Must have been the heat

I always tell myself to be more bold and do what makes me happy instead of always wanting something and then don't do it and miss opportunities. Yesterday I came home from work and when I came out of the shower my wife and her younger sister where in the yard enjoying a cold drink in the melting heat. I believe whoever here knows my past with my crazy sister in law, she caught on to my fem side for some reason. She would tease me if I wanted to try on her pantyhose or if I wish I had her clothes always trying to see if I would budge and give her some clarification if she was right. Then a FaceTime phone call with my wife and she seen me in the back ground dressed verified her assumptions. My wife told her she wanted to keep it private and for her to back off, in which my sister in law has respected and thankfully everything went back to normal.
Yesterday I went outside to greet them and they had just came back from the mall and there was a shopping bag and I asked what my wife bought. I pulled out a beautiful long summer dress, jokingly I put it against my body and asked them if the dress suits me. My sister in law instantly tells me if I'm curious if it suits me why don't I try it on? We laughed and when I looked over at my wife she told me i wanted to try it to do it and she gave a kind of permission head knod. I ran to the washroom and ripped off my clothes so fast because I couldn't wait to feel that dress against me and it didn't disappoint it felt amazing. I almost ran out of the washroom to model the dress in front of them and when I opened the door there was a the closet full view mirror and I stopped and looked and I didn't like what I saw. It didn't feel right with just the dress on and nothing else. I disappointedly went back in the washroom and took it off and told them it didn't fit. My sister in law told me she was disappointed because she was going to go to her car and get the few dresses she bought for me to try on.
I was kicking myself to let this one go, it would have definitely had been fun and a dream but of course I let it go. When my sister in law left my wife knew the dress fit and asked me if I chickened out or got embarrassed for her sister to see me but she thought I would have enjoyed doing it and it would have been fun. I told her I was very excited and then I changed my mind when I seen myself without a wig and breastforms. I asked her what came over her to let me do it, she just told me it must have been the heat outside.
I don't know why I always get this way but I don't know why but I think I would have been more comfortable if I was fully dressed and just didn't like presenting myself like that. It just didn't feel right.

But what stopped you from grabbing a wig and forms?

I know Donna, I guess at times like those I just don't think straight. I guess the excitement and adrenaline just makes things confusing and don't think straight. I thought the same thing after but I always have how my wife would feel if I did something. I like where I am with my wife and the mind goes a million miles an hour when I'm in these situations.
I know the worst thing one can do in these situation is to overthink things.

Sounds like a great interaction between the 3 of you.
I would have felt the same. If not presenting 100% the way
I prefer, I would definitely not step out to be seen.
I do not use a wig or makeup. But I could not put on
a dress without the forms and pantyhose. Then be seen by anyone.
I would need to have the presentation just right. Hoping and praying
for acceptance when I did step out

If it did not feel 100% right for you, then you absolutely did the right thing

Hmm? There seems to be a nagging desire to just disclose to your SIL and get it over with.
But, wanting to present in the most Maria way possible. The dress try on thing caught you off guard and ill prepared.
How about the next casual get together with your wife and her sister include an elegant and cordial serving attendant or special third lady to socialize with?
You would have time to put your best presentation together.

And sometimes it's just the little things like being seen with normal hair that aborts the mood. Perhaps next time, or discuss with wife ideas on how to handle next time, or set up a next time that your both/all 3 would be comfortable with.

Why not ask your wife if the next time she goes shopping with her sister if they can do so while you're home. Then, while they are out you can get "ready" for their return with makeup, wig, a dress, bra, forms, etc. so you can be properly introduced? Then, if they want you to try on any clothes, Maria will be ready.

I have to agree with you that sometimes the look is not what we may want. For me, it is all or nothing when it comes to dresses. That is one reason I stay away from mirrors if not fully en femme. The exception is when I sleep in a nightgown, bra and panty and maybe a full slip. It is impossible to be comfortable trying to sleep in a wig. Of course, then it is dark in the room.

If I had a nickel for every missed chance....:daydreaming:

But, seriously, Maria, you didn't really completely miss the chance. In front of your sister in-law your wife offered you the chance to try on a dress and you took it. The fact that you didn't present yourself in it doesn't mean that you didn't extend your limits at least a little that day.:thumbsup:

I?m with April. You pushed the window a bit more and your SIL knows how eager you were to put on the dress. I suspect there might be another opportunity in the future that will take it further. One can hope!

Well I suggest you ask your wife if you can invite your sister in law over for a girls Glam night! We have one on occasion here at home and invite friends that know about my Raven side. We all dress in evening wear maybe dinner definingly enjoy a few adult beverages to lighten the mood. Sometimes it has turned into a bit of a fashion show, you can show your wardrobe and I'm sure will be asked to model different outfits. We've never had a girls glam night that didn't include 2 or 3 wardrobe changes throughout the evening.

Just a thought if your wife is willing to indulge and you're willing to do a full disclosure to your SIL

I would have hesitated under those circumstances. I just cannot stand the way I look without makeup and a wig.

I'm just the same, if I'm going to put on a dress, I have to have a wig and makeup,

Maria, your post perfectly explains why me and many other dressers go all the way or not at all when dressing.

Seeing my male self in drag is disgusting!:doh:

Oh Maria this is bringing back memories of the dilemma I faced with my SIL.

She took huge delight in trying to humiliate me over a fairly long period in exposing me as a submissive sissy to her sister and her visits were a constant nightmare for me.

My wife of course revelled in my embarrassment but finally convinced me that perhaps coming clean with her and introducing myself to her as Amy would save me any more humiliating situations especially in front of her other sisters.

And so that was what she made me do and despite my initial reluctance and downright refusal for a while one day I was introduced to her as Amy.

Of course I still found it unbearably humiliating but it turned my relationship round completely with my SIL, despite still loving to tease me and humiliate me she genuinely loves me as Amy and her relationship with my wife is stronger than ever.

Hopefully if yourself and your wife follow this path it will work out for you too but perhaps your wife has more insight into how her sister will react.

Amy x

I think you are there, Maria!

Your SIL knows, for sure. After the FaceTime incident, and now this ... oh yes, she knows. And your wife appears to be OK with that too, which is awesome.

I'm the same way, can't do the in-between presentation, that's just weird looking to me. Honestly, I don't think I would have tried on the dress, but more power to you that you did! And now that you did, it is completely clear that you like these things. No "ordinary" male would ever do that, and your SIL knows that, right!

In my opinion, and as several others have observed too, you have now pawed the way for doing a Girls Evening with your wife and SIL. Of course, talk it over with your wife and make sure she is comfortable with it, but it seems to me it would be the next fairly easy step.
Many here are quite envious of where you are! Good for you!

You admitted to trying on a dress to your SIL, that's progress! Maybe next time you'll go a little farther.... :)

Next time, do you want to just be seen in a dress? Or do you want her to know that you have forms and a wig, at which point she'll know you take this a lot farther in private? (I wore a dress and bra as part of a Halloween costume once, but instead of forms I filled the bra with socks, just so people wouldn't think I'm actually CD)

I have a feeling each subsequent visits with her are going to be more and more enjoyable - one step at a time!

Why didn't you just get dressed then?
Apparently they were ok with it.
I would have jumped at the chance.

Well done, that took courage to do, just need to fully present next time, and there will be a next time as your SIL now definitely knows you like to dress up and your wife seems OK with that. Just talk to your wife and make sure she is OK with you fully dressing up in front of her sister. I can definitely understand wanting to be fully dressed before presenting yourself as Maria, you obviously want to make a good first impression as Maria and I know I'm like most on here it's all or nothing! Not too dissimilar to women who like to look their best when meeting up with friends.