How much money?

[Alice92]

Is crossdressing one of the biggest part of your spending? What is your budget? This must of course depend on your financial resources. I ask the question for those who crossdress occasionally and not those who live fully as a woman. Having to buy men's clothes plus women's clothes quickly becomes very expensive. Crossdressing can be a very expensive "hobby" especially when like me, you easily fall for that cute little top or that classy dress... I have so much more female clothes than male :) Shopping on the internet is really a blessing when you think about it. Not only does this avoid the difficult task of going to the store and the prices are also more affordable (but maybe the adventure is less exciting). I have been buying my own clothes for about 5 years now, almost exclusively on the internet, so I can find all my orders quite easily. I spent almost 2500 euros (about 2900 dollars). Taking into account the fact that I had to buy all the basic elements for a good transformation and building a complete wardrobe (basic lingerie and pantyhose, basic little black dress, denim skirt, t-shirts, comfy shoes, various makeup and wigs, a lot of accessories, etc.), I don't know if this is reasonable or if I'm a shopaholic but I'm not gonna stop :heehee:

How much money do you think you spent for your need to dress as a woman? Can you wear the same clothes your whole life or do you need something new on a regular basis?

[sara66]

I do not budget a large chunk of money to shopping, however it is not a cheap endevour. I spend around $1000 a year.
I have 50/50ish wardrobe.
Sara

[MonicaPVD]

don't keep outfits for very long, as I don't have many viable storage options. So, I buy a new outfit once a month, on average, and toss an older outfit that I'm not crazy about. One in/one out. I tend to shop at fast fashion shops, so it's easy to buy tops/dresses/jeans for under US$50 a piece. Not very expensive at all. I have three pairs of shoes and two pairs of boots. Again, limited storage. Two purses.

So, let's say that at any given moment I can have $400 in clothes, $600 in shoes, and $500 in purses. Add $200 for two wigs, $150 in shapewear, $300 for breastplate, and $150 in assorted undergarments. I buy inexpensive pharmacy makeup, so I have right around $100 in makeup. Another $100 for miscellaneous stuff, hose, makeup wipes, etc. That's right around $2,500.

[1Ladyjade]

I been buying my femme stuff with cash given to me for odd jobs I have done. Rebuild a smoker on a trailer. Cash money. Tear out old bathroom install new tub. Cash money. Vendor gives me gift card for Christmas. All money that isn't part of the family budget. I then buy a gift card and buy stuff online. This is what you have to do when your SO is in the DADT club. It was working great till I went to buy myself a pair of black pumps. I needed a few dollars more than I had. I used my bank card to make the difference. My wife saw the transaction so I was busted. I had to come out with her but she just checked into the DADT club.

[Kris Burton]

I bought my first CD accoutrements this past August, outfitting myself as best I could with about $1000. I had put aside for unspecified purposes. That much got me "started" pretty well. Going forward, I am not thinking so much about budget, but if I have the money to spend on an item without becoming totally broke, I will do it. I am trying to use thrift store resources as best I can, but some of the stuff I see on Amazon and elsewhere is so inviting, I have a loaded cart. I could easily burn through my reserve right now, but then I'd be broke. So I'm trying to be responsible, but it's not easy. I also make sure I do not spend any "family" money or run up the charge account, so that keeps me in check as well. This is not a cheap sport, although I've heard golf is worse.

[Sandi Beech]

Yes I have been spending a LOT the last few years. Outings that require hotel says on top of everything else really add up. I almost hate to say how much.

Sandi

[Jolene Robertson]

Good question Alice, I don't have a budget per-say but sometimes spend more than I should considering no more often than I go out. I have a lot more "girl" clothes than guy clothes for sure. I am also a musician with a studio as well so when comparing the cost it's not even close. I have guitars an microphones that run 5K each so dressing takes away from some of those purchases and goes to clothes and other items. But it's not a cheap hobby if you really get into it. If I traveled more and had to pay for accommodations then it would run up in a hurry. I would guess I spent around 2K last year, not to bad, it keeps me balanced and my wife doesn't mind and even helps.

[sara_also]

Well after reading what others have spent, I feel cheap!
I purches all of my fem clothes from thrift stores (example) a pair of 2 in heels for $4.00.
I spend only about $200.00 a year. Being retired and on a fixed income one must be a little careful.

[MonicaPVD]

Sara, We all work with what we have. Thrift stores have some amazing finds.

[Alice92]

I don't have this kind of thrift stores in my area. It could save my bank account.
In the end the important thing is not the number of dresses in the wardrobe but to always have one in which you feel good.

[Debbie Denier]

One has to cut ones cloth accordingly and live within their means . When I was younger and single I spent a fortune on clothes and a fitted wig.Now as others have pointed out the thrift or charity store is the solution. Dresses a few UK pounds sometimes donated new. A fibre wig can be purchased for ?30 instead of a fitted one for ?200 plus.Market stalls and chain stores are also cheaper alternatives.Less can sometimes be more.Priorities and circumstances change.Be versatile and adapt.As I have got older I am less likely to be the kid in the candy store I used to be. But a bit of fem self indulgence even if only once in a while is good for the soul.

[Heather76]

I haven't kept track of what I've spent not do I budget for my clothes. However, a rough recap would indicate in the past 20 months (when I began crossdressing) I've spent close to $1,000.00 on everything. I'm basically a Walmart and Amazon shopper to keep my spending under control. I'm fortunate that I don't need to watch ALL my pennies; but, I am also somewhat of a frugal person and don't care to waste my money. Probably the only thing I spend an equal, or greater, amount on is playing golf. I have no other hobbies, I don't drink, gamble, or smoke; so, there isn't much left to spend money on. I don't consider our dog a hobby. He's my buddy and never has an issue seeing me fully dressed. My wife and I don't go out a lot. We eat at a restaurant maybe once/week and simply don't go to movies. My wife's hobby is quilting and I'm certain she out spends me buying fabric; but, she enjoys it and is quite proficient/good at it.

[HollyGreene]

I don't spend a huge amount, to be honest, and I couldn't put a figure on it either.
I tend to look for reduced price items in stores, but I also by used items on eBay. I have some quite expensive dresses that I got for ridiculously cheap prices on eBay, and most of them were in almost perfect condition.

[Maid_Marion]

If you are as small as I am in the USA it is much cheaper to buy women's clothes. I weigh 52kg or 115lbs. 160 cm height.
It is very hard to find men's clothes that small. Only a few online stores. And the men's clothes I bought never fit all that well no matter how much I paid. Sleeves too long.

Cute Small/XS clothes are very cheap on ebay and on sales racks as 95% of women are too big to wear them!
I look pretty good as I've learned how to locate brands/sizes that fit me. I learn a lot about sizing through Ebay.

I bought a couple of cute dresses on ebay and only one fit oddly. If I had the time I could lengthen the darts to make it properly fitted.
I don't have any place to wear them so this is just like crossdressing. But they are cheap and fun! $100 was enough to buy five dresses!

Marion

[julia.bowie]

A good post! I fully take onboard your comment about buying 2 sets of clothes. I find men's clothes so dull and drab that they are purely functional in my mind and as a result don't spend much on my male drab. However, when it comes to my female clothes I'm much more a shopaholic like yourself and if there's something that catches my eye then I tend to splash out.

Also like yourself I tend to buy all my clothes and accessories online - it's the modern way. Also, let's not forget that a shop has a fixed range whereas the likes of eBay has an effectively infinite range of products. I always think the best example of this is bottles of wine - a local wine store (if you can still find one) may stock 100 different bottles, where an online supplier can supply thousands of different wines.

I dislike Amazon and make a poimt of avoiding it. I find their stuff is trash. In the early days they used to be good but now infected with cheap foreign muck. I like eBay not only because it's online but they actually serve a really good role in getting people to recycle clothes and goods. I have purchased Phase Eight dresses (which I have a thing for) off eBay for ?15 and they come with the original tags marked at ?199 - I kid you not!

If you can afford it - what the hell it's only money and money was invented and designed to be spent. It's what keeps the world revolving. I suppose in an ideal world you'd have a monthly clothing budget which incidentally many women do. Which leads onto the point that many women don't have a problem allocating ?X/month on clothing. Women like to look good and understand that to look good costs money. I've worked in offices all my working life and seen some really well presented women, who clearly make a point of spending a given percentage of their monthly income on clothes and accessories. Whereas, many men can be a bit tight when it comes to spending money on clothes and on themselves. They won't think twice about spending ?10,000 on a new mororbike but be stingy when it comes to buying clothes and pampering themselves.

Listen to me rabbiting on! I could talk the hind legs off a donkey! It's because I so liked your post and thought you raised a good question that I've thought about many a time over the years I've been crossdressing.

Well, take care and have a nice weekend.

[SexyKerri]

Now that I am rediscovering Kerri, I believe I am spending 3 or times what I spent in the past. And still have hopes of finding the perfect set of heels like the ones I purged 15 years ago

[RADER]

I try not to go too nuts. Maybe about $ 600.00 a year

[Stephanie47]

No budget. My wife and I are blowing our kids inheritance. My wife spends more money on fabric than I do on fem garments. With my wife fully retired and Covid-19 curtailing much of anything my buying has been directed towards nightgowns and panties. Since the beginning of last year I bought 25+ nightgowns.

[AngelaYVR]

I think this whole attitude of buying buying buying speaks partly to the [expletive] quality of the clothes available now. I have a fairly compact wardrobe of clothes that I love and that I want to wear, most of it is thrifted.

Let us also not forget the impact of all those fibres made of spun plastic, bought en masse and worn a few times - what a horrendous waste. I do not think anyone can pretend, in this day and age, to not be aware of the environmental impact of unbridled consumerism.

[kimdl93]

No, its not the biggest part of my spending, but on the other hand, I would rather not contemplate the amount I have spent a significant amount of money on clothing, foundations, wigs, breast forms, hip pads, and make up over the years.

[Mermaiden]

I don?t spend much. I shop at Target, some thrift stores, and on line. If I was going out, and often, I?d be interested in the higher end clothes. But I wear Jockey panties and the dresses and skirts are just for me at home. Spending more wouldn?t make me happier.

[Jessica Secret]

I have no idea how much I've spent over the years but given how well I've built up my lingerie wardrobe I don't spend much per year anymore, and since 99.9% of my attire is lingerie I don't really spend for anything else anyway and I get plenty of use out of the lingerie I already have. Once in a long while something will catch my taste that I really want but otherwise I'm pretty satisfied with the wardrobe I already have and thus don't add to it very much.

[Pumped]

I have no clue either, but 25 pairs of high heels, anywhere from $25 to $125 each, most were closer to the $25 price, but a couple pair I just had to have! A dozen dresses, about the same number of bras, panties, plus jeans and tops. I don't want to think about it! It has to be over $3,000.
Some here have or had collections that had to of had four zeros before the decimal point!

[Alice92]

Let us also not forget the impact of all those fibres made of spun plastic, bought en masse and worn a few times - what a horrendous waste. I do not think anyone can pretend, in this day and age, to not be aware of the environmental impact of unbridled consumerism.

You raise a good debate that was part of my original post but that I erased to refocus on the financial aspect. I sometimes feel guilty about it. I don't have a car, I eat organic food for the most, I obviously recycle my waste and I pay attention to my water and electricity consumption... But we all have our flaws, I'm too addicted to clothes.

[julia.bowie]

Regarding the environmental impact of clothing, people wear clothes [we have to by law!] and when you have 8 billion of us there is an associated impact. And with 3 new mouths to feed and cloth being born every second around the world an environmental impact is inevitable. On the use of plastic I totally agree. When I was a child milk came in glass bottles and they couldn't do enough to go backwards in the use of non-organic materials. Many people think ocean-plastic etc is a new thing - nah. The first formally recorded piece of plastic picked out of the ocean was way back in 1965 off the coast of Ireland. Throughout my lifetime governments around the world have ignored the problem and continue to do little and take small steps to solve the issue. Next time you're at a supermarket take a good look at the shampoo, body lotions aisle and you'll see rows and rows of plastic bottles. That's being played out at every supermarket and store around the world, and none of us asked for it. As I hinted at in my post, it's one of the reasons why I like eBay in that it serves as a good source for recycling unwanted clothing.

[Helen_Highwater]

A big chunk of my spend goes on the week away I take every year as Helen. Accommodation costs, travel take up a significant part of my yearly spend.

As I don't get to go out other times at present apart from the odd occasion when opportunity arises, I keep my clothing spend fairly low throughout the year. I do keep my eye open for things on sale that are too good to miss but if there's something I feel would improve my wardrobe I try to save buying it until I can go out in person enfemme. Limited storage space also plays a role here.

So, how much in total? I'd guess that ?600 per year all in does for me so clothing accounts for a little over a couple of hundred for me. I could afford to spend more but as I say I can't see the point of having clothes I can't wear. I'd rather spend on slightly better quality than quantity.

[Denice]

Don't really keep track. All I'm sure of is I live by this sentiment:

“Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen and six , result happiness.
Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery”
Wilkins Micawber

[Sandrajiggle]

Since the first item I bought was about thirty years ago.
Now I've two suitcases cram packed with almost everything I've bought. I've not thrown alot away.
Lots of my stuff is second hand or bought in sales. A few special items like boobs at ?70, a nice corset at ?35 , wigs never more than?20.
The whole lot for insurance purposes might be ?1500. So around fifty pounds a year. I've got enough to completely dress with a few different complete outfits.
My wife knows but I am not out.

[VivianNewkirk]

Looking over my credit card annual reports I seem to be spending around US$1000 per year on Vivian. That's not bad compared to some of my other hobbies. The correct number of either bicycles or dresses to own is n+1, where n is the number you have now. Bikes are more expensive than dresses, by and large...

[Natalie5004]

My spending on women's clothes came up this morning in our house.

My wife usually does the laundry, but I work from home so I have been doing the safe stuff, darks. So, this morning she does the whites. I see the dried clothes on our bed for folding and she casually mentions that she has put my NoN man clothes in the spare room for me to put away. I think that I do not put Natalies clothes in the laundry, I take care of the myself. "What clothes" I asked. Go see. So, I looked and I do not recognize nor are they my size. Too small. These are not mine I told her.

That started a big discussion about then I must be having women over while I am at work. Or something totally ridiculous. After being told that I am Gaslighting Her. You know trying to make her think she is crazy. Then her going to my closet and counting my shoes, 12 pair. She did not count my dresses, skirts or tops. But the closet is filling up. (I may need more room but that is another story). Well maybe the clothes are from your Son that was here for 2 weeks? Impossible was the retort, (He came out gay 10 years ago but I know better than to connect that fact with CDing. Thank you very much).

After about a half an hour strong back and forth, I realized that the folks across the street gave my wife 5 bags of clothes they were going to donate. 99% percent of the clothes was perfect for 1 year to 5 year old kids clothes.
So, after being called a liar I asked about those donated clothes. Do you think there might have been 2 Tee shirt style women's clothes in the bag that you possibly did not see when you washed all those kids clothes last week.

Ahh light starts to come on.

I am sorry, that must have been it, she said.

Why would I buy women's tee shirts? "The last thing I would do is to buy plain women's clothes. You know I like to really dress up fully. Do you want to see a photo?
At times I really surprise myself that I look great and not like a man in a dress. Other days I feel like I fell face first in the makeup counter. " I told her that I am many things. The one thing that I am not is a liar.

She kissed me and said in passing that I have better makeup and newer clothes than her. I let sleeping dogs lie on that comment.

[Pumped]

Looking over my credit card annual reports I seem to be spending around US$1000 per year on Vivian. That's not bad compared to some of my other hobbies. The correct number of either bicycles or dresses to own is n+1, where n is the number you have now. Bikes are more expensive than dresses, by and large...

Change bicycle to motorcycle and it gets a bit worse! Well, maybe, depending on your taste in bicycles! But then a year ago I had $60,000 worth of motorcycles in my garage, at least what I paid for them! I sold two last spring, two that I didn't ride much. When I was plush with the excess cash my wife asked me what I was going to do with all the money? Go clothes shopping for my female side I told her! actually I bought windows and siding for our house!

[Geena75]

If I allow what I have spent in the last 16 months on dresses (5), shoes (4), make-up, stockings, leggings (2), and jewelry; I think the total would be approaching $300, and that would be more than I have spent in all the years before. I do this on the cheap.

[Connie D50]

Wow not a question I want my wife to see lol. I buy more women items than men. I'm retired so I have everything I need male wise. however, a woman never has enough cloths :battingeyelashes: The worse question would be how much you have spent, after 55 years of crossdressing I would be afraid to add it all up (if I even could lol)

[Karren H]

Lots and lots! I do not really keep track but over the last 20 years I dare say I could have afforded to buy a new Tesla Model S or at least a couple Model 3s.

[SexyKerri]

After rediscovering my femme side a couple months ago quite a bit. 5 pairs heels 1 wig. Several packs pantyhose thigh hi?s etc. a dozen or so pairs of panties. Plus skin products and an Braun hair removal tool the dollars keep rolling w plans to do some in person shopping in a week and a half and been saving for that I?ve spent somewhere between too much and not enough

[alwayshave]

Alice, Dressing is no where near my largest expenditure on optional spending. Probably vacations are my largest expenditure, with eating out coming in second.

[Kerry Michaels]

Not too much. Most things come from eBay or sales. I even bought a wedding dress for ?35. You wouldn?t believe it if you saw it.
Most expensive item probably breast forms at ?70ish.

[Raychel]

I have to say that expenses for Raychel have certainly been in the thousands over the years.
Always made sure my wife and kids had everything they wanted or needed, and the household expenses.
After all that was done, if there was any leftover and I wanted some of my hard earned money for me.
Then sure Raychel could have something,

Of late, Raychel's closets are pretty full, Not much need or desire for new items at the moment
And I haven't been home to enjoy any Raychel time anyways.

[sometimes_miss]

I don't have a budget. Being large and tall, when I find something I like I just buy it, because I know that the likelihood of ever seeing it again are virtually nil. I used to make the mistake, 'Well, let me think about it', and then go back and whatever it is has been sold, and they have no more, and aren't going to be making any more.
Never again. I found women's boots to fit my men's size 16 feet? Bought every color they make. Same with shoes. So now, I currently have enough shoes and clothing to last me until I'm 100 so I only buy the occasional item that seems very special to me.

[JulieC]

sometimes_miss, it's so true that if you don't buy something you find and love right now, it won't be there when you go back. This is something quite different than men's clothing. Men's clothing, you can almost certainly find it or something almost identical. Women's? Not so much. I've learned this the hard way (missed out on a gorgeous pair of heels many years ago, and I've been looking for once like them ever since, to no avail). My wife loves that I understand this, because I encourage her to buy things when she really likes something, knowing it won't be there when she decides she wants to buy it.

[Krisi]

Well, my boobs are fairly expensive, my hip and butt padding costs a bit and then there's the wig, but all of thee things last a long time. They do wear out though. Then there are the clothes, but I buy at discount stores like Ross and of course, the clothes last a long time. I don't follow fashion trends and the most I have ever spent on a pair of shoes is about $30.

I am retired with a decent retirement income so crossdressing is not a major expense for me.

[Cheryl T]

I don't budget for my things.
Actually I don't think I really spend that much anymore. Maybe a thousand dollars a year if that. I have a sizable wardrobe and don't really need anything except the occasional replacement of some makeup. Unless I buy a new wig I won't be even close to that anymore.

[JustJennifer]

Not a lot, but it tends to be an all or nothing kind of thing. I can spend nothing for several months, then go out and spend $300 in one weekend. Nearly everything I buy is off the clearance rack though, or inexpensive makeup/pantyhose from the grocery store. Shoes are the biggest ticket item since I never see my size on clearance or at thrift stores. And I definitely need a new wig, but I'm making do with my own hair in the meantime since I never go anywhere.

[--Missy--]

I don't have a budget so I was almost afraid to go back and look at what I spent last year. I know it has been more than I need. I tend not to buy anything expensive and I usually wait for a sale before I purchase most things. It still adds up though. It looks like it was $70 USD on men's clothing and 14x that on women's clothing. Hmmmm.

[CynthiaD]

I spend a lot on female clothing, but nothing like what I spend on guitars, microphones, recording equipment, pedals, amps and cables. The most I normally spend for a dress is around $40. For a good guitar, add a couple of zeros.

[faltenrock]

I've been dressing for so long....

I don't know at all.
However I sold many dresses and skirts an I try to keep a balance between new clothes and those that I sell.

[BobbiKay]

Everything I wear, both drab and femme, came from a thrift store, or more likely, a thrift store outlet. So, maybe $5 or $10 a week.

[MostlyMK]

All of my clothes are in one of three pricepoints:
- "cheap" stuff from online that IS cheap and doesn't last. Think $10-15 items or $20 shoes.
- "nicer" stuff that does last but gets expensive quick. My best skirt was about $50 at Express.
- And the best is the nice stuff that I got at a thrift store for $5-10 per item.

My first year seriously dressing I spent almost $3000, trying to move past the cheap stuff to get nicer stuff. Then I found thrift stores and that's about the only place I shop.

[StacyG]

I don't keep track either. Just starting out with dresses, I got the cheap $6-$10 dresses on Shein and ebay until I learned what sizes I can wear. I love my 3 pair of Hanes nylon briefs for $10 just as much as I love my $30 pair of satin panties from Secrets in Lace. I prefer my $12 used VS bra over my $60 bra from SIL. I have set my limit on bidding wars on ebay over panties, they are just getting out of hand. Since my wife and I split and I live alone now, I have spent quite a bit on boobs, boots, heels and dresses. Hopefully a wig soon. I also need a new truck, so priorities may change soon.

[Maria in heels]

Over the last 5 years, I spent A LOT of money on a complete new wardrobe with dresses, undergarments, and of course MORE SHOES for my collection! I actually made a walk in closet for my wife, which gives me an entire wall closet for Maria and my other things. I will say that my other things are taking up a top and bottom hanging rack of about 4' each, and there has to be over 30' of dresses and outfits that belong to Maria and my expansive shoe collection that dates back to when I first started dressing with my own things. This past September, we had a formal black tie wedding to go to and my wife STOLE my one shoulder green scuba dress gown and was a hit at the dinner! Of course I got stuck with the tux and I told her that I have a fabulous pair of Jimmy Choo's to wear but she sadly told me no .... and we still laugh how everyone complimented her on MY DRESS that I didn't even get to wear yet because the local parties were cancelled here in NY amongst other health issues in the general public.