friends, and found this site.

[Stephanie Michelle]

I dressed some during marriage wife as OK with it, but 3 kids wasn't the best as far as time. 10 years since my divorce (not related to dressing). Finally got my own house and now it seems I can't dress enough. I am working form home a lot before the virus now 3 weeks and counting at home. The only issue I have is I don't go out dressed. If I am dressed I don't get a lot done besides work. I hope this will die down now the weather is getting warmer and I will go outside more.

[Stephanie47]

My wife and I have been married for almost fifty years. Although not divorced I have had the opportunity to dress on occasion for seven to ten days when my wife traveled out of state to visit relatives; Chicago and Phoenix. As a retiree I was free to come and go, do what I wanted. There were days strung together when I was totally en femme. I did go out in the evenings for drive and strolls. As just as a cross dresser I would find being en femme 24/7 for 365 days to be limiting. There may be interaction with some people, but, I'm getting somewhat that feeling with this self isolation with COVID-19. It is nice to be able to slip between male and female expressions whenever I want, but, I also do enjoy male roles.

[Tracii G]

Yes it did

[RADER]

My wife was OK with my dressing, She even bought my different outfits.
But after she passed away, I started to dress more. I was afraid to dress to often
in front of her. I was a little scared tat she might start thinking the wrong way.
Rader

[RochelleCD]

After my divorce I got my own place to live. I have been able to get dressed whenever I want, living the dream. She knew I CDed and would berate me at every opportunity. Even if I wasn't dressing. Life is better now.

[FrannGurl]

It definitely did. After my divorce about 10 years ago from once in a while to daily

[Jean 103]

Yes, it's a long story but I'll cut it short

Separated from Wife
Rented room, three roommates all guys, six months in I came out.

At the one year mark I rented a house, moved in my boyfriend, along with friend of his who also had partial custody of his five year old daughter. I was the lady of the house. The friend's daughter and I became like sisters. The house was within walking distance of the bar. We had parties and I was the hostess.

It was for one of these parties I had run to the store. I was dressed for the party. I learned to dress early because some people show up early. Well I'm pushing a basket, I round the corner of the aisle, and there is this big man, like deer in the head lights. I'm thinking oh no. He just stands there as I go by. As I'm heading to the checkout I see him racing toward me, I stop. I now know what he wants, my number.

Two year point I break up with the boyfriend I was living with and rent a room from a lady who is ten years older than me. A year later she passes away .

Over the next three years we became very close. We were quite the couple, lots of people would think she is my mother. It was because of how we were, she was really something with that hair, white with purple tips, it was short and she would spike it. It really went with her personality. We got noticed everywhere we went and people would remember us. Everyone loved her hair, yes I would also receive complements too.

Year Five, This wonderful lady passed away on March first. Leaving me with my hart torn open looking for a new place to live. It wasn't the Coronavirus

Yesterday I rented a room, as JEAN, the house like around the corner from one of my closest friends, yes she is very excited. She just got married on February 29th and now we are neighbors. I altered the dress, made a dress for her granddaughter and also made my dress. It was one of the hardest days of my life. Putting on a happy face while praying for my landlord who I knew wasn't going to make it.

I move in on Sunday, my only day off. There is a bar within walking distance, my friend's house is on the way. It is the new Saturday hang out as they have karaoke that night. But sadly they like the rest of the bars are closed. My friend doesn't drink but she does sing and her husband is a lead singer in a punk band.

I have left out a lot, enough for a book, anyway this is my journey over the past five years.

I may look different but I really haven't changed. Being out and living as I do does take more time, but it is worth it. Given the chance I would do it all over again.

On February 9th I opened a fortune cookie it read "You shall seek out new adventures." Well here we go again.

Note, I not visiting with any of my friends face to face right now. Please be safe out there.

[mbmeen12]

Did your dressing increase after a divorce or relationship change?

I dressed often prior to my divorce. She didnt mind because she was bisexual/gay. Sort of win, win.

After the divorce, my new girlfriend embraced my dressing and we can shop together etc I ensured she knew prior to moving further in our relationship that I was unique (in a good way of course lol).

[kimdl93]

My ex asked me to leave because of my dressing. My initial response was a total purge, followed by 18 months of total abstinence. That was the bargaining phase, I suppose (with bit of denial thrown in for good measure). For the next year I cycled between denial and self acceptance, with a couple smaller purges along the way. I finally realized that throwing money away was pointless...and self flaggelation wasn't going to undo what had been done. At that point, I allowed myself to emerge gradually, came out to a slowly increasing number of people and tried to level off my emotions. It has worked to some extent. I am retired and present myself as a woman most of the time. That isn't a particularly dramatic accomplishment, tho, because I live alone in a very rural area.

[Alice Torn]

Paula, i really like your classy modest style. I am almost 66, on Soc Sec. Single al lmy life. For some reasons, when i had roommates, i had a far more powerful desire to dress, but now having m own apartment for a while, i think about dressing most of the time, but very seldom do it. There are other big issues i am dealing with, too, though.

[Teresa]

Paula,
I try and forget my age because I can't see it as a barrier , some kind person reminded me I'll be 69 next month , I guess it's only a problem if you make it one .

My divorce is half way through after the two year waiting period but it's basically down to me being TG , my separation meant I could finally and openly be Teresa , it hasn't affected others that much but I knew I couldn't make them an excuse , I could finally be honest with myself .

After two years living as Teresa it feels perfectly normal , the highs and lows have levelled out .

[Jenny22]

Before my wife's passing, she knew but hated my dressing, so I got to do very little. After her death, I became like a kid in a candy shop, and was completely Pink Fog involved. Except when I rarely have to dress in drab, I fully dress from my awakening until I go nighty night.

[missjoann49]

Paula, my wife died 4 years ago! Since then I have discovered that I am a transwoman! I own (but only because I have not got rid of them) very few men's clothes! My name change is on hold but when it is official, I will be Lana Mae 24/7 which I mostly am right now, except at work! I am on HRT now for 16 months! Life is wonderful and I am being me! Elbow Bump Lana Mae

Lana Mae, you and I are kind of in the same boat as my late wife passed 6 yrs ago. About 3 yrs ago I started HRT, I am very happy with who I have become
Life is great and I am who I am

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Paula you are very lucky as you present as a beautiful woman
I have been dressing for quite sometime time and knew who I was meant to be
Like Lana, 6 yrs ago after my late wife had passed I just decided it was time to move forward
Today I am who I was meant to be and love it
Best wishes with your passion

[cdinmd206]

I have actually dressed less since my divorce. The ex knew I dressed and we had some fun times going out with me dressed. Without her it was not as much fun and I have not gone out in quite awhile. I now have an elderly dad I help take care of and I do not finish with him till late on a Saturday night and by the time I get home I am too tired to get fancied up and spend 2 hours on the road each way to go to the nearest CD friendly place.
I have to chose Monday weather or not I want to work from home or not and I am leaning towards working at home just so I can dress each day.

[Paula_56]

Wow what a story thank you for sharing, not many here mention having a BF, but I have felt the need to be desired and love as a woman, it is something I hope to have someday, hugs Paula

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Wow you give me Hope!

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This is what would happen to me! The flood gates would open and no holding back

[Ressie]

Yes, I started buying clothes at thrift shops after my divorce, but I was only married for 4 years. When I first met the wife I purged the few items I had. Now, 15 years later my closets and drawers are overflowing!

[fun4metoo2004]

Not after the divorce. it was after my son moved out and I was by myself. First time out of the house dress was Common First. Halloween. I did a fun photo shoot after that. Now I am getting my house ready to sell, and the movers have packed up 99% of what i would wear, and makeup etc. So kind of going a little stir crazy to dress.

COVID 19 has stopped my Waxing appointment for the near term. Don't want to shave, as it has too many issues.

[Glenda58]

After my wife passed away I started dressing more. Started going out with a ex girlfriend who knew of my dressing. But when she got mad at me she would cut up my cloths. After she left I started dressing full time till I remarried. I told I CD and she didn't say anything till after we were married she doesn't like it. Now I wish I didn't get married.

[Angela Marie]

Definitely did. My ex did not know about the dressing so that was not the cause. After she left I was alone half the time so the dressing increased exponentially. At 65 I would love to go full time but my present wife, who knows, wouldn't go for that. Plus my kids would have a real problem. But i'm happy with the time I get now. Sometimes you have to understand it's always not all about you.

[BobbiKay]

Chicken and egg problem. If I dressed more, I might end up divorced. Then I would dress more, for sure!

[marlacd]

Mine increased for a while. About a month after we seperated, she showed up at my door, I was dressed. I almost didn't answer the door, then it occured to me, she barged in on me. So open the door went. Turned out it was about the shortest visit I ever had with her. (I was good with that!) There really isn't any venue in my town to go dressed to, so I just restricted my dressing while at home.

I tapered off for a while, there's other things to do. I tend to waffle. Sometimes I do a lot. Other times, I let it slide. I'm not shopping for another girlfriend. My life works better without without one.

[Ceera]

Mine increased exponentially, after my wife passed away.

[MiniRock]

The short answer is yes although after the loss of everything permanently, including my children, and having to return to my parents for a couple of years, alcohol was my main crutch. Nevertheless, I have certainly since then, 12 years ago, gradually bought a few clothes to the point that I have now been out in public a few times. But I feel my dressing up is something completely different. Most of my life, I've tended to get really interested in certain things and then pursued them. As a boy it was building model aircraft, then it was building a real aircraft, then it was making my family as extraordinary as possible (sadly failed), then somehow cross dressing. And now I'm concentrating on broadening my electronics skills with the aim of developing an idea I have into a business proposition. There is also an ever recurring theme of how I will I get to my children against the wishes of my ex. I have a big plan there too. So I haven't had too much urge to dress up at all lately because my mind is otherwise preoccupied. Moreover, I am certain that it will never progress beyond wanting to look and feel sexy. It's high heels or nothing for me, I'm afraid.

[Marianne S]

The answer is Yes for me too. I Lost my wife to cancer after a long and happy marriage, and she had been supportive of me as Marianne. Soon after she died I was in skirts, blouses and dresses every day. I bought a bunch of new clothes and jewelry as well. I also enjoyed wearing my wife?s panties; still do for that matter. It was partly a matter of having more time to dress--and more "alone time" to fill, come to that--but it was also a form of comfort and compensation for losing my wife. True, this rush of dressing did taper off after a while, but I still do dress more these days than I used to when my wife was with me.

[Lux]

After my divorce, I took some time off to heal but also dressing more regularly. My ex wife was originally DADT but became intolerant to crossdressing over time. When I started to go out again, I did get a lot of male attention and wondered if I was bisexual. After a few male encounters.. which I did enjoy, I met a bisexual girl on a dating app and dated her for quite a while. Very early on, I told her about my crossdressing and she asked to see a pic of me dressed up. Nervously I complied. She smiled, pulled out her cellphone and showed me pictures of herself in stockings and garters. Needless to say we proceeded to a have male/female relationship as well as a female/female relationship.

My amazing current wife knows these stories and all of my history since we have always been 100% truthful and faithful with each other and are going on 10 years strong now.

So to answer your question Paula, I did dress more after my divorce. Dressing did cause my divorce. Currently happily married and can dress when I want. So glad I didn’t stay in that marriage since it didn’t allow me to be true to myself. Haven’t been happier.

[jamienoir]

Oh yea. I'm separated from my wife, but an out of town work stint started my CDing again. We sep about a year after I came back for a variety of reasons. She doesn't know about the crossdressing.

Since being separated I've been practicing makeup and buying clothes. I've been on a few outings too. This was gonna be a big year for me too. Was.

I've thought of telling her but she reveals too much personal information to her family and friends (part of the reason for our breakup). Also, her grown almost 30 yr old son (my stepson) is still in the house. He has no life.

So yes!

[Judy-Somthing]

You look great!
I love to dress and know If I had the chance I would dress quite a lot more.
This addiction if tuff to get rid of!

[BiancaEstrella]

The only thing holding me back, is my wife's un-acceptance. I really do desire to live as a woman and probably transition but at 61 have decided not to because of how it would affect so many others.

But if i was living alone I believe I would just start dressing more and more and eventually being living as a woman.

Just curious what so of your experiences may have been?

Disappointing other people became a thing I could eventually shrug off. Disappointing myself was eating away at me from the inside.

I can't tell you what to do, but I am cheering for you to choose you. I wish you the best.

/edit/ if it helps any to know, you make a very pretty woman.

[Manna]

I think yes because you start giving more time to you.

[Paula_56]

You're luck that you got out of a dysfunctional marriage. Many of us didn't have your courage to say NO. I envy your experiences, I too would like to have an encounter with a man and probably would enjoy it however like you still like girls too

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Thanks I know you are right

[Michelle Crossfire]

Yes it did. I divorced my first wife, she was absolutely horrible. Marriage was a freaking disaster, and that is putting it mildly. Married my 2nd wife, a complete 180 degree opposite of the 1st hag. Current wife is more understanding and helpful. Nothing like this would have ever happened with the first hag.